Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-04

letter he has certainty given full and candid expo
si'ion OF the state OF the negotiation. 1t brought
home distinctly to the knowledge of our Go, ern-
ment, what kind OF a treaty their Minister had de-
manded, and the stipulations which he had made
for the purpose OF obtaining it. If the answer to
this letter should approve his conduct in general
terms; nay, II II should he silent upon the subject,
the inference is irresistible, tina, our Executive
wished the Mexican Government to grant US trea-
ty unier the impressions which rad been made BY
his declarations. Ii they had not resolv ed 10 pur-
sue this course OF policy, it their duty prompt
3, ly and decidedly, to dsavow the declaration of
their Minister. tacit assent is equally strong
and equally binding with an express assent If our
Government should obtain and accept treaty upon
the terms stated to the Mexican Government by
Mr.. Poinsett, 1t would be violation of every prin-
ciple OF good faith among Nations, afterwards to
attempt to eXtrcate ourselves from the pledge by
declaring that he had no instructions to make such
n stipulation.
MIR. +. Johnson OF Kentucky said he intended
TO say but little the subject, so much had al
ready been said that it seemed TO him that gentle
men were too late with objections TO the declara-
ton which had been made by Mr.. Monroe There
was time when they would have been appropr-
aie-in 1928, about the time that Congress met
the Armies of France had overthrown the Consti-
tutional Government of Spain, and re-e,tablished
erdinand IN all his regal powers. That France
and the allied Sovereigns, flushed with this success
! against constitutional government, il was believed
that those powers contemplated making war On the
| Republics ofSouth America and Mexico, and 10
recoonize them-that if they did make such war,
II would be war against republican principles a
war to exterminate constitutional governments at
this time 1t was that Mr.. Monroe, then President
declared to This House, in his message, that it was
due TO the candor OF this Government to declare TO
| the Allied Powers OF Europe, and 10 France, and
TO the World, that this Government could not view
with indifference any attempt their part to make
war against those Republics for the purpose of re-
colonizng them; that such a war would be cons-
dered as against principle war against
| tree governments-th that it would tend TO endanger
our own institutions, and disturb our peace and re
pose; and that therefore we could not be idle spec
tators OF the conflict. This declaration was made
at moment OF supposed imminent danger; and then
was the time for objections; then was the time for
MIN who disappToved the sentiment, to speak out:
or VIII gentlemen say ii meant nothing? Did not
| every one in this House know, and understand.
what II meant: Yes, sir, gentlemen knew what it
meant II meant, if the A llied Powers of Europe
and France, should make war on the South Amer
ican Republics, TO put down and exterminate those
Governments that having so made war agains,
nee governments, IT successful there, that the
next effort would be against this country;to extin-
sush here the last race of republican institutions
and establish legitimate dynasty; il was declara-
ton that lie would not wait until they had approach
ed our he sldes-tha we would meet the da,g
al the thresholds; 1t was declaration founded unon
sense Of our duties, for the preservation of or
lloeriIes-the declaration, or pledge, as some called
it, was nos made 10 the Southern Republics; it was
not made to france, or 10 Ell gland or 10 the III;
ell Powers; it was no pledge 10 any one; it was
declaration founded upon consideration of tho
defence oil our own institutions; it was made win
view 10 our own safety, and not with a view n
alliances with any other Government or country:
and !, for one, am not prepared 10 take il back
1t has had ITS effect; the Allied Powers abandoned
their intention of making on Mexico and Co
lombia; it has given peace and security TO the L.
berries OF the Southern Republics, and has added
glory TO our own country. nd shall we now take
1t back! Take 1t back Row the danger is over. af
ter all the ends intended are consummated and
peace and tranquility rest over the land
Mr.. Forsyth, of Georgia. There ia but one
mode by which the government of the United States
can be pledged TO any act, or of policy and
that is according to the constitution. 1t is for
this reason that object TO having this inquiry di
rected to the President. Sir, will YOU ask the Pre-
sident whether the Government of the JTri,ed
States is pledged: and what will be his answer
Can he send US treaty! No, sir, he has none 70
send: that he has none, is proved by he fact that
we are invited, according 10 his opinion of the
invitation, TO 20 10 designated place TO make
one--why then will you 20 TO the PRESIDENT The
Minister has held official language-that is plain
and what, sir, Is his language worth? it is worth
as much as the official language of an American
Minister IN any part of the world Do Won ask
what was his authority for using this laneusae1 II.
used it By virtue of his Plenipoentiary power and
under the Instructions of his hief Has NOT the
President sent TO this House documents which
produce every where the deepest impresssioni And
are they not fully, and in every Particular iu>-
,ifcation of such language as our Minister has
held! 1t Is the language of the Secretary of State
he, too, speaks TO the American nations of the
memorable pledge of the President of the limited
States. What will you go to the President Tor
DO You wish 10 know the language is justified
by the spirit of his instruction? Sir, il must he
Some gentlemen, perhaps, may find arguments 10
satisfy themselves that the language is not iustif
ed to lis whole extent but nothing short of the
recall OF the Minister can satisfy this nation that
the language is not approved. Sir. the lanauage
Ola Minister is something it goes for somethng.
He says we are pledged--we are called on TO re-
deem the pledge; and he has given TO the Mexican
Government such assurances that they infer we
will fulfil this pledge A question then presents
Itself, by what power has the President acted ,
Where Is the sanction Of such an act in the Com
stiiuion: Has the Executive irenched on the now
ers OF this House and of the Senate' Sir, il is
grave inquiry, and which il is proper. on eve
ry account, should be submitted TO Committee
Sir, am agreeably surprised TO see the int.
rest which this matter has excited-yet I cannot
butt surprised. The President Of the United
States the official organ to express the will and
guard the interests of the People, in their inter
course with foreign powers.
Ii Is strange he should presume to cali mes
sage TO this House, not dIsapproved, pledee
How often have " e been told that the mere renor,
of branch of an Executive Department wac a.
dopted, and bound this House and the Executive