Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-02-16

him for the Office to which he has been
nominated, and if not, il is due to him that
the inquiry should be had. Suspicion
rests heavy on him, and, when that is the
case, it is always good ground for inves-
tigation. l did expect that his friends,
instead of objecting, would have consent.
ed TO, and insisted upon the investigation
proposed by the resolution. 1t is because
they fear the RESULT They say not-but
the inquiry proposed is not in Terms what
il should be. /, sir, have never insised
that the form of the resolution should be
preserved. IL l can obtain the oJied,
will put them in any shape which may be
agreeable to majority Of the senate -
That this must he an er parte inquiry,
and when Mr.. Van Buren is absent at
such distance that he cannot be infcm-
cd of the Investigations which affect his
character, i can only say, that if a nan
will consent to take an appointment in
the recess, knowing that the senate must
pass upon him in his absence, he taxes
the hazard Of an er parte Investigation or
is willing to trust his case in the care of
his friends. Sir, if it be otherwise, the
senate is entirely precluded from; any in
quiry into his merits until he choSses to
return, or the president is pleased to re-
coll h,m
For myself sir, I am opposed to this
nomination on other grounds and pro-
pose this inquiry rather to satisfy others,
although on this point should prefer to
be satisfied. j am against him, because
he has humbled us in the eyes of foreign
nations. He has surrendered the rights
Of this country to Great Britain to sustain
his party. 1t is the first time this coun-
try was ever thus dsgraced; and l would
it should be the last. And, if l had no
other reason, his appointment in the re-
cess, to fill vacancy created in the re-
cess, is enough for me. have always
disapproved sending off minister in the
recess Of the senate, without the most
imperative reasons. 1t is compelling the
senate to approve the appointment, or
subject us to the loss of the outfit. l
would at that expense, break up the prac-
tice-it would be an essential saving
1t is, moreover, evading that constitution
al check which the senate were design
ed to have in the appointment of ambas-
sadors, and in our foreign negotiations
l would protect the exercise Of this pow
er by the senate, and never surrender il.
1t is objected to these resolutions that
they are not sufficiently specific. Sir, it
is not expected that motion for inquiry
will be drawn with the same precision as
an indictment. Ifyou can designate the
acts precisely, there is no necessity for
inquiry. 1t is for want of a full know
ledge Of the particular. acts that inquiry
has become necessary. We know full
well that the political movement referred
to in the resolution has been differently
explained. Mr.. Van R"rn- ii"a.olf
could noi remain without disfranchise-
'nent. What particular disfranchiscment
that was, the public has not yet learnt.-U
We would like to know what privileges
of free citizen he was compelled 10 sur
'ender, as the price of his office, and
whether that surrender was any way con-
,ected with the removals and the other
'esignations. Will any one say, or pre-
end, that participation in that ex,raor-
1inary affair would not affect his qualifi-
cations as minister? Sir, who ever
brought about that explosion, is unfit for
my Office. he whole nation was con-
'ulsed by it, and stain is cast upon this
which can never be ehac-
ID. The exchange Of officers, too, by
he late minister, and the appointment Of
Nr. Van Buren, to succeed him, and so
oon after, this explosion, furnishes suf-
lcient ground ofinquiry. The late min
ster had been out but a short time: he
lad scarcely become acquainted at the
court where he was sent. There should
'e strong reasons for recalling minister,
md supplying his place with new man,
md the expense should never be incurred
nless the public good manifestly deman-
ed It. This looks much like making
revision for a man who, from mysteri-
us circumstances, had been compelled L
quit the office which he had held; and {
know no principle in this government,
Inch will justify creating Offices or va
anc'es to provide for favorites, or to re-
ard partisan.
do the friends Of Mr.. Van Buren OBJ Z
ct to 'he inquiry? They say no; it is c
e resolutions to which they object. And {
ct their reasoning goes against any in
liry. But if the objection is to the man. {
'r or erfent of the inquiry, why not pro. .
'se to amend the resolutions, or offer
ne Of their own Indulging in obiec- 7
'ns which 60 to the form, ,and which seem b