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

his proposition in two or three different lights and
supported IT in two or three different ways. He
yesterday laid before tbs a resolution. To day, be-
ms called upon Tor some reason for its adoption,
he stated that its object was TO enable tho Pres-
dent to vindcste his alton from the char
ges brought against II. on the score OF this mission
4 OF now he does not know that the President
ven wishes the publication To be made. His pro-
position is varied and SD shall be my answer. He
wishes the information now for the qualification oil
his own curiosity. Ii the Senator contemplates
any public action ON the information, would go
with him in calling for it. but would not cali ior
II, merely tor the purpose OF gratifying private Gu
Iiosity. That can be satisfied in a reader way
1! am guilty Ot indecorum in having used the
words minority aud majority how shall the
Senator trom Massachusetts, be acquitted, for at
riouting the opposition to the Panama Mission to
tears either teit or tsigne,!:" IL is certain that
iiose who tet these fears did not feign them, and
that those who feignei them did not ieel them 1t
The Senator will use words like these, he must not
wonder that We use the words" majority and mi
nori'y." He was rather inclined to thuk tina. the
senator belonged TO the majority Of that day when
the Panama project was proposed.
The Senator from Massachusetts had now ga.
ried his motion, calling for all the papers conf
dentialiy, and asks whether We can dis
| trust the Senate. Hedisrusted every body when
Applications, departing from precedence, were
thsde. lie saw no motive Tor the application
now Why was this time selected. Why could
not the Senator have waited Tor two or three
days? iou call on Executive, who has not
sixty hours 10 live, tor documents in relation to vc-
~ important subjects. lie ha, as much conf
dence IN the Senate as in any other body of men
1t was impossible to conceive the true character
Oh the mission as hrst proposed. Ii was contcm-
Plated TO hold congress for the purpose OF set
Jung American Law, in contra distinction to public
law. This was substantial distinction. liz was
not an abstract principle, is at all times conve-
nieDt Tor our Ambassadors TO carry their nstruc-
.ions ON their ioreheads. Bad as our policy had
oeen' IN some negotiations, we had not made eve-
~ body acquainted with instructions given TO our
ministers a code OF law to be settled by the
Northern and Southern States Of America. II
was not mt that the instructions relative TO mend
ing or nnished negotiations that subject should
De published This was an answer TO the question
"hat harm there was i'll the CALL There was
much harm In showing 10 the world what was or
Is the policy Of the IT, s., in relation to S. Ameri-
ca. lie would be happy ia converse with the
Senator from Massachusetts in private on these
subjects 10 satisfy his curiosity on this or any 9th
er subject, so Tar as it might be in his power and
10 nave ms opinion Oh the question of public law
involved III these subjects. But he W a. unwilling
hat the curiosity of the Senator should be sra,ed
III The manner proposed.
Mr.. Smith OF Maryland, said the discussion
woul" oe Interminabe. There was much business 10
DC transacted, aad this resolution might as well
I've tiken up next week, when we should haye
nothinS to do, as now. He moved 10 Law The rosu.
iuaon on the table, and gave notice that he Should
Hot Withdraw his motiop.
4he yeas and Maya on tho notion teinr ordered
at the request Of Mr.. Chambers,
the question was taken to lay the resolution on
me taoie, and decided in the gative as follows
fEAS.-Messrs. Barnard, Berren, Bouligny,
Ghsndier' Dickerson, Dudley Eaton, Hayne.
ISiniey. Psinee. Rowan, Smith OF Maryland,
Smith OF South Carolina, Tazewell, TYLER, White
Williams. Woodbury-22
NAYS-Messrs. Barton, Bell. Benton, Branch,
srTneit' Chambers. Chase. Foot, Hendricks,
Holmes, Johnston OF Louisiana, Knight, Marks,
Nobie, Riigeley, Robbins. Rugges. Sanford
seymour, Silsbee. Thomas. Webster, Wiley-2S
Mr' ChamDers said. that having been one of these
who had participated in sancioning the Mission,
ne might be allowed, according 70 tho terms of
'ne Senator IRON Virginia, 10 claim the notice
Of the Senate 10 this resolution. The Sc.
nator had said that disclosure of the instruc.
IONS might be proper to vindicaie the course of
ttose VINO had been engaged in the adoption Of the
measure, but not TO crafty individual curiosity
lie Claimed, under this concession the aid of those
instructions 10 prove the correctness of tho mea-
snres Of those with whom he then acted When
the Panama Mission was advised by the Executive.
IL became The subject of long aud animated dis
cussioh IN THIS body. BY those who opposed IL,
now called I" the 49," by the Senator from Mis-.
souri,. (Elr. Benton,) many ami great evils were
predicted ds its necessary result. By the then
majority OF the Senate. the existence of the al
legged danger was denied; they saw Lo,hiug to ex-
"'' IA Tic ooJccS oil Tie proposed assenblage
o, Ministers, under the limited agency which the
Executive had avowed it to no lis pulley to have
IN It's operations, and they denied that ,ae objects
OF The Executive, or the effects Of the Mission
would be detrimental TO the true interests of the
nation, Alter the discussion ended here the in
junction oil secrecy was removed and long and
iaho;ed arguments of the adyersaries of the meas
urc were published TO the American public, con-
taIning the assertions of gentlemen on one side
ana all uie arguments by which those assertions
I an hn
matter OF general in,eres; through the nation, and
divided public opinion. Whether the advocates
oil TIE measure were right. in asserting the poll
cy oi the Executive To be wise, and its objects
| beneficial, il must be obvious, depends OH what
were the objects and views of the Executive and
these can but be explained by knowing the pre-.
cEe instructions committed 20 olf Ministers
without them the American people can never
decide, with Intelligence accuracy, upon tho
very issue between lis; because from them alone
can be distinctly known the true character and
purposes OF our connexion with the proposed Con.
sress oil Ministers. When these come 10 be fully
ann accurately disclosed, we affirm that they will
demonstrate the correctness OF our proceedings:
anu as tiIey are necessary TO right judgment on
the subject, and their production can prejudice no
existing interest or relation of the country we saw
we have Alright to demand this proof OF the Judi
cious policy we recommended. Every pubiic
man has, aud ough, To have, a prond and anxious
Wish 10 stand iair and straight n the estimation of
ohN "u'J 10 ourselves afford
mo'iye suilcIent 10 warrant our demand for this
proof, without reference to the purpose suggested
ny the Senators On the other side that this is 10
justify the Executive, and that the Executive has
the power TO publish what il peases Oh the suh.
ject, and does not require q resolution of ,bis bo
dy. Ii the Executive thinks proper TO publish for
It's own purposes, be it so; hut we have 10 take
care OF ourselves-we want the nation to deter
mine between US and those who differ with M
and we want the facts disclosed on which that
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