Washington sentinel., 1856-02-07
ConQrfssi0naI.
rHIRrY-FoURTH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
senate-Tuesday, February S, 1856.

Mr.. CLAYTON introduced resolution appro-
priating money for the purchase of two hundred
cords OF wood, 10 be distributed among the suffer
ing poor OF Washington city the money 10 be
taken from the contingent fund.
Messis. HUNTER and TOOMBS regarded il
as perversion of said fund
Mr.. CLAY moved an amendment, that the wood
be paid for out of the per diem of the members
IN equal proportions.
Mr.. TOOMBS, preferring 10 be his own almo-
ner, moved an anne endment, that the wood be paid
ior from the per diem of the members voting for
the resolution.
Mr. WELLER said he hoped the Senators
would individually contribute for the relief of the
by seven majority.
Mr. WELLER introduced a bill concerning the
Branch Mint at San Francisco; and authorizing
| The issue of new gold coin.
The Senate then resumed the consideration oil
| the special order-the Central American ques-
Mr.. FOOT, of Vermont, spoke upon the SUBJ
Ject In the course of his remarks, he said he was
not an admrer OF Mr.. Buchanan, but that gentle.
mans argument in relation 10 the construction OF
| The Clayton and Bulwer treaty is one Of consnm.
mate ability, While Grea; Britain insists on keep
ing possession of the territory which she claimed
al The date OF the treaty, she has considerably add
| ed 10 her possessions in Honduras, but we should
as earnestly nsisLhat the provisions Of the treaty
shall be fulfilled on her part She has plainly and
II
ments; and our national pride and honor compel
| us TO demand compliance with that treaty A
| faithful observance of the treaty required Of her
| MaJestys Government--an imme date whdrawa al
| OF any actual occupancy any exercise of domin.
ION on the Mosquito coast, by virtue of pretended
| protectorate.
| The claims of England over Central America
and the Bay Islands were founded in no right OF
discovery, conquest, purchase or treaty; il was a
| clear case of forcble entry and detainer-1he
same right which the highwayman had to the
purse OF an unarmed traveller. He maintained
| that the honor of this country, no less than lis
interest," demanded that we should insist that Eng.
land should fulfil her treaty stipulalions; and the
idea OF yielding 10 the preensions of that govern.
| ment, and allowing her to evade its plain provi.
| sions, was not to be thought of for a moment
he proposed a direct Congressional declaration
| OF our construction of the treaty; and of our
| purpose 10 enforce the obligations resulting from
that construction Ifthat prove unavailing and
after negotiation shall have been exhausted he
| would entertain proposition similar TO that sug
| gested the other day by Mr.. Seward, TO let Eng.
| land have official and formal notice that she must
! withdraw from her Central American possessions
| by a given day. II she still hold out and disre
gard all our summons, he would have her re-
moved by force Of arms. Let England understand
that we are in earnest about this, and that il ii
not 54o 4O' or fight" and then backing down te
| 400. II war comes, let it come we shall stanl
justified both by God and man.
| Mr.. WILSON got the floor and the question
was postponed until Thursday, and made tn,
/ special order for one o'clock.
! Petitions were then presented and bills intro
| duced &c. Adjourned