Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-01-08
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, ls47.
INSTRUCTIONS no Mn. sLIpELI

INSTRUCTIONS TO Mn. sLIDELL.
The resolution moved by Mr. GoGGIS several days since
next taken up,
Resolved That the President of the United States be
quesed communicate this House any instructions which
have been given to the officers OF the army or navy
Of the United States other prsGns regard to the return
of President General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna or any
other Mexican the Republic of Mexico, prior subsequent
the order of the President OF Secretary OF War; issued
January, 1876 for the march Of the army from the Nueees
river the spen0us deserts" which intervene to the
Rio Grande that the date OF all such Instructions orders aud
correspondence be set FORTH oge with the instructions and
orders issued to Mr. sde at time prior or subsequent
his departure for Mexico Minister Plcnpotentary OF the
United States to that Republic
Mr.. McLANE proposed before the question was put TO
give why he opposed the adoption original
resolution. The information called for already record
within the reach of every member of this House Documents
been printed giving all the instructions furnished to Mr.
Sde together with dispatches from Gen. Taylor by which
Gen. Taylor advised the President send him to the Rio
Grande. These dispatches furnished advice not only mill
tay but political grounds and they presented General
Taylor only accomplished military chietan, but
and patriot ready to support the Government
under which he served commissioned officer They pre-
sented him in the light of public servant capable OF going
beyond the scope of military duty they showed that he
thoroughly understood and acquainted with the political
considerations Involved in the in which he was
gagedhat he understood the Rio Gande to be the boundary
which the annexation of Texas had forced between and
Mexico and lie therefore induced the President to send him
the Rio Grande political movement The honorable
gentleman understood to say-though he at times
inaudblc the Reporters dcskha ample information
contained respecting Mr. Sldeps instructions and Cen lay
lors dispatches in the document TO vch he referred
contained all the correspondence connected with Mr. Siiders
mission and therefore he should vote against repintng anc
republishng the document
Mr.. McLANE moved TO amend the resolution by adding
thereto the following viz:
Provided That the same documents already been
printed, and laid before this House,
Mr.. EVANS explained that the information sought TO be
obtained by this resolution, and the document 10 which his
colleague referred, very distinct and different in their
character.
Mr.. AsHMUN presumed the gentleman from Maryland
had no desire mislead and msnom the House 10 the
document in question The character Of that gentleman for
babe such superstition And yet the positive riion that
by the last Congress call made and fully answered
hy the Executive giving all the information which this ieso-
luton called for astonished him, (Mr Al who
Der of that Congress During the last Congress resolution
offered by gentleman from Mississippi calling Tor the
correspondence of General Taylor, and he r had the
honor Of Offering amendment similar to this csoluon Tor
the purpose of obtaining all instructions AMI dispatches in
conDcxon with the return of Santa Anna which the yeas
and nays taken but nstesd Of the gentlemen on the
other side conserving the CALL he held in his hand book
which showed that they voted against IL and dd not pass
Mr. McLANE rose TO explain. Having bad an oppor'uni-
y again hear the resolution read he understood 70 say
that he had mistaken its object He now ready TO vote
for the call proposed.
Mr. ASHMUN was sure the gentleman from Maryland
laborng under msappehenson when be made the as
scrion be had Withdrawn He (Mr ~ was about 10
read call for General Tayors correspondent TO show INN
was call for these papers, II attempted but u was
refused by the political friends Of the gentleman from Mary
land The instructions Mr. SHdel had been furnish
ed though he believed there a call Of he senate Tor ht
correspondence between Mr. sIeI and Nj Buchanan. Tn,
Presidents message contained papers that SUBJECT hu
Mr. Sidells instructions had been furnished, nor OH
any know under what Instructions Mr. sEdeh went
Mexico. This resolution called for communications between
President Polk and Santa Anna TO which he understood
the gentleman from Maryland withdrew his objections
Mr.. BAYLY said he desired 10 offer amendment TO tn
resolutions.
The CHAIR reminded the gentleman from Virginia ,ha
there was ono amendment already pending offered by the gen
tleman from Maryland (Mr. McLASE
Mr.. BAYLY thought had been withdrawn, but was IN
formed that Il had not lie then observed that the resou
tons ought TO be amended All he wished that the
qualification should be appended which had always accompa
MED important calls for information IN relation 10 our ofeig
affairs viz. IL compliance with the call should not he nco
pable with the public interest The resolution sioc
was broad embraced orders given to officers
whether Of the army navy touching the return OF e
person who had been admitted into Mexico, not only SAINT
Anna but every oher person surely could no, DC pLSpa
an unqualified form lie asked herfore that the quaifca
ton which had been usual all similar calls from the foundl
ton OF the Government should be appended to this one viz
90 if not incompatible with the public interest"
Mr. GOGGIN said that he had had the honor presen
the resolution aud gentleman the other side bad
ed his readiness 70 vote for it, he would the pcvou
question.
amendment which he hoped would be accepted as a moii
cation and which he wished read for information.
Il was read and substantially as follows that the Pre-
sen also communicate any orders, IL any given, in
la,iou 10 the return Of Paroles TO Mexico.
Mr. GOGGIN said be perfectly willing to accept ,hi
as modification Of his resolution aud having done so,
renewed his call for the previous question.
Mr. BAYLY said that il the motion for the previous qucs
ton SHOULD prevail would be deprived Of the opportunity
move the modification he had indcs,eda modification whc
had never as he recolected, been refused.
Mr. GOGGIN said that the acceptance Of such modi6ca
ton would in bis Judgment be equivalent to giving Up h
resolution entirely.
The question being secondng the call for the pe'iou