Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-01-19

world therefore as friend of the last Administration
call upon the Senate to let whether this foul caumy
against the administration of Mr. Polk is true call on the
opponents Of that Administration to do US the justice to lest
the truth Of these charges that made against the admins
aton of Mr. Polk And call the friends OF The admin
ation OF Mr. Polk forward and help me redeem ms
character and that of his administration against those cau-
Mes And call on the friends of the administration OF Gen.
Taylor show themselves equally willing to show their hands
this subject and let the broad light OF the sun SHINE upon
the transactions of the present and late Administrations ake
Sir will not do to hide to up this matter under the
preex of scenomyhat is going to cost few dollars 10
pay the clerks for copying the Sir not the ynd-
cation Of this republican Government against the foul charge
of improper interference 10 suppress public opinion and TO
corrupt the elective franchise Of sufficient importance to justify
the spending of few dollars in paying for the copying
of papers We spend money for copying papers and for
printing documents upon other subec,supon subjects which
do not involve principles dear and sacred as this
Sir this charge that affects the country that affects the
character of Republican Governments that is cacua-
ted, if to fix stigma upon whole system OF Gov-
ernmentthe charge that two administrations under form
government that lives and moves and has lis being only y
the freedom of elections have by fraud by military force, by
improper coercion destroyed the free exercise OF the elective
franchise, coerced people to form constitution for them
selves, under which they are to ive OF which they them
selves do not approve with view Of bringing them IN under
such constitution into the Cno and thereby evade RESPONSE
biy in the settlement of the agitang question OF slavery
The charge has become serious because now 1t Is
made directly against the late administration OF Mr. Polk
whereas only by the newspaper press, made against
the present Administration hope, sir the charge Is I'M
founded against both, and friend of the and oppo-
nent of the other challenge the investigation in order to
let the world whether is true against either know
the Democrats ready this charge against the late
Administration, and shall whether there Wing on
this floor who is afraid to the curtain to the present
Mr.. SMITH. With regard to raising the curtain, all
have say is that has already been raised once, and
whether the honorable Senator will be able to any
clearly by having another effort made to raise it, is matter
in regard to which very difficult for to form opinion
have not said Mr. President that the proclamation is
suplb "
thing done by him while acting under the authority OF the
late Administration the slightest degree reprehensbie.
have cast mputatons whatever the late Adminstra
on but have stated broadly the fact to the Senate which
repeat, that when the honorable Senator to examine
these papers, which rather copies of them in the
hands of the House of Representatives, he will find that that
proclamation issued by General Riley while acting under
the instructions and by the authority of the last Adminsa-
on and before he had received any instructions whatever
from the present Administration did not say, sir if
used language that implied the idea, did not to say,
that the late Administration gave General Riley any special
instructions the subject do know but that he acted
his own responsibility. do not know what the facts
in relation that matter Nor shall stand here the pre-
sent occasion for the purpose of discussing the popey of
his conduct. have most clear and decided opinion upon
that subject would be the last man in this body to say that
believe that he acted illegally improperly in any respect
that the conduct pursued by him intended coercion
of the people of California but what do say is that the
proclamation that wasissued by officer of this Government
acting, if mistake not not only military commander but
also civil Governor of California issued by that officer
when acting under appointment conferred upon him by the
late Administration do not say by the special orders or d.
recons of the late President of the United States but acting
upon that authority, and before he received any instructions
from the present Administration Therefore, the responsible
y of that proclamation cannot be charged upon the Pres
dent and present Executive of the country.
This all that say in relation this subject and all that
desire to say but what characterize caumny, andI
think JUSTLY is the suggestion of the honorable Senator that
the present Administration has taken the
people OF California into certain in relation to this
subject.
The honorable Senator says that he does make any
charge OF this character very glad that he does not
but he mentioned here in the presence of the Senate of the
United States, and before the American people, that such foul
caumne in circulation, which, by the way, have
fallen under notce-hat the Administration had
organization of Governmental California. about
TO enter the discussion of this question prematurely and
therefore will not say what judgment have formed
which the Senate ought to form in relation to this entire
ter will leave that till have the question before
relation to the admission of California into the Unon pro-
vded the people of that country shall appear here with
stuon and solicit admission into the Union the hands of
the two Houses of Congress. When the question
before US we shall have this entire subject for debate and
shall then learn how far the late Administration and how
General Riley acting under the authority Of the late the
present Administration responsible for any improper
duct or usurpation in relation to this matter.
Now, 1t to matter Of the profound Indifference
what is done in regard this resolution the honorable SEN
ators investigation Of the subject will be aided all by hav
ing all these papers copied and printed again. after the honor
ao9 IeCeNeu mouse OF
sentaves If he can be aided enlightened receive
information by having another copy of the papers if
IT'S the opinion of the Senate that that would be the best
way OF carrying the business of the Senate and of the
country will make complaint But the object of the
honorable Senator from New York and myself was to pro-
cure the consideration OF certain resolutions which suppose
will give rise to debate and this resolution certainly
ought to undergo some modfcaon-fo sir there clauses
in which presume the honorable Senator from Alabama
himself, on some little consideration, will require to be
reaiaed-l will move in order give time to the honorable
Senator from Alabama and other members Of this body to
give the matter more mature consideration lay the resolu
ton on the table.
Mr.. DOUGLAS hope the honorable gentleman will
withdraw that motion for word of explanation.
Mr.. SMITH assented.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. The matter has assumed little
tangible shape than did BEFORE we have an expa
nation which understand to be by authority.
Mr.. SMITH No, sir
Mr.. DOUGLAS Then if not by authority, do not
know wherein how the Senator from Connecticut (Mr
SMITH is authorized to say that this Administration had
given orders to Gen. Riley until after the date of that pro-
clamation.
Mr. SMITH. / said that no orders had reached him.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. do not know where he got his
thory for saying that orders had reached him. because
know Of who could know that fact but General Riley
himself and the Administration in correspondence with Gene
raj Riley. do not know either how the Senator from Con-
neciicut authorized to say that the Administration have
sent TO the other House copy every letter. DESPATCH scrap
or word that the Administration has written and upon
this subject unless he spoke by the authority Of the Admins
traton do not expect the Senator from Connecticut
in many words that he stands upon this floor
duly authorized and accredited leader OF General Taylos
Administration to speak for them. Such sir has been
the custom OF Administrations when they deputse leaders
speak for them upon the floor Of Congress In general
those leaders, when accredited, if rumor be generally