Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-01-29

the territory between NacheZ and Baton Rouge Well, we
oil know that claimed by Spain as belonging to her
And il with view only Of protecting her pos
sessions but those Of Spain aso that she took this
ton. Well this happened in 1902, and it is really remark
able if had expected invasion from France that earlier
and efficient preparation had not been made andhat
the fact noticed by Mr. Jefferson in his annual
of that year. No. sir France never designed to invade
this country. She early ally, and with all the OPP
probrum that heaped upon her. she could not be driven
into hosles towards this country She has always been
friendly us, and hope che will be. The documents
which he has read show that e intention Of France
sending troops this country solely to protect French
Louisiana from invasion by England. before remarked sir
that is very difficult for ascertain the true meaning of
act without looking back TO the circumstances which exist
ed at the time of its passage In this way may discover
its object Another of similar character covering up
its true meanings the purpong enable the Pres
dent 10 carry efficiently diplomatic intercourse
between this country and foreign Powers, when reality
the true intention Of the act was to enable the President to
purchase Louisiana. Now, it happens far my argu-
ment concerned that these not at all applicable
the which the Senator designed apply them; for
have endeavored to show former OCCASION and shall pro-
baby endeavor to show again. that title the country
between the Nueces and the Rio Grande which the Senator
has asemad the which be has refereed
regret this controversy but think when the Senator looks
upon dispassionatey he will admit that have good
claim, said before and if cannot obtain rights by
negotiation and purchase will be compelled, from The ne
cessity Of the case, TO maintain by force.
Mr. CLAYTON. will only say, sir, that, in looking
into the documents which have called the attention of the
Senate find that there is much additional evidence There
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many other letters which, the honorable Senator VIII
examine them, will perfectly convince him that France enter
tanned deliberate design to seize upon that region OF coun
try that it favorite object with her for long PERIOD
and that the French Emperor entertained this project and
refused to give any information the object Of the exped
on any explanation of the limits of Louisiana which he
intended claim Mr. Livingston had every reason to believe,
he stated that the territories of the United States were IN
danger The object and the only object oil the act oil March,
s03 oprotec the territories of the United States S
have done.
TN. A haxin
red controversy between him and myself at the last session
of Congress- the Senate will indulge hope not in argu-
ing the question aesh but in resang what then endeavor
ed 10 maintain
II will be recolected that the Senator from North Carolina
Mr BaneER) had charged the President with being the
thor Of the by ordering the movement OF Zen Iayors
from the Nueces the Rio Grande, which he consider
ed of He sustained himself IN this position by The
authority of Mr. Jearsons In 1905 Mr. Jefferson informed
Congress by secret message that Immediately after the ac
QUESTION of Louisiana he had opened negotiations with Spain
to obtain from that Power the delivery OF certain portions OF
Louisiana which she held in violation OF the rights transferred
by France that bis negotiations bad been utterly vain
that he could take possession OF those portions
of Louisiana in the possession Of Span because such an act
might transfer the relations Of the country from state of peace
of war, which not within the constitutional
competency Of the Executive and belonged solely to the e
gslatve power.
To this the Senator from Arkansas replied that the
pie of Mr. Madison contrary to that of Mr. Jefferson, and
that Mr. Madison had, Of his authority, seized upon
what we're called the Florida Parishes To this replied that
Mr. Madison did have any other authority than
that owhch Mr. jefferson limited himself The situation OF
the Florida parishes peculiar body OF private mdvd
uals in 1910, (seven after the acquisition Of Louisiana
had driven the Spanish authorities in Baton Rouge and
had set up independent government though proissns
their willingness comciDto the Union In this condon OF
things Mr. Madison had issued his proclamation ecitng these
saying that the territory IN question had always
been claimed being within the limits OF Louisiana that
crisis had length arrived subversve OF The Spanish author
y and that under the peculiar circumstances OF the case
orearance the part of the United States occupy the
rtory question be construed into derecion OF their
title which he added that though the laws OF the United
States had vet been extended this territory yet they
had framed be adapted hem and contempla
ted their application this region al some future me Con-
cress then in session but, soon as they met Mr.
Madison laid before them account OF his proceedings WHICH,
if not expressly at all events implicitly recognised the
mount authority Of the Legislature over the subject Inc
difference between this and the march Of the troops 70
the Rio Grande is papabe Mr. Madison dd not think him.
self authorized upon such parts OF Louisiana as sun
remained in the occupancy Of Span and consequently the
country of the Perdo and south of the State OF Georgia
and the Mississippi territory remained in possession Of these
authorities.
In January, lsll Congress passed secret resolution de-
Glazing that due regard the safety OF the United States
required them provide for the occupation OF these
territories and subject negotiation. Mr. Madison would
without the authority of Congress he knew has nc
could ghtfuly do and therefore he askcd to be arm
ed with that authority which Congress only could confer
The bill which followed this resolution conomei to H. sun
Mr. Madison did not suppose the contingency had arrived
II
which authorized the President take possession OF the FER
dido country. Then, and then only did W. Madison en-
poy The military force Of the United States for this purpose
Now the difference is this Mr.. Polk, while Congress was
in session, and without their authority and without invoking
their constitutional power by his authority seized upon
the valley Of the Rio Gande while Mr. Jefferson considered
that such act his part would exceed his power because
il might transfer the relations Of the country from state o.
peace Of And Mr. Madison, IN relation to The
Perddo country recognised the doctrine and IN regard
TO the Florida parishes, only occupied territory OF which the
foreign authorities longer in Pcscsslon and which
likely be considered dcrect IL under the peculiar cir
cumsances OF the casc the United States should quietly per
init il TO remain in the possession OF the private adventures
who held it.
Mr. SEWER The Senator and myself are still at variance
in opinions My position that The southern boundary
Louisiana fixed BY this Government by an act OF Con
gress her admission into the Unon Wen, after this ac
accomplished Of the name oi Thomas, OF the head
Of some Tcunesseans aud Kentuckans, expelled the Spanish
authority east Of line formed by the rver ibervle Lake
Mauripas and Ponaan, and thence to tho Psrddo and
when he had done So he organized there separate govern
cnt and called the country Fedonia and after having csab
shed such government Thomas applied to this Government
either to guaranty his republic TO IL 10 this Union.
Well what was done Mr.. Madison, in time Of peace.
sends his force. and from these patriots the
country by their revolution, without the authority o
Congress Well the Senator goes back TO the Of SOC
for the authority for this Why, in 1906 the Government
Of Feona had no existence Aer this had been donc the
President asks Congress aid in ths-what shall call il -
robbery That is harsh term yet i is precisely similar to
the terms crnploycd reference TO proceedings
Mr. Madison applies to Congress to add this country thus
seized in time peace, without the warrant Of law to the