Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-01-18
TH1RrY-rH1RD coNeREss-1sr SESSION.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. IA, 1854.


SENATE
Mr.. Seward presented two petitions when MI
Bright moved that all prior orders be postponed ant
the Senate proceed to consider the motion to rete
the correspondence relating to the Clayton Bulwe
treaty. Agreed to-
Mr. Cass then rose and entered into a circum
stantial account of the negotiations between thl
country and the British Government respecting tn
colony of the Bay Islands This treaty, it was stat
cd did not include Honduras Upon its ratification
the Democratic party was divided. He was in favo
of it. and approved of the of the Senator from
Delaware He approved of it, because it excluded
British influence from the whole of Central America
of so great importance to the United States on &C
count of the nteroceanic communication between inc
Eastern and Western States. He would vote 1or tne
Monroe doctrine, if practicable but if not he would
get the next best thing namely, by any convention
that would get rid OF European influence IN 1lils
country The Senator from Wisconsin had remark
ed in the last discussion that it was the llrst te
that Great Britain had given up territory WILL
out any struggle.
Mr. Cass then commented upon certain COM
ments made by the Senator from Delaware, respect
ing what he said and avcrred that he had committed
very grave errors in his remarks. The argument
was respecting the words Central America, anu "hat
might be comprised in she term, and what ne meant
by the term. =.
He then entered into account of the ncSotla-
tons respecting British Honduras, which, it had been
stated did not form part of the treaty. 1t would
have been better to have defined the British posses
fled. The difficulty in the obscurty OF the term
they ought to have been clearly defined before tie
ratification The British government would not al
low Honduras to be construed forming part OF the
British possessions in Central America and to this
the Secretary of State had consented. The term
Central America was used at the suggestion of Lord
Palmerston but the ambassador Sir Henry Bulwer,
had never MENTIONED itin his letter lie mad got the
treaty ratified, and that was ali he wanted
To define what comprised Central America after
the ratification had been made, like shutting the
stable door after the horse gone. If the treaty
was question at law, it would be found that great
portion of what constitutes Central America had
been cut off by the treaty twas apparent that the
Hon. Secretary had nlisyyi2Gs, as he went to the
of the committee on foreign affairs to ask
his opinion The Senator from Delaware, in his let
ter to Col King states that all who voted in the SEN
ate for OF against the bill, understood that British
Honduras not included in it.
The speaker went on other branches Of the sub
ject and indicated himself from misrepresentation
or MISUNDERSTANDING of his speech of the last scS-
sion on the same head. His speech is a very cabo
rate one, in the form in which it will be published,
though he passed much of its details in the de-
livery. As regards the exclusion ofthc British from
Central America by the treaty. he occupies much the
same ground Mr.. Clayton though thinking it am
Diguous.
Mr. Cass finished at % o'clock, when Mr.. Clayton
got the floor, and the subject postponed until
and after short executive session the
Senate adjourned.
The Speaker announced the first business in order
70 be the resolution rendering the thanks of Congress
md medal to Capt Ingraham.
Mr.. Phillips moved an amendment to strike out |
he words Gin extending the protection of the Amer
can Government to Martin Koszta," and inserting, !
in indicating the right of Martin Koszta to Amer
can protection
Mr.. Perkins asked leave to offer resolution
Iuesting the President to communicate a.! the
other than that heretofore communica-
ed het fho 1fa re
entatives abroad or with foreign powers, relating
% the protection extended by the United States to
tzens in foreign countries and those who have de-
Jared their intention to become citizens This was
objected to.
Mr.. Perkins said the friends of Ingraham must be
ratified that there was not dissenting voice in the
louise as to the propriety of the gallant conduct of
hat officer in rescuing Martin kosZta. The difficult
y of gentlemen who complain at the action of the
ommittee foreign affairs is that they find in the
esouton language sufficiently comprehensive Of
he sense of galantry of Ingraham, and at the same
me distinctly cumulative of the principle on which
is conduct should be justified. They could frame
10 eulogy in which he could not concur; they could
xpress no language too forcblc in appreciation of
ne letter of the Secretary of State He thought in
lis matter the Secretary of State almost for
mate as Ingraham. The act of Ingraham was a
right act in cur naval history. SO he believed the
tier of the Secretary indicated in Amer
an diplomacy.
This resolution proposed more complimentary
resent than sword, which the other designed In
lly few instances have medals been awarded
amely, to Preble, Per y, Elliot and McDonough in !
7ery instance to naval officers commanding squad
ms. He contended that if the committee had de-
gned to enunciate great national principle, they
'uld not have employed language other than that
nbodled In the resolution. We have acquiesced
ng enough in the European Interpretation of the {
VS. OF nations, which have been construed to suit
e purposes of arbitrary dynasties. t
Mr.. Disney of Ohio, next rose. lie said he be- ,
wed it was conceded on all hands that thanks to
lgraham, in matter of public policy, are justly
L. The only difference of opinion existing in any !
lrt OF the House regards the for the
stlhcatlon OF his action. He admired the ability c
the Secretary of the State, but there were points
the letter to which he could not assent For pur- {
'ses of commerce only, the laws of nations have g
cognized the principle that individual may &C
lire domlcll alien to the country of his birth, to r
hich he owes allegiance, and this is Enthusiastically T
id down in all the authorities which the Secretary
IS quoted. il
The error of the Secretary is, that he everlooks
is fact and the distinctions drawn. Nationality {
es with domicils for commercial purposes on the \
inciples laid down by Sir VIM Scott and followed +
the American courts. In reply to a question by c
Phillips, he said there were two kinds of ale Il
ance-one a temporary allegiance growing out of Il
micie, connected with commercial transactions a
ID the other permanent allegiance growing out of II
duty of the citizen in the abstract without re- Il
I'd to commerce or property. He discussed this O
bject at some length ~
Mr.. Preston said he believed the committee on t Fl
reign affairs had placed this resolution on the V
yht ground 1t twas kind of Baltimore platform. Il
nich all could support without being committed to n
y particular position. r.
The principles of international law or Mr. Marcys a.
ter might be added as preamble TO the resoIu-
IN, and then discussed. But it was far better for
G House simply to thank Can't Inpraham for do;nr CT