Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-08-20

The Injunction Of secrecy has been remov
ed from the doIngs in the Senate in regard
To the Prcsldcnts communication in relation
TO Mexico, and the documents have been
published. They are prolix and possess lIt
tie general interest. The correspondent o:
tho North American thus alujes to then
proceedings:
The documents in question, are but
elaborate expositlons Of the information which
has already appeared IN this correspondence.
Most of the explanations were communicated
orally to the Senate, by Mr. Nc Duiiic and
other members oi the Committee on Foreign
Affairs. The Presidents message announces,
that q messenger was sent to Vera Cruz,
bearing an overture for peace. without rcier
ring to the causes of the war or The questions
IN controversy, A copy of this coUnunlrn-
,inn was also laid before the Senate, in winch
The disposition OF The Executive is expressed
to appoint or receive an embassy to I'D
Just a peace, either in NIX CO, Wash
Ington, or wherever else might be selected
The President animated an appropriation oi
Two millions to carry out hls object. to be
voted 10 his discretion IN secret session. The
Senate at once responded, the supply would
be granted, # he would ask the appropriation
upon The usual responsibility. This course
was also reco,nmrnd by Mr.. NJ, DuEie, the
organ Of iorcIgn affairs.
II was understood the next day that the
President had determined to submit conf
dental message TO both Houses, IN CONFORM
ly with The advice of the Senate. Instead,
however, of pursuing tins course, another at
tempt was made 10 procure the appropriation
through Congress so as TO shield the Presi.
dent from The buhhen of direct recommen
dotion, aud Mr.. Lewis presented letter ad
dressed to hlm by Mr.. buchanan, looking to
this object. The Senate declined to recede
from lis ground, aud 1t was subsequently as
ccr'aincd the Executive would communicate
n message IN open session. Thugs remain.
d 10 tins uncertain position until Saturday
when. after much difficulty, he disclosed his
wishes To Congress.
II was stated during the discussion, that
the information upon which the governme u
acted was derived from Mr.. Black, our Consul
at McxIro. and the money was TO be supplied
~ he even, of the Mexican authorizes con
s"rtlng to n peace, to the payment of the
troops, to prevent n counter revolution, and
/ tor other purposes, uatil a ratification of u
treaty by Mexico could be obtained.
! The result Of tins movement is now in
volyed N extreme doubt and embarrassment
should Parcdas accept the proposition to ne
.o.nlo, the President will tnd himself in any
/ 'hng but an enviable attitude, Congress hav
lng c"uttrrcd no authority fora mission. II
il suggested he may convene the Sena'e. but
| d ilculllcs present themselves IN adopting
that resort. lie has himself alone to blame
Tor the failure of the appropriation. Had hc
I consulted the Senate before, or at the time
Of d"spatching the special agent, or met the
II responsibility as he should have done. %
sending m'ss'gc even when he Did degr
To ask the advice of that body, every Difficult
would have been obviuted. lie preferred IN,
indirect mode of soliciting it through ,h,
cnmurr,ee OF Foreign Affairs and his Secre
''tary OF State. rs he did ~ urging an increas,
OF the army and navy at the opening Of th,
session, whilst publicly protesting retrcnch.
mcnr, aud must therefore take the conso
qncnces of his own indccIsion, aud the wan
at that frmDess so necessary to The discharge
OF high public duty"