Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-02-26
COngrsssional
TnIRTY-FounTn CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
senate-sIonday, February as, 1856.

4 Scnate-Monday, February rs, 1856.
The PRESIDENT pro tenn. laid before the Sem,
/ ats a communication from the Secretary OF War,
| in compliance with a resolution of The Senate Of
the 18th instant requesting him 10 report an esli-
4 mate OF the amount necessary TO complete The
Notifications on Pea Palch Island, in the river
| Delaware
Also, a communication from the Secretary OF
the Navy, in answer 10 a resolution calling Tor the
record or journal Of proceedings of the late naval
board He transmits copy OF the report OF the
board and states that il not accompanied
with any journal, record, other papers; and,
further that the causes OF the action Of The board
| in the several cases We're not made known 10 the
department.
Also, another communication from the Secre-
tary of the Navy, transmitting correspondence
between Captain Boarman and the department 10
relation 10 the inspection of the steam frigale
San Jacinto.
| Mr.. MALLORY, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported bill 10 amend act entitled
l"An ACT 10 promote the efficiency Of the Navy
Mr.. MASON submitted resolution requesting
the President of the United States, If NOT incom
| patibe with the public Interest, 10 communicate
| 10 the Senate all the correspondence which has
| taken place between this government and that of
| Great Britain, in regard 10 the enlistment Of sol
diers in the United States TO serve in the British
army, accompanied by such evidence and docu-
ments as the President may deem proper, 10 show
the connection of the agents or officers of the
British government with this violation of our laws
and national rights.
He said that the statement of Lord Clarendon
in the British Parliament in regard TO this matter
had recently been received in the English news
papers, and unless the American side Of the argu
ment was also made knownthe community would
| be msled. ii was, therefore, important that all
| the correspondence should be at once made pub
lie.
Mr.JAMES expressed his concurrence in the
opinions OF the Senator from Virginia.
Mr.. CASS not only agreed heartily with every
ynrdu MI hah IN l.ni No
/ ginia but would go further than he had gone
He would not hesitate 10 say thai he never saw a
4 statement so utterly contrary to facts that of
i Lord Clarendon. Mr. CAss showed, from The
evidence the trial Of the British agents for a
violation of our neutrality Jaws, that The comp
city OF the British government could not be de-
med he considered that paying the passage
of men 10 Canada and then enlisting them, was
/ palpable violation of our neutrality laws.
i Mr.. 9ULEE inquired of Mr. MASON whether il
was true, as stated in the speech of Lord Claren-
don just alluded to- that the British Government
had offered 10 submit the settlement of the contro
versy with regard 10 the Interpretation of the Clay
ton Buwer treaty u The arbitration Of a friendly
power.
i Mr.. MASON replied, that he had noticed that
statement very distinctly made in the speech OF
Lord Clarendon; but if any such offer was ever
made officially, he was ignorant of ii.
Mr.. CRlTTENDEN thought that the British
Government had made all the apology that could
be expected Ct them when they acknowledged
their error, declared il uninleniional and promised
that II should moi again He understoo
that SO soon as the British Government were APP
prised OF the dissatisfaction of this Government
on account of their recruiting operations. they
had promptly desIsled This was the highest sat
isaction for such injury, and further apology
ought 10 be demanded
i Mr.. MASON said that whatever might have
been the statements made across the water,
atonement had been offered by the British Govern
| ment Tor its violation of our neutrality laws He
4 thought that when the correspondence called fon
i should be laid beoreA the Senate, the honorable
I Senator from Kentucky would find that he had
made his leap berore he had gained the siile.
Mr.. HAMLlN euquired whether Mr.. Buchanah
/ had not expressed himself satisfied with what
Lord Clarendon had said in explanation Of this
| matter.
| Mr.. MASON replied, that he was not familiar
with the whole correspondence, but if Mr.. Bu-
chanan had ever expressed himself satisfied with
the course of the British Government, il was done
under misrepresentation Of the facts.
1 Mr.. CRITTENDEN thought it nigh, appear
that Mr.. Bnchauan had made leap in the dark
also lie hoped the correspondence would be
sent IN, SO as TO show the real state of facts,
Mr. TOUCEY and Mr.. RUSK deprecated the
discussion of the subject before the information
was before the Senate and the resolution was
then agreed TO-
The special order was then taken up and Mr..
JONES, OF Tennessee, addressed the Senate in
reply 10 the remarks OF Mr. WILSON in relation 10
/
nenced by stating that he had listened with plea.
sure 10 The discussion whether Mr.. Champion
should be recalled not, or what measures
| should be taken TO heal the wounded dignity of
/ TINS country, but he would say that he would
rather enter into conflict with England or any
lnree oil The great powers Of Europe, than TO have
conflict among ourselves; and such conflict
/ might possibly ensue in consequence of the dis
| turbances IN Kansas He had waited nearly a
week in order 10 see the speech of Mr.. WILSON
| IN print; and II had only Just appeared this morn
/ ing. Many Of the Objectionable portions of the
uttered remarks II that Senator bad been mod.
| ned IN PRINT, and the most objectionable remark
oil all, had been omitted entirely II Q was glad 10
see THIS, Ter II gave him TO hope that that
senator was not entirely beyond the pale OF re-
dempon.
| All the troubles in Kansas had grown out Of
The morbid and unpalriotIc opposition Of what
gentlemen are pleased TO call the extension of
slavery. Attempts had been made TO prove that
these disturbances were all the result Of the re-
peal OF the Missouri compromise; hot he denied
the truth OF that statement. IL that compromise
had never been touched still this agitation the
subject Of slavery would have been continued.
Much as he was opposed TO il, he would be viii.
ling 10 restore the Missouri compromise line, il
gentlemen would TO sgilaie the slavery
question but o, theirs was a war Of cxtermina-
ton. He then proceeded 10 show that the emf.
grant aid societies were established for the ex.
press purpose, first, OF making Kansas free State
and secondly, OF making monied speculation out
of this benevolent enterprise.
When Mr.. JONES had concluded,
Mr.. HALE obtained the floor, stating that he
desired 70 reply TO the remarks Of the Senator
from Tennessee nj some length, but would take
the present opportunity to reply TO some personal
observations. Having done SO. he moved to post
Pone The further consideration of the subject until
Thursday next
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, reioined briefly,
and the motion TO postpone was agreed 10. After
brief Executive session.
The Senate adjourned.