Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-01
o o M O. R n = = :

In THE SENATE, Thursday, February %, mes
sage was received from the President Of the
United States, Transmitting, in compliance with a
resolution Of the goth instant, the correspondence
that has taken place between this Government
and Great Britain touching the subecl of the en-
listment of soldiers within the United States by
agents or officers ofthat Government.
On motion Of Mr.. Mason five thousand copies
of the documents were ordered to he printed for
the use OF the Senate, one thousand Of which for
the use of the Department of State, which nun
Der he thought would be necessary, as the docu.
ment would be sent TO all our ministers and con-
suls at foreign ports.
Mr.. WELLER, from the Committee on Military
A ifairs, TO which was referred the bill making ap
preparation for certain Notifications in Florida,
Texas, and California, with instructions, reported,
in consonance with the same, bill making appro-
pratons for certain new Notifications.
Mr. Mason submitted the following resolution:
Res0iped, That the President be requested if in
his opinion il be not Incompatible with the public
interest, 10 inform the Senate whether any offer
has been made by The Government of Great
Britain 10 the Government ofthe United States to
refer TO the arbitration of some friendly Power or
otherwise the questions in dispute between the
Two Governments upon the construction of the
convention OF the 4th OF July, 1850, with any
correspondence touching or concerning such pro-
posed arbitration.
Mr. Mason desired 10 say that after an exami-
nation Of the correspondence communicated by
the President in his annual message he had failed
10 find that reference was made TO any such
proposal as that alluded 10, while il was stated by
the English Minister Of Foreign a fairs in the
debate in the House of Lords that such an offer
had been made 10 our Government, which had
been declined. He had remarked, in reply to an
inquiry addressed 10 him the other day on the
sabject, that it not improbable that something
of the kind might have occurred in casual con-
vsrsation between the representatives of the two
Governments, hut had assumed no official or
tangible shape. If her Maiesty's Government had
announced through Its official organ that such an
offer had been made TO our Minister and declined,
it would be seen at once that il was eininently
proper that we should know whether any CONVEX.
saton had been held on the subject even inciden-
tally, and treated by the British Government as a
grave aud serious offer that had been declined.
The resolution was then agreed 10.
Mr.. HALE addressed the Senate on the subject
the Senate adjourned.
In THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, on Thurs
day. an unusually large number of bills were in
troduced, and resolutions presented. Among the
latter was one, offered 10y Mr. Florence instruct.
ing the Committee on Naval Affairs 10 inquire
into the expediency of constructing ten steam
sloops of war.
The Da6.ianoy dpnrnnriotipn hill xpos
sidered in the Committee of The whole on the
State of the Union bn; without coming TO con-
cuson thereon, the House adjourned until Mon
day.
In THE SENATE yesterday, message was re-
ceived from tine President OF the United States,
enclosing The correspondence between Mr.. Buch-
anan and Mr. Marcy, relative TO the al egaton that
Great Britain had oAeredt arbtrale the differences
between the two countries regarding the construc
ton ofihe Clayton and Bulwer treaty.
II appears from Mr.. Buchanan's dispatches that
Lord Clarendon never formally made such a
proposition, in writing, but that it was merely the
subject Of conversation. But the following letter
from Lord Clarendon to Mr.. Champion throws
some light on the subject, and speaks for ITSELF
FoREIeN OFFICE Nov. 10, 1856.
Sir Mr.. Buchanan having in the course OF
conversation, few days ago, advertcc 10 the i'm
preston that would be created in the United
States by the non-settlement Of the Central Anne.
rcan question, again assured him that England
had no wish TO extend her influence or TO obtain
any territory in that part of the world and re-
minded him that the difference between this
country and the United States turned solely
upon the Interpretation OF the treaty Of 1850.
had offered, on the part Of her Majesty :
Government, 10 submit the case To the arbi.
traiion OF a third power, but tina; he had de.
clined the offer. Her Majesty's Government.
said would sill abide by that Offer and thought
II would be the farest and most amicable manner
Of arriving at settlement Of the question Mr.
buchanan said he would make il known 10 his
government, and you are instructed 10 communi-
cate this despatch TO Mr.. Marcy.
Mr. SEWARD delivered few remarks on the
subject of the enlistment question, saying that
perhaps England conscicntiously thought that she
was making as frank and open an apology as was
due 10 her honor under the circumstances, al
though the explanation not satisfactory TO us.
Mr.. PEARcE dissented from the Senators views.
He was friend Of peace, but should never sc.
knowledge that the correspondence furnishes any
satisfactory apology for what England had DONE
Mr.. STEWART accused England of bad faith in
not living up to the Clayton Bulwer treaty, and
was seriously impressed with the conviction that
we should abroga;e il.
Mr.. Mason conceived that England added but
insult 10 injury. On his motion ten thousand
copies Of the correspondence were ordered 10 be
printed, and an equal number Of those in the en-.
listment case. An adjournment until Monday
took place.
The House. or REPRESENTATIVES, was not in
session.