Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-05-24
communicate the response Of the deity to the

WoRsHIpPERs.
Mr.. ARCHER here rose to explain. He said, |
that, in consequence of the peculiar position he
occupied in respect to the Administration, he
considered it his duty to let the House under
stand why he had been so exceedingly precise
in stating what had been said to him by the Sc
cretary He had thought that if he should an
swer in any different mode, he might perhaps
commit the Administration farther than the Pre-
sident wished. There was reservation in the
answer which he was bound to give precisely as
he had received it-lest he ight be represent
ed as having made positive declaration that
the President would nominate during the SEES
sion. Mr.. A. did not wish to commit himself, or
to commit the President farther than he was
warranted in doing.
Mr.. ADAMS. Precisely so. The Chairman
acted with perfectprudence, and perfecthonor, as
he always does. But still, sir, | say this statement
is an oracle Understand itwho can am un-
able to penetrate its meaning. 1t is much such
a reply as that famous response of the Oracle to
Pyrrhus, "Aio te Zelda RomdnoS UlnceTe posse"
| declare that you will conquer the Romans, or
the Romans will conquer you. Sir if the an"
swer is equivoca, it is not my fault, or the fault
of the honorable Chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Relations. For myself, take it for
granted that no nomination will be made. My
word for it, some little incidents will arise, con-
nected with the public interest, which will cause
no nomination to be made. And this is reason
enough for me to vote against this appfoprla-
ton. | will not put it in the power of the Exc
cutive to make the happening OF vacancy, and
then enable him to fill it. | do not, indeed,
adopt this as general principle, put owing 10
the peculiar circumstances of the times, will
not be accessory to granting any appropriation,
so long as this matter remains IN dubi0-not
until this ocular style shall be laid aside, and
the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Re-
lations shall say distinctly that the nomination
will be made as it ought to be made. Sir, will
not pledge myself to any thing (because, i'll do,
shall be accused Of a Bargain,) but Will say,
with distinct and explicit declaration that if
the nomination be made, shall lose all my OBJ
| jections to this appropriation l would vote it
most cordially, and believe Congress will do
the same, if that gentleman will give us pledge
| that the nomination shall be made to the Senate
before the close Of the session. | say that the
nomination ought to be so made. say that no
contingency that can arise can take from the
Executive the duty of making it. Sir, in these
portentous times it may not be proper for me
| to speak of any doctrines of which have heard,
but concerning which can produce no conclu-
! sive or authentic testimony. But have heard
| of certain Messages sent to the other House OF
Congress, sgnifying, that, if certain nomina-
tons submitted to them shall not be confirmed,
no others for the same offices will be made.
have heard of such things: and would call for
copies of such communication, ii | were not
confident that any thingI shall ask for from the
Executive Department will not be obtained.
In this matter of Calls, new practice has OBJ
| tanned q do not charge it upon the present Adj
ministration,) but in the days with which have
been acquainted, it was enough for a member
| to say that he wished for any information for
him to obtain it. Why sir, in the days of for
mer Administration, well remember that all
| the Departments were ranSacked, at every SEES
sion of Congress, to satisfy the calls of mem
| L.. 1ct a~0r thaf oINnJ-
could obtain whatever information he demand
| ed. But how IS it now? | have offered resou
lutions calling for information Oh the Depart
| ments which have lain there for weeks and
months have endeavored to get them up, but
never could succeed. This House is hermetical-
! ly sealed Why, sir, what did We see this very
| day? Ny colleague (Mr. LINcoLN) offered re-
solution calling for information touching the
condition of the Post Office Department-reso-
lutions going to the deepest foundations of its
| honor and honesty; but the House after hearing
| the resolution read refused to permit it to be
sent And this is our situation. We can get no
| information: or would send an inquiry to the
Executive, and endeavor TO learn if the fact be
as have stated. But as this would be in vain
| | am reduced to the necessity of believing that
! it is So The character Of the answer given by
the honorable Chairman does not, certainly,
tend to remove such an impression. | say again,
that assuming that the appointments are to be
maze, II Is the uuIy OF the Executive 10 present
the nominations at the present session. 1t is
his duty under the oath of God which is upon
him, to carry the laws into effect But if, instead
Of this, the Executive refuses to tell whether he
will make any nomination or no, | am compel
led to conclude that he does not intend to make
them. l connect this conclusion with rumors
that are abroad. The next step will be to make
a vacancy, and to fill it by his own authority
At the next session, he must be convinced, that
his nomination will not be confirmed by the ad
vice and consent fthe Senate. 1t will be the du
ty of that body to reject it. And what then? The
Minister will come home, and you will have ano
Their Minister, who, for an absence Of a few
months, will thus receive 90 or 10000 dollars.
Sir, these are changes not produced by a
change of the Consttution-not by an open os-
tensible proposal to the People ofthe Union, but
simply by the possession of the Executive pow
er. "Executive power shall be vested in Pre-
sident ofthe United States and "the President
shall see that the laws are faithfully executed"
BY these two talismans have all these metamor-
phoses been effected. 1t is for this House to
awake to its duty; and this is one of the occa-
sions on which tits their duty to act. They have
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