The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-22
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC APPROPRIATIONS BILL
The House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, (Mr. Burt III the
chair, and resumed the consideration OF the bill
making appropriations for the civil and diplomatic
expenses Of the Government for the year ending
June 80, 1851.
Debate took place on the item appropriatng five
thousand dollars for the purchase of Greenwood's
island, near Pascagoula, Mississippi, lately made
by the Surgeon General under the order OF Gene
raj Twiggs for the location of a military hospital;
and various Intellectual efforts were made to amend
it.
LEGATION TO TURKEY.
The committee, after disposing of preceding
clauses proceeded to consider those relating to in
tercourse with foreign nations.
Mr.. McCLERNAND submitted an amendment,
appropriating 5 800 for the salary of assistant
dragoman and secretary to the Legation to Tur-
key. He said that he understood that Mr.. Brown
was on his way home, but if ne should remain with
minister resident, the money was absolutely
necessary.
The question being taken, the amendment was
agreed to-
CHARGE pEs AFFAIREs TO PORTUGAL, NEW GRESA-
pA, GUATEMALA, ECUADOR, AND NIcARAGUA-
THE UNITED STATES AND PORTUGAL.
Mr. BAYLY said that he was instructed by the
Committee of Ways and Means to offer amend
ment, viz; For outfit for charge des affaires to
Portugal, New Grenada, Guatemala, and Ecua-
dor, : 200. He would make an explanation at
once. The Secretary of State informed the com
mttee that there will be change of charge DIES
aaires in these four instances and that others will
be sent out in their places. II so, THE outfit will
be necessary. He might be asked what necessity
is there for this' He did not know; and further
than that, he did not think that it his duty to
inquire. The foreign affairs of the country in
charge OF the Executive and the Senate; and, ex
ccpt in very strong case, he could not where
the House could interfere. But in the ordinary
manner of changing ministers, unless there De
reason to believe that there Is some improperly.
the House, he thought, ought to vote what the
branch Of the Government III charge Of our foreign
affairs conccivcs TO be necessary.
Mr.. McCLERNAND (Chairman of the Commit
tee on Foreign Atiairs) said that the committee and
the country were aware that reports in circu-
lation that Mr.. Clay, our charge to Portugal, was
instructed TO enforce the demand for indemnity on
that government, and on the failure of that gov
eminent to comply, he was instructed to withdraw
and come home. II this be true, since these in
structions were given, and since the demand was
made, an arrangement has been entered into be
tween the Portuguese Minister and the American
Secretary OF State, by which ninety thousand
dollars will be paid by Portugal and the balance of
the Claims including that for the privateer Gene
raj Armstrong, will be referred for arbitration 70
the King Of Sweden. He understood that the whole
matter is IN the train Of settlement, whether il
would be contaminated hero or in Lisbon, he could
not cay. In view Of this, the Secretary Of State
wanted an outit for new minister,
Mr. CARTER said that the amendment contem-
plated that the Administration shall make new Sc
lccaons II was large outfit and Unfit The Ad-
ministraton wanted the money FOR the purpose of
feeding and fsttcning a set Of political paupers and
II was under the necessity Of calling on the Com
miitee Of Ways and Means 10 get Up political fund
| by which Il could swap of patronage at pleasure.
Mr.. McCIERNAND remarked that with regard
TO the missions at Ecuador and other places, he
had been informed, on such authority as met
with his confidence, that the gentlemen occupying
those stations intend to return home by ACT Of their
own yOlitiou.
Mr.. CARTER No doubt an apology for this DO.
litical machinery can be got up. lie oontended
That the object was TO get outfits and inits for POI
ucal iayOrtcs from the public treasury. II this be
done, We will find chass6ing Of charges and promcn-
aiding Of foreign ministers. lie was willing TO
comply with the necessity which compels minis
ters 10 be sustained but be believed that two-hrds
Of them were Of no use The idea Of removing
charges every thirty days, 10 administer to DO.
itcal paupcrism, he did not believe in.
Mr.. STANTON, Of Tennessee, moved TO amend
the amendment by striking out $4,000 and in
sorting $4,000. lie remarked that the gentleman
was mistaken eboa, the charge 10 Portugal
Mr. CARTER. Not word. A voice. at was
TIC gentleman from lllinois"l
Mr.. STANTON, Of Tennessee, said that accord
ing 10 former diplomacy, under the late admins
tratiOn, IL was considered important and proved
TO be efficient, TO bluster with Portugal, and send
squadron 10 Lisbon, 10 make a show Of fJrco and
he understood that the Portuguese government, in
agreeing 10 settle large portion OF the claims
sad That thcy agreed, not because they regarded
10 yield 10 force. The United States Government
sent TO Lisbon the Mediterranean squadron, under
Commodore Morgan, fine talker and foil Of blus-
ter. This policy seems 10 have succeededi and
Portugal, knowing nothing Of our institutions
thinking that ships could lombard their cities,
yielded 10 force Our charge was instructed, II
the demands were not acccded 10, TO demand his
passports aud 20 return home.
Mr.. McCLERNAND. Ills not absolutely Ger.
tain that Mr.. Clay viii return home.
Mr.. STANTON. Hhc docs not return home, 1t
viii not be because the ADMINISTRATOR as pre-.
vented him. lie understood that the nrbttatirn Of
the King II Sweden was 10 be employed 10 have
the claims conditiUuaIty settled proposition
was made by our government 20 select the Presi-
dent Of the French republic az the umpire, leaving
10 TO Portugal to nCquiesCC or 20 adhere ~ the
King Of Sweden. IL was fortunate that new ma
chinery had come In 10 maintain the honor Of the
government
Mr.. STEVENS, Of Pennsylvania, said he should
| ike TO know on what authority tho gentleman
stated that the late Administration clustered in this
matter What authority had the gentleman for
stating that part Of the Mediterranean squadron
was sent TO Lisbon to iutimidatc the Portuguesc
Mr. STANTON. Information Of an authentic
character and that the Portuguese government,
in yielding to the claims said that they did so not
| because the claims we're right, but because they
Mr.. STEVENS Where did it come from u
! IL in any document furnished by the Adfnnstra.
ton, or is il Newspaper authority, powerful IL
ulchc IT III tuandi from editors or lcttcr
! writers, u was ial5o from beginning 10 end.
Mr. STANTON. Il the gentleman authorized :,
| contradict
Mr. STEVENS. When a gentleman rises u
make a charge he ought at least be prepared 4
prove it and unless he does proyeit IL is iabrica
lion. And until the authority was produced, hc =,
pronounced il. II came from that prolific race o
I liars
| Mr. STANTON. From the very highest author
| hy.
| Mr. STEVENS. With somo, the letter writer
/ are held 10 be high authority; some bold the Dniol
as high authority; others hold the Repubtic as higl
/ authority. What the gentleman holds az high au
/ thority ! do not know. ] presume some villag
| Newspaper Of his district. should like y
! know on what authority II was stated that the lat
Administration 30 far violated the Constitution o