The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-08

Nv
could not have been authorized To enforce the In
demnity. But the question arises, how came so
large neet IN the Tagusl is may have been with
out authorityi Il might have been pleasure
excursion but whatever may have been the cause,
il behooves US to know that cause. There can,
therefore, be no Improperly in making OF the Ex-
ecutive the request Tor the correspondence in ques-
ton and II Is surely becoming in this House, en-
trusted with such great interests war and peace,
to inquire into these startling events, and TO see
that the power of the Executive, which has 80 long
been the increase, does not absorb all the other
powers of the Government. IL 10 the policy OF this
Government 10 remain, as Tar AZ possible, neutral,
and il does not become US to set anexample OF one
rogE exactiong from other neutrale when we happen
be belligerent. He hesitated not TO say that Il
would best comport with the honor and dignity OF
this nation, in contest with a weak power, upon
mere question of indemnity for property taken or
destroyed, 10 submit the matter TO arbitration; and,
If the facts be stated, he trusted that this House
would legisate upon the matter and pass an act TO
submit 10 arbitration. He must, therefore, insist
upon his resolution
MIR. ASHMUN said: Whatever of doubt or hest
tation might have at first had to the propriety OF
introducing or the expediency OF adopting the re.
solution of the gentleman from South Carolina,
now have none. The remarks which have Just
fallen from that gentleman are OF such a character
as to demand q moments notice, and require that
the resolution should receive a unanimous support;
account Of the merits Of the resolution tself
but in order that Misrepresentation nor misap-
prehension should be permitted to take hold OF the
popular mind. That gentleman has, by implica-
ton at least, said that the Executive has, in the
measures adopted for the enforcement OF the claims
against Portugal. exercised powers not conferred
upon him. by the Constitution or by Congress; In
Other words, that he has, without the previous au-
thority OF Congress, presumed to exercise the war
power. Now sir, if any such thing has been done,
or is proposed TO be done, for one, desire to know
it and TO denounce it, and To call upon this
House to condemn it, as in former instance
it emphatically did The gentleman alluded to
| t,a of tha nrlzpI az N ~
war power by Mr.. Polk, in ordering the
my to the Rio Grande, by which the Mexican
war precpiated upon us, and seemed TO ex-
press fear that similar act now about to
produce similar results. Sir, | have no fear that
the late President, General Taylor the pres
ent one, MIR. FillmoreD will ever be guilty OF any
such usurpation. If they should will be one of the
first and the loudest in the denunciatons which
such act would deserve; and am sure that eve
ry gentleman this side of the House WILL as they
did in the Of Mr.. Polk, cheerfully give
vote which should fix upon the journals of the
House Its emphatic ccnsure. And now, that the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. HoLMEs) has
thrown out intimations that possibly some similar
act has been done, desire that there should be the
fullest freest, and deepest search, by any resolu
ton he may bring in. Let the executive depart
ments be probed TO the bottom, and my word for it
no pretence for any such intimation or suspicion
can be found.
When this resolution first read, confess
that it did seem to me to be premature. The con-
dition of relations with Portugal is just
of the most delicate nature and, indeed, from the
reports which have to-day reached Us by telegraph,
il is quite clear that the Administration cannot
have received, as yet, official information of the
state of the negotiations which have been in pro-
gress in Portugal No satisfactory answer can
therefore be given to call upon the Executive.
The gentleman says that Europe is alarmed, and
that this matter has been spoken of in the British
Parliament. Sir, do not think there is any dan
ger or for alarm, either here or in Europe at
all events, the language of the gentleman will
arAl Luz INIT IN all any
sion. The very expressions which ne has now
made calculated to do more harm in this
spect than any thing else; and means of pre-
venting any such harm, shall be now compelled
to for his resolution, in order that it may be
shown by the answer which 1t will draw forth,
there is now not the slightest foundation for any
suggestion In any quarter that the Administration
has, by the use of the war power, done any thing
which endangers the peace OF the country or OF the
world.
Mr.. HILLIARD concarred in the remarks of the
gentleman who had Just taken his seat; and said
that If the Administration has been distinguished
for any thing, Che spoke of the past,) it for
scrupulous iorbearance TO usurp any authority
whatever which would involve this country in
collision with others. Therefore, he earnestly
hoped that the resolution of the gentleman will
not only be adopted, but promptly responded to.
The rumor in the newspapers is wholly unfounded
with regard to the Administration; and gave him
greater pleasure to bear his humble tribute TO the
high, honorable, and statesman-lke manner in
which the diplomatic affairs of the country have
! been conducted. He did not think that there
the ightest danger of the present Executive usurp
! irg any such power. The constitutional adviser
/ mir. Webster) stands at the head of the Admin
straton, next TO the President, and he gives suf
hcient guaranty, with his large experience, states
man. like views, and conservative character, that
no such thing is likely TO occur. The gentleman
from South Carolina remarked that this subject
was under discusson before the British Parliament,
and that course towards Portugal has been
criticised. lie (Mr. HiLLIARD) trusted that
l would be influenced by such
motives those which induced England to attempt
10 coerce Greece to pay indemnity TO British sub
| iccts.
MIR. STANTON, Of Tennessee, inquired whether
the gentleman referred to the "satcsmanlke views"
OF Mr.. Webster, being contained in the letter OF
\ the Secretary Of State To the Governor of Texas,
and which was communicated TO the House yes
| tcrday.
! Mr.. billiard replied that he would discuss
/ hat question when II should come up, and at the
appropriate time. The Secretary of State il amply
able to vindicatc himself on all subjects. As this
country arraigned in the Brtish Parliament,
England should review her own course on the
Greek question, which brought from the liberal
I party the seyerest condemnation. He expressed
the hope that this Government would always set the
example Of moderation, tolerance, and the most
scrupulous use of power, in enforcing any of its
/ claims against foreign governments. lie gave way
\ to enable
/ Mr.. McCLERNAND to make few remarks in
in reply 10 Mr.. HOLMES. That gentleman, nc said,
had expressed the opinion that the General Arm
strong claim was unjust, one for which indemnity
| ought not to be demanded On an investigation Of
the case, he differed from the gentleman; and he
was proceeding 10 give the history Of the capture
/ Of the priyateer in the port Of Fayal, when
Mr.. ROOT rose to n question of order, and OBJ
| jected To the gentleman from Alabama giving the
/ fioor to the gentleman from Illinois TO make a
\ speech.
] Mr.. HILLIARD resumed his remarks, and said,
in conclusion, that no hostile step has been taken
/ by the present administration against Portugal
The fact Of weasel Of the navy being the port Of
! Lisbon, had no reference To wnrlike dcmOnstra-
| ton.
MIR. STANTON Of Tennessee, desired simply
10 say that in putting to the gentleman from Ala
bama the question he did, he did not intend 20
press any want of confidence in the prudence OF
| Mr. Webster lie had no doubt that Mr.. Webster,
| with the President, would conduct our foreign
affairs with far more prudence than heretofore. He
would be perfectly willing to submit TO MIR. Web
stcrs discretion, and presumed the country would
do the same. Ills object was, while the gentleman
was expressing his confidence in the large expert
encc and statesmanlkc views Of the Secretary of
State, simply Co ask whether he (Mr. HmLIhRD)
conceded in views expressed in the letter TO Gov
ernor Bell, to which he had referred. For himself
lac eLA.rely dissented from them, and had no conf.
dcncc in the prudence and proprcty OF the Score
tary of State in this particular.
/ Mr.. FOWL moved the previous question.