The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-08

Lie ioHc VI NlSlnld VINO represented neT leu
eralism in the House of Representatives. in the last
session of Congress, has drawn from Mr. Richard S.
Coke, of this city, the following conclusive refu-
tation OF the extraordinary errors which he uttered
on the floor of the House. 1t is due to the
Mexican claimants, as well as to the immediate
constituents of Mr. Pendleton, and to the people
OF Virginia. whom he has msled by the circulation OF his
speech to lay this expose before them. We have no
hope OF redeemng the Loudon federal district We have
no idea that Major Hunon, who has been nominated by
democratic convention 10 oppose him, carry that
district or that any other man could achieve the miracu
ous labor And If any deserves success it is Major
Hunon, whose high character excellent and great
services to the republican party would ene him to that
honor. But still it is right for the voters to have the
facts before them place of the Measurements of their
representative The gentleman who performs this task is
member of the Opposition, but he the friend of the
annexation of Texas, and OF the against Mexico.
II is scarcely necessary to say that the productions oil
his pen have frequently graced the columns OF the
Onion For the convenience OF readers, we have
broken his letter into series, and have attempted 10
set up the mile posts at easy distances, to invite
every one to read it, and make it compressibe into our
crowded columns.
Letter the Arst, Hon. John $. Pendeton, Of vi'-
ginia.
Containing remarks upon much of his speech deliver
ed in the House of Representatives as concerns che
claims OF citizens of the United States upon Mexico
Hon. John s. Pendieton:
DEAR SIR: When the private interests of individual
citizens become complicated and involved with great
questions of national or party policy and are thus
made subjects Of consideration among the topics OF pub
lie discussion however these individuals may be
to becoming parties these controversies, they must
submit to circumstances which they exercise no
CONTROL and resign themselves to the condition in which
they thus placed with what OF composure and resig
nation they may command. Under such circumstances
often is the undoubted right, and may become the
bounden Duty OF those who participate in these debates
m ypraSs THAR piniO IN Ia
rights the interests the feelings OF the private citizen
freely, and without aordng just cause Of complaint
NO wand ooJechon can, therefore, lie against you i0'
having, in your speech on the army appropriation bill
delivered the floor of the House OF Representatives on
the 22d February s47 and published in the National
sion of the merits OF the claims OF citizens OF the United
States against the government of Mexico In discussing
the relations between the two governments, the nature
extent and character OF these claims, beyond doubt
proper subject OF remark The parties, however, in
teresed in these claims, might and not unreasonably
think have hoped that they and their interests might not
be unnecessarily introduced into discussion the pro-
fessed object of which assail the present Execu
tive of the nation for the only assgnabe reason that the
President had in his annual communication to Congress-
adverted-at length perhaps, but In the same gen.
era spirit with his predecessors for more than ten years
pastto the ourages and wrongs alleged to have been
perpeated by that government upon the rights and prop
erty of various citizens OF the United States.
It seemed to them especially inappropriate to this OBJ
iect, inasmuch the wrongs which Mexico is charged
with having committed were inflicted long before Mr.
of 1880, providing for their adjudication, was executed
before the time of his immediate predecessor; and
the board of commissioners by whom portion OF them
had been quated and adjusted had terminated its func
tons years anterior to the date of his inauguration II
not therefore, easy TO how these matters which
hal SO long TRANSFERRED could be made legitimate topics OF
controversy between the existing political parties OF the
country; and those interested in the claims having as
SUCH studiousy avoided incupatng themselves in the
that they were to be involved in the political Maeistrom
and their interests made to depend upon the fluctuations
and counter currents OF party stes appeared to them
that the Presidents in the observations which he present
ed Congress, had certainly not expressed opinions
sentalIy different from those which had been avowed
on former occasions by General Jackson and Mr. Lv-
ingston, Mr.. Van Buren, and Mr. Forsyth, MIR. Tyler,
MI Webster, and Mr.. Upshur, but had only reitera-
ted and confirmed the views which had been taken OF
the subject by those distinguished AS heretofore
these opinions and views had escaped the ordeal OF party
politics, the circumstance of their beng now again
brought the notice OF the national Legislature could be
regarded with other feeling or expectation than that
these repettons of the history of their wrongs, from
every administration, without reference to our own do
nestle controversies would far recommend them TO
the consideration of Congress- as to furnish an assurance
that the merits OF their respective claims would be
thoroughly and mpartiay examined, and ample justice at
length be accorded
So far therefore, from nterposng an objection to the
discussion of the subject OF the claims OF citizens OF the
United States upon the government OF Mexico, either IN
the halls of legislation elsewhere those who have fol
years been sappcang the Executive and Congress 10
afford them the of authoratvely ascerainng the
character and amount OF these claims reoce at every oc
cason when they made the subjects of discussion and
of inquiry When, however, they thus made the
topics of discussion they have right to expect that tins
duty or right will be exercised fairly and fully, without
the Introduction Of collateral matters with which they
have no conceivable cOnneXiOn and which can have no
other tendency than to name party dlssensOns and to
lead to misconcepton and error.
Thoroughly to investigate the intrinsic merits of all
these claims the small numerical proportion Of
them which were either specifically mentioned indl-
rectly ssaed by you the adverted to- would
demand amount Of industry and labor, as well as
consumption of time, which it would be presumptuous
in any individual claimant class OF claimants, To
expect or even to ask at the hands of any member OF
Congress- The sad experience of those who are com
PEELED to resort the legislature for the redress of grew
ances has painfully admonshed them that, while all
other means OF investigating their cases are steny de-
MED they compelled to assume the attitude OF obse
auous suppans soliciting favors instead Of being recog
Missed as injured parties demanding rights
The Mexican claimants believing that they have rights
have for year after year, and session after session,
asked at the hands of Congress that their preten-
sions should be examined in any form, before
any tribunal which that high power might deem it
expedient to designate and they have proIered them
selves willing to submit to an investigation OF their
fore any tribunal composed of impartial, honest and in
tegeni Individuals selected from any section OF the
Union or IRON either of the divisions OF party and to
abide implicitly by such decision While this the
fullest extent OF the right which they asserted and OF the
Justice which they asked you please, the favor
with great submission, cannot bring myself to regard
this as unreasonable an extravagant anticipation
that before an authoritative sentence OF condemnation
should be passed upon their claims before they should
be pronounced illegal and untenabe before they should
meet with denuncation of character which confers
upon the party rights, and imposes upon the govern
mcnt no obligations, if they not themselves per-
med to be heard if formal tribunal for the investga-