Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-14
REMARKS OF MIR. CLAY.

REMARKS OF Mr.. CLAY
Mr.. CLAY. I'm reply to Mr.. FoRsrrH and
other genlcncn,) observed, that a doctrine had
been advanced much more important in its con-
s. quenccs. than the nomination under consider
alton 1t had been maintained, that the instruct
IONS. often adverted to, were TUE PREst-
DENTS instructions; that he alone was RESPONSE
bic for them; and that the Secretary Of State
stood III no manner amenable on account of
them. This doctrine was directly at war with
the genius of all our institutions, which suppose
every public funcliorary to be responsible for
every Official act he performs. This response
blty runs through our entire system, and at
taches to every officer of Government, from the
highest TO the lowest. If the President sane
tons instructions. emanating from the Depart
ment Of State, undoubtedly he also s RESPONSE
BILE for them; but this cannot screen the Secrc-
taryof State from his share of the responsibility
~. Is not a Secretary of State impeacha bic
under The CONSTITUTIONS? Suppose he is guilty of
"treason, bribery. or other high crimes and mis-
demeanors " could he not be impeached by the
House OF Representatives, tried, and convict cd?
And would it be any defence that the crime was
committed by the command of President? If
he is directed to perform nct forbidden by
law, or repDgnant to the national honor, he can
withhold his signature, and surrender the seals
of office. 1t Is remarkable, that it appears
there were no Cabinet consultations when these
instructions were given, and, consequently, Mr..
Van Buren's responsibility was greater. Ihavc
been asked if considered myself liable for the
instructions which gave. IN conformity with
the directions of the President when | was in
the Department of State. Most certainly.
never gave an instruction, or prepared diplo-
matte note, without full consciousness of the
responsibility under " hich acted.
1t has been argued that the real cause of the
objection to this nomination is the modification
which is felt at the success of this admlnislra-
1 0 ,,,,.x Al. u
elal success IN the management of our foreign
affairs, when con;rasted with the previous ADM.
nstration. With respect to the value of The Co.
l"nial trade, under The arrangements who has
been made, and its effects upon our navigation
and commerce, hope that an opportunity for
al ample discussion of them will occur when it
will not be difficult to show that what has been
done is decidedly more disadvantag eous to us
than the previous state of that trade. But what
is the arrangement There is no treaty, no
compact, nothing obligatory upon Great Britain.
| The operation of at act Of the British ParIia.
ment has been simply extended to our inter
course with the British colonies. What we
have gotten proceeds from the breath of Bril-
tsh Parliament, and the same breath can take il
away, whenever they please. Let us look al
the other wanted instances Of the diplomacy of
| this admInis ration. The residue of our claims
on Denmark, for which indemnity was not OBJ
tanned under the late admins ration, have beer
satisfied. But Mr.. Wheaton was engaged in
negotiations rcspc citing them prior to the terH,i-
nation OF that administration. treaty is un-
derstood to have been made with Turkey But
| the information which led to the negotiation was
procured during the late administration, which
mad actually commenced a negotiation. and
would IN all proba bility have conducted il to n
successful conclusion, if it had remained in DOW
er. A treaty has been signed and concluded
with Austria by the present administrations
Bnt that treaty, believe word for word, was
negotiated and prepared for signature by the
Austrian Minister and myself. a day had even
been appointed to proceed 10 the signature when
the caution of the Austrian Minister prompted
MN TO refer the treaty TO his Government; for lis
apProbntlon. The French treaty, providing E, r
The satisfaction of the clams of our citizens On
france, has been concluded during this admins
tration; but the whole world knows that il has
proceeded from a fortunate coniuncture. If il
had not been for the revoluliin Of JULY. we
sbo1ld probably not have obtained the treaty.
Now, under the last administration let ne 60.
what was done. ii concluded OF Washington
treaties with Guatemala, Denmark, and the
tanseatIc cities, founded on the most liberal
PRINCIPLES, and forming models for future trea
ties. 1t made treaties abroad with England and
me Emperor of Brazils, with Sweden and with
Mcxlco, The latter of which remained TO be rati
he'd by the Mexican Republic. 1t adjusted the
GIfhcut subject with England relating to salts.
isction Tor slaves taken during the late war
Dufing that administration indemnity was oh
ttlheu Tor claims of American citizens, on CO.
heIe :; statement in the published speech Of Gen
sunni WHICH, u ne made ii IN the Senate did not attract
my attention. lie says lie asked me ,ybsiber IN. ,.,s
proposed Nv 'he bfsh act Of Parliament. Of Jolly 1896
were satisfactory and that said "considsrcJ they were
1 we could ask" Now, | perfectly conf !ent tina,
he senator's recollection is inaccurate and that uovsr
s"y w nnn mat the terms proposed Ivy the act wero