Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-03-27
e the EAi!or Of the National .Iournnl

To the Editor of the National Journal
MIR. i.nifoN vas very much struck with the pres
prety Of your anmaversons upon the conduct of tie
Hon. sir BENTON Senator of the United States in
opening official correspondence with the Minister
o! the Mexican scpuhIic, accredited TO this Govern
ment. can scarcely conceive of n more dangerous
practice than that of the Senators of the United States
coming into direct ana official contact with FOREIGN
Ministers. It would be wei! for the Opposition wbcn
PcrpciUaly making grOundcss charges OF abuse and
corruption against Others to consider that lis hOpota
ble associate in this usurpaton OF the negotiating now
has set example which may lead to the greatest
possible corruption. Why has lie published the
whole correspondence Why the letters or letter
suppressed, that preceded The letter of Mr. Obrcron
which i published.
Wy object, Sir, to call your attention to an existing
law passed IN consequence Of The oiciousucss of ann-
er Senator Of the United States which you appear 10
have overlooked. By act OF Congress- passed Jan,
uary 80, 1923, il is enacted,
"Thi If any person. being citizen the Un;sd staes
whether he be actually resident, or abiding y hiu the {
States, in any foreign country, SHALL ;tfou; the per
mission or authority OF the Governments of the United
States directly indirectly, commence, or carry on any
rcrba or written correspondence intercourse with any
foreign governments any officer agent thereof with an
intent to influence the conduct any frcn
Governmental OF any officer agent thereof in relation
any disputes controversies With United States or
defeat the o the Government United STATES.
Of any person. Rsi"g citizen ct, or resident within tie
United States and duly authorized; shall counsel adj
v;sr aid assist in any such correspondence with intent
aforesaid, he or ihy shall be deemed guilty high
.sdtmcanuur, and conviction before Court Of the
United States having jurisdiction thereof snail be punished
by fine exceeding Gvc thousand dollars and by i'm
prisounent during less than six months nor ex-
ccediHg three years: PyOydcd aiwoys That nothing in
this contained shall bC construed abridge right
individual citizens OF the United States apply, by
selves their lawful agents any foreign Governments
the agents thereof 70; the redress Of any injuries in
aii"n to person property which individuals may
nave sustained FROM such Government, any Of IFS agents
citizens subjects"
Now, il appears nc, tiat Mr.. Se1aior Benton las
committed high mi5dcineanO and has Subjected
himself 10 fine not exceeding $4,000 and TO nprisuu-
ncnt for term not exceeding three Yeas nor less
han SIX months, and that prosecution ought to be
instituted against him. unless I've escape under the
groUiSo. That provides that the shall abr3go
;he right of 'odp;d1j citizens apply by themselves
or their myW agents 90 any foreign government or
tie agents thereof for redress of any injuries in relation
10 person or property. Row, unless The Senator can
show that he acting pursuit of claim Of his
oon lawful agent Of an injured citizen, he has
incurred thc pains and penalties Of tle act But he
acted in neither Of those characters: He acted as q
Sl11tor oG tie Laiied Stafss. The concluding SEN
tencc of Mr. ObrcgoD's letter contains verv inst re-
l,ue in ;hc ai!usion which he makes 10 ''fnateri is r
ronvc IN between tlis tyo governments" Had Mr.
Benton any materials to conclude such convention
CHARLES JASlEs TOE.
Com. cambridge upon leaving bis station as Pres
dent OF the Navy Board in June next viii resume s
command O. Tie Sav3i statio1 * philada'1tis