The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-06-30
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WEnNEsnAX lime LIE

W.T.. WEBSTER day or two ago, the first of
which was read in the following words:
ResolOed, That the president of the U.
States be requested TO inform this house,
unless the public interest should i'm his opi-
mon, forbid such communication, when, by
whom, and iii what manner the first intel
iigence was given TO this government of
Inc decree OF the government of France,
bearing date OH the 9th Of April, 1911, and
purporting TO be de6nitive repeal of the
dc crees Of Berlin and Milan
Mr.. Calhoun said he did not rise to op
pose the passage OF this res luton on ac-
count OF its object; but he objected 10 the
novelty OF the form ofthe resolution. The
resolution went further than merely asking,
tor information 1t also asks, when and bv
whom the Information in question was re-
ccIved. Such form and particularly was
unprecedented in such cases. He rose to
ask the precise object Of the gentleman in
giving this form to his motion What use
was intended to be made OF the information
called for {?
Mr., Webster said, with respect to the
use to be made of the information to be OBJ
tanned, 1t would depend on what that ;nGor
nation should be. With respect to the
form OF the resolution, it had been offered
In this form because il was on subject on
which he wished for particular information
OF shat nature which was designated by its
terms.
MIR. Rhea said it appeared that the only
object OF the gentleman was, to know when
the repeal had been notified. The exis.
tence OF the repeating decree was not cues
toned. 1t was therefore immateriaI when
and how 1t was communicated unless. bv
the enquiry, something can be discovered
In which the government or the executive
has not done its duty. Asno object could
be answered by the agreement to this mo-
ton, he moved TO postpone the further con-
slderation thereof indefinitely.
On the question Of agreeing TO the mo.
ton, Mr.. Hanson called for the yeas and
noes.
Mr.. Calhoun said he hoped the gentle
man from Tennessee would not press this
motion. live advert to the transactions
winch have taken place since the declara-
j tlon OF war, we shall find that on manv oc-
faslons this conversation has been made a
handle OF, and that a certa in degree OF sus-
piclon has been attempted to be attached
TO the chief executive officer on this head
n resolution had been adopted al the end
OF the last session, which did not include
the whole object ofthc present resolution :;
and Mr. {. for hisIpart had no ndisposition
10 afford the gentlemen an opportunity of
obtaining all The information thew could
wish, if asked for in proper manner. He
hoped, therefore, the gentleman would
Withdraw his motion.
Mr.. Rhea said, although he was not
much in the habit of withdrawing motions
which he had made, he would for the pre-
sent Withdraw his motion, with the iDten-
ton, however, to renew it, il in the course
Of the discussion it should seem to him ex
pedient.
Mr.. Calhoun said he could rot but think
that the gentleman from ew-fTampshire,
had rather eluded than answered his en-
qulfies. | asked, said Mr. &. the reason
OF the novelty of the form. The gentleman
says bis object is particular information. If
information only be wanted, am willing
to join gentlemen in asking for every infor-
nation they may wish. But / object to
the novelty OF the form to the use of so
particular terms. Mr.. G.. submitted To
the good Judgment of gentlemen the fpro-
priety OF varying the language of the re-
solve.
Mr.. Grosvenor said, without enterino
into the merits of the resolve, he would
state the impressions Of his mind as to the
form Of it. The gentleman from South
Carolina had admitted that suspicion had
attached to this government as to the de-
cree in question Mr.. Calhoun said he
did not admit the fact--But had said that
this matter had been so handled as that it
might have created suspicion. A gene
raj resolution had been adopted at the close
ofthc last session calling for information
on this subject, when the president had