Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-05-12


point IN all our foreign relations. Do gentlemen think
they eNhlo skill or craftsmanship in laying such re-
stahs as they propose ministers, in regard to
lhs suolec among others: has been matter of com
paint mat The Executive has used, already
decisive tone towards Mexico and Colombia in regard
10 their designs this Island. Pray, sir, what tone
could be taken, under these instructions Not
word-not one single word cou be said on the subject.
iasi<ed whether the United States would consent TO the
occupation of that island bvthose republics or 20 its
! transfer by Spain 10 European power whether
should resist such occupation such transfer, what
could they say? THAT is matter cannot discuss,
and cannot considcr--it would commit our neutral re-
latonswe are not at liberty 10 express the sentiments
OF our Government on the subject; have nothing at
all to say" Is this, sir what gentlemen wish, what
! they could recommend:
II, sir give these instructions and they should be
obeyed, and Inconvenience or evil result, who is
swefabIe: And suppose il is expected thew will be
oeeyed Certainly it caunOt be intended to give them
and not TO take the responsibility Of consequences, if
they nc followed 1t cannot be intcndcd 10 hold the
President answerable both ways; first 10 obey our in
slluciious, and secondly, for having obeyed them if
evil comes from obeying them.
SIR, events may change. five had the power to give
instructions and if these proposed instructions were
proper TO be given before arrive our own homes
affairs may take direction, and the public interest
require new and corresponding orders 10 agents
abroad.
account, to justify interference If the fact were
true the consequence would not follow If be the en-
ercise of power assigned by the constitution TO the
Executive, can make no difference whether the &C.
casion be common uncommon. But in truth there
have been much stronger for the Interference of
The House where nevertheless the House has not inter
eTed For example, in the negotiations for peace car
ried on at Client. In that case, Congress- bv both
Houses, had declared certain alleged causes
Alter the war had lasted some years. the President with
hc ADVICE OF the Senate, appointed ministers treat of
peace and he gave them such instructions he saw fit
Now, as the war was declared by Congress, and was
IL
slbe TO say that Congress ought 10 know the nsruc
IONS under which peace to be negotiated that tev
might sec whether the objects for which the war was
declared had been abandoned Yet no such claim was
set up. The President gave instructions such rs his
Judgment dictated and neither House asserted any rt
OF interference.
Sir, there gentlemen in this House. opposed to
this tnission who hope. will nevertheless consider this
question OF amendment on general constitutional
grounds They gentlemen of much estimation in
the community; likely hope long to continue in the
pubic service; aud trust, they will well reflect on
the effect of this amendment the separate powers
and duties OF the several departments Of the govern
nent.
An honorable member from Ponnsyvania mir.
ilemph'li,) has alluded 10 resolution introduced By
me tie session before the last should no, have re-
errcd 10 myself had lie invited the reference: but
am happy in the opportunity of showing how that re-
solution comedies with every thing which saw TO day
What was that resolution? When an interesting pe0-
pie were struggling for national existence against a
(hoPes yet trust, to be fully realized Of their success
aud when the Holy Alliance had pronounced against
them certain false and abominabe doctrines moved
the House 10 resove-what' Simply, that provision
ought TO he made BY law defray tie expense of an
agent or commissioner to that country whenever the
President should deem il expedient 10 make such an
pontment Did propose any instruction 10 the Pres.
cent, or any limit his discretion? None at ALL sir
none at all w bat resemblance then can be found bc
tween that resolution and this amendment? Let those
VINO think any such resemblance exists, adopt if they
WILL me words oil the resolution, substitute for this
amendment. We shall gladly take them.
/ am, therefore, Mr. Chairman against the amend
mon not only as not being proper manner OF exer.
cisnS any power belonging this House, bat also as
not containing instructions fit be given If we posses
sed Tie power OF giving them. And as nv vote viii rest
on these grounds, Imght terminate my remarSe here:
ou tc discussion has extended broader surface
and, following where others have led will ask your
Indulgence 10 few observations the more general
topics Of the debate.
MIR. Chairman, il fortune to be called npon to
act our part as public men, interesting era in
human affairs. The short period of your life and of
mine, has been thick and crowded with tie most i'm
Portant events Not only Interests and new rela
TONS have sprung up among States, but societies.
new natons and families of nations have risen to- fake
their places, and perform their parts in the order and
the intercourse Of the world. Every man aspiring 10
the character OF statesman must endeavor enlarge
bs views 10 meet tllIs new state OF things. He must
ann al adequate comprehension and instead of beDn sa
tlshed with that political saeacifv which like
The power OF minute vision, small things accurate
~, but can see nothing else he look to tie far no.
riZon, and embrace IN his broad survey whatever the
series of recent events has brought conucxion near
or remote, with the country whose interests lie stu
dies 70 serve We have eight states, formed out
OF colonies on our continent, assume the rank of
ma tons.
This is mighty revolution; and when we consider
what an extent ct the surface OF the globe they coyer
through what climates they extend; what ponrlaon
they contain and what impulses they must derive
from this change of government we cannot but per
ceive that great effects are likely be produced on the
intercourse, and the interests of the civilized world
Indeed II has been oFcibiy said, by the intelligent and
distinguished statesman vino conducts the foreign rela
tons OF England, that when we now sneak OF Europe
and the world we mean Europe and America; and that
different systems of these two portions of the Globe
anu thef several and various interests must be tho
roughly studied and nicely balanced BY the statesmen
of the times
In many respects, sir, the European and american
nations are alike. They alike Christian States
civilized States, and commercial States They have ac
cess to the same fountains OF intelligence hey