Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-11-03

Ie1ecatiye could not have consented to the
purchase, and without examining it, the le-
lglslature could not decide whether we had
| acquired a rightful iurisdictio over the
country. Under these impressions he tho't
1t necessary and proper that a call should be
made on the president for a copy Of that
treaty.
Mr.. Griswold said he would observe also, that
the treaty Of idelFonso would NOT probably as.
certain all the facts which il was essary to es
tabiish in regard to the title. The treaty con-
sained only promise to cede che county ii
question, as appeared by the article which had
been transcribed; and this only upon the per
Torrance of certain oondito:s TIE actual
cesson had not been disclosed bur Tor the pur-
pose OF clearing up the title the deed OF 10
sirnment of eesson ought 10 appear.
There was an additional tact winch Mr.. t!los
It important 10 ascertain, whether Spain bad con.
seated 10 the transfer Of bscountry 70 the q. Sc
| This faa may be important in several points OF
view. 1t Spain consents to the transfer, she eli
ther admits that the conditions lave been exc
cuted on the part of France, or Size waves her
claim to full execution OF them, and in either
event, it may be said that the claims Of Spain
nave been ex,inguisfed. But if Spain has re-
mopstratcd against the transfer, it presents a
strong reason 10 believe that tie conditlons have
never been fulfilled, or if they have beech
fu 6yled, that We shall be compelled to pos.
sass this country by force The complexion
and extent OF OH Preparations TO possess thecoun-
lry must in measure he regulated by the dispo.
stion o. Spain towards US.
| With this view of the subject, Mr.. G. said
/ thar be could not doubt the necessity Of calling
on the presi lent for further information before
Ethe house proceeded t. at. In doing this how
ever he would be careful not to ask All improper
disclosure OF executive secrets. or interf.re with
the prerogatves of the executive with respect to
treayies. The treaty CT Idelfonso he presumed
lcould be no secret, as one article OF that nstru-
| ment had been transcribed into the treaty under
consideration. Nor could the actual cession, or
any Of tie evidences Of title be consids;ed as Sc
| crets to be withheld from the legislature be-
cause without possessing them, congress could
never know what legislative provisions were ne
cessary for a full execution of the treaty. He
had always believed that the power OF mixing
treaties under the constitution belonged exclu.
| sveiy to the President with the consent Of two
| thirds of the senate and that wbena treaty was
once fairly and e0astit4tionaAy made and ratified,
it became the law of the land, and as such every
branch of the government was b3und to carry In
| 10 execution.
But in order to do this, it became neces
sary TO know the extent and effecl Of the
Treaty. And in the present. case if it should be
found after full examination of the title, that
the claim of France was detective, and of cours
| that the United States had gained neither
| territory or subjects by this quiet claim which
France had given US, 1T would be absurd, s a
direct usurpation for Congress to pass laws for
governing the country. The call which he
proposed to make, would therefore be confined to
those obeGts, which must be known, before the
legislature can with knowledge of the subiea.
decide how the treaty is TO be carried into exc
cution. And he would take the liberty of sub.
uniting to the house resolution which was
confined to those objects, and if seconded, would
lay it onthe table.
Resolved. that the president of the United States
be requested TO TO be laid before this house,
copy of the treaty between the French Republic
and Span, of the Ist of October $780, together
With copy of the deed of cession from Spain.
executed IN pursuance of thesame treaty, convey
ing Louisiana TO France (if any such deed ex-
lists J also copies of such rrespondence between
the government Of the United States and the go
vesnment or ministers of Spain 1T any such GER
respoadencc has taken place. as will sbew the
assent or dissent Of Spain to the purchase Of
Louisiana by ths United States, together with
copies of such other documents as may be in the
departments of.state, or any other department of
the government, tending to ascertain whether the
United States have in fact, acquired any title to
the province of louisiana by the treaties with
Franqe, of the goth April, 1893.
.(Dl5ate 10 be eosfmued.]
- "a sns------