Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-16
,Twcnly-seco,ld Congrcss.--scss. 4.
DEBATE IN THE SENATE
ON MIR VAN BUREN'S NOMINATION

IL
ON MIR. VAN BUREN'S NOMINATION.
MIR MARcYs REMARKS IN tdror ofthe Nomination.
MIR. MARCY said, that he had minated heretofore,
more than once, that 1t not his intention offer
Senate any observations upon the main question now be-
tore them What arded the public of the pre-
sent Minister TO London better understood by other
members, and what be said in explanation or vndi-
cation OF II, would be better said better received from
most of them by reason of their great in nnb
lie affairs, and their particular knowledge the transac-
TONS which have been brought under in this dis
cusson lie had determined that it would be his duty to
trouble the Senate with remarks only, i'm case topics
should be introduced into the debate with which he mrht
well be supposed from his local stuaton to be particular
~ acquainted.
The occasion which rendered it proper that he should
say something, had arisen in consequence of what had
fallen from the honorable Senator from Kentucky (Mr
Ciay) HIS attack was not confined to the nominee il
reached the State which he (r. ny represented in this
body One OF the grounds of opposition the Minister to
London, taken by the Senator from Kentucky was Tho
perncous system OF party politics adopted by the present
Administrations by which the honors and Offices were nut
np obe scrambled for by parzans, &c-A system which
tue Minister TO London, the Senator from Kentucky al
legged had brought here from the state in which he for
meriy lived, and had for long time acted conspicu-
Gus part in its political transactions. know sir said Mr.
w. hat IL Is The habit oil some gentlemen speak with
censure rcproach of the politics of Nav York Like
othcr States we nave contests, and, necessary con-
sequence tiumphs and defeats The State large with
great and diversified interests; in parts of it, com
mcce is the object of general pursuit. in Others manu-
features and agriculture the chief concerns of its c
zens. We have of enterprise and talents who aspre
to public distinction 1t is natural expect from these
circumstances and others that might be alluded To- In bcr
politics should excite more interest home, and attract
more attention Abroad than those of any other the
confoderacy.
1t may be, Sir that the politicians onDhe United States
arc not so s'dions as some gentlemen 10 disclosing
the principles on which they act. They boldly preach
what they practise When they contendng for vico-
ry, they avow their intention of enjoying the fruits of If
II they are defeated, they expect retire from oice:-
they are successful they claim matter of right the
advantages OF success. They nothing wrong in the
rule that TO the victor belongs the spos of the enemy
But there be any thing wrong in the policy which the
Senator from Kentucky has so STRONGLY eprobato he
not nfnad IN
ter to London and his friends New York but is practis
ed by his Mr. Cays own political friends in that State:
ne should KNOW that II TO than other now
living the existence Of that policy 10 ascbsd il
70 one oil the Senator's own political friends The prac-
ice OF making extensive changes in the Offices on the
change of parties in that State, begun, believe be-
tore the nominee was upon the political stage; certainly
while he was quite young and before lie had ac-
CURED great consideration in political affairs be
permitted, SIR TO say, that of all the party with whom
have acted, or been particularly acquainted (and the
number of such is smal) know of no one who has
acted WITH advised moderation than the person
whose nomination we considering
When the Senator from Kentucky condemns the sent
administration Tor making removals from Office and then
ascribcs the act to the pernicous system of politics i'm
ported from N York. fear he does sufficiently con
slider the peculiar circumstances under which the present
aunniStra'on came ntopower General Jackson did
come in under the circumstances that Mr. Adams did
or Mr. Monroe, or Mr. Madison. His accession was like
hat oil Mr. Jefferson. He came in, Sir upon political
revolution. The contest without parallel. Much
political bitterness was engendered. examinations and re-
ordinations made. ISLANDERS of n most extraorli
nary character flooded The land. When the present Chief
Magistrate took upon himself the administration of the
Government he found almost all the offices from tbe
highest to the lowest, filled by political enemies That
his Cabinet composed of his friends no one will COM
plain The reasons for thus composing it will apply with
considerable force 10 many Of The Offices under the head
OF the several Departments.
IL some dsmissals of the subordinate officers in those
departments were made, will not be asserted that all
opposed to The administration discharged. have
heard IL confidently asserted, by those who supposed-
spoke with knowledge the subject, that many perhaps
majority Of those retained and almost all were retained
he
porlers OF the Honorable Senator from Kentucky.
nave good reason'-very good reasons, for believing,
that is the gentcmans rule of conduct 10 take care OF
his friends when he is in power 1t requires the fore
sight OF prophet to predict, that if he shall come into
power, he will take care Of his friends; and if he does
him. shall conplain nor shall be i'm the
least surprised If he initiates the example which he now
so emphatically denounccs.
Now up, will offer a Csw words relative 10 tbe
much censured Instructions to former Minister to
England must say, have discovered in them nothing
TO merit or provoke the harsh structures bestowed on them
lhey do not, in my opinion, furnish fit occasion for the
Senator from Kentucky 10 impue to Mr. Van Buren, as
he has DONE with passionate emphasis and eauen reitc
Tduon charge oil aisehood culpabe ignorance. The
language which he desired might be taken down il
"Ihdt Mr. Fan Buren, stated Wbat ,cas alse or he icas
eHPabiy gaorat J0r not kno,cing that il tCas faise
The instructions allcgc, that those who first asserted
certain claims to interfere with the regulations of Cre,t
Britain, az TO the Colonial Trade, abandoned them &c
Inc Senator from Kentucky chooses consider this de-
caraion, that the late administration first asserted he
claims, and then abandoned them. If we admit his con-
sucnon TO be the true one, TO what does it He
does not denyindeed is expressly admitted--tha the
late administration asserted the claims and then waived
them. What then is tho mighty difference between The
assertion in the instructions and the fact as admitted here
We are told that the late administration were not the
yS 10 assert 'en--ha they set up under the adj
nnistraton OF Mr. Monroe
II this pretended alsohood IS Of such agious char
ac'er as mas been gwen to IT, is natural expect that
1t would change very essentially the meaning OF the sen
tence IL there be the least in the instructions n il
IN the use OF the word st strike out that toord and let m
see whether the meaning Of The sentence is materially
changed whether the late Administration the first 10
assert the claims, d then gave tcmup orassered thcInaf
Yer hcy had been previously asserted by Mr.. Monroes
administrator, and then gave them up is very nearly
te same thing. If there any thing wrong or re-
PehenDic ~ asserting claims pretengons, and then
giving them up the cenuFe incurred by the late Admin
isratlon Tor so DONG Is not much nidgacd by the cir.
cunsance lnat preceding Administration had asserted
similar claims or prctcnsons appears TO me that If
cause Of censre had not been very much wanted such
sn one as this would not have been hunted up and put
forth 20 prominently
The manner in which our late Minister TO London ,yas
instructed TO conduct The negotiation may, for aught
know, be unu3ud bH does rot appear 10 me 70 w cen