Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-04

,rrining what is likely to be'the consequences of
this mission, it may involve in an alliance in
which the United States Of North America, and the
rJn,ed Republics of South America are to be ar
rsycd against the Holy Alliance in Europe. 1t
seems we are expected to interpose in great con-
test of Liberty against Despotism, and that, IL we
consent to this mission, doing will be inter
preted into a willingness to sound the tocsin, and
declare ourselves prepared to enter the lists against
a combined world.
do not say that these consequences will neces-
s,ri,y result; but say, when consider the Lam
suage of the resolution which declares that we
ought TO sc nd ministers TO Panama, it appears pro-
babie that some such object is intended; and il So
we ought TO be prepared well to consider the con-
sequences.
1t may involve us, in cn,ansling alliances with
multitude of powers, and presents number OF i'm
portant and novel considerations. He hoped that
we should have all the information which the ma
ture of the case demanded. and that, when we have
obtained it, we shall pause and ponder before we
oct
To what conclusion we may come, observed
Mr.. ID. cannot say; am not in circum-
stances to form opinion; and have laid down
as a rule to myself, never TO form until l am
in possession of the facts which i, ought
But, BECAUSE this is great and novel question,
on which we have TO de,irmine, il is peculiarly
necessary that we approach It's consideration with
due caution. This think we shall do 10y at
tempting at this time, TO press the resolution which
has been offered by my colleague. l think, MIR.
Speaker, that as due decorum - as necessary be
observ ed between the several Departments OF Gov
eminent, as betN cen private individuals; and that
it can never with proprie,y be violated. unless
some great occasion should arise, when the liberty
and safety of the nation are in jeopardy. That
,ecorun is, in my opinon, violated by the present
resolution The President stated in his message
10 this House, if recolect his language, (and his
language is usually remarkable for lis correctness
that 60 Ministers would be sent to the Congress at
PANAMA. l understood him meaning by this,
that such his judgment and desire on this sub
ect; but he qualities this intfma,ion with the re-
mark, that " such Ministers would be instructed to
do nothing Inconsistent with The neutrality Of the
United States.'' Though am forbidden and very
properly forbdden) by the rules bf the House, to
refer, in debate, to any measure which is pending
before the other branch of Congrfss, presume
have right 10 refer to any Exec ltive act or acts
Now we all know that whateveI may have been
in the contemplation of the Executive, his inten-
ton as to this matter has not bden put into exc
cution. No Ministers have been yet commission
cd We must, however, presume that, in The per-
Torrance OF his high trust, he sent his application
this subject to the other branch of the National
Legislature, but that il has not yet been acted on
there; and at liberty to conclude that the
reason why il has not there been acted on is that
that body consider il a matter of so much impor-
lance that they require time for deliberaiion, and
have not yet arrived az any conclusion. With
these facts before US, cannot but consider the ap-
pcatlon which is proposed only uncusto-
mary, but absolute violation of decorum.-
On the general object of the resolution. shall
not now enter: may, or may not express AN
opinion il, al some future period; but will
IN the mean time move what appears 10 ne the
proper course.
MIR u then novel IN Law he a.
table; but again withdrew the motion a. the re-
quest of
Mr.. Trimlle. OF KY who observed, that this call
for papers had consumed much Time That at for
iner sessions, whenever the subject of the South
American Republics was intended TO be discussed,
this call had always been made at earlier period
The House had already acted, definitely, ON one
subject relating to those Republics, why shall we
wait now until we get, in the regular course of
Executive Communications the information referred
10 In this call! " % doubt we all wish to receive
it, and if he at liberty 10 conjecture what il
contained, it would be, that this invitation was to
form alliance in peace and war Ii such W as
in Iced its object, he should certainly oppose it,
But he would hasten this call for information He
held that this House has right Tin constitutional
mode) either to hasten or TO relard the movem ent
OF either coordinate branch Of the government:
and in that case he would hasten the nfoi nation
in order that it might be discussed in this House in
time 10 produce reaction public opinion
before the force OF public opinion lad so.swayed
the two other branches of government, that this
House should be unable to resist the measure
II danger exists, duty is to prevent it now,
when But if it question of comii '
between the two Houses, he believedi it as ci COM
paraiiveiy small consequence. Are we about to
ask what the Senate is doing with closed doors ?
Not at all. II they choose TO do Executive bust
siness with closed doors, doubt they have right
10 do so, and IL Is matter OF cow enience But
does that forbid US TO ask for Information at any
time we choose, This House owes duty TO
Itself, and both Houses owe duty TO the NatIon
He considered ii the duly o this House 10 be well
Informed on every subject on which they had 10
act II tlIis House were now placed in the siua-
ton OF the Senate, il would not, surely require of
the other branch of Legislature to refuse to ask for
information until it had acted If there was any
danger, the moment to meet it: bu he
apprehended no such thing; and he therefore
thought that there was but little ground for laying
this resolution the table.
MIR. dayton renew ed his motion, 10 Law
the motion on the table; and on this question, Mr..
Me calie asked Tor the Yeas and Nays but, before
they were taken, Mr.. Drayton again withdrew his
motion, at the request of Mr.. Buchanan of Pa.
When wr. Allen OF Mass demanded that The
House should proceed 10 the orders Of the day
The Speaker replied. that the hour being elspsesl
Tor the presentation o! resolutions, il was in order
Tor any member 10 demand the orders of the day
and the farther discussion Of Mr.. Hamiton's call
was, accordingly, for the present, suspended.
The Speaker laid before the House commune
cation from the President of the Uaiied States,
transmitting report from the Secretary OF State,
with the correspondence with the British Govern
snent relating 10 the Boundary of the u. States on
the Pacific Ocean which was referred to the
same Committee Of the Whole 10 which was re.