Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-29
HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIvEs-JAN.a 81

Upon the translation TO the Bench of the Su-
preme Court of Mr.. Wayne, the Chairman Of
the Committee of Foreign Relations, Mr.. Ever
EFT, whose name was second on the list took
the Chair, matter of course and courtesy.
The thorough-going Administration men of the
committee called for an election Of Chairman,
and Mr.. Cambreeng was chosen; that is, he
received four votes out Of nine. Mr. Adams
brought the subject before the House. After
few remarks from Mr.. Cambreleng, Mr.. Ever
EFT made calm and honorable exposition of
the facts Of the case and of his own feelings as
affected by them. Mr.. Jarvis then spoke.
Mr.. Patton said as member Of the Com
mttee on Foreign Relations, he felt it his duty
to say word or two on this subject. He did
not complain OF the course taken by the majo-
rity of the Committee, though he was in the
minority in the choice of a Chairman. He
voted against the election of the distinguished
gentleman from Massachusetts, from a station
which he filled by usage, and he did not now
see any justice or propriety in the procedure
He felt called upon TO say, as 1t had been init
mated by the gentleman from New York that
the gentleman from Massachusetts ought to
have retired from the station, that this was
reflection upon himself as well as upon the gen.
teman from Massachusetts,.
Mr.. Cambreleng, explained. He referred
TO the Chairman alone, and not TO the course
of any other member of the Committee.
Mr. Patton had no idea, he said that the gen
tleman intended to reflect upon his course, but
the intimation that delcacy and propriety re-
ouired the gentleman from Massachusetts 10 re-
tire from the position Of Chairman was an indi-
rect censure of his course, inasmuch as his vote
was given to keep the gentleman from Massa-
chusetts in that position. He thought that there
was no Just ground on which the gentleman
could leave the station. Its duties properly be,
longed TO him, and he would have been recreant
to them. had he shrunk from their performance.
The gentleman, too, had long been the Chair
man Of that Committee, and was about to re-
tire from Congress. II seemed to him, in every
point of view, that his election was uncalled for,
unjust and, therefore, improper. AT the COM
mencement of this session, it was true, that
gentleman was Chairman OF the Committee OF
Foreign Affairs whose views accorded with
those ofthe administration on the subject of our
relations with France. But that time had pas.
sed. The whole matter had long been before
the Committee, and its solemn judgment had
been given on the questions involved in it, and as
he understood the complexion Of the opinions OF
the majority of the Committee it was and is in
accordance with the views which he understood
the gentleman from Massachusetts to entertain
on the subject. There was no reason, there
fore. to be found in the views OF that gentleman,
which could justify his removal, to make room
for one who was understood to be in the minori-
ty Of the Committee. twas news to him, to use
the language of the gentleman from Maine, but
il was most gratifying and acceptable news,
that no member of the Committee was in favor
of recommending Reprisals at this time. He
rejoiced to hearit He trusted that it would be
proclaimed throughout the land. A great change
ofopinon must have taken place on the part of
the minority of the committee: for at certain
time there was minority, and growing mino-
rity, which at one time, he feared would become
the majority, in favor of an Immediate adoption
f.t,.o, Ia1 hu tx, Liant
He was delighted to learn that those gentle
men had changed their views; and he trusted
that majority Of the House was ready to sus-
tain the Committee in what was now declared
to be their views on the subject. He should
take an early opportunity present a PROPOSE
ton to the House which would enable them to
express their opinion on the subject. There had
been and was, a proposition before the Com
mittee, presented by himself, three weeks ago,
which was once rejected, and Is now postponed,
he knew not for what reason object or design.
He wished the House and country TO understand
that he had had no participation in the delay
which had occurred in presenting to the House
q question of such great interest to the country.
There was no man on the Committee, he would
say in Justice to the administration, who was
disposed to cast censure on the administration
for its course on the subject; but on the contra
ry they responded to the general tone of the
message As to the appointment of Chairman
ofthe Committee, he had no feeling on the sub
iect but he was perfectly willing that the House
should now finally decide what are the rights Of
Committees on such questions and also, wheth-
err the appointment made in this instance was
authorized and regular. Having seen no rea-
son for the removal ofthe gentleman from Mas
sachusetts, he should vote here, as he did in the
Committee, against his removal.
Mr. Cambreleng said, the gentleman, in re-
polling an attack supposed to be made on him
SELF had made an attack upon him and the Com
mittee. His opinion was, and it was also the
opinion Of the Committee, that five mean to do
nothing the only honorable course is to say
nothing When the proper time arrived, he
should not be wanting in his duty to the House
and the country. 1t was the opinion OF some Of
the Committee that this was not the proper time
to throw upon the House any question on the
subject; others, he was aware, thoughtit proper
for the Committee to give an opinion in report
to the House. He would say that his own opin-
ion-was, that neither the interest nor the honor
ofthe Committee required, at this time, any dec