The daily union., 1856-02-05

eubJrcI
Lord Russell With this single remark In note Of Mr.
buchanan 70 Mr. Marcy Of the 10th February 1855, be
\ says:
From conversation which casually had with Lord
the House OF Commons oonrmed in the belief that he
central American question would have been settled bad he
remained In power low weeks longer"
The letter Of Lord Russell of course EXPRESSED the sent
mens OF Lord Aberdeen who the Premier al the time
~ was written and we therefore, know that the question
would have been settled on the principles stated in ha LETT
ter without any attempt 10 confne the treaty 10 prospec
tive operation, il vscount Palmerson had not most un
fortunately for all parties then into power 70 renew
bis rapacons policy In utter disregard OF treaty obga
tons While lie remains the head OF the British govern
ment Is impossible this question be settled am
cably between the two nations
Mr.. CASS. Mr. President, | here to-day uesiroug
TO express my sentiments upon this subject 10 the or
It's being called up by the honorable senator from Della
ware and am prepared to do 50 but have been some
what Of invalid lately and am afraid shall not be able
TO stand up long enough express myself fully wish
viii therefore, yield the floor TO any gentleman who de-
who enterains such wish will ae~ea Of
the question until Monday when trust the Senate will al
Mr. MASON Mr. President is / Tho Inc desire Of the sepa-
tor from Michigan TO pursue debate the motion which
was made by the senator from Delaware His notion ii
understand Alright is to refer the letter of Lord John
Russell to the Committee on Foreign Relations
Mr. CLAYTON. | design to move not only that but
also to print the paper for the use Of the Sena and five
hundred extra copies.
. Mr. MASON have very great ddidence sir in ex-
pressing opinion which would to be contrary
only older but far better soldiers in parliamentary warfare
Than am but would submit to them that it would seem,
Tor very many reasons, that debate upon the questions
involved IN the course OF the discussion by tho
honorable senator from Delaware is just exactly
appropriate either to the condition of the question
the condition of the country Congress organized
there is Congress of the United States in session aud
thought was informally agreed days ago that until
there should be Congress in session all questions reera
BILE to Congress should be avoided by the Senate in its in
dependent character.
Now n reference to this particular question: would say
that is matter pending in negotiation between the Uni
ted States and the Of Great Britain Wehave
been informed by the President in his annual message in
formally sent to the two houses that the questions involved
between the two countries yet pending and there
is reason to suppose trusting bound TO trust
to the honor and good faith of foreign nations both OF
Which, agree with the honorable senator are involved in
the questions pending between England and this country
at least we ought not to anticipate that honor and good
faith will be violated and that these questions will not be
brought to amicabe adjustment Therefore, it seems
to me that any debate which would require permit the
Senate to pass opinion upon the conduct OF England
.e views and purposes OF England IN reference 70 the
action taken upon the subject by the Executive would be
out of place.
1t unnecessary for me to express any opinion upon the
question; shall refrain from doing but il the debate
shall on and if honorable shall express them
selves upon the subject shall propose on its
Congress be not then organized that the subject shall o
over al least until Congress be organized.
Before conclude, however will venture to say this
much have not read the documents accompanying the
Presidents message except in very fugitive way IN the
newspapers of the day for those documents have not
been printed aud laid upon tables yet so far as
have read them, they show purpose on the part Of
England 10 disregard her treaty obligations with this
country. say they show that purpose though may
be misintormed Now her treaty obligations regarding
the question suggested by the honorable senator from
Delaware questions of territorial right and territorial
Jurisdiction between governments just as foreign to Us
England is-thc government in Central America.
England has entered into treaty stpuatons with this
government regarding what both governments seem'to
have considered as matters Of important to them
ernments in Central America need not add my opinion
10 that which grati6ed 10 hear expressed from all
quarters of the Senate that when the question Is pre-
sented to the Senate or to Congress tangible form
by the Executive there will be difference OF opinion
amongst the duty incumbent ON this government
TO hold England strict performance OF her engage
with the United States But sir the President 10 TO
conduct the foreign intercourse OF the country and a
though am little in the habit of giving ccmmendaton Ia
advance glad TO say that in bis annual message be
has given every to believe that up to this PERIOD
the negotiations between England and this country Affect
ing these questions have been conducted with signal
ability on the side Of the American government When
they brought close anything should require the
nerposon OF Congress- the people Of the country would
require Congress offer that nterposion and Congress-
am satisfied, would not be found wanting.
Mr. SEWARD. Mr.. President while | shall concur
with the honorable senator from Virginia in the desire
which he expresses that this debate may be postponed until
Monday, until the organization of the House OF Repre-
sentatiyes deem i proper to guard against being su
takes OF the position OF the question and OF the oondon
OF Congress
As understand the position OF the question il Is this
Our case-the American case-in this controversy has
been fully stated by to Great Britain and
explicit demand has been made upon that government
fulfil treaty of 1850 by dessng from the violation
of in Central America This statement Of case
full perfect and therefore able has been fully answered,
as | understand, by the British government aud our
explicit demand has encountered an equally explicit
denial. The President Of the United States has sent
10 us message, in which he presents the condition
of the question in just that shape II Is now therefore,
the duty Of Congress review the positions OF the two
governments and TO determine what shall be done. i
think there ought to be unnecessary delay because
delay indecision, and indecision often
loses good cause while decision as often wins bad ones
Therefore think that unless shall have inti-
nation from the President of change in the position OF
the question the time has for Congress to upon
IL On the other hand agree that there Is necessity
for acting upon IL discussing II at the present moment
because the British government Is already well informed
OF position of the Executive upon the question and
also Of what has already transprcd here In the Senate
All this is probably known the British Parliament
and the British people IL will show them that there Is
united people this side of the Atlantic who deter
mined to maintain and fulfil that treaty, and TO exact
from Great Britain that she shall maintain and fnhl "
also. We stand therefore well enough we cannot in-
prove position
do not agree with the honorable senator that there is
no Congress here. think the Congress Of the United
States is bodily and spiritually present. competent TO exe-
else all lis functions II Is the other house is not yet
organized but that Is matter-a temporary inconye-
niencewhch while II makes delay does not prevent this
house from transacng any business Still from the be-
ginning have voted with the honorable gentlemen who
have been in Of delerrng the transaction OF all hu
sness here have thought that courtesy and regard to
the spirit Of the constitution required s TO forbear IN this
House from transacng any important business until Com
gress shall be formally organized and therefore shalt
agree with The honorable from Virginia and those