Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-01

gaiianlry and good conduct on the occase ms sboV'
stalled; which was also laid over.
| Mr.. SUMNER submitted the following resoiu
| lion, which was agreed To, namely:
Resolved, That the Committee on Patents be IN
slrucied 10 consider The expediency of repeating
30 much of the existing laws as requires the WORD
\ patented and the date. 10 be stamped on The
thug patented.
Mr.. SEWARD submitted the following resolu-
ton, which was agreed 10:
liz, o'pe4 That The Committee on Finance in
qulre whether any amendment or modification OF
The law in regard TO the exemption OF household
effects OF eniigranls from foreign countries - ne
cessary or expedent
MIR. SEWARD also submitted the following re
solution which lIesover:
Resoived, That seventy copies OF Lppincoitr
Gazetteer Of the World be purchased by The See
rotary for the use OF the Senate.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The Annual Message was received from the
President OF the United States, which was read.
Mr.. CLAYTON proceeded 10 make some re-
marks IN relation 10 The treaty Q. Apri 10, lSoo,
order TO show the people OF the United States
the strength OF the position assumed by the
United States Government in relation 10 The Gem
trail American affairs, aud the injustice OF The posi-
1 on taken by Great Britain with regard 10 The
construction Of thar treaty. He agreed generally
with all that the President had stated. AM con-
trasted the pacific character of this country with
the aggressive policy always pursued by Great
Britain.
Mr.. SEWARD inquired whether the ground
winch the President had allowed the brlt.h gov
ernme.i 10 take, with regard 10 the construction
oftta ireaty--viz: that il was merely prospective
in it, operations, and had no reference TO The &C
lua occupation by that country OF the territory In
quesiion--was the understanding OF the severn
men, of the United States when the treaty was
made, Mr.. CLAYTON then being Secretary OF State.
Mr.. CLAYTON replied that il was an entirely
new elhing which he had never
before heard Of. He had never dreamed OF such
a construction being given TO the Language OF the
treaty Does any man suppose, SAID he, that !, IN
the possession OF my senses, entered into treaty
with Great Britain 10 allow her 10 remain in pos
session of The whole Of this isthmus, merely be-
cause she had been in possession OF H. ana tnen
signed treaty 10 prohlbi, my own co"ntrymen
from taking possession, leaving her 10 remain un-
disturbed! What motive could ! have mad In
making such treaty2 What motive could an
American Senate have had IN voting for ~ Is II
possible that any believe .or single
moment that such view was IN contemplation
by the negotiators, when II was agreed that
neither will occupy, coonize, forly or exercise
dominion in Central America OCCUPY means
first TO lake possession and secondly 10 keep pos
session. Great Britain agreed 10 do neither-they
agreed that they would not exercise any dominion
there.
. Mir G. concluded his remarks by submitting
Ibe following order:
The message and documents be printed; and that
fifteen thousand copies OF the message and accom-
panying documents, in addition 10 the usual NUM-
Der, be printed for the Of the Senate, by the
printer OF the Senate for the last Congress, al
rates not exceeding those established by law
Mr.. CASS made some brief remarks, express
sing his entire concurrence with what had fallen
from the Hon Senator from Delaware, and his
qualification at the course taken by the President
and the views EXPIRE sed in the message. In The
wnole history OF The most tortuous diplomacy,
there nothing TO be found comparable WIN
the course oil Great Britain IN regard TO The con-
slructlon of the Clayton Bulwer treaty and Cen
trail American affairs.
Mr. WELLER followed with commentator
of the message, He believed this country could
never abandon the position she had assumed IN
relation 10 Central America. However the peo-
pie OF The United States might be divided on
questions OF Domestic policy. when .. war men
aced them thew would ever be found acting IN
harmony aud unanimity. Inc message might pc
denounced by philanthropi-ts, but II would
meet with cordial response from every friend OF
liberty and lover Of The Constitution and the
Union.
Mr. SEWARD announced that he was prepared
TO stand up and support the Clayton Bulwer
treaty. and if need be--if the British government
cond not bc held 10 that treaty he was ready 10
go further: he was ready tor the assertion ard
the practical maintenance OF tue Monroe doc
trne.
Mr.. TOOMBS said that he heartily concurred
in the message both regarded lis ioreiga aud
domestic policy.
The motion 10 print was agreed 10.
On motion by MIR STEUART, aresoiulion
was adopted for the printing of 900 additional
copies of the annual reports oil the Secrrt.fies OF
the Treasury Interior War aud Navy Depart
ments. and Postmaster General, Tor the W.. OF
those departments, respectively; and also 2oo ad-
ditonal copies of the message and documents, Tor
the use Of each of the departments OF the Atior-
ney General.
After an executive session, the Senate adjourn
ed until Thursday next