Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-01-15

lion was applicable here II was an evasion of the question
Here absolute denial of all information whatever
II trial. he repeated, between the power of the Re
and the rights and privileges Of the Representa-
ves Of the people 10 and act udiciousy and understand
ng by Of having all the facts before them and tn
President, who denied them the right to have the facts In
formation, and light said they had nothing to do but to
in the dark and grant such supplies he demanded Hewa
glad the issue had been made. He hoped the subject wou
not be referred any standing committee, bot that sec
committee would be raised for the purpose OF nqurng special
y into this NATTER which did not belong peculiarly TO tn
Committee on Foreign fairs to any standing committee
but referred the privileges of the whole House. TO the right
OF the representatives Of the people, to question between
coordinate branches Of the Government unnecessarily and h
must think almost nsungly made by the President agans
this House, and involving the rights OF the whole people
select committee should be raised and the inquiry be made
what should be done guard and vndcate the rights OF h
House and OF the people.
Mr.. HOUSTON of Alabama, rose, but said he should
dean the House with any heightened remas He desired
however, to reply to remarks, he understood he
the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. ADAMS for ndeea
he did not hear them very distinctly from the position which
he occupied
But first he would say word respecting the remarks of The
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. ScHENcK, who seemed desr,
to know from the President something of the character of the
war which they called upon TO prosecute. Now with
what sort of grace did that from member Of this House
who had already voted under the solemn obligations Of oath
that the commenced unnecessarily and unconstitu
onay AT an earlier period the gentleman from Ohio might
with propre,y have asked for information but the
past the gentleman from Ohio had taken his course
now so far information concerned that gentleman might
be given to hardness OF heart and reprobateness Of mind
lie desired for q moment compare this question,
which present occupying the of the House.
with that to which auson made by the President of the
United States In the the Speakers table, and
which the gentleman from Massachusetts (M ADAas) had
this day commented The gentleman from Massachusetts,
though he confessed he had heard him very distinctly,
conended that the before the House differed from
that which occurred during the Presidency of Gen. Washing
in this that the call President Washington not
IN
what papers he would communicate the House He
peaed that he did hear the gentleman from Massachusetts
distinctly, but such his understanding of what the
gentleman from Massachusetts had said and his Impressions
were not erroneous he would say word two in reply.
After pausng for few moments Mr.. HoUsT0N proceeded
The gentleman from Massachusetts had corrected him.
and hence he assumed that he maken he would
then proceed read the House the resolution which m,
situed the call President Washington that call
not mandatory the call upon Mr.. Polk.
Mr. H. read the passages to which he referred, but
were unable to procure authentic copies of them
Mr.. Z. ]. INGERSOLL called the attention Of the gen.
tleman from Alabama authority which he held in his
hand, which understood be Marshal Life of Wash
ington, the subject in question.
Mr.. HOUSTON continued. He said he read from the
Journal which gave ample information the point under
consideration, showing satisfactorily that tie call President
Washington mandatory in its character the late call
of this House President Polk But Washington refused
communicate such papers existing negotiations rendered
improper to be disclosed.
But there was another point on which, while he up,
he would say word President Washington in his message
from which extract had been copied the message
on the Speakers table, after stating that which, TO the
mon understanding of every man, appear evidently
prope-ha negotiations required secrecy and without
crecy they could not be carried oncommned the power
House TO call for papers from the Executive. He took
the ground TO which the gentleman from Massachusetts, had
alluded that the House Of Representatives bound carry
out all treaties Upon that point the House Of Representa-
ves discussed President Washngons message for consd
cradle length of time in Committee of the Whole the
of the Union.
mr. H. here quoted the action of the House of Represen-
atves at the time alluded to, and eced the historical cir
cumsances in connexion herewith, show that the House
concuned in the propne of President Washngtons with
holding the papers called for
Let the House look the message now on the table
call had been made the President communicate the in
suctons which he had given foreign minister who was
charged with the mission TO settle difficulties existing
this Government and the Republic of Mexico difficulties
which yet existed This call related to transaction which
not yet closed; to difficulties which yet existed and
about which have been negotiating We not in he
position in which President Washington when he refused
give papers sought be obtained for in that the treaty
had been ratified and submitted the House Of Representa-
tye and they had been called upon make appropriations
TO carry it In that case President Washington refused
comply with the call because he believed would be nju
10 the public interests and here the President was
arragned yran because he withheld correspondence in
regard to difficulties which yet open for adjustment
The gentleman from Ohio (M ScHEScK,) with his char
acersc fairness and beray had thought proper to appeal
President Polk had done that which had been done by his
predecessors This the gentleman Ohio as
fact saying to the House Of Representatives "You are
fit TO be entrusted with the Of the Government
have done and So and you the supplies" II re-
ally appeared to him that when the gentleman from Ohio
sorted such mode Of attack the President he was driven
an extremity Let them for moment look ut the prece
dents which the books contained
He led Il his hsn message TO the House of Represen-
atives from President Monroe in answer to a call of the
House Of Representatives for information relative diff
fcuty which had grown up in relation Commodore Stew
art which he requested the Clerk 10 read
The Clerk read il accordingly, az follows
ss To The House Of Representatives. Of the United States
should hasten communicate the documents call
ed for by the resolution House o Representatives Of the
instant relating the conduct Of the officers Of the navy
Of the United States in the Pacific ocean, and Of other public
agents South America, il such communication might
be made consistently with the public interest," with justice
the parties concerned In consequence Of several charges
which have been alleged against Commodore Stewart,
touching his conduct while commanding the squadron OF the
United States that has been deemed proper
pend him from duty, and to subject him to trial those
charges IL appearing also that those charges have
been communicated the Department by Mr. Provost poti
agent this time Of the United States Peru, and here
toore Buenos Ayres and Chilli and apparently with his
sancon and that charges have likewise been made against
him by citizens Of the United States engaged in in
quarter has been thought equally and proper that
he should attend here well furnish evidence in his pos
session applicable the charges exhibited against Commo
dOre Stewart such have been exhibited against
himself In this stage the publication OF those documents
might tend excite prejudces which might operate the
jury Of both Il is important a the public in every
station should perform their duty with fidelity according TO the
inunctons OF the law and the orders OF the Executive IN fulfil
thereof II is peculiarly that this should be done by the
dHx