Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-02
Is SENATE, MARca 81, ls4s.

rendering the congratulations Of the American the French
people, and the question being motion postpone the fur
ther consideration of the resolution
Mr.. BALDWIN said When these resolutions came be-
fore the Senate yesterday moved refer them the Com
mtee Foreign Relations. subsequently, after the re-
marks which made by the honorable Senator from South
Carolina, (Mr. CALHoUS,) acguesced in the motion made
by that Senator to lay them the table, The Senate, how
ever did not adopt the motion, and il is proposed by the
honorable Senator who moved the resolutions that day be
specially assigned for their consideration by the Senate
opposed SIR 10 the assignment this time Of any day for
that Ppoe, because arn still Of opinion that reference of
the resolutions to the Committee Foreign Relations
originally moved Is the proper course TO be pursued in regard
to them.
The first resolution dselures " that in the name and behalf
OF the American people the congratulations of Congress
rendered TO The people Of France upon their their
efforts to consolidate liberty by embodyng its principles
10 republican form of government" The second
quests the President 10 transmit the preceding resolution
the American Minister Paris, with instructions to present
it to the French Government Personally sir of
American people, yield to Senator the expression of
my sympathy with the great which is going
on Tor the ameoraton OF the political and social condition Of
the peope Of France and Of the other European States But
as member OF this Senate not prepared to act these
resolutions, or TO assign day for that purpose until
better satisfied OF right to oct in the proposed
want hst to be assured that entitled Senaorsas
members oil the Congress Of the United States TO speak
all in the name and behalf Of The American people in
ter relating 10 the intercourse Of this Government with for
egn nation had supposed sir that every thing relating
intercourse OF people OF the United
tanned IN the first instance 10 the Executive had supposed
that in the distribution of powers and duties among
raj departments of Government the people had conded
to the President alone the of speaking their and
behalf 10 foreign nations and TO Congress the trust OF leg
lating for their benefit.
am aware, sir that questions may arise in relation
foreign intercourse on which may be proper and expedent
that the sentiments of Congress should be declared But
these where legislation required enable the
to carry out his views in regard to the foreign inter-
course OF the nation.
If the President deeming his duty TO recognise tie indie
pendence Of a foreign Government or to send minister TO
nation with which the United States before had dpo
matte intercourse, calls Congress make provision for the
exlgency then, sir the matter up egitimaey for
cuson before Congress acting in its legislative capacity, in
deciding upon the expedency of granting or withholding the
appropriation required.
Mr.. ALLEN. | wish to correct an error into which the
argument OF the honorable Senator seems TO imply that he has
aen II Is not the object OF this resolution to make for
mai recognition OF the French Government. The French
Government asks Government the world for such
nl'lon II would be insult to that Government make
any such recognition.
Nh. BALDWIN,. So understand it, Congress is not
called Oh to iegae for any purpose connected with the
cogntion Of the French republic We asked aid
the Executive by appropriation carry into effect any
suggestion purpose OF his in relation foreign
We called upon by this resolution undertake
ourselves the direction OF the foreign
10 ascare fAa tire representatives che
American people, authorized to speak in their
their sentmenis-and request the President direct
them to be communicated such the French Government
by the American minister at Paris
Now, sir say the American people able TO speak for
themselves They able manifest their ympathes.
They doing il, sir from end Of he Union the
Others and that the proper way for the sympahes Of the
American people TO be manifested this OCCASION unless il
be done through that organ Of the Government whom they
have specially entrusted with the duty Of conducting their
foreign intercourse. When and how have they deega-
ted 10 US the power speak in their relation to the
concerns OF a foreign people
Sir, tender congratulations in the Of the
American people to the republicans Of France the achieve
ment OF their liberties not also tender the
Of their regrets 10 the down trodden subjects Of other empires
who yet goan beneath the scepte of despot There
many Governments with whom we hold diplomatic intercourse
whose institutions little accordant with the views and
wishes Of the American people those which have been
signsly ovehrown but have they authorized Con-
express their dsaPprobaton Of those institutions To
what Inconsistencies the action Of the Government would
not such course inevitably lead To what arrangement Of
the system established by the Executive for conducting It's
foreign intercourse By what imperfect Lights would Con-
gress necessarily be guided in its action comparison with
the sources OF intelligence which and confidential
respondence with ministers abroad places all times
the command of the President
appears to me, therefore, be obviously proper that the
Executive should take the initiative in all such proceedings
and unless he under the necessity Of applying Congress
for appropriation TO enable him accomplish his purpose
that Congress should conne itself TO the legislative duties
signed TO by the constitution BY the second resolution the
President is requested transmit this resolution to the
American minister at Paris, with instructions to present il to
Is not this ask, the first time in the history Of this Gov
eminent that Congress has undertaken give instructions
the President in regard to foreign intercourse II there
be any other instance record Of it. know
OF no precedent for such resolution but do know that this
maitero the interference Of Congress with the appropriate
duties Of the ENecuyehas been discussed than
OCCASION and the sentiments Of both Houses OF Congress
pressed against IT,
In 1922 President Monroe BY special message commu-
ncated his sentiments Congress in favor the recoq-
milton Of the independence Of the South American republics
in order he suggested that, "shoud Congress entertain
similar sentiments there he such operation between
the two departments Of the Government their respective
rights and duties may require What their respective
rights and duties, which the President referred The
right OF the Executive recognise the existence foreign
Governments and the right of Congress 10 make or withhold
the appropriations necessary enable the Executive hold
intercourse with those Governments When, therefore, Mr.
Monroe invited the corporation Of Congress- became at
once matter Of legislation, and Of proper subject
for the action Of Congress
The message referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations who reported resolution "tha the House OF Re
representatives. in the opinion expressed by the
dent that the American provinces of Spain which have de-
caed their independence ought TO be recognised BY the
ed States independent States and that the Committee OF
Ways and Means be instructed report bill appropratnc
exceeding hundred thousand dollars 10 enable the
President give due effect such negotiation So too in
1923, when Mr. Monroe his annual message brought to
the notice Of Congress the condition Of Greece then lust
emerging, after similar struggle from the cruel despoim
which she had been for centuries subjected distinguished
Senator from Massachusetts, introduced resolution that
provision ought be made by law for defraynq the