The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-01-13
THE PRESIDENT AND THE TREATY

his Justification.
THE PRESIDENT AND THE TREATY.
Our readers are aware that Mr.. Benton has
been annoying the Senate with impertineni re-
solutions, calling on the President for informa-
ton in connection with the Treaty lately ratified,
&c. &c. One day last week the Senate indulg-
ed Mr.. Benton, and adopted one Of his malig-
nant resolutions, with we doubt not, desire
that the President would satisfy the gentleman
once for all We give the Presidents reply 10
the genlemans resolution
WAsuNorOS, January 9, 1912.
To the .Senate0f The United States
| have received a resolution of the Senate Of the
9th Of December, IN the following terms
"Resolped, That the President be requested to IN
form the Senate, if compatible with the public nie-
rest, whether the Qunuple Treaty for the suppress
sion OF the slave trade has been communicated TO the
Government of the United States in any form what
ever And, if SO, by whom for what purposei and
what answer may have been returned to such com
munication' Also, to communicate to the Senate all
the information which may have been received BY
the Gov rnment of the United States going TO show
that the course rhch this Government might take in
aiion 10 sad treaty has erced small degree Of alien
ton and discussion IN Europe Also, to inform the
great political ereiiemenf which this treaty has caus-
ed in Europe have any application reference to the
United States. Also TO inform the Senate what dan
ger there was that The rs and The obligations of the
United States IN relation to the suppression of the
slave trade would be erfcuied by hers if we did
not the prert and noiire for violating our flag
and erecuiing our faics' by entering into the stipua-
tons for the African squadron and the demonstrating
embassies which contained in the 9Th and 9th art-
Giles of tie late British treaty Also that the Presi
dan he Cd IN upic ~, III
the correspondence with our Ministers abroad relat-
ing to the foregoing points of inquiry. Also, that the
President be requested To communicate to the Senate
all such information upon the negotiation Of the Afri
can squadron articles will show the origin Of such
articles and the history and progress of their iorma
tom
| informed the Senate, in the message transmitting
the treaty with England of the 9th of August last
that no application request had been made to this
Government to become party to the Quintuplc trea-
ty. Agents of the Government abroad, regarding
the signature OF that treaty political occurrence
OF some Importance, obtained, unoiciay, copies of
it, and transmitted those copies to the Department of
State, as other intelligence is communicated for the
information OF the Government. The treaty has moi
been communicated to the Government of the United
States from any other quarter, any other manner
or for any other purpose.
The next request expressed in the resolution is in
these words
nation which may have been received by the GO
venment OF the United States going show that the
course which this Government might take in rela-
ton to said treaty has excited small degree of at
tentlon and discussion in Europe Also, to inform
the Senate how far the warm animal versions and
the great political excitement which this treaty has
caused IN Europe have any application reference
TO the United States"
The words quoted in this part Of the resolution ap-
pear to be taken from my message above mentioned.
In that communication said
"No application request has been made to this
Government TO become party to this treaty. but
the course It might take in regard TO il has excited
small degree of attention and discussion in Europe
as the principles upon which 1t is founded, and the
stipulatons which it aontans have caused warm an
imadversions and great political excitement
In my message at the commencement of the pre-
sent session OF Congress, endeavored TO state the
principles hich this Government supports respect
ing the right of search and the immun " of a,ps-
DESTROYS oil maintaining those principles fully at the
same time that existing obligations should be fulfill
ed, have thong IT most consistent with the honor
and dignity of the country that il should execute is
own laws, and perform its own obligations by lis
own means and its own power The examination
or visitation OF the merchant vessels of one nation by
the cruisers Oh another for any purposes except those
known and acknowledged by the law of nations un-
der whatever restraints or regulations II NAV take
place, may lead TO dangerous results 1t far better
by other means TO supersede any supposed necessity
or any motive for such examination or visit Inter
ference with merchant vessel by an armed cruiser
Is always a delicate proceeding, apt to touch the
point of national honor as well as TO affect the inter
ess of individuals. 1t has been thought therefore
expedient, not only in accordance with the stpula
lions oil the treaty OF Client but at the same time as
removing all pretex the part of others for yioat
ing the immunlties OF the American flag upon the
seas as they exist and defined by the law of ma
tons, to enter into the articles now submitted TO the
Senate.
"The treaty which now submit TO YOU proposes
no alteration, mitigation, modification of the rules
of the law Of nations. 1t provides simply that each of
the two Governments shall maintain on the coast of
Africa sufficient squadron 10 enforce, separately
and respectively, the laws, rights and obligations of
the two countries for the suppression of the slave
trade"
These opinions were expressed by me officially
upon the occasion of making 10 the Senate a commI-
ncaton of very great importance. 1t is not percey-
ed how the accuracy of this general statement can
be doubted by those who are acquainted ih the de-
bates of public bodies in Europe the productions of
the press, and the other modes by which public opn-
ion IS manifested IN an enlightened age. 1t is not TO
be supposed that excited attention to public and ma.
tiona transactions general political discussions in
Europe on subjects open TO all the world are known
only in consequence Of private information commu.
ncsted to the Government and feeling strong per-
suasion that II would be improper in the Executive
TO go into any discussion or argument upon such
subject with the Senate, have no further remarks
to make upon this part of the inquiry.
The third inquiry is
"what danger there was that che laws and. flo |
obligations OF the United States in relation TO the
suppression Of the slave trade would be executed Inv
Others If we did not remove the pretcxt and motive
for violating our flag and executing our laws"
have already quoted from the message the entire
paragraph, to part of which this portion of the in
quiry is supposed TO refer
A. In 4. do herr hat a. I.