Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-27


raj conversations with the Secretary who seemed to be Of
the opinion that the mode Of proceeding ntmat ed by the
Secretary of State not practicable, and therefore
proceeded to give the notice, the Senate ecollects
And must say in further vindicaton Of myself that
the matter saite delicate certa ny would never
have mentioned the of the Secretary State but
for the fact that 1t did appear TO me That if Joint COM
mittee raised the Secretary Of State must this
occasion In consequence of his holding high official
position consequence of hepculiar conservatism that
is known to belong his character and consequence
of the fact that he must know of foreign rea
tons than any other in existence selected
the person. one should he selected by that joint com
mttee to deliver address of suitable and prudeat
characterize Governor Kossuth his arrival here be-
ing my opinion that such task being devolved upon al
most any other person might involve the country in
or less embarrassment; and it being Judgment further
that thcre could be possibility of the least embarrass
ment arising from this of proceeding being adopt
ed he Secretary OF State should be selected for the
performance OF that duty, went to the Secretary of
State and in the presence of gentlemen whose names
could mention if NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of Congress-
and will of Wing persuasion, tool urged upon the
Secretary OF State that after consultation with the
friends Of the measure Senator's and Others should in
sst if should be upon the joint committee Myself that
the Secretary of State should be selected the orator of
the OCCASION for the additional of course
did not state to him, but which all will appreciateha
perhaps there is other living who could per-
form such duty so successfully as he could But he
declined doing on ground that satisfactory to
him. to wit that being Secretary of State Of the United
States he thought that if he undertook perform such
task it might be taken by involving less
an embarrassment Of our foreign relations Thus very
reluctantly gave up the hope of the of the
derakng had begun of securing the Secretary of State
himself as the crater upon this interesting occasion
There is other fact that perhaps ought to state.
If had known at first that there would have been SO
much discussion upon this delicate question Of reception
and demonstration would have been expcitin the
first instance 1t is rueand the Secretary of State viii
bear me wnessha in the course OF my interview with
him. he went far into particulars as to refer to the case
of the Marquis Lafayette perhaps furnishing prece
dent for TO follow in this that that idea dd not
originate upon this side of the chamber He MEM
Der of the House of Representatives at that tme and has
therefore recollection of that He said that in his
opinion the best mode would be bring Governor Kossuth
without any particular ceremony into either house, and
have him to the President Of this body and to
the Speaker of the other House. and then have him adj
dressed in formal discreet by the presiding
officer Of each house OF Congress. That the mode
that the Secretary of State suggested and he being
man of experience and deferrng, was bound to do,
to the Judgment Of this distinguished individual about this
matter could not do otherwise than did in presenting
this joint resolution.
before, and which repeat now that all may understand
it, and done. Owing to the delicate character of
this affair resolved not to enlist in it at ALL unless
could have the authority of the Secretary of State to say
that it at his instance that aced-that he did
ton the proceeding-that might in other words cite
his high authority for the movement in which have thus
engaged Hope man win understand casting
censure upon any one But really have been very de-
sirous conceying that this movement altogether
worthy of approval grateful to the nation and grateful
as think, to all concerned-one in which the national
feeling would be almost unanimously expressed have
been desrous all along, that the Cabinet and the Pres
dent should have opportunity of participating in the
eclat of this proceeding And if they Decline must say
that think will be great mistake their part and
one OF the most egregious blunders ever committed
Mr.. BADGER. will ask the honorable Senator from
Mississippi Mr.. FooTE) after the statement he has
made it, after having introduced his resolution he with
drew it without any conference with the Secretary of
Slater
Mr.. FOOTE, of Mississippi Certainly withdrew it
without any consultation with the Secretary of State
withdrew it, stated the time because did think
that the friends of the Administration did concur,
they might have DONE with the pooers that be in Washing
ton and that under all the circumstances Of the case
rather ungracousy treated by worthy friends upon
the other side of the House. who seemed misun
dersand my position in the whole affair and did not give
the subject that kind and respectful treatment which
had right to expect their hands and also for the adj
dtional reason, which stated at the time, that if Gov
kossuth should arrive in New York upon the day on
which he was expected to be received there it
at all likely after the opposition had experienced here
and especially if similar opposition should be pre-
tho other honau tl,nt we vr rrruu,sn
with this matter in time to receive this distinguished
stranger in the mode contemplated stated at the time
that withdrew that resolution without the slightest feel
ing of disrepec resentment towards any human being
IN the world but rather with feelings of the most pro-
found modification and regret.
Mr.. BADGER. have no doubt of that at all. / gave
the opportunity to the Senator from Mississippi MIR
FoorE with great pleasure to make his statement be-
cause although he has several times spoken in reference
to that point msapprehensons have prevailed which
this opportunity enables him to rectify
But in what was saying had reference the in
PRODUCTION Of that resolution under the sanction of the Sec
rotary Of State but to the remark of the Senator
Michigan, Mr.. Glass; that this Executive
sure-a measure recommended by the President in his
message Now, sir, far that is concerned it
to that things be distinctly and clear
y separate than what is contained upon this subject in
the Presidents message and what is contained in this
solution. What is contained in the message is
commentator Of any kind The President was desired
by Congress to have these Hungarian capves brought
this country in public ship. He had, in compliance
with that request of Congress- caused them to be brought
herethat is, to be taken board of of public
shpsand they daily expected at the time the Pre-
sdents message delivered. And he could state
thing less than he did state simply communicate to
Congress the fact that he had caused these capves
brought here and that Congress should say what fur
Their action they would take in the matter The Presi-
dent does intimate that he wishes one disposition
another to be made either of them the subject But of
course he obliged to inform President and
as gentleman that he had done what we had desired
him to do, and that should make what further
disposition of the subject we should deem proper
win refer to what my friend from Mississippi
FooTE has expainedthe desire of the Secretary Of
State to have this resolution introduced his application
to that Senator for that purpose and the introduction and
subsequent withdrawal of the resolution by him. Now,
we must keep dates in view order get the proper
objects OF these various transactions The Presidents
message prepared and printed we all know before
the meeting Of Congress 1t in the town in which
live before left for the government in the DOS
session of the postmaster ready be delivered when he
should receive teegraphc despatch stating that il had
been de'sered To Cnngress Every thing therefore, in
ed before the arrival of this distinguished stranger The
resolution offered by my friend from Mississippi MIR