The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-27

OF The British COVER Fept u Is impossible this
question can ever be settled amicably between the
two nations
MIR CAss-Mr President, l came here day de-
sirors TO express my sentiments upo, this subject
il tie event of its Icing called up by the honorable
Senator from Delaware, and am prepared TO do so;
hut have been someu bat Of an invalid lately, and
am afiaid l shall not lie able to stand up long
enough to express myself as fully as wish. l will.
therefore yield the floor to any gentleman who de-
sizes to say anything upon this subject; or il there
aIe rome who entertain 81 oh wish, will move
Iostponement OF the question until Monday when
irst the Senate will allow me to proceed. ("Agreed,
upoed.iO
Senator from Michigan to pursue debate on the
notion which was made by the Senator from Della,
waIei His motion, If understand it Alright, is to
refer the lie ter of Lord John Russell TO the Commit
tee Oh Foreign Relations.
MIR. CLAYToN-I design to move not only that,
but also to print the paper for the Of the Senate
ard five hundred extra copies.
Mr.. Mason have very great difidence,
Fir in expressing an opinion which would seem
t. be contrary to the views entertained by honora-
lie Senators who are not only older but far
Letter soldiers in parliamentary warfare than am;
but would submit to them that it would seem, for
very many reasons, that debate upon the questions
involved in the course of the discussion pursued by
the honorable Senator from Delaware is jnst now
rot exactly appropriate, either to the condition of
the question, or to the condition Of the country
Congress is not organized; there is 40 Congress Of
the United States in session; and ! thought il was
informally agreed some days ago that, until there
shot Id be Congress in session, all questions re-
tenble to Congress should lie avoided by the Senate
IL its indeI endent character Now, in reference to
this particular question, ! would say that 1t is
matter pending in Negotiation between the United
Stetes and the government OF Great Britain. We
have been informed by the President, in his annual
message, informally sent to the two Houses, that
the Questions involved between the two countries
yet pending. and there is no reason to suppose,
tiUstng, we are bound to trust to the honor and
49, both oh
with the honorable Senator are involved in the
questions pei ding between England and this
CO, ntry-at least we ought not to anticipate
that honor and coed faith will be violated, and
that these questions will not be brought to an
amicatle adjustment Therefore it seems to me
that any debate which would require or permit the
senate to pass an opinion upon the conduct Of Eng
land. or the views ard purposes OF England, i'll re-
there is definite acticD taken upon the subject
by tie Executive, would lie out of place. 1t is I'M
necessary for me to express any opinion upon the
question; l shall refrain from doing SO; but If the
debate shall go on, and If honorable Senators shall
express themselves upon the subject, shall pro-
pore on its conclusion, if Congress be not then
organized that the subject shall lie over at least
until Congress shall lie organized Before COIL
cli de- however, will venture to say this much
have not read the documents accompanying the
Presidents message except in a very fugitive way
in the newspapers Of the day, for those documents
have lot Teen printed and laid upon our tables;
~
On tie Fart OF England to disregard her treaty OBJ
legations with this country. l say they show that
purpose, though may be misinformed. Now, her
heaty obligations regarding the question suggested
ty tie Honorable Senator from Delaware are ques-
tons Of territorial light and territorial jurisdiction
leiMs en- govern ments just as foreign to as
En- gland s-the governments in Central America.
England has entered It0 treaty stipuatons with
this govern ment, regarding what both governments
set 10 have considered matters Of important in
telest TO them the territorial rights and jursdic
items OF the foreign governments in Central America.
need net add NY opinion to that which was gra-
tilted to hear expressed from all quarters of the
Senate, that when the question s presented to the
Senate or to Congress in any tangible form by the
Executive, there will be no difference of opinion
amongst rs to the duty incumbent on this
govern ment to hold England to q strict performance
Of her engagements with the United States. But,
sir the President is TO conduct the foreign inter-
course Of the country; and although am little in
the habit Of giving commendation in advance, am
glad to cay that in his annual message he has given
Is every reason to believe that up 70 this period,
the negotiations between England and this country
affecting these questions have been conducted with
signal ability on the side Of the American govern
thing should require the interpostion of Congress,
the PEOPLE Of the country would require Congress
TO otr that inierposition, and Congress, am salts
fed, would not be found wanting.
Mr.. SEwAkD.-Mr President, while shall concur
with the honorable Senator from Virginia in the de-
sire " hich he expresses that this debate may be
postponed until Monday, or until the organization
of the House of Representatives, deem it proper
altogether in the views which he takes Of the posi-
ton of the question and of the condition of Congress-
AS understand the position of the question it is
this: onr case-the american case-in this contro-
very has teen fully stated by our government to
Great Britain and explicit demand has been made
upon that government to fulfil the treaty OF 1850 by
desisting ifom the violation Of it in Central Ameri
ca This statement of our case SO full perfect and
liz To-. <,.II n
stand by the British government, aud our explicit
d. maDd has eDcouLt ed an equally explicit denial.
Tie President OF the United States has sent to
ess8ge, in which he pies ents the condition of the
GU, ston in just that shape IL is now. therefore,
lie duty of Cor gress to review the positions Of the
tie two governments and to determine what
hall lie doIe. think there ought to be no I'M
ecessSTy delay. lecanse uDneces AIRY delay is indie
ri. ion, ard iDdecision often loses god cause
willie decision often wins bad ones. Therefore,
think hat Unless we shall have some intmatiOn
lIon. tie President Of change in the position OF
the question the time has cone for Congress to act
uIon it. On the other ba. d. agree that there u
ecessity for ting upon il discussing it at the
Ie EFT n,ne.,t, tecause The Brtish government is
heady well Informed Of the potion OF the Execu-
tive On The questsn. nd also oil what has already
tIanfpied here in The Senate. All this il proba-
bly, now known to the British Parliament and the
Bill people. 1t will show them that there is q
ni,ed eople on this side Of the Atlantic who are
detel mined to maintain and fulfil that treaty and
AZ d ilICl it also. We stand, Therefore well enough
We col not improve our position | do not agree
with the honorable Senator that there is no Congress
here. think the Congress OF the United States is
loeily an srrtu ly present, Competent to exercise
s iuI ctons 1t is true that the other House il not
yet orr anizt bt that is matter temporary ncon
,eniepce-whith h. while 1t makes delay, does not pre-
seIt this House from trans acting any business Still
from tie lightning have voted wi b the honorable
gentlemen who have Teen in favor Of de erring the
transaction OF all btsiftss here have thought that
courtesy aid regard TO tie spirit Of the ,itu
ton required to fo bear III this House from trans
acting any important business until Congress shall
he formally organized: and therefore shall agree
with the hone able Senator from yrgiia and those
who prefer 10 delay any fuitler debate this 1ues
,tn until The Htuse Of Repre- entatves shall in fact
tie orpaDized. When that event will happen none
Of Ms know II may hapl en- to-day, tomorrow, next
week. OF il ay Lot lie for some time. think we
should do well. therefore to adopt the spirit of the
D. ro,alle Senator's suggestion, by postponing this
Gel ale it'll MOI day; and if there is then House Of
Representatives, fully organized. shall be able to
car tie honorable Senator from Michigan whom
sIpose We shall all light to hear and If the House