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

MI Hamilton, OF =. Carolina, SAID, he wished
to make single remark in reply TO the gentleman
from Virginia. do not desire, said Mr. IL. bv
useless opposition TO mere matters apparently of
form, 10 protract the debate or consume the time OF
the House. But feel great reluctance in assent
ing 10 his propostion-that | should modify my
( amendment, and restrict the call only 10 certain
parts OF Mr.. Clay's Letter, IN answer to Mr. POM
setts, of the 2sth September, 1925. 1t is true, in
diplomacy, as in mathematics, that certain parts
only are not equal 10 the whole, and think tina,
the manner in which a coordinate brsnch of Con-
sress has been treated this very subject, ought
to admonish us OF the imprudence of allowing,
under an over-nice and cautious discretion, too
wide latitude to those who hold the shears, who
are able, IN the record. to cut in and cut out, just
az suits their convenience necessity. The very
different exhibition which the documents on the
! same subject makes before each House now, shews
to what purposes of practical utility these angular
cuts IN and out may be applied. He could not,
therefore, consent 10 this notification unless adj
vised by the indication of general wish on the
part OF the House that it should be instituted.
Mr. w ebster said he very unwilling to anti
cipate discussion, which seemed properly to be-
long TO a future occasion. He wish TO abstain, at
present, from every thing not Immediately peril
nent to the pending question. Sufficient for the
day was the evil thereof An occasion was APP
preaching, when it would probably be more proper
to debate many OF the important topics which had
now been adverted TO.
! lie could have no objection to any proper nqui-
ry, on this, or any occasion. He regretted the
present motion only as it might, perhaps imply
censure on an officer Of the Government abroad,
when no censure might be deserved He did not
feel at all certain that great blame attached any
where. Mr.. Poinsett's expression might be some
what too strong. Probably it so; hut still he
thought II was quite evident that he referred to the
message, oil December, 1923; and therefore his
meaning was apparent enough. He, (Mr. w y
ielt good deal unwilling TO impute blame, in a
case where nothing was apparently wrong but the
mode OF expression; and where il did not appear
| that any body had been mised. Still, there are
several gentlemen who have expressed conf
dent opinion, that Mr.. Ponsett had some authori-
ty, more than we know, for his declarations He
must, they say, have instructions, the letter or
! spirit OF which bears him out in giving pledge
| to the Mexican Government For his part, he.
tMr W. should be very much disappointed if it
did not turn out that Mr. Poinsett spoke on no
other authority than Mr. Monroe's public message
lie was confident it was The whole document
convinced him of that. But as gentlemen thought
otherwise as they nsis;e ed that Mr. Poinsett must
have had some direct and complete authority for
what tie had said, he was in favor of the inquiry,
Tor the satisfaction of such gentlemen.
As to the declaration of the President, in 1923
the circumstances which led, pr obab!y, TO that
declaration, had been stated, in general BY an
honorable member from Kentucky. The proceed.
inSs OF the Allied Powers, at Troppau I.ayback.
and Verona, were well remembered and in the
course OF the very year then ex piring the King of
spain had been established OH his Throne by The
Army OF France. This Army had marched into
Spain, with the consent of the other mowers of
Europe, except England. 1t had accomplished its
objects. Ferdinand mad been renstated by foreign
iorce, In al! his prerogatives. Under these cir
cunstances, the question was, how is il likely the
Allied Powers will act towards the former Span
Ism Colonies in America? Having succeeding in
es' Soiishns such government suited them in
SPAN, herself, would they not, or might thew not.
beiwIing TO go farther, and to assist the Spanish
monarch In re-conquering his rebellious Provnces'
IL was possible they might do this perhaps it was
not very improbable AT this iuncture tie p, esi
dent declaration was made. 1t was wrapped up.
ne would not say In mysticism, but certainly in
phrases sufficiently Cautious. The amount Of il
was that this Government could not look with
indifference on any combination among other pow
ers to assist Spain in her war against the Son,b
American States: that we could not but conside,
any such combination dangerous or unfriendIy
10 US and that If !; should be formed it would be
Tor the competent authorities of this Government
to decide, when the arose, what course our
duty and our interest should REQUIRE ma N mr.
sue.
This was the substance of the declaration. He
believed he might be, perhaps, the only member
VINO al that time, suggested that this declaration
win all restrictions, was necessary to preserve our
neutrality. 1t must OF course happen in every
government, that the Executive should undertake
to speak, towards foreign nations, of the wishes
ara OBJECTS OF the Government. Ii cannot be other
wise. But TINS 1t does on Its responsibility Gen
washington proclaimed neutrality at the breaking
GU; OF the great European wars. But il was com
petent TO the two Houses to present him law the
next day, declaring war. The Intercourse ofnations
could hardly go on, and one great end of an Exc
cutlve would be defeated, if it could not venture
on proper occasions, 10 express the views and
wishes OF the Government. II is responsible for
this, for its other acts
Now he, Mr.. w. had no question but that Mr.
PoInsett was referring merely to this declaration
lie did not speak of any pledge as given by him. or
through him. He gave no present pledge. or as
sirance of any kind He was evidently spcakins Of
something precedent--some tIing notorious: and
that something the declaration of 1923. Now
making allowance for inconeciness of expression.
he saw nothing wrong. Ii he called any tbino
was no pledge, still it does not appear he deceived
them, or meant to deceive them with whom he
dealt.
lie was willing, also, 10 call for the answer to
this letter; for although he did not see how the let
ter could rest, Tor its authority, on a subsequent
one, he had no objection to see the whole.
Mr.. Buchanan said, presume the gentleman
from Massachusetts, Mr. Webster, among 9th
ers, alluded TO me, when he stated that some zen
temen had expressed an opinion that our Minis
tiers TO Mexico had authority TO make the declara-
ton which be made to the Government of that
country. had other grounds for this belief beside
mere opinion. 1t rests upon the uniform policy of
the Executive branch Of this Government for sew
d 81.