Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-21

that If such occasion had presented itself II would h
been embraced ~ 'S
merits oil the late arrangement with England as mea-
sure oil commercial policy. Another time will come
rust more suitable for that discussion For the present
conine myself strictly TO such parts of the os
think plainly Objectionable and wbotove
England, as matter OF policy. And repeat sir that
place the jurisdiction OF my on the parv tone and
party character OF these Instructions let me ask il
such considerations these TO be addressed IN C
reign Government, tchat is that foreign Government To
rpeef M return? The ministers of foreign courts will NOT
besow gratuous favors even gratuitous smiles on
American Parties. Uhat, then, Irepeat, is TO be- he
return? What is Party TO do here for that foreign Go.
We G Whch has done is expected TO do is asked
sderaon paid for this foreign vors Sir must not every
man see that any mixture of such causes, motives in
our foreign Intercourse, full of danger as il is of dis
honori Vs.
! will not pursue the subject. anxious only to-
make my own ground fully and clearly understood and
willingly leave every other gentleman to his own opi-
IONS And L cheerlully submit my own vote TO the opi
mon oil the country. willingly leave it to the people of
the United States say whetierI am acting aeos and
unworthy part, the part of true hearted American
IN Withholding my appreciation from the nomination of a
gentleman as minister to England, who has already as
appears to instructed his predecessor at the same
court to carry Party considerations urge PARTY mo-
r's and solicit Party favors the foot of the British
throne
REMARKS MIR. CLAY
Mr.. CLAY lin reply TO Mr.. Forsyth and other gentle
men observed, that doctrine had been advanced much
more important in its consequences than the nomination
under consideration. 1t had been nan,aneJ ,ha, n
instructions, so often adverted TO The Presidents in
structions; that he alone responsible for them and
mat the Secretary of State stood in manner amcnabe
on account oil them This doctrine directly at war
with the genius of all institutions which suppose eve
y pubic uncionary TO be responsible for every official
c' lie performs This responsibility through
SYSTEM and attaches to every officer of Government
from the highest TO the lowest If the President sanctions
cmanatng from the Department of State I'M
douotedy he also is responsible for them; This cannot
screen the Secretary of State from his share of the
siblhty. Is not Secretary of State Improbable under
me constitutions Suppose he is guilty Of" treason, brbe-
y, or other high crimes and misdemeanos could he NOT
be impeached by the House of Representatives. tried and
convcted And would it he any defence that the crime
was committed by the command of President II he ia
directed to perform act forbidden by law or
to the national honor he withhold his siqnatre and
surrender the seals of Office 1t is remarkable that ap
pears there were no Cabinet consultations when these in
sucuons were given, and consequently, Mr. Van Burens
responsibility was greater have been asked if consi-
dered myself liable for the instructions which gave in
conformity with the directions of the President when
was In the Department of State Most certainly me-
yer gave an instruction, prepared diplomatic note
without iui consciousness OF the responsibility under
to this nomination is the modification which is fer ar tho
success OF s admn's.raton in recovering the colonial
foreign affairs, when contrased with the previous admins
traton with respect TO the value of the colonial trade,
under the arrangement which has been made, its eff
iects upon our navigation and commerce. hope that
opportunity Tor ample discussion OF them will occur
when vii! not be difficult to show that what has been
done decidedly more disadvantageos than the pre-
yious state OF that trade. But what is the arrangement
There is no treaty:no compact nothing obligatory upon
Great Britain. The operation an act of the British
Parliament has been simply extended intercourse
with the British colonies. What we have gotten pro-
ceeds from the breath of a British Parliament and the
same breath take it away, whenever they please
Let US look at the other Wanted instances OF the di-
plomacy OF this administration. The residue OF our
claims on Denmark for which indemnity not obtain
ed under the late administration, have been satisfied.
But Mr. Wheaton was engaged in negotiations respect
Ing them prior to the termination OF that administration
treaty Is understood TO have been made with Turkey
But the information which led the COLLATION. was pro-
cured during the late administration which had actually
commenced negotiation, and would in all probability
have conducted ii successful conclusion it had ro
manned IN power treaty has been signed and concud-
ed with Austria by the present administration But that
treaty. believe word for word, negotiated and prc
pared for signature by the Austrian mister and myself
day had even been appointed proceed sigma
ture when the caution of the Austrian minister PROMPTED
him to refer the treaty to his Government for appreciation
The French treaty, providing for the satisfaction of the
claims OF our citizens France has been concluded du-
ring this administration; but the whole world knows that
1t has proceeded from fortunate conuncure. If had
not been for the revolution of July, we should probably
not have obtained the treaty.
Now, under the last administration let VS. see what was
done. 1t concluded at Washington treaties with Guate-
mala Denmark, and the Hanseatc Cities founded the
most liberal principles and forming models for future
ties 1t made treaties abroad with England the En-
peror OF Brazs, with Sweden, and with Mexico the lat
ter OF which remained to be ratified by the Mexican Re-
public 1t adjusted the difficult subject with England no.
ang TO satisfaction for slaves taken during the late war
During that administration, indemnity was obtained for
claims OF American citizens, Colombia, the Brazs,
Denmark, Sweden and Russia, In respect the