Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-11
Twcnty-sccond Comgress.--sess. /
DEBATE IN THE SENATE
ON MIR. VAN BUREN'S NOMINATION
REMARKS OF MIR. wEnsrrn

REMARKS MR.. WEBSTER
Mr. President As il is highly probable that our pro-
ceedings on this nomination will be published deem !,
proper to state shortly the considerations which influenced
my opinion, and will decide my vote.
regard this very important and delicate question
Is full ofresponsibity aid feel the whole force of all
shat responsibility. While have been in the Senate I
have opposed no nomination of the President excep for
causes and have at all times thought that such cause
should be plain and sufcient that should be real and
substantial, not untounded or fanciful.
have desired and do now desire TO encroacb
In the slightest degree the constitutional powers of the
chief magistrate of the nation have heretofore gone far
very TAR, in asserting to nominations which have been
submitted to voted for the appointment of all the
gentlemen who composed the first cabinet. have oppos
ed nomination of foreign minister and have not on
posed the nominations recently before u.s. for the
ization Of the administration have always beer especial
y anxious, that in all matters relating
with other nations, the utmost harmony greatest uny
OF purpose, should exist between the President and the
Senate. know how much Of usefulness such harmony
and union arc calculated TO produce.
am now fully aware, Sir, that it is a serious a very
serious NATTER to vote against the confirmation of mi
mister to foreign court who has already gone abroad
and has been received and accredited by the
nent to which he is sent. aware that tho rejection
oil this nomination. and the necessary recall Of the minis
ter, will be regarded by foreign states at the first blush
not in the highest degree favorable TO the character
our government. know, moreover, to what injurious
reflections one may subject HIMSELF especially in times of
party excitement, by giving negative on such a
nomination But, after all, placed here TO discharge
duty am not to so through ornaIity am to per-
form substantial and responsible duty am TO adpise
the President in matters ofa?ointment This my con-
sututiona obligation; and shall perform il conscen
uousy and ieariessy am bound to say, then, Sir that
Tor one, do not advise this nomination
do not think fit and proper my are
found IN the letter OF instructions, written by Mr. Van Blu
the goth of July, 1929, to Mr. McLane then po
Ing to the Court OF England, American minister /
think those instructions derogaory, high earee IN
the character and honor of the country think the
show manifest disposition in the writer Of them to csab
Iish distinction between his country his party: TO
place that party above the country; make interest at
foreign court for that party rather than for coun:ry
TO persuade the English ministry the English monarch
that they had interest in maintaining in the u States
the a;cendancy Of the party to which the writer belonged
Thinking thus oil the purpose and object of these nsruc
TONS cannot be of opinion that their author is proper
representative of the United States that court There
fore 49, that propose to vote against his nomination.
IS the first me believe in modern diplomacy il Ia GER
tanly the first time in history which minister o
foreign court has sought make favor for one marty At
home against anothe or has stopped from being the re-
preventative Of the whole country to be the representa-
tive OF party And this is the first instance in our
history oil any such transaction intend do all in nv
power to make il the last For one, set my mark of dis;
appreciation upon it; contribute my voice and nv vote
by all the future ministers Of the United States If in
deberative and formal letter OF Instructions admontons
and directions are given to minister, and repeated once
and again. to urge these party considerations on the
foreign government to what extent, is probable the
writer himself will! he disposed urge them in his one
thousand opportunities Of Informal intercourse with the
agents OF that government!
propose, sir, to refer to particular parts of these
instructions; but before do that allow state very
generally the posture OF that subject which those par.
ucuars relate That subject was the state of our trade
with the British West India colonies do no, deem ne
ecsaTy now 10 go Ihnuely into all the history of
trade The occasion does call for it, All know that
by the convention Of 1915, reciprocity of intercourse
was established between and Great Britain The sbps
OF both countries allowed pass and from each
other respectively, with the cargocs and subject IN
the duties But this did not extend n
the British West Indies. There intercourse was Gu,
OF Various discriminating and retalatory acts pass
cd, by England and by the United States Eventually in
me summer OF 1925, the English parliament passed an act
Offering reciprocity so far as The carrying trade was CON
eeTned 10 all nations, who might chuse, within one year
10 accept that offer. ~
Mr. Adams administration did not accept that ofer first
because it was officially communicated 10 IL second
~, because only few months before ne potaon ON fe
very subject had been suspended with an under
ssnd'ngthat ii might be resumed; and thirdly because
was very desirable TO arrange the whole matter II Dos
sble by treaty in order to secure if could the qd
MISSION ~ o products into the British islands for co.
sumption, we'll the admission of our vessels This
oect mad been earnestly pursued since the peace Of
LeIo. " was insisted on, as every body knows through
the whole OF Mr.. Monrocs administration He would no,
treat at all without treating OF this object He thought
TIE existing state Of things better than any arrangement
which, while admitted vessels INTO est India norris
sl left our productions subject to such duties there tat
they could not be carried
Now, sir, Mr. Adams administration was not ne fret IN
take this ground II only occupied the same position which
i1 predecessor had tsksn II saw no important objects To-