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

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Resolutions.
L. STATES AND SOUTH AMERICA.
The resolution offered by MIR. WickllIe, of
ky having been offered on Saturday last came up
as the unfinished business
Mr.. Powell, OF Va, moved to amend the reso-
ll,ion a now modified
Mr. Hamilton, in rising 10 submit amendment,
Obsert ed, that, If the House made any inquiry he
thought they ought to make one Immediately peril
nent to the subject under discussion. Although he
believed there abundant evidence, from the
documents which had accompanied the Presidents
message, that our minister Justified either by
The letter or spirit OF his instructions, 10 hold the
language which he had done on the occasion OF
this memorable pledge, yet, il we DO inquire let
IA so TO the pith and marrow of the thing at once
and ask for copy of Mr.. Clay's answer to Mr.
Poinse.is letter Of the 2Sth September, where our
minister relates his conference with the Mexican
penipoteniiaries. He hoped that the gentleman
from Virginia would accept his amendment as
substitute sr his entire resolution, and if that gen.
icinan desired to add any thing TO it, he was will
Ing it should be in The shape OF explicit call for
mere facts, more documents, and not for opinions
and arguments.
Mr.. II. said, he confessed that he was in the
first place, opposed TO any call on the subject be-
cause he thought it was an act of supererogation,
az the very point of inquiry was sufficiently elu ii
dated by the information we already possessed but
he confessed he entertained the most unTeserved and
decided objections TO the shape in which the gen
t!eman from Virginia had thrown his inquiry. Ii
seemed to him merely TO furnish the President with
a friendly admonition, that new flaw had been
discovered in this splendid project of his Secretary
Of State, and we should then have another long
homily I'D capta'iIUNi, g to wash the Black-a-
1kiocr white. Row, sir let us contine our Chief
Magistrate to facts, endeavcr 10 restrain the ex-
cursions OF tina, genius which seems happiest in de-
c!ainatIon, which supplies, with abundant facility,
'he argument in spite of the letters OF the cores
pondence oil his minisiers) Just at the point it
II wanted, either for popular effect, or general
proselytism. He confessed that ne felt some APP
Rrehension, he could not say alarm, that ifthe gen
,leman's resolution prevailed, we should have
most ingenious disclaimer from The President, in
highly beautiful and eloquent dissertation, got up
ioE the taste oithe lovers OF fine writing and SEN
timent, without one jot of plain matter Of fact
substance in the whole paper. And he, for one,
was at least DESTROYS that he should give Us GER
tam letter. if there certain letter, or to as
sign adequate reason for its non existence. or
non production.
Mir. H. then moved to amend the amendment
OF Mr. Powell, by striking GU, all after the word
requested, and Inserting the following:
To transmit 10 this House copy OF the an
swer of the Secretary OF State to Mr.. Poinsett's
letter 10 MIR. Clay, dated Mexico, 18th September
1925"
Mr.. Powell replied that if the gentleman from
South Carolina believed that he would CO. opera,e
IN the process OF lchtcWGshug the acts of the
President of the United States, or OF any other
OF the Government, he was greatly
mistaken. He did not come here bndy 10 pursue
q course prescribed TO him, nor dishonesty TO con-
ceai the defects OF the officers Of Government.
The resolution he had offered, was dictated by no
such motives he had, in the discharge of his duty
n II n-,- ,s,t-..
distinctly known 10 the nation, whether any pledge
lad been given to a foreign Government, which
might Involve this country in the quarrels of other
nations. lie considered this due to the Executive
and to the Minister too. Sir, did say that be.
l'eved no such pledge to exist. | do believe 70.
and hope, earnestly hope, / shall be sustained
BY tire facts when they disclosed. / shall GER
family regret It exceedingly, if ! not. 1 shall
fesTet IT, sir, because always regret TO see the
officers OF my Government act improperly; and I
Shall be unieignedIy sorry, if it shall turn out ba,
.he president OF the United States has yen,ured on
such hi5h-handed measure as seems to be imputed
TO him.
Sir, cannot accede to the proposition of the
gentleman from South Carolina: it completely de- |
Seats The end had in view. WhatI want 10 know
~ whether Mr.. Poinselt made this declaration lac
authority not. This, sir, is fact not an a,on-
Inent-he was authorized, or he was not; and the |
TACT must be stated. Then it may be followed BIZ |
any explanations or pallialons, which the Execu /
I've may judge proper. And, should The fact turn
ont that such pledge haa been authorized, how
ever may disapprove Of the course, hope hi, !
House will not be indisposed TO listen to ans ex
plantations the President may offer.
The gentleman from South Carolina wants . On I
~ OF the reply Of the Secretary Of State. Sir |
that reply may not answer our inquiry: il NAV no,
even advert to The pledge at all. wan, to kno,v
rom whence the Minister derived his authority
- any gentleman would prefer to have The call
roatain the usual restriction with reference to
disclosures, ia the Presidents opinion injurious
70 The public welfare. Ihave no objection TO ;ts /
being addel-bul the point aim At il the authority
Dr the piedge-and ! cannot consen; to strike out \
me proposed part Of my resolution, or 10 adopt
hat OF the gentleman rom South Carolina under |
any other conditions than theesecuring Of tbis in
Tnfy. The answer Of Mr. Clay may very possi-
bly, contain matters which il would be yery iodi.-
ifeSt topnblish TO the World. Sir, / care not one
cent whether Mr. Clay reprobatcd the conduct I'll
Ire Minister OF not: his censures will not sns,vc,
ny inquiry; he may censure Mr.. Poinsett ever az
,yereiy, and ye;the pledge may nevertheless have
'een y'senH and !; ms have Seen warranted.