The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-12-14
RUPTURE WITH MR.. JACKsoN

u.
RUPTURE WITH MR.. JACKSON.
The resolution reported by Mr.. Gifes an
proving the Conduct of the Executive in re
fusing to hold any further communication
with Mr.. Jackson, was taken no by the Sen
ate as in committee of the whole.
| The resolution having been read.
Mr.. Giles rose and spoke as follows.
MR.. PRESIDENT,
Before proceed TO perform the tb,
ties erJoined upon me the chairman of
the committee who reported the resolution
hcfore you, permit me to express my regret.
that the consideration OF subject, which
Justly cxcites so much sensibiity, shouId
have been delayed even only ose dan 90, my
account; and be assured, sir, that noth;n-
less than an indisposition sufficient to ins,;
ty 1t. would have caused me to have been alb
sent from my place yesterday Perhaps.
SIR, owe an apology TO the Senate at this
time, tor entering into this debate under a
state OF. .hoarscness, which must nccessarilv
disqualify me in some degree, from dischar
ging my duty on the present occasion. Rnt
sir, it is subject OF great consolation to me
70 reflect, that / am fortunately favored
with associates on the committee. either Of
whom could perform the task am now en-
gagged IN, better than, myself, and some of
WHOM, Will certainly do me the favor of cor.
recting any errors lmay unipl entionally com.
nit, or supplying any omissions NAV mad.
vertently make.
Although it appears to me, that the pro.
priety and urgency OF the resolution now mn
der consideration mast be strongly address.
ed both to the judgment and sensibilj,v of
every gentleman VINO has carefully attended
to the distribution OF powers under our CON
stitutoD, & who has also carefully attended To
the correspondence which gave rise to the
resolution, yet in case of So much tlelicacy
it would naturally be expected, and is a res
pect due to the Senate from the Chairman
of the COMMITTEES, to present to it at least
some of the general motives which Induced
the committee to report the resolution at this
time.
1t is to be observed, Mr. President, that
our constitution Is peculiar i'm the organiza-
ton and distrloution OF its powers and in
no respect is it more peculiar. than in th-
distribution of the particular powers embra.
ced by the resolution. In ali other govern
ments known to us, the same department
which possesses the power to receive and
negotiate with foreign ambassadors and a.
Their public ministers, also possesses the now
er to make war. IL has been Thought wise
IN our constitution, to separate these powers.
with a simplicity OF language. and soidi
ty OF wisdom almost peculiar to our constitu
ton, the President is invested with the po,uvt
er to receive ambassadors and other public
thus using the broadcast terms in
granting this power without even an atteupt
at limitation Or specification evidently with
A view, that all the incidental or consco,.,
cial powers might flow from this general ex
preston to the department., thus invested
with this general power. 1t was easy TO
f9resee, and no donbt the trainers of our con
stitution did foresee, that the multiplicity Ss
diversity OF cases, which would arise in the
course OF various diplomatic manceuvres 9,
negotiations. would set at defiance all at.
tempts to limit or specify the powers of the
department in this respect, to which these
powers we're coniided aad to be exercised ga
he part of the United States and. therefore
Every attempt o! that kind was wisely avoi
led, leaving to the president to exercise his
authority upon his own responsibility. 10 he
regulated by the only established standard
amongst nations, 10 wit, the laws and usares
It nations. For itnever can be presumed.
'ir. mat the wise sages who framed our ex
;eilent constitution could for moment have |
olerated the idea, that the m..is,ers Of f. |
e'yn cations residing near tie government