The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-04-04
Mr.. FAIRFIELD. The communication

Mr.. FAIRFIELD. The communication
of the secretary was accompanied by a
report made by chiefs of the bureaus
to the secretary himself, and was trans
mitted to the committee by him. with
the understanding that it was to be re-
turned. 1t was sent to the committee
in order to aid them in framing the bill,
and making the proper estimate. 1t
was large, voluminous document, not
submitted to the Senate, because il was
understood that it was to be returned
to the Secretary of the Navy. 1t was
accordingly returned.
Mr.. WEBSTER again rose and said |
intended to pursue this subject with a
single remark only. | desire to put
two inquiries to the honorable gentle
man at the head of the Naval Commit
tee; first, whether the Secretary of the
Navy, in communicating to him these
estimates, informed the committee that
they had received the sanction of the
PresMent?--and, secondly, whether the
communication which he says the COM
mittee made to the Senate, contains the
same iniormation-to wit: that the ma
val estimates proceeding from the de-
partment had the sanction of the Presi.
dent, and were made under his direc-
ton?
Mr.. FAIRFIELD, in reply, said the
communication of the Secretary of the
Navy, that it had received the sanction
of the President, was made to myself
it was verbal, merely and therefore not
communicated to the Senate.
Mr.. WEBSTER. | understand the
gentleman then to say, that the only
authority given him for considering
these estimates are made out under the
direction and sanction of the President,
was a verbal communication to that
effect to him as chairman of the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs by the Secre-
tary of the Navy; and that not even
that was submitted by him to the Sen
ate, on presenting the bill for the aug
mentation of the navy, some days since.
We see, then, the posture of this affair :.
| have only further to say, that hope
that as soon as it may be convenient to
the honorable member, who is char
man of the Committee on Military AZ
fairs, and who, ] presume, has received
information in the same way, that the
estimates from the War Department,
have had the sanction, and are made
under the direction Of the President
that he will as soon as convenient-all
that is in his discretion-communicate
to the Senate as far as proper, and no
farther, what those recommendations
are. If there be portion proper to
be kept private, it is quite safe in the di-
rection Of that gentleman and his asso-
ciates in the committee, and there | am
quite content to leave it. But such
portions of the Presidents recommen-
dations for the augmentation of the
military means Of the country are as fit
for public communication, and public
discussion here, and public information
throughout the country, should be
very glad that the gentleman. when
ever it suits his convenience, should
communicate to the Senate.
Mr.. BENTON was understood to say
that he had received no verbal commu-
nication; but that in great matters OF
this kind, he always looked to the heads
of departments as the organs of the
President.
Mr.. CAss. If understand the mes
sage Alright, the President recommends
still greater armaments than were rec
commended by the Secretary of War.
| desire to hear that portion the Of mes
sage read again.
Mr.. WEBSTER. He says greater ar
maments than recommended in the ear
ly part of the sesson--not greater than
recommended by the Secretary OF
War.
The portion of the message alluded
to was then, at the request of Mr.. Cass,
read.
Mr.. CAss then said: merely remark
that, after using every possible effort to
carry my resolution into effect, |
thought they had gone to sleep the
slumber of the dead. | am heartily re-
jolced that they have been resusciated; /;
and certainly | am the more gratifed
when that resusciation has been effect
ed by an executive message, and not
by British cannon.
Mr.. j. M. CLAYTON. IfI am at lib
erty to do SO, should like to ask how
many ships are recommended to be
built.
Mr.. FAIRFIELD. | am not able to
answer that question. | paid but little
attention to the matter, believing that
the recommendation of the Secretary
of the Navy was adequate to the ext