The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-28

anu icuuCcQ 10 WnUnK. would have been
found among the archives OF the government But il Inc
cabnet the President and his cabinet or the Presden
and portion q his cabneirwhose duty il would have
been 70 make this negotiation had adihe matter before
these American citizens, and sad Go 10 the Mexican
government and consummaie this with that
government, and we say to you that we will apply %
outwill you not allow lime these eilizens TO prove
that II was Fol What 10 the necessity of forcing this bill
sh,fcugn now We have before Us naval appropriation
large amount q legislation necessary el caliOlna and
variety OF ether legislation. which all know mecca
III lot ass y aSw . s1s i he
eminent in s policy or 70 meet its demands when they
Mr.. DICKINSON / wish 10 PROFOUND question 10
my friead from Maryland Does not the Committee on
Finance propose to give the executive government all this
time 10 look this matter over so as to do justice to all
Mr.. PRATT. do not consider the question very
Mr. DICKINSON. Very well, then
Mr.. PRATT. The contract was entered upon BY the
American government The American citizens who are
your petitioners here say they made the contract with the
NJ P9oTE NJ. Webster contndcts tina,
MIR. PRATT. Mr.. Webster says there 10 no such con-
tract on record but he cannot say that there oral
Z MT FooTE understand him to contradic. ii. tgaa
\ MT. PRATT He cannot conlradictil, because he did
Thing to d with this matter ' 40 o attach any baSSe
TO Mr. Webster or 70 any department Of the government
in references TO this matter. All say is after the
contract
made, they could not in the nature OF things have
known Of IT, for must have taken place without their
knowledge We have good proof that such was the case
this bill till day after Tomorrow produce satsiac
tory evidence the Senate desire it. Now suppose that
this be true and can show on the part OF these petitioners
here that such arrangement entered into by them,
and that p consequence of that arrangement, they did
send to Mexico for the purpose Of making this contract
Be- 50 il had this fact established that these Amer
can citizens had made such arrangement with the
American government, and in consequence Of had sent
their agent TO Mexico make arrangement with that
government for the payment of money in New York,
would you then say, ii that proved here that this
bill ought TO pass Now, say that believe IT. i say
here, as an American SENATOR that believe ii would
delay this matter could furnish proof for the satisfaction
OF every member OF the Senate that such arrangement
was made.
Mr. CLAY wish to detain the Senate but for
few moments. Having heard Of this transaction ont OF
doors. had some doubts before came TO- the Senate
a. 70 how should vote upon i But after hearing all
the duty of Congress- to make the appropriation fur
nsh the ways and means; and il Is the duty Of the Exec
10 hold the Executive responsible for making payment
the most advantageous manner to the country.
II has been said that verbal contract has been made
by the former administration Be it If there be q
contract which binding the former admiusira-
ton, whether in writing orally, TO anticipate
that the present administration will neglect its duty so
far not TO give all proper effect TO that contract We
make appropriation but we say not how 1t shall be
RENTED We do say who shall have the advantage
Of making the transfers but we leave to the Executive
and il hereafter il be shown that better terms could
have been got that contract had been made binding
upon the President the administration st would then
be matter of reproach against the present administra
ton:
When you come to examine this matter, there is one
point OF objection, and only one that has created in my
mind some hesitation; and that is, we make this appro-
pration and the payment is to be made on the last
day of May next But there Is reason for Il perfectly
obvious, which has not at least in my hearing, been
sufficiently distinctly stated The payment Is to be made
in Mexico. and the mode Of payment, according to the
course and operation OF exchange will be this Bills
will be drawn in Mexico on London or on New York,
and sold in Mexico 10 suit the wants OF the markent.
And when these bls, If drawn upon London, are ma
tuTed, order to meet them, money will be transferred
10 London or bills purchased in the United States to DO
transferred 10 Europe This requires some time. Such
is the state of the market for foreign exchange in Mexico,
thai II this exchange were put into market there at
greater rate than about hall million per month"; the con-
would be great loss to those who are to take
the specie TO the Mexican Market By giving time, there
FORE you enable the bankers to give you better terms
August or 50 as 10 allow but JUS, time enough TO make
the payment that day. by throwing upon the marke!
an amount OF exchange which il could not absorb. and
consequently causing great loss to be sustained on the
part OF the government, the part OF the bankers,
l,ey made the operation. This, then, is sufficient
consideration to my mind 10 authorize the present appro-
praton OF money, order that the eight nine months
may be employed in those operations OF exchange which
will be essential in placing the money upon the best
terms when il Is e be received Y The cry Of Mexico
MIR. SOULE. wish TO correct misaPprehenslon on
the part of the senator IRON New York He stated, OPP
position 10 the fact that about providing
Tor contract TO be executed nine months hence and
when an intervening al hand, the fact that IN
der Mr.. Walker the first payment had been thus con.
tracted year in advance. H
Mr.. DICKINSON. / was so informed do no,
know the fact.
MIR. SOULE The gentlemen was in error, The con;
tract made by Mr. Walker was not certified u the ID OF
March, the day before the last administration terminated
and payment be made the 3ls Of May ensuing
Therefore the senator will that the distance between
the when the existence OF the contract was made
and the time when 10 be executed was from the
beginning OF March 10 the end Of May, hardly thirty
days Therefore, far precedent is brought 70 bear
! stating that the senator was wrong. -
wish deian the Senate longer than by remark
ing that my amendment will place the whole matter in the
hands OF executive officers in whom place the most IN.
bounded confidence lar matters OF this kind are con-
cerned and particularly in the gentleman who has charge
OF the contract he has my full confidence would be
the last intimate that transaction OF that kind
such mind his could stoop TO the treachery OF any
Job all My object is through my amendment 10 place
the other officers OF the government, and in such man
ner ar, while the conditional contract allows the govern
ment premium OF "a per cent only, the amendment
which have proposed-if the government OF Mexico be
as informed, thus ready TO payment at the
hands OF this government-will allow premium oil "A
per cent, which will be advance OF per cent, or
gain to the treasury OF $4,000 at least That rs my OBJ
ect II does take IRON the control OF the government
the matter connected with this Transaction but leaves
where il should be, and where IL is II would have
The tendency only to destroy the present contract which
is conditional one, and therefore not contract at al
until the law be passed enabling the government 10 com
Div with the requisitions oil the Mexican government