Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-07
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Congress Of Panama.

CON5FGSS OF EGfiGDlu.
The resolution calling upon the Executive for
Information respecting the Congress at Panama
again came up for considerations
Mr.. Livingston, OF Louisiana. said, that he had.
when the resolution was first called up, thought
that IL was premature, and that the call for infor-
nation might be delayed until the appointment O;
Ministers rendered the appropriation necessary;
bat short refiexlon had convinced him that il was
proper to act, and to act promptly.
The information required by the resolution might
be applied, LIST, either to enable the House to Judge
Of the expectancy of making appropriation FOR the
mission, should the Ministers be commissioned.
or, IDLY, to enable them TO form lust opinion on
the propriety OF the measure, and to express if
whether the appointment were concurred in or MT
1t was as applicable to the first point alone that
;iappeared 10 him any doubts Of the provrietv of
now passing the resolution, could be entertained
That they would vanish, when it was considered
That if after having the whole information before
us, we should think the mission proper measure;
THAT we ought to suppose The coordinate branches
OF the government would do what is right; and
that, having the information before us, we might
then be enabled to act promptly, by making the
necessary appropriations
Bat, sail Mr.. Livingston, it is chiefly in The Sc
cond application OF the information that think the
call for it important-an object more interes,ino,
has rarely occupied the attention OF any assembly
an interest OF the most pleasing kind! Not CON
nected with present danger, future embarrassment
or disagreeaoie reirospect containing every thing
70 encourage, nothing to dislearen or deter. Fortu
nately, no scruples arising from doubts of the con-
siItutional power OF the House to ask for inforua
z0h, and to act on it when received. can nov he
reasonably entertained. That question was settlsJ
thirty years ago, by solemn resolution. nassod
after the fullest debate that perhaps anv oGes,io,,
under our Government received; and il asse,,.,o,
only the right to refuse the corporation Of t,is
House ia carrying treaties into effect, but 10 call
Tor information without assigning any reasons for
that call--hayng co-operated in procuring the pas
sage Of this resolution, and in the interval since ia
passage, have had no reason 20 doubt its correct
ness, or seen it called in question by any Ierisa
tive act, have right to consider the question Of
constitutional power at rest. On that Of expedi-
ehey, there is, as might be reasonably expected,
difference Of opinion.
The gentleman from Virginia, who favored the
house with his opinions yes csday, with great pro-
pretty considered what would be the probable OBJ
Jests OF tbs Mission, and what would be the con
sequences OF efectng them. VIVA, those objects
iealIy s9e, neither that gentleman nor myself can
AhOw. We may, however, both conjecture; he
las stated bus anicipaiions; they are Of the most
e oomy Jand' Mine are the very reverse. He
anzs that the hrs, object 10 be effected is coali
fqe Of the American Republics 10 coun,ersc, The
'bi'ish Of Kings IN he Holy Alliance. nat, So