Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-05-31
RASHINGTO NEWS AND GOSSIP

"hSHlNUlON I'VE VS. AND GOSSIP.
BRITISH OUTRAGES.- debate ON this SUBJ
ject, in the Senate on Saturday, was replete
with interest, and the predominant sentiment
expressed aecords W tn that entertained by the
country At large c. that recent British out
RACES on American vessels call for something
more than diplomacy consisting of explanatory
or apologetic correspondence. Whether the
offending vessel acted with or without orders.
the prevalent opinion in every portion of this
country Is that our Government should he sat
lshed with nothing less than ample indemnity
and good guarantee that similar aggre.sions
Will not be repeated; and we were gratifed 10
hear every Senator who expressed himself in
reference to the matter avow this view of the
question as the one which met his appreciation
The only difference made apparent arose from
the manner in which this Government should
first proceed.
Mr. Mason, who originated the discussion by
calling up the resolutions reported by him, on
the preceding day, from the Committee Oh
Foreign Relations recommended the policy
already pursued by the President-tbe CON
centration Of a strong naval force in the beIeag-
ured seas-tO prevent a continuance of tie az
gressions; and that this Government should
inform Great Britain Of its determination not
to submit to such insults in future, and de-
mand reparatiOn for those already given in
case they are avOwed by that Government He
eontended that the dignity Of the United States
made 1t incumbent to act in the premises in
determined manner, but yet that every other
process Of obtaining satisfaction should be ex-
Sfa1h afn Ii r.
did not believe the eommandants of the belliy-
erent vessels were acting under orders; or, if
they were, no thought they had misinterpreted
their instructions. And he was convinced that
Great Britain would readily aequiesce in this
Governments demand for a cessation of the
wrong, if not for redress Of grievances.
Several other Senators. among whom Tas
Nr. Seward, accorded with the view expressed
by Mr.. Mason; but Messrs. Mallory, Hale.
1o0mbs, Wilson and Douglas were of opinion
that the outrages called for more decisive ac-
ton. They cannot believe the officers acted
without orders; and as the forcibie visitation
OF vessels Of enc country by armed vessels of
another country, in times Of peace, is conceded
TO be direct violation of all internationo,
law, both here and in England. therefore the
n
duct on the part of her naval officers to be bel
hgerent acts towards the United States. and
just cause for an appeal to arms Accordingly.
these Senators held it to be the duty Of the
United States-frst, to resent the insult by
capturing the offending vessels and bringing
them into our ports where their officers and
men should be held prisoners of war. If.
then, the Government of Great Britain ayoys
their acts 1t will be virtually a declaration of
war on her part; but if she disavow them. il
VIII become the prerogative of the United
States to prescribe the punishment due these
rlOlators Of the rights of her citizens
This latter view was the one most generally
advocated by those who spoke on the subject
onsaturday. The whole matter was postponed
until to-day. The course pursued by the Adj
ninistr.t'on was endorsed by the Senate, and
those Who advocated immediate forcibIe oppo-
sition the outrages in question are in favor Of
clothing the Executive with full authority to
act IN the premises, even to the extent of de-
elaring war.
THE SALK OF THE FoRT CRAWFORD RISER.
yA1IOs.-The Prairie du Chen C0nrirI, Of
the 10th inst, takes occasion to comment a,
follows upon the recent movement Of Senator
Harlan against Senator Rice, which caused tn,
blush Of shame to Jingle the eountenances o
most Of bis (Mr. ii. 81 Republican-party com
peers:
This charge has reference TO the sale # tn,
Fort Crawford Reservation, which took place
here last Spring, and which every one know
Was conducted To the satisfaction of every per."I
who was settler on the reservation. IL viii
also De remembered by all who attended the sale
that Mr Rice was assdaous iH securing to Ia.
settlers their just claims, against the attempts o
csrtzin sp.cUlafnTs, whose aim ard intent il W.,
40 rob the aclua. settlers of their homes He wa
-Uccessial ia doing this and the D. Ople VIII,
sid settled and lived the reservation ,or wears
retained the land, and al their i'm movements a
price far below what wild lands sell ~.
tor, q what those spectators would have vii
iHgly paid. Mr. Rice ad Just,d all contested anC
opposing claims, and settled the business de
Nulyiny him as Government agent, to tn.
eatiTe satisfaction OF the settlers. who allowed
tw-Hty- five cents Per acre To defIay the ri pens,
Of the sale, for which no other provision had
been made This arrangement was perfectly
satisfactory to the real settlers, for whose beneh
the expenses were incurred.
"Now, the cha'ge Of any malpractice in th'
conduct Of the sale that was held here, is with
out grounds, as all our citizens know. But, il il
no wonder, that those disappointed speculatoi
who were interested in buying up these lands
have deceived the people, aud prompted by thei
which some political opponent is only too ready
% prefer against the Minnesota Senator. Ga
VOID for II, there l. no evidence Of mismanage
ment in the sale Of Fort Crawford reservation
and the charge will fail through for want Of sup
pot"
We are glad that the intelligent and fair
minded conductor of the COnyier thus promptl,
takes occasion to refute the malicious insinua
tions against an honorable gentleman, fol
which Mr.. Harlan saw fit to step forward a
their godfather, and are very sure that the in
e Al. q.