Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-31

vileges which she would not otherwise have grant
ed, ask if we are not bound, in honor and in
good faith, to carry 1t into effect! The express
sons used by our Minister not mere idle d.
plomatic phrases. They used for the pur-
pose of obtaining commercial advantages and were
the basis upon which those advantages were TO rest
They were held out the consideration; as the in
ducement to that Government; and iris fairly TO
be inferred from the documents, that they receiv-
ell the appreciation of the Secretary of State. Ii
is time, then the American People should inquire,
and should distinctly know, whether this declara.
ton was authorized by the Executive branch of
the Government.
to bring into discussion. indirectly, the Mis-
sion 10 Panama. Upon that important subject he
would then express no opinion He wished to
know precisely whether Mr.. Poinsett had excee-
ded his instructions or not. He believed this
knowledge was al-important. If the Executive
had determined 10 abandon the course of policy
which had been heretofore pursued, and to enter
into entanglng alliances with any Nation, the Peo-
pie should be informed OF this determination If
such were not the intention, is it honorable. is it
consistent with our national character? is il not
violation of the public faith! TO hold on, 4 pledge
for the purpose of deceiviug Mexico, and then,
after we shall have obtained the privileges which
we desired, to mock at their calamity in the day
oil danger! Our intercourse with all Nations should
rest upon principles of justice. VIVA, would the
Government of Mexico think of us, what would
they have right TO think, if our Minister should
hold one language to-day and after we had obtain
ed from them what wanted, we should disclaim
his authority Tomorrow? In every point of
view MIR. b. thought the subject was well worthy
of inquiry
MIR. Cook, of Illinois, said, that, on consulting
the documents, he perceived that the gentlemen
had fallen into surprising mistake in the inference
that the language OF our Minister had been repor,
ed to the Department, and approved. Ii gentle
men would compare the dates of the Minisl ers
letter, and that Of the Secretary of State, they
would lind that the Secretary's letter is in reply to
previous communication of the Minister, and
that that which contains this language was not re-
ceived when the Secretary wrote his last despatch.
AS TO the pledge referred TO it could mean nothing
more than the declaration of President Monroe.
Whatever pledge had been given by the United
Sta,es TO Mexico, must of course, have been al
ready known to Mexico, TO its Government;
such pledge not then brought 10 it's know
ledge: Tor the Minister speaks of i, as one already
gwen. The plain meaning reference TO the
declaration of the late President declaration
hailed throughout this country with perhaps an
imprudent enthusiasm. Mr.. G. had no objection
to the inquiry proposed, but had risen merely to
a
pprehension.
MIR. Houston, of Tennessee. rose to address the
House; but, the hour allotted to resolutions hav-
ing now expired, the Speaker arrested the discus
sion, and proceeded 10 the unfinished business on
his table.
The Speaker laid before the House the follow
ng communication from The President of the Uni
ted States:
10 the House of Representatives. of the u. S
WASHINGTON, oath MARCH, 1926
In compliance with resolution OF the House,
OF the 10th ult. requesting statements of the nett
amount OF Revenue derived from Imports and Ton
mage, received by the Treasury from the ports
within the Bay OF Delaware, the Bay OF Chesa-
peake, the haIbor of New York, and at Boston.
from the first Of January, 1890, to the last of De-
cember, 1925, and Of the amount of expenditures
paid from the Treasury, for Forts, Lighthouses,
Beacons, and other public works, erected 10 aid
commerce, or for the purposes of defence, with
in the said bays and harbors, during the said time
transmit herewith report from the Secretary O!
the Treasury. with several documents containing
the information desired by the resolution.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
The communication was referred 10 the Com
mite on Commerce.
MASSACHUSETTS CLAIMS
MIR. Houston moved to postpone all the orders
OF the day which pfecede the bill making provision
Tor allowing compensation the State Of Afassa-
chusets Tor militia services rendered during the lata
war.
The motion prevailed and the House according
ly went into Committee of the Whole Mr. Buc.
hanan of Penn. in the Chair, on that subject
MIR. Hamilton then addressed the Committee in
explanation Of the principles and qualifications by
which the claims to be settled in the bill un-
der consideration; which under The instructions oil
the Committee on Military Affairs, he had reported
He was followed by Mr.. Davis of Massachu-
sets in support of the bill, and by Mr.. Houston
ofTennessee, in opposition TO it. Mr.. H. conclud-
ed his remarks at FIVE o'clock; when, on motion of
M Dwight of Mass. the Committee rose, and the
House adjourned.