The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-07-23

oHSu ny enCihf anu WHICH may relate 10 any
constitutional functions of the house, thai
the purposes for which such informatio,,
may be wanted, or TO which the same ma.
be applied, shouldbc stated in the applicas
ton"
On the passage of this res olution, Mr.
Madison and Mr.. Gallatin, tn en- members
of this house, both spoke and voted in the
affirmative. Can the executive shrink
from the rule which he when on this floor
adopted Or will his supporters here deal
TO him measure different from that which
he dealt to the father of his country
The principle on which this resolution
is founded, has prevailed here to this day
and strange indeed would it be, if now it
should be violated, to shield from its fair
operation the very man who originated and
established it among us.
Another objection has been started It
seems the resolutions are too categorical
and particular. Sir, do admit that The re-.
solutions are strongly marked with parti-
cuiar, categorical and even inquisitoriai
character. From them no casuistry, no art
can enable the president to escape. They
were thus drawn for no other reason than
to preclude all evasion and elusion-to OBJ
tam the particular and precise Information
demanded well know, that the ordinary
general form Is more proper and more res
spectlul. But, Sir, there may be cases in
which mere form must yield to substance
and necessity, courtly respect to plain re.
publican sincerity. Is not this precisely
such a case?
Attic close Of the last session, upon the
motion OF the honorable gentleman FROM
Maryland (Mr. Goldsborough) aresolution
was adopted in the ordinary and general
form.
RESOLVED, That the president he re-
quested 10 cause to be laid before this
house the FRENCH decree, purporting to be
repeal of the Berlin and Milan DEGREES,
referred 10 in his message of the 4th of
November last, together with such infor-
nation as he may possess, concerning the
time & manner OF promulgating the same,n
sc. sc.
This Is the material part of the resolu-
non. WhN was the reply to this resoluH"
| ton ! A simple communication of the de-
| grading accusation of the French minister
and that only. Not one word of denial or
| of comment. Not murmur of resent
| nent at the foul stigma which the duke of
Bassano had attempted to fix on the honor
| Vt the executive and the character of the
country. All information that the presi-
dent might possess relative to the time
| and manner of promuIgating" the decree
was refused or evaded; and thereby the
blot on our national honor was rendered
tcnfold deeper and blacker.
Would these honorable gentlemen have
us repeat an experiment which issued in
such consequences Would they again
adopt course which would again disap.
point us and disgrace our country No,
sir-li this information ought to be obtain
ed, this is the only form, the only manner
to obtain 1t. We must tell the executive,
without ambiguity and with precision, and
yet with every respect compatible with
our duty, our objects and our requests IF
these resolutions pass, they must be met
with satisfactory information, or with re-
fusal to communicate. The reply will rest
with the president, and upon him be the
responsibility for the form and substance OF
that reply.
Having disposedof the form of these re-
solutions, l will now proceed 10. their sub
|stance.
An instrument purporting to be French
decree, modifying or repeating the French
Berlin and Milan DEGREES, so far as they
violated our neutrels rights, was commu-
nicated by the duke of Bassano to MIR.
Barlow, our minister in France, on the 10th
of May, 1912. This decree bears date
the oath April, 1911. 1t had been conceal
ed for more than one year from the time
OF its date. MIR Barlow, conscious THAI
the publication OF the decree, at its date,
would have saved this country from many
evils, and astonisbed at its concealment,
demanded of the duke of Bassano whether
n had "a yer hean nrhliehNd TIE drf.t