The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-04-01

Total increase in two weeks. 7,4!6
The rsbl'ca,ion of the Herald commeno,d at %
minutes before o'clock, and finished At 10 minutes be-
fore o'clock.
Tse United States senate and the New York
Hsraid--Ths Independence OF the Press
Invaded
While this community, and the whole nation,
as far as heard from, have been rejoicing and
exulting over the glorious revolution in France,
by which the independence Of the press in that
great country has been freed from the shackles
of atroclous despotsm, how astonished must
the mind be, to witness an insolent and ludi.
crous attempt at Washington, on a small scale,
made by the Senate of the United States, under
the influence of certain candidates for the Presi-
dency, to establish in this land some OF the dis
carded principles of Louis Philippe, and to fet-
ter the independence of the press here, In this
free land, as that worthy did in Paris.
Let us explain. Yesterday it was announced
In the newspapers that one OF the correspon-
dents the Neto York Herald, stationed at Wash
ington, had been imprisoned by order of the
Senate In executive session. in consequence Of
his refusing to tell from whom, and in what
manner, he received copy of the recent treaty
OF peace with Mexico-a document which was
originally and exclusively published In the CO.
lumns Of this journal. This small attack on the
press has caused good deal Of talk, and some
sensation, among the BARRIERS shops in this
community The public are curious to know,
IN order to laugh at them, the proceedings of the
Senate in executive session-proceedings which
have produced such course of action, and VIC
lated the rights of citizen. They were Just as
curious to ascertain the terms of the treaty OF
peace with Mexico, as well as the causes of
Louis Philippe's flight from Paris. The whole
OF those proceedings will, no doubt, be given in
short time, and much sooner than some of
their instigators in the Senate, and out of it, in
the White House and out OF 1t, may wish to see
1t is very well known by the public, that the
Herald is distinguished for enterprise in pro-
curing intelligence of all kinds, and particularly
important intelligence in reference to political
and commercial affairs This was the first journal
to announce to the world the commencement of
negotiations in Mexico which resulted in the re-
cent treaty of peace. Wekep. the public advised
of every step in these negotiations, both Mexi-
co and Washington, up to the moment of their
conclusion. We were the first TO give an au-
thentic list of the ayes and nays on the ratfica-
ton of the treaty, and, also, the treaty itself In
accomplishing these efforts in procuring news
from Mexico, we merely exhibited the SINE in
defatigable enterprise which we always exhibit
In procuring intelligence from Europe, or any
other part OF the world.
1t seems, however, that in some quarters
question has been raised, in the Senate or in the
White House, relative to the channel through
which we received this treaty. For several days
past, secret committee of the Senate has been
holding session, and recently the whole Senate
o. l.,
has been summoned before it, and ex-
amined on every thing relating to the
weaknesses and sins Of members Of
the Senate. He has, we believe, exculpated
every Senator from being an sccompice in the
furnishing of that document 1t seems that this
was not enough. We are given to understand
that Senator Cass, Senator flanagan, and a
few others in that body, have been solicitous,
not only TO exculpate the Senate, but anxious to
ascertain through what channel our correspon-
dent may have received copy. This he has
refused to tell and for this refusal he has been
Imprisoned by order of the Senate-probably
for a contempt Of that body, as it is called.
Now on this point Of the case we think our
correspondent has, indeed, indicated his con-
tempt for that body, and that this contempt is
perfectly just and proper sentiment. The Senate
transcribed its powers when il violated the
rights of q citizen, by invading the business de-
partment OF a newspaper journal in q distant city.
Neither under the constitution nor under any
law, can we perceive shadow Of right 10 the
Senate 10 commit a citizen to prison for such
refusal to reply as that which has been given. 1t
is very well known by all who know anything
Of diplomatic matters at Washington, that several
copies OF that treaty came to this country; that
those copies were printed in Mexico that two,
if not three, OF the foreign embassies were in
possession Of those copies; and it is equally as
probable that the agents of several European
hnanciers had also copies. What right has the
Senate, If our correspondent exculpates all their
members-what right have they to GO beyond
that chamber, and invade the business affairs OF
the Neic York Herald, in New York; BY what
authority can the United States Senate put ques-
tons TO correspondent, and demand of him from
whom he receives his intelligence, or to whom
he gives it Ii is none Of their business: and
they will hear more before this matter shall have
terminated
This extraordinary proceeding is certainly no. |
vel in the history OF the United States Senate. |
oud of republican government in this country, |
With the exception of few short years during