Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-11
NLMETEENTa CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
CONGRESS OF PANAMA.

content ourselves with extracting few of the
most appropriate and symptomatic passages:
Mr.. Metcalie, of Ky. said that the motion he
was about to make, was not introduced with any
desire 10 prevent the discussion of the general sub
Ject, but only that the House may determine at
once on the question OF making call for the pa
pers, which ought TO be the groundwork of the
discussion. All Legislation is suspended by long
debate, on the propriey of Calling on the President
Tor certain correspondence debate, which he
was lar from anticipating, when he called up the
resolution of the gentleman from S. Carolina--and
he thought that this proper occasion for waking
Inc pfeoious question, 10 preclude further debate
on question not before the House: he moved il
accordingly:
(fhe effect of this motion, when agreed to by the
House, Is to suspend further debate or amendment,
and proceed at once to the main question 10 be de-
cide!)
Mr.. Floyd, of Va. hoped the gentleman would
withdraw this motion--he meyer liked either it. or
the se,'ition law. (Motion lost)
Anu The question recurring Mr.. Ingham's mo-
tion TO refer MIR. Harniltons resolution 10 select
committee
Mr. lnsham: " If the motion to amend shall be
Sustained, 1t will be a distinct indication 10 the
Executive, that we want ALL The information we
can get: that the great interests OF the Nation de-
mand 1t. We do this, however, without any feel
ing OF disrespect. l would be among the las, to
move any proposition, 10 be sent to another branch
oil The government, containing the slightest mark
OF disrespect. g" The proposition TO send Minis
tiers to the Congress OF Panama is a measure who'll
~ new in the history OF our government: il may
cons ituie an Nenttul epoch in our annals and are
we to vote on faith, without the same information
which Is possessed by the other branches of the
government, merely because it is recommended;
dsciain such doctrine. | must Judge for
myself, and vote upon my own responsibility;
hot upon iaith IL any tunctionary, whatever -
- subsequently,, we were told by the Chairman
OF the Committee of Foreign Affairs. that the
information would be sent as soon az the Mi
nisters TO Panama were appointed, and money
was wanted tor their salaries. This informa.
ton excited my surprise. That this great oues-
ton was TO be decided upon by this House, under
the very limited reXraint of mere question for
appropriaiins salaries for officers who have been
appointed by the proper authorities OF the govern
n:ent IL was not TO be expected that the question
would be presented in such shape Il is pretty
well known what kind OF argument would then be
used TO sustain the measure. We should hear
lectures upon our duty and moral obligation to vote
salaries for all officers lawfully appointed Ii dix,
seem that the House was about 10 be drawn into
snare though certainly without such intention
by The Committee OF Foreign Afairs''-ss Now
very singular change of position is exhibited; ma
ny, u not all OF those acting with the adminis-
tralon, deieImine not tnIIs tissue. on the
question OF appropriation, but become urgent for
the information, III order to discuss the abstract
proposition before the Ministers are appointed
Whether the members then acting have chaneed
their minds, or the department OF State has chang
ed lis purpose, cannot say, one or the other has
undergone very singular change, and they NAV
choose either horn of the dilemma II the De-
paItment oil Stale still thinks il nexpedient to make
The communication before the appointment Of the
Ministers, tins movement Is certainly a counter
march on that department; and, if The Depai tment
has changed, without notice 10 the Chairman of
the Comnstee OF Foreign Affairs it leaves him in
very singular and awkward predicament In
whatever aspect view these sudden changes
they seem to require some special explanation but
tor my own part, like the latter mo ement best
Ii matters but little how, or Tor what purpose il
was brought about; and though late it is better late
than never. 1 care not how many changes and
cOunterma9ches are made 10 reach this point'' -
" But IL has been observed that there is sometbng
peculiar in the time for pressing this restricted call
1t has been conjectured. and some remarks which
have fallen from gentlemen in the course of this
debate, go 10 justify the belief, that the singular
change OF position, already adverted to- and the
movement upon these resolutions at the particular
Junciure, was Intended TO act upon the feelings OF
the People and of this House, and react upon an
other branch of the government, aud cause it 10
" do quickly VIII some gentlemen suppose
" tpeH done, If il were done" Some poliicisns
have supposed that the peoI lie feel first, and reflect
afterwards; and if This were true, the time chosen
for agitang this question, well chosen for its
purpose; there might be time enough 10 excite
feelings, but none for deliberate reflection But
there isno greater mistake than this, as to the
People of this Naton.''- 1.-TWO sessions mast
pI OPPOSITION made to counteract the Holy Ali
ance, by sending Mission to Greece; we had,
on that occasion, all the declamaiory eouueDce of
the Hortensius of the West, as he has been called
IN this debate, aided by the more argum enta,ive
powers of gentleman from the East; but no eff
feet produced, no rash feeling excited either in
this House, elsewhere; the People were not
disposedto do any thing that would for a moment
jeOpardize the safety OF their country. The object
il was, totally failed; the offspring came
into the world still born; il was put aside, not by
the orators of the House, but by the middle men
the common sense-tbe men as they are sometimes
called, OF feet 8; the dead bantling had not even
an undertaken 10 perform the last Offices, nor
any funeral ceremony; it was carried down TO
the bottom Of the garden and there buried -
-" should be glad to be informed what attitude
our ministers are to assume. 1t is said bv those
who seem to know, (tbougb cannot tell how
they know that they are not TO be considered as
members of the Grand Council What them Shall
they debate like our Delegates from Territories.
but not vote! or will they occupy the lohbies,
Would this be y becoming position for the Repre-
sentsiives of the first Republic in the world! Or
shall they figure behind the curtain and make bar
gains with the individual Delegates? Whatever
aspect we can view the mission in, our ministers
will make very awkward figure there; unless in
deed we get some information which shall re-
move all these difficulties"
Mr. S,orrs, Of New York: Z" If I have under
stood gentlemen correctly, they wish this refer
ence TO the discretion Of the Executive, expunged.
They in this mission, believe they see in IL,