Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-06-02

Hftaog Efocesdags
WASHINGTON, May 29.-AIr. Mason, from the
Committee foreiga relations, to whom was refer
red the resolution inquring whether additional leg
siation Is necessary 20 place power in the hands Of
the Executive 90 obtain redress for recent British
outrages, Submitted report the substance Of which
is, that the Official statements show succession Of
acts Of agg ession By the British cruisers in the
Gulf Of Mexico so marked and extraordinary as
have awakened the indignation Of the country
Vessels under the flag, pursuing lawful commerce
have been fired into, stopped, and Intercepted
to their cargo, destination, crew, &C. No less than
fifteen American ships in the harbor Of Sagus La
Grande, and six on the high seas have been official
ly reported, each arrival bringing additional facts
Of The aggressiOns Of the same power upon our flag
Il has hitherto happened that in isolated cases,
where aggressiOns have occurred through miseOn-
ception, the United States has been contented TO
accept disclaimer Of intent but the continued and
persevering character Of these oUtrages is su;h as
to arouse the indignation ofthe country, aud require
US to arrest ct once and end at and for ever,
the continuance of such indignities.
On motion Of Mr.. Seward, Of New York, one
thousand copies Of the resolutions Of the committee
in relation to British aggressiOns were ordered to
be printed
Mr. Mason, Of Virginia, spoke on the resolutions;
showing that individually the international law re-
cognizes right Of visitation in time Of peace,
and in time of is only conceded to the extent
OF preventing the carrying Of articles oontra6and
Of war. he cited as authorities Judge Storey and
Lord StoWel showing that no armed chip Of any
nationality has right TO stop, visit, or board for
any purpose, and that ships at not bound to
lay 10 wait. The resolutions Indicate no more
than the time has arrived when this must be settled
at aud for ever 1t is hoped that 1t may be
Immediately settled by the Executive. There is
every reason why il should be- and none Why II
should not. Angry feelings and reprislls cannot
but bring the two countries INTO collision; but Wheth
not the nature Of the indgnlti is such that
the American people cannot longer permit it,
Mr. Mallory, Of Florida, proposed amendment
declaring that the American people cannot permit
such aggressions, and therefore Congress should
legislate to enable the Executive adopt meas
ures at 10 prevent the continuance OF such in
dignlies Although fully recognizing that the mis-
sion Of the United States and England should be
the preservation OF peace, he could not sacrifice the
rights and honor Of the country TO any issue what
ever. lie could not consider that this succession
Of outrages was the mere act of individual naval
officers. It was doubtless by the orders Of the Ad
miral at Jamaica, who in turn had orders from his
Government; and it a suspicious circum
stance that these ontrages commenced Immediately
after the refusal male by this government Of
tain demands made by England respecting the slave
trade.
Mr.. Douglas asked what good does it do to resolve
that the arch is belligerent act? The American
people and England know it is. England was in
formed Of 1t forty years ego, and has violated our
rights thirty three times within the past few weeks
He commended aud admired the promptness with
which the President had sent force the Gulf
but that force is only up TO the point of preventing
Do you suppose it will ever find opportunity
prevent a searsh, unless ship Of war be sent TO
accompany every merchant vessel? The Senator
from New York (Se#ard) was wrong in saying our
force could sink the British feet in The Gulf Eng
land has there three guns to Is it brave,
at least, to think our will sink her three2 Mr..
Douglas recommended another course: let a ship
Of q a oh fha frnn Of ha
Styx or Buzzard, follow her up, capture her, and
bring her into an American port, and it will then
be time to make explanations. If England avOWs
the cruisers acts, it becomes international ques-
tion if she disavoWs the acts, it only remains for
us to say what punishment We shall inhict on those
lawlless persons who have Perpelrated these out
RACES.
The President having gone as far as he can 60,
let him have at once such powers as are necessary
TO protect the flag and maintain the rights OF our
citizens at home and abroad. He had no fear Of
the abuse Of such power, by the present Executive,
or any that follow him. The president is almost
powerless abroad. Every other Chief Magistrate has
power, not only to repel but to punish Outrages
nationality, aud Why should the Chief Magistrate
of this Republic have power ample aud full, in aid
of our flag! Instead of having apprehension that
our power being abused, MIR. Douglas only feared it
would not be exercised often enough.
We cannot protect our commerce in the Gulf and
Caribbean Sea without power in the Executive TO
punish promptly the BRUSH. Her name Is respect
ed, and ours despised among the Spanish American
portion Of the continent, because the British take
instant repaTstiOns; whereas Mexico, and other
weak republics, know our President has instant
power, and by any delay Of negotiations reparaion
Is lost Mr.. Douglas holds, therefore, as general
policy, to keep the President clothed with power to
protect the citizens outside of the United States, by
summary process, without going through this for
mula Of resolutions, that the sggress0r must not
do it again. He was in hopes there would be no
speeches. but that the bill would have passed
imOusly without a WJrd-whieh expression of SEN
timent would have carried more force than the army
or navy.
Mr.. Hayne spoke in praise of the gallautry Of the
navy, who, he said, would 60 to the bottom aud do
their duty.
Mr.. Wilson was proceeding to address the Senate,
supporting the resolutions, but adding it was also
duty to see that our flag be not prostituted by
men engaged in the slave trade, when the special
order coming up, Mr.sW. concluded by moving that
the President is hereby authorized and empowered
employ the naval force Of the United States and
send the to the scene Of the recent outrages,
with instructions to capture the ships which have
committed or may commit belligersnt acts.