Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-03-01
Discussion In the U. 6. Senate.
w ASHINGTOn. FL

cate to tue Senate all orresponndence
which has taken place betweenthls gov
ernment'hnd that Of sGreat Britain, IN re-
gard to the enlistment ofsoldiers IN the
United States, to serve in the British ar
my. accompanied by such evidence and
documents as the President may deem
proper, 10 show the connection of the
agents OF officers OF the British govern
ment with this violation of our lava and
national rights.
Mr.James expressed nj, coacu rrence
in the opinion of the Senator from Vir-
GINA.
MIR. Cass who appeared in his seat for
the first time since his recent severe acci-
dent, and apparently perfectly recovered,
not only agreed heartily IN every word
which MI, Mason uttered, but would go
farther than be had. {as.
He would not hesitate to say tina, he
never saw a statement 50 utterly contrary
to fact as that of Lord Clarendon He
Showed from the evidence Oil he trial of
the British agents for the violation of
our neutrality laws, that the completely of
the Britieh agent Government could not be
successfully Denied. 7.--E
Mr.. Mason said that the statement OF
Lord Clarendon ID the British Parliament
regarding this matter, had recently been
received in the English newspapers, and
unless the American side of the question
| was likewise made known, the communi-
~ would be mislead. 1t was, therefore,
important that all the correspondence
| should at once be made public. a.
Dir. Cass said he considered the paying
| OF the passage Of men from Canada and
the enlisung them there was a palpable
violation Of our neutrality laws.
MIR. Yuee inquired OF Mr.. Mason
whether il was true, as stated IN the
speech Of Lord Clarendon, the British gov.
eminent had offered 10 submit "a settle.
ment Of the controversy in regard to the
interpretation OF the Clayton aud Bulwer
treaty TO the arbitration of friendly pow-
er?
Mr.. Mason replied if any such offer
ever was made officially he was ignorant
OF it.
Mr.. Cliltenden thought that the British
Government had made all The AZ .olcgy that
1t could be expected lit acknowledged its
error, declared it TO be uhintentional and
promised that it should not again occur.-
he understood that as soon as the British
Government was apprised oil the disatlsiac-
ton oil this Government OH account Of the
recruiting operations, the British Govern
ment promptly desisted. This was the gh-
est satisfaction for such an injury, and no
further apology ought to be demanded.
MIR. Mason said that whatever might
have been the statements made across
the waters. no atonement had been offeT-
ed by the British Government for its VIC
lation of our neutrality laws. He thought
when the correspondence called for should
be laid before the Senate, MIR. Ciitenden
would fluid that he had made his leap be-
fore he had gained the sile.
Mr.. Hamln inquired whether Mr.. Bic-
hanan had not expressed himself as salts
fed with what Lord CLARENDON had SAID
in explanation CT tins matter. - ~
Mr. Mason replied that he was hot fa-
m,l.ar with the whole correspondence,
when sent in would show The feui state Of
The facts.
Messrs. Toucey aud Rust deprecated
discussion Of the subject before the Official
information as received.
Mr.. James, of Rhode Island, said. tina,
the time had come when all the facts con-
corning the matters at issue between the
two counties should be made known.--
We have fun Information Oh the Central
American question, bui that relating to the
enlistment question should engage the
grave consideration OF Congress.
Ii should be known that the British dec
aration OF war against Russia bears date
Westminster, March %, 1854. On the
21st Of April Mr.. Champion. while AL
nounclDg this fact TO our government
coupled it with the officially declared hope
that our government would maintain strict
neutrality on sea. no! permitting pilvateers
to be fitted out to depredate on British
commerce. r,=rt =tt-.tsps t-..
Mr.. Marcy, in his reply OF April 2sth,
assured Mr.. Champion that we would pre-
serve strict acknowledgement only prevent
ing the equipment OF privateers to ac. on
British commerce, but preventing men be-
ing enlisted to serve in the European war;
our neutrality apply ing to sea and land,
irrespeetiuly OF the parties engaged in the
contest, When Mr.. Champion applied to
have naval equipments in favor OF Russia
prevented, he seemed 10 loose ST ght of the
fact that such equipment of vessels were
no mere in violation OF the neutrality than
the enlistment of men for land service.
Mr.. Champion should have borne in
mind that the violation OF his implied
pledge relating to the latter should not
have been attempted. Mr.. Marcy could
net have believed that while Mr. Cramp-
ton himself would have violated neutrali-
.y cone erning enlistments, we have had
right to look on Mr.. Champion reques.
as declaration OF honor on the part OF the
British government tAatit would respect
our neutrality laws, let Russia do as she
might.
Mr.. James said that he would have the
remainder of his speech published. Ii
contains statements derived from official
sources, showing that England is guilty of
bad faith in the enlistment question.
MIR Mason's resolution was then adopt
ed.
The consideration ofthe Kansas special
order was resumed.
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, said he had
listened with pleasure to the discussion
Il T. ~. a l.