The southern press., 1850-10-02


treasury Of $4,000 at least. That is my obJect
1t does not take from the control OF the Govern
ment the matter connected with this TRANSACTION
but leaves it where il should be and where 1t |.
now. IL would have the tendency only to destroy
the present contract, which is condlional one
and therefore not contract at all until the law ot
passed enabling the Government TO comply with
the requsitions Of the Mexican government, ask
ing favor that they should be permitted "a
draw the money themselves, and allow TO the
American Governments premium of 4s per cent
instead OF 81, which is allowed by the present
contractors. That is the practical view Whit
have taken of the whole matter, and the amend
ment was intended to carry out that view.
| ask for the yeas and nays on this question.
The question being taken, the yeas and nays
were ordered. ~
| Mr.. DICKINSON. The fact stated was cor
rect. have had written memorandum sent to
me to that effect since the discussion has com
menced, which recognize to be in the handwri-
ting Of member of the other House, who is IA
milar with this subject, and states The fact that
MIR. Walker did make contract upwards Of a
year III advance, with the concurrence OF the agent
that mentioned. am Informed, and there
fore believe am correct. Ii ls matter Of very
little consequence, however, for, from what the
senator from Kentucky has said, the propriety OF
this bill is apparent, whether that fact is or not
| hope this amendment will not be adopted, for il
will be a reflection the Administration, and as
suming Executive duties by Congress. Every
form of amendment was tried elsew here with very
poor success.
| Mr.. SOULE. have to say that cannot offer
any answer to the argument, the very powerful
argument, presented by the senator from New
York, that the wishes Of this Government being
that the bill pass, ought To pass it. That argu
ment is too powerful for my intellect to refute.
/ MIR. DICKINSON. Ii appears TO me that the
senator from Louisiana hardly his usua
courtesy in this matter, going far as he has tc
make an Grafton on British bankers. have sta
ted the matter in practical point of view.
have said that this bill appropriates the money
specifically, and gives it TO the Executive Govern
ment This amendment does nothing more, bu
assumes Executive functions. But do not wish
to take up the time of the senator on the matter.
Mr.. SEWARD asked for the reading of the
amendments and it was accordingly read.
! Mr.. EWING. merely wish TO say that ]
know nothing at all of contract having been en-
tered into with any individual agent for the trans
mission OF these funds. 1t could not have been
entered into by any resolution in cabinet without
my knowing IL. | am inclined 10 think ii could
not have been done even orally by the members
of the cabinet, properly authorized conduct such
matters, and they were either the Secretary OF the
Treasury or the Secretary of State, or both con-
jointly. There was not much readiness on the
part of either Of them to act in this matter The
Attorney General think, made an arran cement
as to the payment of tie first instalment. do
| not think that any contract could have been en-
tered into by any of the cabinet, either orally OF
| otherwise, from my knowledge of the situation in
which the thing stood. And from the habits OF
conversation among US TO all these things, | am
most confident the thing would have been men
toned to me, If the contract had been made
There may have been conversation, and a con-
| versailles leading towards contract but am
most confident that if an oral contract had been
made, should have known something about it
| have learned nothing of any such transaction
| The question being taken upon the amendment
| it was rejected, as follows:
| YEAs-Messrs. Barnwell, Davis of Mississippi
King, Morton, Pratt, Sebastian, Shilds, Soule
Turney, Walker, and Yuee--ll.
NAys--Messrs. Atchison, Badger, Baldwin
Bell, Benton, Butler, Clarke, Clay, Cooper; Davis
of Massachusetts, Dawson, Dayton, Dickinson
Dodge of Wisconsin, Dodge Of Iowa Downs, Ew-
ing, Felch, Foote, Fremont, Greene, Gwin, Ham
lin, Houston, Jones, Mason, Norris, Rusk, Sc
ward, Smith, spruance, Underwood, Wales, and
! Winthrop-34.
Mr.. soULE offered the following amendment
! provided the sum to become due to Mexico,
and herein provided for, may, at the request ofthe
Mexican government, be paid in the city of New
/ York instead of the city of Mexico, the Mexican
government making reasonable abatement FOR in
terest and exchange" f
MIR. DICKINSON. That is invoking the trea.
ty by this mode of legislation. l hope, however
the question will be taken without discussion.
| Mr.SOULE. deem it necessary to say that
although the treaty spuates that payment is t,
be made in the city of Mexico, | have yet to learr
that if the payer and the payee agree upon tn,
place where the payment is to be made, they are
| not at liberty to do so.
| Mr.. FOOTE. would vote for this amendment
but for the fact that conceive it would strongly
imply dlstrust on our part of the Government OF
| the United States.
The question being taken upon this amendment,
it was rejected
No further proposition being made to amend the
bill, it was reported to the Senate without amend
ment, and ordered to be read third time; and the
third reading being asked for, it was read third
time and passed