Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-09

an appropriation OF money necessary to carry them
into effect, il was the ordinary practice OF the /
Executive Department OF the government, when {
ever the sugg estion of such measure originated .
with that Department not only to Indicate The OBJ
jec TO which the appropriation was TO lie applied,
bu, also to state the considerations and motives
which rendered that object a proper one for TIE
patronage of the Department which had the con-
troll OF tue pubic money. Ii wonld not, he thought,
be any violation Of personal constitutional deco
rum towards the Executive nor would i, embarrass
the negotiations in The Congress of Panama, as
suggested by the gentleman from Massachusetts,,
MIR. Webster y TO call on that Department., as
preliminary TO our sanction OF this mission, for a
general, if specific. disclosure of the objects
sought to be accomplished, and the arrangements
intended to be entered into, by sending Ministers
to this Congress Believing information of this
nature to be absolutely necessary To guide this
House in lis ultimate decision The subject, he
Tough the form which me proposed Tor IT,
would not he liable either oil the objections sus-
gested from other quarters OF the House.
Mr. r concluded his observa atoms 10y moving to
amend the resolution, by striking out the following
ords: - and further communicated this House
all the Information in the possession OF the Execu
tive Department, relative 10 the objects which the
Republics of the South propose 10 accomplish by
the Congress OF Panama, and the nature and sub
the Ministers Of the u States to that Co ugress,'
Che same clause was moved TO be stricken
by Mr. Maary J and TO insert, in lieu thereof, tue
follow ing: " and the objects proposed TO be at
tanned by the Erecu.ice, ga Seadias .!!iliSters
TO tadt Congress-
Mr.. NcDuie said, that he thanked the gentle
man from Georgia, (Mir. Folsvth,) tor having ind-
Gated the word which lie ougl,, to have used in
stead of Z" instructions" lie therefore suggest ed
20 The gentleman from Va MIR. Rives,) that tie
should insert, in lieu of his amendment, the follow
ing: q" .4nd the potoers proposed to be ssircn to
the Commissioners or ministers Of The UniteG
St"tes 10 that Congress and the objects TO tchich
| they 10 be directed"
| Mr.. Rives accepted the modification.
Mr.. Wright, OF Ohio, obser ed, that it appeared
! to him that The proportion OF the gentleman from
Va ought be agreed TO, aud that he iion oil
the gentleman from South Carolina ought NOS to
be- Ii understand the Constitution, said MIR. w.
the treat y-making power resides in the President
10y and with the consent OF the Senate Tits
House has original power to make treaties, and
lie was confident that II not he object OF any
gentleman TO invade the pow OF either OF the
other branches OF Government. Let Us keep, said
MIR. w. within line. doub it this House
has any power, whatever, in the ncipient stage OF
treaty, whether it has power 10 determine.
| Here Mr.. McDufie called the gentleman 10 or
der. The proposition before the House, is
to change the call for Instructions 10 a call fo.
powers.
| Mr.. Wright replied, tina; he was about TO show
| that there was no material difference between the
two terms
| The Chair decided, that Mr.. Wright was in or
der
Mr.. w. then resumed He could not perceive
| the difference between these terms He considered
the demand tor the instructions OF Ministers,
violating the powers which the Constitution had
| granted TO the Executive; and if we ask for the
powers OF the Ministers, we shall, in substance, do
the same thing. What the powers OF foreign
Minister, but, in fact, his ins;ructions-ihe general
objects which he is 20 eEdeavor TO obtain. He
repeated, that the House cannot Interfere in form
ing any treaty. IL has right to do Its only
province is grant the money requisite for carry
ing the treaty into effect. know, said Mn w
that we may withhold the salary of the Minister
and thus defeat his mission, but hope the dag i.
far distant, when this House will feel itself Obliged
so to interfere, for the purpose OF restraining the
Executive.
{ give his resolution wholesome castigaton, he
would az 49, - i....-. -i---.--.-e--
Vi-s'na, as modification of his motion.
| Mr.. Plane, OF Delaware, said that, after what
had taken place to-day, he was in favor OF making
this call, but his object to make it general as
proprieiy would allow. He did not, however, wish
10 emoarrass any Department OF the Government.
he thought that II was comparatively OF small mo-
| nent whether the House should call for the in
structons or for the powers of the Minister'S mas
much the call in the latter part OF the resolution
would be modified and controlled by the previous
clause, which leaves it discretionary with the Pre-
sident to judge how much shall be communica ed
to the House. We call on him only for so much
! AS, In his oponIon, may be compatible with the
! pubic interest to disclose. The amendment can
do no harm, because, If the President deems it i'm
! proper 10 communicate the poe ers given 10 these
Ministers, he will of course wi hhold the communi
cation; if not, he will make 1t. For himself be
! had formed definite opinion oil the propriety OF
The general measure: on that subject ne held him
sell In reserve: he need not say what would be his
| predictions concerning it. What he wished par
ticularly to observe, was. that he presumed would
be agreeable to the Executive 10 make the COM
municaton. But for what he had heard in the
course of this debate, he should not have thought
that the President was anxious to do so--becsuse
II he had wished it, he might have sent this cor
Iespondence to the House, long ago. But, from
what he and heard Mr. Mel. concluded the
call would not be disagreeabe to the President;
and he took it for granted that he would send ali
that would be consistent with the public good He
would moi say that the debate in this House was
intended 10 react on The President or The Senate;
but all must know that it will react .omewhere:
ITS reaction will be directed 10 those very pow srs
who are TO meet al Panama We do not take step
IA this affair which they do not observe. Now
SIR, think il of the soundest maxims OF poIicy
that whenever this government presents Itself TO
that oil another country, il should show an und-
ylded front, that we should not come forward In
crippled and divided state, with one branch of the
government for measure, & another branch against
II, but that we should move in a solid bod = and
show TO Others that we are agreed among ourselves
As to the call, if this House is TO deliberate and to
decide on the general propriety of the misson il