Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-06-15
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Correspondence Of the Baltimore Patriot.
wAsHiseros, June IL, 1911.
UNITED STATES SENATE.

UNITED STATES SENATE
MIR BUCHANAN presented a memorial from
the Mayor and Councils of Philadelphia, I'll,
subject of the deences of the bay OF Delaware, anC
praying for steam vessel; which was ordered &c
be printed, and referred to the Committee on Nava
Affairs
The resolution offered by Mr. SEWER relative
to the removal OF Gcn'l Arbucke, having been
taken up
Mr. PRESTON, believing the inquiry to be I'M.
proper, expressed wish that it would not be Oc-
ceded TO.
MIR SEWER said, that If the President refused
TO reply, so be it. But If the Secretary Of War
should refuse, he would vote for his removal and
impeachment.
MrCLAY said, the gentleman would have no
opportunity to votetor an Impeachment IN any case.
IL would be his duty, in case of any impeachment,
TO sit as judge. As 10 the call ITSELF he opposed 1t
rs improper unless il should be thought proper
call for reasons for any military movement,
however obvious and perempiory the reasons for
secrecy. He could not suppose that there were
any personal motives which operated in this case,
and he would move to lay the resolution on the ia
bic.
Mr. SEWER (the motion TO lay on the table hav-
ing been withdrawn) made few remarks in reply,
defending the right Of the Senate, in any case, TO
call for information rs 10 military movements Gen.
Arbucke placed in exilc-was diSgraced; and
he knew not why he might not call on his Majesty
f'r tho reasons, in n respcctiul tone.
Mr. CLAY OF Alabama, said it was the every
day practice TO call Or the proceedings of courts
martial and the state of negotiations, and If
In state Of war, the proprety Of such call would
rest merely on Its eXpedlency. Because we cannot
impeach, 1t does not follow that to conpro
mise our privileges. lie regarded the case of Gen'l
Arbucke of great hardship, and in
which his section OF country felt a deep interest.
He had no idea of any Executive officer being per-
mittcd TO refuse n reply 10 any call addressed 10
him for information, and eouched IN respectful Ian
guagc.
Mr.. BAYARD indicated the right of the Presi-
liant nj he 10
any officer from station TO another and it was an
cncroachment on the powers oil the Executive for
Congress TO in;erpose Its powers, especially when
other object was contemplated than the qualification
OF an idle curiosity.
MIR. BARROW, without intending to impute
any sinister motive to the mover of the resolution
expressed his conviction that there more in the
resolution that evident n first glance; and
that it designed 10 make political capital out OF
1t. Ii was intended 10 make this call ground on
which n charge of inconsistency against the Wing
party was to be built up.-The Senator from Ar
kansas had stated that he had had no communication
with Gen. Arbuckle on the subject, and ii appear
cd TO him to be indicate to make such a call with
out consultation with the object of IL. IL some
times occurred that by long residence at one station
M officer lost sight oil his proper duties. and became
mere pOiltician and this was good reason for
the frequent transfer OF officers. The Senator had
expressed belief that the reason in this case
would be Withheld. This not said with the usu-
a masnanlmIIy Of that gentleman, and conveyed
objected call OF this character which would con-
vert the war department into adjutant Generals
Office IN opening the door 10 every officer who chose
TO be dissatisfied with the orders Of his superior Off
Ger. He would not vote IN favor OF a resolution
calling the President for his reasons for this act,
which was course calculated 10 produce only con-
fusion and INSTRUMENTATION.
Mr.. ARCHER opposed the resolution as an en-.
croachment on the province Of the Executive De-
pariment. Nor did he regard the object ofthe inaui-
Ty one which justified the interference of the SEN
nte, were the mere expectancy OF the be con-
sdered.
Mr. SEWER expressed his regret that such an Cd.
position had been raised TO his resolution. He was
aware that there exists party in the country desr-
Gus to draw to the Executive the powers of all the
other branches. He referred to the resolution intro.
duced few days ago. resolution in relation 10 the
return OF the Mediterranean Squadron. He knew
that resolution, being offered by a Wing, would
pass, while this, being offered by Democrat, would
be rejected, (crles OF cha :" 'ha '') He had been
induced TO offer this resolution TO pacify lis own
constituents, and not TO crafty General Arbuckle
II the President is TO give for the return of
the Mediterranean squadron he may give reasons
for the removal Of Gen. Arbuckle. lie had called
at the War Office and had waited two hours, with
out being able 10 see the Secretary the doors being
beset by ofhce-seekers. When the gentleman from
Louisiana said political capital was to be made ont
OF the resolution, he saw further than he (Mr 81
did. lie had stated that the removal was made 10
crafty John Ross, and he supposed this would not
be stated IN the reply OF the Secretary, If the reso
luton were adopted.
MIR BENTON made some remarks in defence Of
the resolution. He maintained the right OF the Sc
nate TO call for the reasons for the removal Of Gen
Arbucke.
Mr. PRESTON drew a distinction between the
causes which led u an act and the reasons for an act
lie called on the President TO know if any order had
been issued for the recall OF the Mediterranean
squadron, because he believed they were never or.
dercd back. There was great distinction between
the cases. lie moved to lay the resolution on the
table.
The question was then taken on the motion of Mr.
PRESTON, and it was decided in the affirmative
as ioliows-Ytas %, nays II.
ORDER OF THE DAY.
The motion Of Mr.. RIVES to refer that portion
of the Presidents message which relates 10 our Fo.
tons, being taken up,
Mr. CHOATE took the floor, and pronounced
high euIosy on the letter Of Mr.. Webster TO Mr.
FOX which had eItrcated the question Of the Ca.
roine from the eminenty false position IN ,qbirb
It had been placed. lie contended that upon every
practical construction of international law. Mel cod
must he held irresponsible to this government since
tie RECOGNITION Of the act by the British govern
ment The world has agreed, and IL is the opnion
OF the world, which constutesthe laws OF nations
That every person must be obedent TO his govern
ment. This principle acknowledged the question
was whether the special circumstances of tii, coss
Withdrew II from that principle. He denied tb,f
unjust and anomalous the enterprise against the
Caro.ine was, there was any thing in the cjrcun
stances TO take It out Of the general rule The
adoption OF that principle originally was a grand
triumph OF reason over the blrbarOus code which
h5d previously governed the hos,iities of nations.
and we were bound TO give Il a most ENLARGED and
ucnehcient construction. He trusted that ag the
time iorctoId by prophecy, approached, there would
nrse disposition 10 soften the horrors Of war md
10 regard u rs national evil q necessary one not
10 be aggravated by individual cruelty. This yg,s
an oSpcduono OF war, surrounded by It's own rcgpon
sDilitIes, and attended by its own CONSEQUENCES -
The mover was government, the measure one oil
grand state policy, and its Instruments were more
irresponsible agents. lie sustained the yjcyy t,ke,
ny Mr.. Blves, when he drew parallel In this csse
OF the attack Of the Danish fleet by the British /.
squadron, under the command Of Nelson. II vas
The act o a government IN both cases, govern
mont having right TO command the services Of the
instrument, 20 tear him from wife ana child. ood
compel them TO 20 to the work Of death. II was
therefore the acts Of Her Majesty, and was to be
hulu'ed oc."ten the two nations. How was the
INDIVIDUAL TO determine whether his govcrpr,er,
h,lel correctly or nou Ills only course was that Of
lie did not regard it ms having any bsorio, nj, ,t,.
case, whether the enterprise vas preceded Nv n d.
clifaton OF war or not, one half Of the worS ,vbt
take place are not preceded by such dec.,ratiors |
ne cIed cases TO prove this point and inferred thf
u made no difference ~ this case tbat such Jccr,r
ton was not issued. How was the sailor and ,oI
der TO discriminate between the Justice and ipi,st-c
o the war ~ which he is called 81 t,keo ,,,,j "a
only knew that the government of ms r5t,yc 10
the land OF his fathers graves, sends Lo, f,,,-J