The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-13
IN CONGRESS OF THE u. STATES.
Thirty Third Cong session.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY ii, 1854
SENATE.
MEMoRIALs, PETITIONS, ETC.

SENATE.
49, MEMORIALS, PETITIONS, ETC.
Mr.. SEWARD Mr. President, as | am obliged to
leave u. city for few days avail myself Of the sou5-
leave to pressnt some petitions. have received, and
have been requested to present q the Senate the petition
OF the heirs oil Captain Antoine Pauent. officer in the
revolutionary war. and the petition OF hs heirs OF Louis
Gosns, officer in the revolutionary war; both praying
70 b allowed Communication pay; which asS may be re-
ferred 70 the Commii,se on Revolutionary Clslms
The motion agreed TO.
"a M s. also asked leave 10 withdraw from the files OF
the Senate the memorial 0f Wilson Smith, praying IN
demui,y for the illegal seizure OF the steamer Fanny by
the Uuited States disc. attorney and the custom house
osef q Savannah aud that be referred TO the
Commiuse on Commerce; which was agreed to.
cLAYros-sULwER TREATY
Mr. BRIGHT. move to dispense with all prior or
ders OF business and that the Senate now proceed 10 he
consideration OF the orders Of the day. IN order 10 give
tbs honorable from Michigan an opportunity 10
TIE motion was agreed TO- and the Senate accordingly
proceeded the consideration OF the motion submitted
By MIR. CAss the 5h instant to refer the message OF
the President OF the United States communicated to the
Senate the ID instant TO the Committee on Foreign
Relations. .
the Senate in March last after my DEPARTURE an extend
ed discussion took place in relation TO what is known as
the Clayton Bulwer treaty. My views and course
. an as
said and in this high place, where It was said and
whence went forth TO The country. But besides the
lutekeGL
gard to my position recent circumstances and dis
Closures have given the whole subject arising out OF that
treaty additional Importance, and justify It's ta examina
II will be recoeced that in the early part Of the last
regular session. in consequence OF authentic public state
ments and especially Of proclamation announcing the
establishment OF q new British colony IN Central Amer
lea known the "Colony OF the Bay Islands, intro
duced resolution calling upon the Executive for infor
nation upon this subject and also asking what measures
had been taken 10 prevent the violation OF the treaty
Of July S. 1850, by which the United States and Great
Britain precuded themselves mutually from occupying,
OF fo5.yng or cS'ons. OF assuming. Or exene
coast, or any part OF Central America This resolu-
ton was adopted and, in due time. we received from
the Department oi State report lns tne ExeSuve asa
to the subject OF the esoluon but win his relufn the
Secretary sent in various docaments which had not been
before msde and nesoaoPs Of that
which disclosed state OF facts startling TO me, and n.
deed to many others in the Senate and unlocked for BY
the country IL appeared that when the treaty was Ial-
fed by the Senate that ratification given 10 the in
strumsnt itself, without any limitation or explanation TO
control the descriptive terms employed IN H. The act
therefore, of the Senate must be judged bv the words OF
the treaty When, however, il was sent to England Tor
the sanction OF the British government thai sanction
made sst,sys Il You
of Central America but announcing that the brisn gov
eminent did not understand the engagements OF that con-
vention to apply that settlement and It's dependencies
And the instrument OF exchange distinctly states that
her MAjesy's ratification of the said convention Is ex
changed under the explicit declar alton above mentioned
The treaty was proclaimed by the American government
ss binding without any declaration annexed TO it, making
known the restrictive construction given TO II by one OF
the parties, and acceded 10. in whole or in part by the
executive Of the other.
Bssdes this proceeding, affecting the feelings and in
terssts OF the country there another, which, though
far less injurious in lis operation, was certainly import
ant 10 some OF the senators who advocated ana voted
for this treaty. The honorable senator from Delaware,
then Secretary OF State, in announcing the executive as
sent 10 the British demand. accompanied It, presume az
e. tkn vwrfh fho ats
been informed by the then chairman oil the Committee
on Foreign Relations. the late lamented Vice President
Mr. Kns that" the ssSa,s psscy understood that ane
dessood 10 apply TO- and does include, all the Central
American States of Guatemala, Honduras. ST. Salvador
Ncarsxss. and Costa Rics. with theI l dependencies
Now, cir, here wess two subjects, both legitimate OBJ
jecs OF inquiry for any American, and especially for any
American senator who had taken part in this raii-
Acaton, and the pursuit OF which, II conducted in
dscoroas manner, could give no just cause of Of
fencs to any ons And mcne particularly was II the
right. the duty. indeed, OF any member OF this body
sensd TO embrace the frat favorable opportunity OF re
moving the msapprehenson 10 both respects that was
my position; and ] acted in conformity With these sug
gestons, and submitted my views 10 the Senate, and
through the Senate. 10 the country. And, in doing so
there peculiar reasons Affecting myself, and some
ohs senators who occupied similar sl'naiion and who
havs already borne their testimony here to the justice oil
the nsderatons presented which rendered the duty
OF selfvindIcaiion an imperative one The vote o the
democratic party in the Senate upon the ratIfcahen OF
porting il During the discussions number OF the
democratic members confidently predicted that the AZ,
rangement would prove aborve and that we should fail
ia the effort British power and Influence from
Central America My friend from Indiana, who stAbe
aide me, Mr.. BRoHT, was among the most decided IN
his hostility 10 the treaty and. as aa'd upon former
occasion, whether his prediction was the result oi IN
snct or OF Judgment know not. but certainly time has
pat ts ssa Of truth upon his sinister forebodng And
ho may say 10 IN the words Oh tha' eomIortaoe
old saw. told yos
xsalousIy advocated the treaty. bad more than one
conversation with the senator from Delaware respecting
during the progress Of the negotiation Tie did me me
honor TO consult me. well ott~r senators o both
partiss and earnestly recommended him 10 60 on and
consummate the work, expressing my doubts. however,
OF this accomplishment OF his expectations, but assuring
him that he succeeded he would render signal ser-
vice 10 his county. And why did estimate so highly
the projected arrangement Because II contemplated lhs
removal of British power aud influence from Central
America--true Central America, as thonsh,--apd
considered that measure both in It's present and fnins
aspects, great political object most desirable 10 De
peacefully obtained Those o us who profess allegiance
TO the Monroe doctrine and who advocated the aca-
ton OF this treaty. accused OF inconsistency there
and the accusation has been Iepeaed sInce with good
deal of earnesness and not little sarcasm and also oil
sacrlhcinG great political principle TO mere temporary
sxpedient.
Mr. President 10 far AZ this question of ratification is
involved, with the lights before us. had no doubts then
and have no regrets now, respecting the course which
the Senate sanctioned. ii is not little curious That
some of those who urged this objection With the mosi
perlinacy. although they also profess adhesion TO MS
cardinal principle OF American policy, YET never ma
resolution for It's authoritative assertion by Congress- Tue
only eaecual OF iis establishments In euch shape
TO secure its scooperaon Nor do they lend tnef a'd 70