Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-01-22
CONGRESSIONAL.
THE INSTRUCTIONS TO Ma. sLIDELL, &c.


Mr.. TOMPKNS, of Mississippi, addressed the committee,
lie did propose (he sad) the arguments Of the
gentleman who last had the aoor (Mr. McLAHE though il
would give him much pleasure TO do and possibly in doing
it, though might arrogant, he might do service
Neither would he undertake TO the gentleman from
\ New Hampshire (Mr TccK,) who he thought bal said
things that might interest that portion of the country 10
which he especially belonged although he (Mr ToMpEINs)
trusted he should be capable of any action this or
that did affect and promote in degree the great inter
0! the whole country He confess cd the speech OF the
gentleman from Maryland was an able Speech ngenouSy de.
iyed, delivered in interesting manner, The gentleman
threw nio il much OF what days called Mssner
for be seemed chain to hsps the audience that surrounded
him. But he trusted that other gentleman would take
him an deal with him with effect than he perhaps
would be able do he intended ospeak another question
They were in the Committee Of the Whole the state of
the non having specially before them the annHa message
Of the President but they discussing the question OF
the war and the objects 10 be accomplished by and the
gentleman from Indiana yesterday (M RoBISsos) occupied
he principal portion Of his time in discussing the special mes
sage Of the President, and compimcnting him for his LOFTY
Independence in refusing give this House the Represen-
aves of the People, the true soyeeigns of the country inor
nation vital them, TO that point he should direct his
remarks Having had the floor that question, and sup
posing would up yesterday momng-andi seemed he
alone in suPpong for the Reporters understood
it. and it published in the papers of the ensuing
nghe should take this occasion give his ewsn relation TO
that daumen tic House last week by the President of
the United States in which he refused to communicate to the
Representatives of the people any OF the facts Of the par
cua Of the arrangement by which he restored to Mexico
of the abes generals Mexico could ever boast who found the
distracted lis armies dsbanded its exhaust
ed ye Of this chaos this anarchy, had organized armies
had brought forth resources and covered bathed as
the howery plateau of Mexico with the richest blood of
American soldiers And when they asked how this occurred
they told beyond the sphere OF their duties and
power that to ask mpudent Infringement OF the
Executive perogaive seemed to him that upon this point
they should not be divided into Wings and Democats-that
they ought know party but country but if they
divided il must be the friends of the constitution and
of the people the hand and the friends othe Executive
and his prerogave the other And now LET him examine
this question.
The House had asked only in relation TO the instruc-
tons given our minister Nj Sdell but in relation to the
instructions given the commander of fleets IN regard to
the of Santa Anna, who then exile from his
country in Cuba hat they might know with what influences
the people of this country their and their BLOOD had
been conendng and had still 10 contend The Execu i've
told them, this thing belongs 10 ne IN my executive
paciy and it acquired by the strength and spendor of my
Executive prercgave The President seemed to think if he
could quote that reveed that dwes in the core Of
every heart of every citizen throughout this vast Condeacy
that he would be projected against the odum the indignation
which the sovereignty of this land would feel against him. and
nc quoted the message Of President Washington. This
thing sprung upon gentlemen on this side OF the House
they were perfectly ignorant of the Of the
until read although the other side gentlemen
formed Of it, prepared for the advocacy Of IFS doctrines
by having authorities to sustain the President ready
the turned down Mr. L. did not charge that the Pre-
sidcn furnished them; but of two things absolutely
certain; either that information communicated to them Of
the character Of this message that they might prepare for it.
else that the defence prepared and sent . the adyocas
Of Executive prerogave this floor One Of these things
was certain for Immediately the reading of the message
they forward prepared with the documents.
Mr. HOUSTON, Of Alabama here intcrpossd; but
Mr.. r.. did yield. He did not mean impute 10 the
gentleman any thing improper but he could not yield TO the
gentleman any of the short time allotted 10 him The gentle
man. he hopel, would not consider him dcou-teous for he
(Mr HousroS1 had very able argument anl had the
thores very nicely furnished him and this side id
Mr.. 4. } had no such authorities.
Mr.. HOUSTON again addressed the Chair, and pro-
ceeding speak but
Mr.. T. continued Therefore he must excuse him for not
yielding the floor this occasion. He intended disre
spec did he intend to impute any thing improper to the
gentleman The precedents cited by the Executive
5 such precedenls suited the before them.
Mr.. HOUSTON again wishing the floor, and Mr. I. de-
clining to yield
The CHAIRMAN remarked that upon this subject the
range Of debate necessarily extensive; the Ch
thee should feel it be his duty remak per.
sona character though he did not consider those Of tie gen.
{ teman from Mississippi to be such.
, Mr.. TOMPKINS, continuing | intent Of that
kind The gentleman showed ability in the ADVOCACY of
: principle which he deemed very dangerous principle in
Republic, and which he Was soy very sorry, to behold IA
laugh lie meant nothing improper.
What the precedents The Executive stated but
single yet the gentleman, either in the preparation made
for him. which he had made himself from being previously
Informed Of the contents of the messageor he could not have
made after il announced from the Clerks table because
hour after that the authorities read by the
gentleman that he either the retained counsel Of the
, Executive by implication or furnished with the auho
! Mr.. HOUSTON again interrupted.
p Mr.. TOMPKINS. make personal assault do not
| want 10 be interrupted.
Mr.. HOUSTON still persisted. ! (sal he) that
the gentleman does be interrupted in such
! Of remark as he sees it to indulge in.
:. tCries Of |" ORDER ~
: The CHAIRMAN said he understood the gentleman from
Alabama 10 order.
Mr. HOUSTON, Continuing wish to say with
ference to the declaration Of the gentleman from Mississippi,
f that was a retained counsel--
Mr.. ToMPKINs, (who still retained his position on the
foor.) No; said only by implication.
Mr. HOUSTON. That represent the people Of my dis
t in what soy and do here and not the retained
sci Of the President Of the United States any BODY else
The gen eman says il must have been prepared for II
Is true knew what subject the message on
| Cries Of " orlcr order ~
Mr. TOMPKINS. WE'LL il was a sealed package and
the gentleman and declares he knew what was in
it, and nobody this side OF the House knew FAR from
repeing any thing which have stated the gentleman
firms all the remarks have made.
The CHAIRMAN called 10 order, and repeated that he
would take the liberty Of saying that when gentleman
the oo and made observations Of personal Character
felt his duty call him ORDER II be made
statements intentionally otherwise and cou MOI be sup
posed that any gentleman would make them intentionally
was merely mistake in his argument
Mr.. TOMPKINS. No; il is a mistake, Il the Chair
man pleaSe IA hugh.l / will go on, nevertheless Let
attention TO the precedent quoted the message
and the prccedens Of the gentleman who forth the
advocate will not say the retained counsel either express