Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-28
cowGREssro NAL.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
-. V IV-U.
PANAMA MISSION

i:o O 'esiuent OF The United States in
" MISSION 10 Panama which report
concludes win The following resolution
heS0l0ed, That, in the opinion o(tbe House
II IS H2eaien, to appropriate the funds necessary
10 enable Ire President of the United States =, .j
ministers TO tie Congress of Panama y
the amendment offered by Alr. McTane rs
Deiaware' beng also before tie committee in the
following words - ''ie
=, =" 1t being understood, as the opiaiea of this
,n'', "S mas always been The settled pol
ICY % 'hls Government, in extending our CONNER
ciai relations with foreign nations 10 b,,. -
them as little political connexion as noss5bl. -,
preserve peace, commerce, and friendship. with
"'i ha'lons, ana to form entanglinr alliances
none Inc Ministers who may be sent shall attend
al The said Congress in diplomatic character mere
y; ana snail not be authorised 10 discuss. con
% consult u:>o7 any proposition OF alliance
oEehslVe or defensive, between this country and
any OF the Spanish American Governments. mr. apy
STIPULATION, compact, or declaration, binding the
Chted STATES IN any way or to any extent, to re-
s's' interference from abroad with The domestic
concerns OF the aforesaid Governments or any
measure which shall commit the present or future
neutral rights or duties of these United States
either as may regard European nations, or between
The several States of Mexico and South A ,,er;,a Z.
leaving the United States free 10 adon, in an,
event which may happen, affecting the relations
oil Inc spanish American Gov ernments with each
o'her, or with foreign nations such measures as
me iriehdiy disposition, cherished by the American
People, towards the people of those States. and
the honor and Interest of this nation NAV dictate
ANA Mr. hives, OF Virginia, having moved to
amend me amendment OF MIR. McI.ane, by insert
's me loowiug' after the words - aforesaid gov
eTnmen's, where those ords occur viz
" Or any compact or engagement bv which tho
United States shall be Piedgedto the Spanish A
merican States, 10 maintain, by force The princi-
PIE, that no part OF the American continent i
henceiorward subject to colonization by anv Euro
pean power'-
MT kiyes, OF Virginia, rose, aud said, he was
1u'hohisDeu, by every consideration Of personal
nature, to abstain from any PARTICIPATION in the
present discussion No one could he more sons.
DIE than himself how little ability lac possessed at
any time, to assist the deliberations of this House
and mat ability, small it was at all times was
now materially lessenedby the effects of long con-
tlnued nhrmity. Nevertheless, he was urged. by
an impulse which he could not resist, TO say some
thing upon the present occasion.
The m9f1Ues of public men, FOR the part thew
Snali act IN reference 10 this subject, have been
and VIII be drawn into question While, on the
one hand, serfilny s surbservience may be attlibn
led 10 those WHO shall support the measure, (he
was no aware that such an smpuiatic1 had been
mace, and lie was ceftainly very lar en- MAKING
II hiinssi) on The other hand we klotp tllat those
VINO cannot bring their minds TO approve IL. in all
'he ia'iinde 81 IT'S various objects, have been ac-
cus'ointd Of beng aciuaIed by spirit of fdcfious
opposition TO The present administration This
consideration naturally made one desirous of nIa-
eng his opinions, and the grounds ofiherr. before
the wofId' mat they might speak for themselves, 6.
that u might be seen that they have, at least SUI
i,eieh' foundation III reason, to exempt them from
ne suspicion OF originating in personal and unyvor
NS MOVES but' this Is not all. Tie subject it.
ser Is one OF the deepes; interest. No question
i1a "i-'In' N my opinion, Csad Mr. r. since we
Gu'e" our eihai rank among the nations of the
sat'n' NOT excepting the late declaration Of war
sainst Great Britain, fearful and ,nomentous as
'na' was whichnvo!ves more important conse-
guehces 10 the peace, happiness, and free political
mltuuOns oil this country. The measure propo-
sea Is an ac"HowIcdgcd departure from the uniform
and settled policy pursued by this Governnen, in
'i"ss past--a policy, in the Observance Of which
we nave feaped The most abundant fruits of pros
perlty and honor IL seeks 10 introduce g,c,,
system in the conduct aud adjustment of our 10
reign relations. Willie we profess 10 cuItiyaie
peace commerce, and honest fricudship,'' with
az halons' This system proposes 10 connect u by
ues OF q more Wttm0te and patGf7InI character
win the nations ofone half OF the s!obe bv which
we are to he segregated from, and in a manner.
Sffayeo against those Of The other half by which
we are 10 make common cause with tile former in
mr. mrs
ihoependencei and, IN short 10 identify our inte-
rests, and unite our desiinies with theirs IF iii
be the true character of the measure now under
consideration, and, IN my conscience. | most en-
iemhly Oeueve that il Is, il becomes US to tpeiob
IL wei before we give ii The iYrevocabIe sanction
OF our votes IN this Hall. That we have the yiebt
mus Heeiy 10 deliberate upon *, has not vet been
openly questioned IN the progress of this discus
SION Out the idea has been suggested in coupeysa-
hat. as he ION
president and Senate, the power of making an
poinimens, and, as Ministers to Panama have been
appointed by them, we have no longer any dis
cleuoh upon The subject but are b0uifd 10 make
'he appropriations necessary for deffaying the ex-
pehse OF the mission. Such, sir is not The doc
irine OF the President himself, who has shown no
disposition TO concede NTH too much C4ruif,j.
powers 70 other Departments Of the Government.
IN aeIogatiOn OF his own. In bis messa0e both ~
this House and the Senate. he submits 1l,, s,ec,
10 ihe - Tree determination Of the Legislat ure-
NeitheI was Tins DE doctrine OF this House in 'Q6
When These seats were filled with some Of The wi
sesl men VINO have adorned any portion of our
annals. On that occasion, the House Of Peprc
sehtatves, in much more doubtful csse-in the
case OF OF treaty, which had been duly ratified.
aihrmed their right, in tie freest and fullest man
her 10 grant % withhold an appropriation Of mo-
ney orany Othef act necessary to cary the tre,fv
into effect a treaty is mutual AMI eoIlDi1
contract bcfpeep hgO partics, and, when il ha.
been consummaed, with all the forms prescribed
by The Constitution, there is piosibity, at least.
20 coniending, that 10 bi1ds The faith of She M.
uon and is obligatory upon all tic authorities Oh
ihe Government But the appointment Of minis
lers y an oct confined to one party only, inerrinr
no obligation to any other: and there can be ne
ground Tor saying, that the Jath IF me nation
IS pledged by it. But, sir, why need d,Vel
upon this objection' Have we been engaged In .
solemn JaIce for the last two months? SYherefor,
have we repeated cell after call, upon ths Exc