The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-13
Message In response the Of the House OF Rep

Message In response the Of the House OF Rep
| rescnsativss.
II Will be seen IN this document, which we publish in
our congressional columns that the President has declined
comply with so much of the late call for papers, made
by The House OF Representatives. relates TO the nsuc
IONS TO Mr. Sidell As TO the other subjects embraced
IN the resolution of the House, not having yet the
reports accompanying the unable TO say
what information has been communicated. But judgn g
from the full and frank explanation heretofore made
without call OF either house, by the President in rela-
ton 10 the order issued 10 naval commander not to
obstruc the return OF Santa Anna to Mexico and iudg-
ing also from The circumstances already known of the
more recent return OF Paredes to that country evadng in
disguise the vigilance of our forces infer that the re-
ports OF the Secretaries rather state an authentic and
official form what is already known upon these points
than communicate much information
With regard to the instructions to Mr. Slidel the der-
ment and danger to the public interest involved in their
publicity at this time is very manifest and papable,
that the majority of the House of Representatives proba
bly, thought it wholly unnecessary bring this crcum
stance to the Presidents attention. by inserting the usual
words of reservation in their call They probably took
for granted that The President would be governed by a
careful and wise regard for the public interests in deter
withheld If this explanation of the absence of the usual
qualification in the resolution of the House be the true
one then this confidence of the House in the Executive
prudence and discretion has proved itself well-founded
We will not peremporiy and positively undertake to
say that precedents to be found for the publ
cation during war, and pending recent interruption
and failure OF the negotiations TO close iD of papers
which, like these instructions to Mr. Slidel may be sup
posed to contain the previous views of of the bell
gerents, communicated to its minister, both in re-
aton TO the dispute out of which the has arisen ard
to the terms of adjustment proposed with view the
avoidance Of hostiles but are, for ourselves en-
rely unable to remember single precedent of this
sor-parallel to the of Mr. Sidells Instructions
in the history OF any war, or any negotiation, by any
nation whatever. But the danger and Inconvenience
of any such precedent if it anywhere be found,
anl should be at any time followed, surely needs
not to be pointed out Certainly, if publicity during
the tendency OF delicate and difficult negotiations, is
not to be the general rule of International intercourse
if there be any class of admitting of general de-
scripion in which, time of war, and prior to the close
of negotiations in treaty, such publicity should be for
time avoded-then, beyond doubt Mr. Slidels case at
this time, the face of it, belongs that class If our
present relations with Mexico arrant the publication of
his instructions now, then it is plainly impossible to i'm
agine any posture of those relations which could forbid
such publication Even without the great authority of
the first and most lustrous of his predecessors to ss
tain him in the he has adopted the present Execu
tive would find we suppose very strong and very OBJ
vous for Withholding, at present, this part of
the information sought by the House. 1t is in
deed altogether manifest that the example of Washing
tom cited in the message goes very far beyond the
mere justification OF the Presidents course in the present
case If the views on which Washington acted in 1896
be at all sound and just, then il quite difficult see on
what deensibe principle of public policy the MAORI
ty of the House have acted in making their present
call in the shape in which it stands, without any quail
hcaon--wthout any stipulation of what is usual on
such calls Far be it from to intimate, or even to i'm
asne that it has been in this matter the design of any
one to make the attainment OF just and satisfactory
peace with Mexico difficult than it now is Yet
feeling as we do that such have been the tendency
OF compliance of the Executive with the call of the
House, deem it matter of congratulaon that Just
regard for the public interests has induced the President
now to withhold these papers, though, by SO DOING he
has doubtless surrendered additional opportunity of
demonstrating to the world the JUSTICE the moderation,
the ankness, and the magnanmity which have charac-
terised all the negotiations had under his administration
with our obstinate and deluded foe.