The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-06-03
Congressional.

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point ten naval cadets. Referred to the
Naval Committee.
Mr.. Seward presented petition from f.
n. Collins, asking payment Of money due
him on mail contract Referred to the
Committee on Post Roads.
Mr. Mallory, although recognizing that
the mission Of the United States and Eng
land to be for the preservation Of peace, be
could not sacrifice the rights and honor of
the country to any issue whatever. He
could not consider that this succession of
outrages was the mere act Of individual ma,
val officers they were doubtless the orders
Of the English Admiral at Jamaica, who in
return had received orders from his govern
ment. 1t was o suspicious circumstance
that these outrages commenced Immediately
after the refusal by this government Of Ger.
tain demands made by England respecting
the slave trade.
Mr.. Hale moved to amend the amendment
to the effect that the acts Of the British are
belligerent in character, and should be re.
sisted by all the powers ofthe country. He
considered the acts Of the British should be
met by acts, and not by arguments.
Mr. TOOmbs was in favor Of Mr.. Hales
amendment, and further, that the British
war ships in the Gulf should be seized and
brought to our own ports or sunk, and that
we should he satisfied with nothing short OF
this.
Mr.. Seward, Of New York, expressed his
concurrence and the concurrence of the mi
nority OF the committee in the spirit of the
resolution. The assumption of Great Brit
ain is founded on force, and is claimed by no
other than the British, or such as like her
assert the mastery OF the seas. But the
United States set out with the intention to
he equal to any nation and cannot bear an
ailectation of superiority by any power, even
IN modified form Of visitation. The right
OF search and visitation are terms synOny-
nous. The principles Of police at sea are
identical with those on land. Any one may
seize pirates at sea or culprits on shore, but
he does it at his peril. 1.-THE arrested party
be culprit he is abandoned to Justice, If
not, it is an aggression, and the aggressor is
liable to make PREPARATION.
The nation will never permit its flag to
he prostituted to purposes of piracy, but it
must resist every aggression on its peaceful
commerce. lie had not looked in the law
books for the technical objections to the
right Of search it is enough that it cannot
be permitted, that it is aggression on the
equality Of nations, that is an attempt to
exercise superiority over this nation. There
are seven members on the Committee on
Foreign affairs and naturally there is some
difference OF opinion a. to the terms, but the
substance of the resolution was satisfactory
to all each is ready to accept any other
form of words that will express the tirmness,
dignity and moderation that becomes great
action in expressing its opinion on great
question. No prudant man believes that
the British Government ordered these az
gressions with Il view of waging war on
this country. They are acts OF war, but all
know that If Britain wanted TO begin war
with the United States she would not be-
gin it with gun-boat. Although they may
have originated in misapprehenson Of or.
ders, the Executive properly and promptly
determined to wait for explanations, nor to
recognize that any explanation can be given
which can concede the right Of visitation
and search Mr.. Seward fully endorsed
this prompttude of action in sending to the
Gull a force sufficient no sink every British
cruiser.
Mr.. Doug as asked what good does il do
TO resolve that this search is belgerent
act? The American people and England
know that England was SO informed forty
years ago, and yet she has violated our
rights % times within the past four weeks.
He commended and admired the promptness
with which the President has sent a force
to the Gulf, but that force is only up TO the
point OF preventing. Do you suppose it
VIII lind an opportunity unless ship of war
be sent to accompany every merchant YES.
sci. The Senator from New York was
wrong in saying that our force could sink
the British in the Gulf. The British have
their three guns to our one. II is brave. at
least, to think our one will sink their three
He recommended another force let ship
ofwar, say the Wabash get on the track Of
the Styx or Buzard, follow her up. and
capture her, and bring her into an Ameri.
can port, and it will then be time to make
explanations.
II England avows the cruisers acts il be.
comes an international question: if she dis
avows the acts, Il only remains e saw what
punishment we shall iufict on these lawless
persons who have perpetrated these outra-
ges. The President having gone as far as
he can 60 let him Ia at once such powers
as are necessary TO protect our flag and
maintain the rights OF our citizens a, home
and abroad. He had no fear Of the abuse
Of such power by the present executive, or
any that may follow him. The President is
almost powerless abroad every other Chief
Magistrate has the power no, only to repel
but 10 punish outrages on his nationalities,
and why should not the Chief Magistrate OF
this Republic have power, ample and full in
aid OF our flag. instead Of having any appre.
hension that that power will be abused.
Mr.. Douglas only fear was that i, would
not be exercise! often enough We canno,
protect our commerce in the Gull and Ca
ribean Sea without power to punish prompt.
". The British name is respected and ours