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December 8, 1842
Lynchburg Virginian
Lynchburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
In August 1842, the U.S. Senate in secret session debates and ratifies the Webster-Ashburton Treaty with Great Britain, defining U.S.-Canadian boundaries, suppressing the African slave trade, and enabling extradition of fugitives. Several amendments by Senators Benton and others are proposed and rejected.
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Domestic Intelligence.
TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
Extracts from the Proceedings of the Senate on the British Treaty, in secret Session.
Thursday, August 11, 1842.
The message was read.
The treaty to settle and define the boundaries between the territories of the United States and the possessions of her Britannic Majesty in North America, for the final suppression of the African slave trade, and for the giving up of criminals fugitive from justice in certain cases, was read twice by unanimous consent.
On motion of Mr. Rives,
Ordered, That the treaty, with the message and accompanying documents, be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, and printed, in confidence, for the use of the Senate.
Friday, August 19, 1842
The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the treaty with Great Britain; and after debate, no amendment having been made, the treaty was reported to the Senate,
Mr. Williams submitted the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the treaty and documents now under consideration be recommitted to the committee on Foreign Relations, with instructions to report a resolution directing the President of the United States to take immediate possession of the disputed territory, and to report such contingent measures as, in their opinion, may be necessary to maintain the just rights of the nation.
The Senate, by unanimous consent, proceeded to consider the said resolution; and,
On the question to agree thereto,
It was determined in the negative--Yeas 8, nays 31.
On motion of Mr. Williams, (the yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present,)
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Fulton, Linn, Smith, of Connecticut, Sturgeon, Walker, Williams.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Benton, Buchanan, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Conrad, Crafts, Crittenden, Cuthbert, Dayton, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr, Mangum, Miller, Morehead, Porter, Preston, Rives, Smith, of Indiana, Tallmadge, Tappan, White, Woodbridge, Woodbury, Young
So the resolution was rejected.
On motion of Mr. Benton,
To strike out the eighth article from the treaty.
The question was stated: "Shall the eighth article stand as a part of the treaty?" and, after debate,
On motion of Mr. Sevier,
The Senate adjourned.
Saturday, August 20, 1842.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the treaty with Great Britain; and,
The question recurring: "Shall the eighth article stand as part of the treaty?" after debate.
It was determined in the affirmative: Yeas 37, nays 12.
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Berrien, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Conrad, Crafts, Crittenden, Dayton, Evans, Fulton, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr, King, Mangum, Merrick, Miller, Morehead, Phelps, Porter, Preston, Rives, Simmons, Smith, of Indiana, Sprague, Tallmadge, Walker, White, Wilcox, Williams, Woodbridge, Young.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Benton, Buchanan, Cuthbert, Linn, Sevier, Smith, of Connecticut, Sturgeon, Tappan, Woodbury, Wright.
On motion by Mr. Benton,
To strike out of the first article of the treaty the following words:
"To the outlet of the Lake Pohenagamook; thence south westwardly, in a straight line, to a point on the northwest branch of the river St. John, which point shall be ten miles distant from the main branch of the St. John in a straight line, and in the nearest direction; but if the said point shall be found to be less than seven miles from the nearest point of the summit or crest of the highlands that divide those rivers which empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence from those which fall into the River St. John, then the said point shall be made to recede down the said northwest branch of the river St. John, to a point seven miles, in a straight line, from the said summit or crest; thence, in a straight line, in a course about south eight degrees west," to the point where the parallel of latitude of 46 deg. 25 min. north intersects the southwest branch of the St. John; thence, southerly, by the said branch, to the source thereof in the highlands at the Metjarmette portage."
After debate, on the question, Shall these words stand as part of the first article?
It was determined in the affirmative: Yeas 38, nays 11.
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Berrien, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Conrad, Crafts, Crittenden, Cuthbert, Dayton, Evans, Fulton, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr, King, Mangum, Merrick, Miller, Morehead, Phelps, Porter, Preston, Rives, Sevier, Simmons, Smith, of Ind., Sprague, Tallmadge, Tappan, White, Woodbridge, Woodbury and Wright.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Benton, Buchanan, Linn, Smith of Connecticut, Sturgeon, Walker, Wilcox, Williams, and Young.
Mr. Benton submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the treaty and documents now under consideration be recommitted to the Committee on Foreign Relations, with instructions to report an amendment to the treaty, stipulating the right of the vessels of the United States, driven by tempests or carried by violence into any of the British West India islands, to depart from the same, with all their contents of persons and property, with all convenient despatch, and after receiving the hospitable treatment due to misfortune.
After debate, on the question to agree thereto.
It was determined in the negative: Yeas 11, nays 37.
On motion of Mr. Benton, the yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present,
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Benton, Buchanan, Conrad, Linn, Smith, of Connecticut, Sturgeon, Walker, Williams, and Young.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Berrien, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Crafts, Crittenden, Cuthbert, Dayton, Evans, Fulton, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr, King, Mangum, Merrick, Miller, Morehead, Phelps, Porter, Preston, Rives, Sevier, Simmons, Smith of Ind., Sprague, Tallmadge, Tappan, White, Wilcox, Woodbridge and Woodbury.
So the resolution was rejected.
Mr. Benton submitted the following resolution.
Resolved, That the treaty and documents now under consideration be recommitted to the Committee on Foreign Relations, with instructions to report a resolution directing the President of the United States to take immediate possession of the disputed territory, up to the line designated by the King of Netherlands, and to maintain the State of Maine in possession of the territory south of that line.
After debate, on the question to agree thereto,
It was determined in the negative: Yeas 2, nays 37.
On motion by Mr. Benton,
The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present.
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Benton, Sevier.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Archer, Bagby, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Berrien, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Conrad, Crafts, Crittenden, Cuthbert, Dayton, Evans, Fulton, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr, King, Mangum, Merrick, Miller, Morehead, Phelps, Porter, Preston, Rives, Simmons, Smith, of Ind., Sprague, Sturgeon, Tallmadge, Tappan, White, Wilcox, Woodbridge.
The resolution was rejected.
On motion by Mr. Tappan,
To strike out of the fifth article the following words, viz:
"And further to pay and satisfy said States, respectively, for all claims for expenses incurred by them in protecting the said heretofore disputed territory, and making a survey thereof, in 1838; the Government of the United States agreeing with the States of Maine and Massachusetts to pay them the further sum of three Hundred thousand dollars, in equal moieties, an account of their assent to the line of boundary described in this treaty, and in consideration of the conditions and convenients received therefor from the Government of Her Britannic Majesty."
After debate, on the question, "shall these words stand as part of the fifth article?"
It was determined in the affirmative: Yeas 34, nays 10
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Berrien, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Crafts, Cuthbert, Dayton. Evans, Fulton, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr. King, Mangum, Merrick, Miller, Morehead, Phelps, Porter, Rives, Sevier, Simmons, Smith of Indiana, Sprague, Tallmadge, White, Wilcox, Woodbridge, Young.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Benton, Buchanan, Conrad. Crittenden, Linn, Smith, of Connecticut, Sturgeon, Tappan.
No further amendment having been proposed,
Mr. Rives submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, (two thirds of the Senators present concurring,) That the Senate advise and consent to the ratification of the treaty to settle and define the boundaries between the territories of the United States and the possessions of Her Britannic Majesty in North America. for the final suppression of the African slave trade, and for the giving up of criminals fugitive from justice in certain cases.
The Senate, by unanimous consent, proceeded to consider the said resolution.
On the question to agree thereto,
It was decided in the affirmative: Yeas 39, nays 9
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Berrien, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Crafts, Crittenden, Cuthbert, Dayton, Evans, Fulton, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr, King, Mangum, Merrick, Miller, Morehead, Phelps, Porter, Preston, Rives, Sevier, Simmons, Smith of Indiana, Sprague, Tallmadge, Tappan, Walker, White, Woodbridge, Woodbury, Wright, Young.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Benton, Buchanan, Conrad, Linn, Smith, of Connecticut, Sturgeon, Williams.
So the resolution was agreed to.
Ordered, That the Secretary lay the said resolution before the President of the United States.
Tuesday, August 30, 1842.
Mr. Buchanan submitted the following resolution; which was considered by unanimous consent, and agreed to:
Resolved, That the injunction of secrecy be removed from the British treaty, the correspondence which accompanied it, and all the proceedings of the Senate thereon, embracing the speeches and remarks of Senators, as soon as the ratifications of the said treaty shall have been exchanged, and it shall have been proclaimed by the President of the United States.
TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
Extracts from the Proceedings of the Senate on the British Treaty, in secret Session.
Thursday, August 11, 1842.
The message was read.
The treaty to settle and define the boundaries between the territories of the United States and the possessions of her Britannic Majesty in North America, for the final suppression of the African slave trade, and for the giving up of criminals fugitive from justice in certain cases, was read twice by unanimous consent.
On motion of Mr. Rives,
Ordered, That the treaty, with the message and accompanying documents, be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, and printed, in confidence, for the use of the Senate.
Friday, August 19, 1842
The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the treaty with Great Britain; and after debate, no amendment having been made, the treaty was reported to the Senate,
Mr. Williams submitted the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the treaty and documents now under consideration be recommitted to the committee on Foreign Relations, with instructions to report a resolution directing the President of the United States to take immediate possession of the disputed territory, and to report such contingent measures as, in their opinion, may be necessary to maintain the just rights of the nation.
The Senate, by unanimous consent, proceeded to consider the said resolution; and,
On the question to agree thereto,
It was determined in the negative--Yeas 8, nays 31.
On motion of Mr. Williams, (the yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present,)
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Fulton, Linn, Smith, of Connecticut, Sturgeon, Walker, Williams.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Benton, Buchanan, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Conrad, Crafts, Crittenden, Cuthbert, Dayton, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr, Mangum, Miller, Morehead, Porter, Preston, Rives, Smith, of Indiana, Tallmadge, Tappan, White, Woodbridge, Woodbury, Young
So the resolution was rejected.
On motion of Mr. Benton,
To strike out the eighth article from the treaty.
The question was stated: "Shall the eighth article stand as a part of the treaty?" and, after debate,
On motion of Mr. Sevier,
The Senate adjourned.
Saturday, August 20, 1842.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the treaty with Great Britain; and,
The question recurring: "Shall the eighth article stand as part of the treaty?" after debate.
It was determined in the affirmative: Yeas 37, nays 12.
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Berrien, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Conrad, Crafts, Crittenden, Dayton, Evans, Fulton, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr, King, Mangum, Merrick, Miller, Morehead, Phelps, Porter, Preston, Rives, Simmons, Smith, of Indiana, Sprague, Tallmadge, Walker, White, Wilcox, Williams, Woodbridge, Young.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Benton, Buchanan, Cuthbert, Linn, Sevier, Smith, of Connecticut, Sturgeon, Tappan, Woodbury, Wright.
On motion by Mr. Benton,
To strike out of the first article of the treaty the following words:
"To the outlet of the Lake Pohenagamook; thence south westwardly, in a straight line, to a point on the northwest branch of the river St. John, which point shall be ten miles distant from the main branch of the St. John in a straight line, and in the nearest direction; but if the said point shall be found to be less than seven miles from the nearest point of the summit or crest of the highlands that divide those rivers which empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence from those which fall into the River St. John, then the said point shall be made to recede down the said northwest branch of the river St. John, to a point seven miles, in a straight line, from the said summit or crest; thence, in a straight line, in a course about south eight degrees west," to the point where the parallel of latitude of 46 deg. 25 min. north intersects the southwest branch of the St. John; thence, southerly, by the said branch, to the source thereof in the highlands at the Metjarmette portage."
After debate, on the question, Shall these words stand as part of the first article?
It was determined in the affirmative: Yeas 38, nays 11.
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Berrien, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Conrad, Crafts, Crittenden, Cuthbert, Dayton, Evans, Fulton, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr, King, Mangum, Merrick, Miller, Morehead, Phelps, Porter, Preston, Rives, Sevier, Simmons, Smith, of Ind., Sprague, Tallmadge, Tappan, White, Woodbridge, Woodbury and Wright.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Benton, Buchanan, Linn, Smith of Connecticut, Sturgeon, Walker, Wilcox, Williams, and Young.
Mr. Benton submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the treaty and documents now under consideration be recommitted to the Committee on Foreign Relations, with instructions to report an amendment to the treaty, stipulating the right of the vessels of the United States, driven by tempests or carried by violence into any of the British West India islands, to depart from the same, with all their contents of persons and property, with all convenient despatch, and after receiving the hospitable treatment due to misfortune.
After debate, on the question to agree thereto.
It was determined in the negative: Yeas 11, nays 37.
On motion of Mr. Benton, the yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present,
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Benton, Buchanan, Conrad, Linn, Smith, of Connecticut, Sturgeon, Walker, Williams, and Young.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Berrien, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Crafts, Crittenden, Cuthbert, Dayton, Evans, Fulton, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr, King, Mangum, Merrick, Miller, Morehead, Phelps, Porter, Preston, Rives, Sevier, Simmons, Smith of Ind., Sprague, Tallmadge, Tappan, White, Wilcox, Woodbridge and Woodbury.
So the resolution was rejected.
Mr. Benton submitted the following resolution.
Resolved, That the treaty and documents now under consideration be recommitted to the Committee on Foreign Relations, with instructions to report a resolution directing the President of the United States to take immediate possession of the disputed territory, up to the line designated by the King of Netherlands, and to maintain the State of Maine in possession of the territory south of that line.
After debate, on the question to agree thereto,
It was determined in the negative: Yeas 2, nays 37.
On motion by Mr. Benton,
The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present.
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Benton, Sevier.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Archer, Bagby, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Berrien, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Conrad, Crafts, Crittenden, Cuthbert, Dayton, Evans, Fulton, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr, King, Mangum, Merrick, Miller, Morehead, Phelps, Porter, Preston, Rives, Simmons, Smith, of Ind., Sprague, Sturgeon, Tallmadge, Tappan, White, Wilcox, Woodbridge.
The resolution was rejected.
On motion by Mr. Tappan,
To strike out of the fifth article the following words, viz:
"And further to pay and satisfy said States, respectively, for all claims for expenses incurred by them in protecting the said heretofore disputed territory, and making a survey thereof, in 1838; the Government of the United States agreeing with the States of Maine and Massachusetts to pay them the further sum of three Hundred thousand dollars, in equal moieties, an account of their assent to the line of boundary described in this treaty, and in consideration of the conditions and convenients received therefor from the Government of Her Britannic Majesty."
After debate, on the question, "shall these words stand as part of the fifth article?"
It was determined in the affirmative: Yeas 34, nays 10
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Berrien, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Crafts, Cuthbert, Dayton. Evans, Fulton, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr. King, Mangum, Merrick, Miller, Morehead, Phelps, Porter, Rives, Sevier, Simmons, Smith of Indiana, Sprague, Tallmadge, White, Wilcox, Woodbridge, Young.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Benton, Buchanan, Conrad. Crittenden, Linn, Smith, of Connecticut, Sturgeon, Tappan.
No further amendment having been proposed,
Mr. Rives submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, (two thirds of the Senators present concurring,) That the Senate advise and consent to the ratification of the treaty to settle and define the boundaries between the territories of the United States and the possessions of Her Britannic Majesty in North America. for the final suppression of the African slave trade, and for the giving up of criminals fugitive from justice in certain cases.
The Senate, by unanimous consent, proceeded to consider the said resolution.
On the question to agree thereto,
It was decided in the affirmative: Yeas 39, nays 9
Those who voted in the affirmative are--
Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bates, Bayard, Berrien, Calhoun, Choate, Clayton, Crafts, Crittenden, Cuthbert, Dayton, Evans, Fulton, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr, King, Mangum, Merrick, Miller, Morehead, Phelps, Porter, Preston, Rives, Sevier, Simmons, Smith of Indiana, Sprague, Tallmadge, Tappan, Walker, White, Woodbridge, Woodbury, Wright, Young.
Those who voted in the negative are--
Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Benton, Buchanan, Conrad, Linn, Smith, of Connecticut, Sturgeon, Williams.
So the resolution was agreed to.
Ordered, That the Secretary lay the said resolution before the President of the United States.
Tuesday, August 30, 1842.
Mr. Buchanan submitted the following resolution; which was considered by unanimous consent, and agreed to:
Resolved, That the injunction of secrecy be removed from the British treaty, the correspondence which accompanied it, and all the proceedings of the Senate thereon, embracing the speeches and remarks of Senators, as soon as the ratifications of the said treaty shall have been exchanged, and it shall have been proclaimed by the President of the United States.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Webster Ashburton Treaty
Senate Proceedings
Boundary Settlement
Slave Trade Suppression
Fugitive Extradition
Territorial Dispute
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Rives
Mr. Williams
Mr. Benton
Mr. Tappan
Mr. Buchanan
Where did it happen?
United States Senate
Story Details
Key Persons
Mr. Rives
Mr. Williams
Mr. Benton
Mr. Tappan
Mr. Buchanan
Location
United States Senate
Event Date
August 1842
Story Details
The Senate refers the treaty to committee, debates amendments to articles on boundaries, slave trade suppression, extradition, and compensation to Maine and Massachusetts; rejects motions to possess disputed territory and other changes; ultimately advises ratification by a vote of 39-9.