The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-01-19


terms did include ell the British settlements
anu therefore it was necessary to expressly ex-
clude that Interpretation or that the treaty
raised so strong presumption that such was
the case, that it was necessary, In writing b.
fore r"titying II, to exclGde that presumption.
Mr. Clayton. viii take up your gauntlet
Mr.. CaSs quoted several sentences from Mr.
Ciayton's speech, in which be referred slight.
iugly and disparagiugl7 Of the geograuhiclI
learning of himself and some Of his friends. and
said those r,marks by the Senator were as
much out Of place as they were 10 bad taste
He elaborated at great length the point tha5
the terms of the treaty did embrace the whole
OF Central America, including the British Hon
duras, and that the Government Of Great Brit.
ain so understood the treaty, and hence requir-
ed, before ratifying it, an express stipulation
excepting the Honduras.
The question of title did not necessarily
ARISE IN the matter 1T all bat simply, were t.
DritS n excluded by inc treaty from those set
temel's no matter what thor title He held
that the condition placed by Great Britain. a.
guessed IN 10y the American Government
would entirely absolye the British Government
In holding their possessions in defiance Of the
treaty, though it did not affect the question OF
title.
He then entered into an examination Of the
title OF Great Britain to the possession Of Hon
duras and to the ProtectOrate of the Mosouit0
coast. He reviewed the whole history Of thcs,
possessions, quoting largely from the various
treaties on the subject between England and
Spain, aud from the diplomatic notes. com
mentaries, and dispatches, Of English Mini
tors and Ambassadors. He Of course held that
the English had no shadow Of right to any
poAhcal authority over either. He reviewed
very fully the papers OF Lord Clarendon and
tie Queens Advocate Mr.. Harding, and con
trasted their positions as TO the construction Of
the treaty.
After he had concluded, Mr.. Clayton obtain.
ed the hOOr, and the subject was postponed till
tomorrow.
After a short Executive session, the Senate
adjourned.
House Of Representatives., Jan II, 1851.
A report was received from the Treasury
Department enclosing statement OF the OK
penditure Of the contingent fund
report was also received from the War
Department, enclosing a statement of expend;-
tuIes for the national armores
lie House resumed the consideration of the
resolutions proposing vote ofthanks and gold
medal to Captain lngraham.
MIR. Perkins, of Louisiana, was gratifed that
no opposition had been manifested to the ex-
preston of the approval Of the House of the
conduct OF Captain lngraham and he thought
the Secretary of State was equally fortunate
with Captain |. He supported the substitute
resolutions proposed by the Committee on For
eign Relations, and defended that committee
from the charge of having waived the express
sion Of any principle desirable to be avowed
The committee had concluded that the act Of
Capt. lngraham was itselfa principle IL did not
avow that Koszta was an American citizen
m tive ar oAn al l.. L IL
had right to protection on the grounds of
humanity, and nationality by virtue of his
domlch IN this country. Tie committee did
not believe it right to force al who could not
approve tht whole political ground assumed
in the original resolution to vote AGAINST the
award Of commentator
Russia, Austria and Prussia, had protested
against the act of Capt. Ingraham, and against
that alone" the conduct of that officer at
Smyrna, IN extending the protection Of our
Government to KOszta. The issue before the
committee was therefore simply. should the
House do more than the President and Secro-
tary of State had done, viz approve the act
that had been done by the gallant Command.
er The committee had resolved to do no more,
except to add the thanks Of the House for the
performance of that service
The views of Secretary Marcy were not new.
he cited American authorities in proof of this.
But they were American views, and Americans
should assume them, and repudiate the Euro-
pean Interpretation Of the laws Of nations. He
did not however, ask the House 20 adobs bi4
opinions on the subject
He simply wished it to perform the legiti-
mate duty before it--that Of conmendiDg An
action that had in every cline caused our nlg
70 De greeted with cheers. He wished tho uu-
uonahty ct that act to be avOwed. In the sub
sttute resolutions before the House a great min
clple was proclaimed, and he desired that the
world should know that it would be sustained.
Mr.. Disney, of Ohio, argued at length in or
position to the views of the Secretary Of State.
assuming that KOszta, after his departure from
this country, had no claim upon our Govern
ment for the protection of his person: that he
owed our Government no duty, and it could
owe him no protection, which could only be
due as reciprocal obligation.
Mr.. Preston, of Ky, saw nothing censuraLlc
in the Secretary's doctrine Of rehabilitation
He thought the resolution was n sort of Balti-
more platform, On which all could stand
he thought this was not the appropriate way III
which to originate diplomatic principles that
the resolutions Of thanks and the reward OF ?
medal were sufficient for this body. The cont
mittee had done well, and he wished 10 see IL
substitute resolutions adopted.
The law Of 1913, however, having granted
he right of inchOate citizens to 90 abroad du-
ing their probationary period, implied the In
entlon to protect them wherever they might
90 The only part Of the Secresaryis letter
which he deemed open 10 criticism, was that
n which 1t IS asserted that it was optional with
he United States to protect KOszts CT not. He
hOught there was no option abont IT, TIE
luty OF protection was incumbent. pledge
o that effect was given in the law Sand !. Nh,
htcd As Wing, he was glad the SEQ, o. 90 w.
lad written tho letter and hoped the FffS< .o~l
you'd sustain It's principles Capt. TnsrahoK
lad fulfilled has duty, and he hoped he would -
eceive the commentator Of the Legislature of
rs country therefor. Tia. our Goyernment
lad not claimed too much, might Re read in
ne fact that Austria had yielded He would
ot dampen the effect already produced by do
1g any thing lees than to applaud the act.
Mr. Bayiy replied to the question, whether.
captain lngraham bad acted under the in
tructlons OF Mr.. Brown, our consul at Con
why should not MIR Brown. end
OF captain ingraham, be thanked! by saying
1ae MT; brown deserved commentator, and
would yet see that he should receive II:
ut being in civil life he could be promoted
nd Mr. Bayly hoped the Administration would
remote him.
Mr. Dean, Of New York, chairman Of the
'mmittee reporting these resolutions. briefly
ipialned and defended them.
Mr. Nillson, Of Virginia, declared that the
eeretary of State had never ayowed the dutv.
is SIMPLY proclaimed the right to protect
oz'ea, as France and England had a right 10
,otcct the Sultan.
Sir' arker, OF Indiana, read from the letter
10 declaration of tho Secretary, that "this
oVernment does not consider itself az Ilbey,v
withhold its protection"