Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-05-12
TWENTY-sIxTH CoNGREss---lst sEssIo,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Saturday, Maya
A fiar the journal Ind hnen read

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Saturday, .Hay2.
After the journal had been read,
On motion of Mr.. BRIGGS, the House resolved
irselfinto Committee of the Whole he state Of the
Unon and resumed the consideration of the bill max
ing appropriations for the civil and diplomatic expenses
of the Government for the year $50
The question pending was or motion made by Dir,
EVANS to allow the money appropriated tor the salary
of the Minister to Spain, in case of his return, to be
applied to Charge to be sent in his place, If the Pre-
sdent should think proper SO TO do.
Mr.. CUSHING observed there was no quorum, and
that with few members present. il would not be fair
TO take the question
Mr.. STANLY said he would take that opportunity
to say few words in relation to MessrS Throop and
Maxcy, our Charges at Bel gium and Naples He then
referred TO the report Of the Investigating Committee
for the purpose of showing that Mr. Tbroop had been
negligent, while acting naval officer at New forks
Or he might have prevented the frauds OF Swartwout
Also, that Mr. MaXcy, when acting Solicitor OF the
Treasury had through his negligence, been cause
of the frauds of Mr. Price. He wished TO know from
the chairman Of the Committee of Ways and Means,
how it that these men had been promoted TO Of
lice, instead of being punished for their negligence
Mr.. SMITH of Maine called MIR. Stanly TO order,
the ground that his remarks not relevant %
the question then before the committee
Mr.. STANLi contenced that lie ont Of
order than many other gentlemen.
MIR. GUSHING made some brief remarks on the
amendment of Mr. Evans He was Of opinion that
The Department had the discretionary power, hu;
thought the mission TO Spain would have TO Be Tc.
stored.
Mr.. JONES having been late in hia arrival, had
failed TO hear much Of what NJ S;anly had SAID That
gentleman had standing piece of evidence which
20 found charges against any thing and every thing
that came up discussion. Mr. is objection 10 !,
was, that II was pGrtG investigation, directed t.
objects never contemplated when the con'mitr" was
appointed and the officers charged had had ~ OppOru
n,y Of reply and defence. He protested against aln,r
ing such sort OF proof 10 operate against ans IEd!"
dual. He contrndpd that, in the of Mr.. Ttroop
his nomination had been submitted to the Senate As
the salary Of the architect the Office necessary
and applied TO the works of the highest order. Aud Il
the salary was reduced, the Government could moi
command the services ola competent individual The
salary was, in fact, fixed b. law, but left discre
tIonary with the President. Mr.. j. oppCs change o.
minister for charge in the Austrian Pru-san and Mex
can missions. The first two powers complained Of
violation of treaty part, and 1t proper tina
ministers Of the first grade should be retained in port,
important a treaty had lately been concluded Will
Sardinia relating to sub "ct Of high importance, pro
yding tor the Introduction aud transportation tobac
CO all the limits Of that knsdafn, extending 10 the
borders Of Switzerland, Frarc =, and thus opened
the door TO extension OF ;i tobacco trade 4 the
% cantons of Switzerland. one, (Vaais,) were
free TO its admission. In France it was a Cover mcn
monopoly, and sold under high duties the population
producing 10 the French Governments revenue more
than half great that Of the United States from all
sources whatever.
Mr. BELL. called the attention of Mr. Jones to the
upc.ntcndrnce ofhe architect of the public buildings
lie thought the circumstances such called loud
u Tor provision of law. lie then required to dis
bursements made for the erection Of the branch mint al
Dahoncga, in Georgia. The officers hy whom these
disbursements made were appointed, he believed
At the discretion Of the President: and law existed
requiring securities to be taken. In relation TO the
buildings this city the board Of Inspectors without
any direct violation flaw had brought Congress under
an obligation which no House of Representatives dare
refuse TO discharge He did refer to this as charge
against the Administration, but ONLY TO show the need
Of further provision that subject
hlr. JONES said the Committee OF Ways and Means
had not had this subject before them and no bill had
been drawn in the
Mr.. BELL referred TO the of work done on the
raft Of the Red river where Congress had been brought
under similar obligation without anv authority oi
law Here there three cases, all showing the ne
cessty Of further legal provision to prevent the
renee Of such abuses
Mr.. JONES could not see how this subject par,ic,I.
larly pertained to the Committee of Ways and Means
1t seemed impossible to satisfy gentlemen. II, in such
cases, men were not employed, the Administration
blamed; if men employed the Administers
ton less censurcd Mr.. J. invited Mr. B. to
present bill to suit iiu referred TO by him. 1t
should have Mr. j. hearty support
Mr. BELL rejoined, reminding Mr.. j. that he had
expressly dGscuimed all intention to bring any charge
III thus matter against the Government. As to his
on Tue Sliltct, perceived IL would
be utterly IN VAIN There might certainly be
rangement III relation the buildings Washington,
liking the responsibility somewhere, aud IL, J; he no
longer vagrant between the architect supcr.nicnde Mt
and Board of Inspectors. Let some one have legal
control Of disbursements, that responshity mgh,
be fixed.
The question being now put, the Amendments, was
agreed to.
Soft was left ,discretona with the Executive De-
partment TO replace the Minister to Spain bv Charrc
MIR. CUSHING made explanations, and advcrted 10
report stated to him in letters, &c, that Great Br.
endeavoring obtain from Mexico possession
territories of the Y. S. and also of taking of
territory security for Mexican bonds in England
She said also, to have in view the establishment
in that quarter of colony of free blacks. Hence he
urged the necessity of sleeplcss vigilance over the
movements of the British Government in Mexico. IL
the object Of England be accomplished (sad Mr. g.
shall be in the grasp of the boa constructor. He
opposed to any further extension OF British terri
tory the American frontier His argument, from
these views, was that minister should be retained in
Mexico. He also opposed any change in the Prussan
and Austrian missions, aud went into some remarks
On the importance of our interests with the Austrian
Government especially in reference 10 tobacco and
cotton. One Of the benefits obtained for our trade by
the late minister at Austria had been the remova! of
forty days quarantine in her ports He dwr on the
advantages thus obtained for The cotton trade Similar
benefits were be hoped for the tobacco trade and the
fisheries The cost Of the mission was bsyatee, in