Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-17
Congressional.


FEBRUARY 26, 1S29-P0n0m1 Instructions
The following resolutions, offered last evening
| by Mr. Webster, was taken up for consideration.
"Resoired, That the President of the United
States be requested to communicate to the Senate
| cOntdenf'diiy, and IN its Erecnfire character:
copies OF the instructions given to the Ministers OF
the United States to the Congress of Panama,
\ and OF the communications OF the other Govern
ments represented at that Congress, to the Gov
eminent of the United States; or so much thereof
as may be communicated scithout detriment to
1 the public INTEREST,"
| 1.-THE words first itaicised were inserted during
the debate. and those last in italics, words to
that effect, were, of course, stricken QUIT
\ Mr.. farewell said he should lihe tos hear some
reason why, at this late period OF the Session. this
subject, formerly productive Of so much excite
Dent AMI discussion, was again brought forward.
| Mr.. Webster said il was for the very reason in
| dicsted in the remark Of the Senator from Vrgi
mia, that lie had offered the resolution. The sub
ject OF the Panama Mission, while it lasted, was
highly interesting. Ii would be very interesting
to know the results of that Mission, far il had
any results. His object was simply, as stated in
the resolution to make public all the proceedings
OF the Executive on this matter, if they could be
published without prejudice 10 the public interest.
| 1t was transaction tn at had passed by, and be-
come part of the diplomatic history OF the
try. He had nothing in view except information,
and there would be no expense, except that of the
PUBLICATION.
! Mr.. Tazewell replied, that it was Of little con-
sequence what the object was, the course pursued
was incorrect Here was President who had on
l ly three days to serve, and the Senate were re-
| CURED 10 make call upon him for important rub.
lie documents, relating TO the foreign intercourse
OF the country, and which had never been publish
ed. He thought it better to wait few days, and
then make the call upon the then Executive
These instructions might contain matter which il
was improper to have 20 before the public; they
related TO the policy OF the country, which it would
not, perhaps, be prudent to expose to the eyes OF
other nations. He objected the call being made
at this time because, fimporant secrets should be
brought to light, the responsibility of the course
! would not light upon the present Executive, and
| might embarrass the next. He objected to the
| manner in which the resolution was expressed
II was left to the Judgment of the President to saw
how much Of the instructions should be made pub.
lie, after all the responsibility had been removed
from him, and he could publish just much or
4 Just as little he pleased. He thought il more
proper for the 1t Administrations make the seIec-
ton, when they would bear the responsibility of
their own acts. He considered il incorrc ct, end
dangerous.
I MIR. Webster said he saw no good reason yyhy
the motion should not tie made now, as well az
three days hence. The Senator from Va. seemed
| to go upon the ground ,hat the same discretion
would not be exercised by the present Executive,
| as would be exercised, three days hence by the
next. This he did not believe; for the Executive
was as much bound TO answer the call of the Sc.
nate for International the present time as at any
other, and to exercise its discretion. The object
was, as he had stated, simply that the Executive
|
tions, as vindcation Of its conduct, i'm a
measure, upon which its policy had not only been
doubted, but IFS motives had been very much
censured and very much assailed. The Injunction
Of secrecy having been removed from the proce ed
ngs OF the Senate the views Of the Senator's who
opposed it, and the messages Of the Executive
upon the subject, had long since been made pub
lie. Now, he wished the instructions given 10
the ministers should he revealed, and then the
whole facts would be placed before the People, |
Tor them TO Judge. He could see objection to
'nis' ne resolution, as means OF getting the
information, was common course, it was pro-
posed IN the common manner, and il seemed 10 be
but an act OF common justice that the Administra-
ton should be allowed the opportunity OF settnp
themselves right in the estimation of the public
He called for the ayes and noes upon the adoption
OF the resolution.
MIR. Hayne objected 10 the resolution on account
OF its terms, and also because il properly belonged
to the Executive business of the Senate and ought
to be submitted TO the Senate, when acting in
It's Executive capacity. The resolution did not
call Tor all the information connected with the
subject, but only for much as, i'm the opinion of
the President, might be communicated without |
injury to the public service 1t was true that this
was discretion necessary to be exerted by the |
President IN all cases where a public call was |
made for documents connected with the dipIoma- |
tic relations of the country, but this only demon.
srates the necessity OF making the call I,nJer cir.
cumstances which will entitle the Senate TO re-
ceive all the information connee ted with the sub-
Ject. thus enabling us to determine, according TO
our discretion, whether the whole may not be /
made public without detriment to the interests of
the country. He would not be satisfied, in this
case, with being told that il was not to he presum.
ed, that, IN making this communication 10 Con.
gress, the President would not exercise his dis
cretion discreetly, prudentIy, and honestly. 1t
was sufflcient that, as the resolution now stood
the public might be presented with an irpper,ect
and partial view OF the subject. 1t may be that
portion oil the instructions and commune sfions
cannot be pruden,ly published; and il nav also
happen that the suppression Of these parts mav
present an imperfect or garbled view Of the sinh.
Ject, one calculated to make false impression on
The public mind In matters Of opinion, man, with
the best inteniions and entirely free from party
feelings, may be led into errors. The President
may think on this subject very differently from
the Senate. He may deem communications un. !
important which the Senate may suppose To be
very material, he may believe that ma tiers cam
not be safely disclosed, which we may consider |
altogether harmless, and, perhaps, Indispensable 10
the clear understanding Of the whole subject.
" nat Is the result OF Our own experience in the |
very case before us? When the Panama rpission
was FIRST brought before the Senate, the President
communicated certain documents and information
which he considered all that was necessary 10
give full view OF the character and objects of
the mission Now, II go happened, that that poY-
lion OF the Senate with which il was his pride IN
have acted on that occasion, did believe that verv
material information acknowledgements
which was drawn by the calls subsequently, made
on the Executive, and which In his opinj6n ON. !
tirely changed the aspect ofthe affair. The trntb
is that the Panama Mission, az presented 10 The
Senate by the first Message OF the President was
measure OF very different character from that !
when was, at later period, presented 10 this
Rouse, ana which differed still more from the
same measure when IL got into the House of Re- !
tpBo ro,,1y, all a. mas hol