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

not TO press the consideration of the resolution,
as il might be regarded as a violation of proper
feeling of delicacy to the President. Convinced
Of the kindness Of the counsel of the gentleman,
ne was induced TO suspend the call |; and he was
not disreased to find, that among gentlemen sup
posed to enjoy the confidence OF the Executive, the
suspension was approved of and that they con-
sidered. above all things, especially inu, ious as
seriously violating precedent and PRACTICE TO call
up consideration OF this kind. while an executive
measure was pending in--anoiher building, which
shall be Daineless, not, however, more than 800
ieet distant from this. He, accordingly gave no.
ce that the consideration ofthe resolution was sus-
pended, that he would probably call it up at some
future period He found, however, some change
of sentiment. after the lapse OF ihree weeks
Some OF these Individuals, having the confidence
OF the Adninistr alton, who had at first supposed
that II might DC violating the rules O. decorum to
the President. to press at that time, now thought
that 1t might be acted upon with safety: that the
measure was now right and proper: that we ough,
10 have this information at Limitations OF
this sort he had, in conversation, received from
some o. those gentleman, whom he had reason to
believe enjoyed, in an especial manner the conf
dence and regard of the administration, and it was
not little singular that they were communicated
TO him precisely at that time when the Gaz of
this City had ventured TO Inform the public that this
splendid projec, had eise,ciere excited their seri-
GUS embarrassment. lie appealed to this as piece
OF contemporary history. 40 he ould to any fact in
hume, or any other historian, and hoped lie would
not be considered as violating any ule OF order
the subject To those gentlemen, " lose scrup.es
IN regard 10 that comfy which due to the Execu-
tive. had been 80 shortly represse lac could not bu,
reply, that, it the objection was originally sound
That the passage OF The resolution would violate
proper decorum towards the Executive, it came
now with redoubled force when the subject was
before a coordinate braRch of the legislature, I'M
Ger auspices TO which il not his province now
TO refer, but which would, nevertheless ue fully
understood by the House and that, by getting up
popular discussion at this time, in this House, on
subject pending eise,cheye, might wear the APP
pearance OF on. Intending to and react, through
public opinion on the deliberations of another body
these were the reasons which he had avowe cd
la declining to act on suggestions which were un-
, expected, al least in TIE quarter from which they
came.
MIR. II. said, i'll making this explanation in regard
to the cause of the uninterrupted sumber of his re-
solution, lie casd'dly confessed he felt indifferent
what direction the House might give TO ii, as they
had been pleased 10 take the resolution out of his
own hands. He would not be responsible for it
any longer, as the discussion OF AT this tine was
not Ut hrs seeking.
MIR. Webster would trouble the House with but
single word. He hoped that this resolution
would pass. So far as he knew, the gentleman
from South Carolina might have stated very cor
recty what occurred, but lie appeared TO him TO
have given very little explanation of the delay
which had taken place; and he now thought, after
the lapse OF SO much time, that the House might.
without any Imputation OF disrespect ask 10 be
informed In relation 10 great public measure, that
might make 1t essential for this House 10 perform
some important act of legislation An honorable
member f.o.f Pennsylvania Mr. Miner) had laid
ON the table affirmative resolution, expressive o:
the opinion OF this House in relation to the polio
that ought TO lie pursued towards the South Anne
rican States; and particularly 10 the conlenpla-
ted mission TO Panama Il was true. that the sub
lect OF our foreign relations had more close con-
nec:ion with the other branch of the Legislature
than with this House; but in all matters which re-
lated TO expense growing out OF those relations,
| the House has important dliies 10 perform II
does not, at present, know the facts of this c.=S:
and, therefore, without the least reference 10 yha,
had been done or was doing, elscw here, lie though,
mat TINS House, as well as the public might choose
TO oe informed OF the true OF facts with regard
10 this correspondence.
AT the request of Mr.. Powell, the resolutions
OF Mr.. Miner, then read
Mr.. Forsyth, (the Chairman of the Commit ee
on Foreign Relations rose 10 address few OBJ
servations TO the Chair on this resolution. Bv the
adoption OF resolution OF this sort, il would be
ascer'ained. certainly, that the information called
for is believed by the House 10 be of character
which the public interest requires to be before it.
hut, Mr.. r. said, resolution of this sort implies
something more than that Such resolution is
ei'her founded on the belief that the President of
the United States does not intend to furnish this
information, or on the belief that it is unnecessar-
y delayed by the President. Apply these obserya-
NohS 10 the resolution now before us. Gentlemen
would recoi!ect the statement that had The honor
10 make The other day, that the President of the
United siates intends to send this information to
the House. Do the honorable gentlemen. then
who are pressing this resolution on the House
mean TO say that this Information has been inpro
perry delayed! Do they mean to say to the peo-
PIE Oh the United States, we cannot wait for the
decision OF the question by the Executive rs TO the
pTopriety Of the time al which this information
ought TO be laid before the House The obligations
oil oihciai courtesy, said Mr.. f. require that we
should not present ourselves in this aspect 20 the
people OF the United States, calling in question
the disposition OF the President OF the Uni,od States
10 lay before this House information which he has
declared his intention TO lay before them Still.
MT SAID, At this resolution was pressed he should
Vote Tor II, because he would not on the ground
OF courtesy to the Chief Magistrate, vote against
call Tor any information which members OF this
house might think necessary 10 enable them to dis
C""'Se 'hsf puollc dulles. But he trusted that
IN THIS case the House would do no such thing
as 70 MAKE The call The information proposed
to be called for, is to bear the great question of
an appropriation for Ministers TO Panama. Is such
an appropriation asked of us! said MIR F.-Wil
it be- Suppose The information be received. and
discussed, and we resolve to make an appropriation
for Ministers. Does this effect the object Of ap
pointing such Ministers? That depends on anoth-
sr department of,he government. The information
10 be elected by this resolution may have an ndi-
rect Influence it may operate on public opinion.
and ntttrlsf he 81.