The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-16

SaUIER, in his reception speech to the
Government of Nicaragua, ''gave en-
phatic assurances that the Government of
the United States would maintain the
principles and adhere to the policy of that
Mr.. MoNRoE's declaration" What is
that-supposing the Union places the pro-
per construction on his language-but a
pledge on the part of Mr.. SqUIER that in
the event of Great Britain's continuing to
interfere with the territorial rights Of the
State Of Nicaragua, the United States
would resist her pretensions by force of
arms-would, in short, 60 to war with herr
in which case Nicaragua knows very well,
without being told, that 'ewe should be
compelled to take the most active and
vigorous part, and to bear the brunt of the
| contest" But let lis further hear Mr..
RITCHIE in 1896:
From the Richmond Enquirer of april 4, 1885,
Thomas Richie, editor.
| "CALL FOR PAPERS.
The President has complied with the call OF the
House of Representatives, but they must be made
of more plant stuff than they ought TO be if they
should be satisfied with the documents which are
| laid before them. The fact turns out to be, that
the instructions to Mr.. Poinsctt referred, in gen
: eral terms, to Mr.. MoNRoE's declaration of De-
cember %, 1929 or, as it is styled in Mr.. CLAWS
despatch of 9th November, the memorable pledge
: of the President Of the United States but that
these instructions gave no such specific pledge
Mr.. Poinsett himself gave to the Mexican minister,
when he informed him that the United States had
pledged themselves not to permit any other power
interfere either with their independence or form
of government 1t also appears that this unau-
thorzed measure of Mr.. PoINsETT has passed off
without the slightest reprimand, the slightest
sure, the slightest notice, the part of the Presi-
dent Notwithstanding this silence, the measure
of Mr.. PoINsETT is of the most exceptionable
character 1t assumes for the Executive alone the
| unauthorized power of pledging this nation to
state of war in certain event. Ii assumes the
right of making this pledge the condition of GER
tain commercial arrangements with foreign
nation and the condition itself being void, the
arrangement which obtain for our benefit is
purchased by species Of finesse and trick which
we should promptly have dscaimed. Still the
President does not think it necessary to call our
minister back to his sense Of duty; but the silence
| of the Administration countenances and connives
| at his i'll advised declaration"
Here we find Mr. RICHIE, in 1926, re-
buking Mr.. CLAY, then Secretary of State,
because he had not reprimanded Mr.. Poin-
sett for having given to the Mexican Min
lister "specifc pledge" on the part of
/ The CnNarr mt f Tho IIn,tal fa{o -
carry out the MONROE declaration, which
pledge, according to Mr.. R., Mr.. Poin-
Sett's instructions did not perhaps strictly
| authorize.
In 1S49, we find this identical Mr..
Richie, day by day, vihfying MIR. CLAY
TON for the alleged intention of repudiating
a similar pledge by Mr.. SQUIER, which
pledge, consistent Mr.. Richie insists,
| Mr.. SQUIER made wittout authority from
| Mr.. CLAYTON.
But again: In the extract from the Rich
mond Enquirer, last quoted, we find Mr..
| RICHIE characterizing as "most excep-
tionable" the assurances given by Mr..
! PoINsETT to the Mexican government, be-
cause those assurances ''assumed for the
Executive alone the unauthorized power of
pledging this nation to state of war in a
certain event"
Yet this identical Mr.. RICHIE is daily
lauding TO the skies the assurances of Mr..
SqUIER to the Director Of Nicaragua, which
assurances, as understood by Mr.. RICHIE,
Just as much as those Of Mr.. PoINsETT to
the Mexican Minister, "asSumed for the
| Executive alone the unauthorized power
Of pledging this nation TO a state of war in
a certain event"-in the event, namely,
Of Great Britain's refusing to comply with
such summary notice to abandon her pre-
tensions TO the protectorate Of the Mos
quito shore.
Still further: In the extract last quoted
from the Richmond Enquirer, we find Mr..
Richie maintaining, that, the Executive
alone Of the United States having no power
under the Constitution TO pledge this nation
TO a state of war in a certain event, and
his assumed right TO make such pledge
having been made by Mr.. PoINsETT the
condition of certain commercial arrange
mcnts with Mexico, the condition was null
and void; and the United States ought,
therefore, promptly TO disclaim all the ben
| efts expected 10 result from such arrange
ments.
In 1S49, the same Mr.. RICHIE is found
maintaining, in substance, that, the euo-
neous assumption by Mr.. SeUIER Of the
right Of the Executive to pledge this coun-
try TO carry out the monroe principle hav-
ing been made the condition of certain com
mercial arrangements with Nicaragua, such
condition is Uoiid, and this Government is
bound in honor and good faith TO execute
| the contract Here is his argument on