Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-06-04
Con gre S S.
FRIDAY, May %.
SENATE.

MIR. Seward of New York presented
a resolution to extend the session till the
21st of June. Laid over.
Mr.. Mason of Virginia, from the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations, to whom
was referred the resolution inquiring
whether additional legislation is neces-
sary to place certain power in the hands
of the Executive, submitted report, OF
which the substance is that the official
statements show succession OF acts OF
aggression by the British cruisers in the
Gulf of Mexico, so marked and extra
ordinary as has awakened the indigna-
ton of the country vessels under our
flag, pursuing lawful commerce, have
been fired into, stopped, and examined
as to cargo, destination, crew, etc. Mo-
less than fifteen American ships in the
harbor of Sagua lie Grande, and SIX on
the high seas, are officially reported as
having had to submit to the aggression
of British cruisers, and each additional
arrival brings fresh accounts of aggres-
sions by the same power on our flag. 1T
has hitherto happened in isolated cases.
Where similar aggressions have occurred
through misconception, the United States
has been contented to accept disclalm-
er of intent; but the continued and per-
severing character af these outrages is
such as to arouse the Indignation OF the
country, and to require to arrest at once,
and to end at once and forever, the con-
tinuance Of such indignities. The slave
trade is alleged as the excuse. The
committee will not discuss that. 1t is
I sufficient that the United States, though
often invoked to do so, refuses to recog-
nize the right of police. They rest on
the principle that the mariner under their
flag cannot be visited or questioned with
out their consent, and the committee
deem this a fit occasion to declare it as a
principle of the United States. admitting
of no reserve or qualification, and to be
maintained at any cost. They admit no
right of visitation, and far less of search.
| Such matters have no foundation in law
or comfy, and cannot be tolerated by
any sovereign power without derogatlon
from her sovereignty. The infractlon OF
sovereignty consists in visitation the
best American and English authorities
t (Stowell for instance) so decide, found
2 ing the decision on two principles first
] ly, the equality of all independent States
and the community of the sea as high
way.
: Indignant as the American people are
and ought to be, at these aggressions, ye
their occurrence will afford an opportuni
tv TO end them at once and forever; ant
the committee refrain from recommend
ing further legislation only from the rea
son that the President has ordered al
e our available navy to the infested waters
d with orders to protect our flag. 1t Is be
: lieved that this measure will be service
r able for the present in stopping outrages
IS The subject has also been brought to tn
j. notice of the offending power, bot
through the Minister at London and tn
Minister at Washington and we car
not, therefor, Until we receive repl
+ from Great Britain, decide the measure
is that will be a guaranty for the future
l for nothing short of that will satisfy tn
ID American people. Therefore, while re
is framing from recommending present Il
/ gislation, the committee have unanimous
n, ly,
of Resolved, That American ships at Sc
til under the American flag, remain undo
IN the jurisdiction of the country to whic
lis they belong; and, therefore, that an
id visitation or molestation, is an infractiC
lis of the sovereignty of the United State
9 Resolved, That these aggressions d
al. mand such an unequivocal explanatiC
. from Great Britain as shall prevent the
er recurrence forever in future.
ed ReSolUed, That the committee a
or proves Of the action of the executiv
ed and are prepared to recommend SUI
on future legislation as circumstances mi
o. require.
est (The resolutions will be considered t
,as morrow
ca The miscellaneous appropriation b
nix was then discussed for several hours.
cut The clause appropriating $4,000 for t
purchase Of seeds provoked discussi
he on onions, cabbages and Democracy, /
vas tween Messrs. Iverson, Bigler, Houst
of and Hale. Messrs. Iverson and Gre
wished the clause struck out, but it w
not agreed to.
The clause of $4,000 for the Ca
tol extension produced considerable
bate, Mr.. Davis moving as an amer
ich ment to appropriate $1,000,000 to fin
=: the work, and $4,000 to contract W
art artists for historical embellishments.
60 Mr.. Davis amendment was lost.
ne A discussion on orr p,atterS .bo,,
COZ sued, in the course of which Mr.. Ho
use ton commented on the statuary o.
- squaw and pappoose, the latter Che sa
lie with the head sticking out like terrap
car also upon the statue of lady whom
I'M supposed wss the Goddess of Liber
OF and evidently the work of a foreign
re- she being in an ungraceful attitude, C
out in classic robe, with starry zone, {
the on her feet plantation brogans.
not Mr.. Davis of Mississippi informed
are Houston that the statue he was CRITICS
was Crawford's America" wherein
Mr.. Houston made good natural rel
ated HOUSE.
re- The House passed the Post OFF
wal. Army, and Ocean Mail Steamer Apr
priation Bills.
nan. The House then went into commits
the on the private calendar.