The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-11

plcaiion of a constitutional objection, il would
have been demanded by every sense Of propriely
that the Senate should mark their Reproduction Of
such conduct by the rejection of the nomination.
Although, us the injunction Of secrecy has not
been removed, | am not at liberty 10 20 into a
consideration Of all the facts and circumstances
which weighed with the Senate when that nomi-
nation was pending; it is sufficient for me to say
that he was confirmed by a Senate a majority OF
whose members were his political opponents. II
were at liberty to speak about that which has
TRANSFERRED in Executive session, from which the
Injunction OF secrecy has not been removed,
should ask the Senator from California whether
he did not himself sustain the nomination Of MIR.
King. IL is in the power of that Senator TO move
that the injunction of secrecy be taken off. If that
be done, then the country can who it was that
sustained the nomination
Mr.. GWIN. If the Senator will permit me, !
will state the facts of this case also. / never sus-
tanned the nomination Of Mr.. King, until he was
renominated after the Sd of March, 1851. The
Congress to which he had been elected, ceased 10
exist on that day. Mr.. King was appointed be-
fore the assembling Of Congress, in December,
1850. His nomination was held back from the
Senate until the last, or next to the last, day OF
February. We had but one Executive session
afterwards, when the nomination was referred 10
the Committee on Commerce, and never reported
to the Senate. 1t is well known that the action OF
the Senate on the river and harbor bill was near
defeating most Of the appropriation bills, and left
la vast amount Of Executive business undsposed
of, a portion of which was Mr.. Kings nomina-
tion. We were called into Executive session by
the President on the 4th Of March, and to that
session Mr.. King was renqmnated. 1t was well
known that objected to Mr.. King s nomination,
not on personal, but constitutional grounds; and
would have opposed it, lift had been acted on be-
fore the 81 Of March, 1851, and entertain no
doubt but he would haze been rejected This OPP
position was known to exist, and with this knowl-
edge, the nomination was withheld to the last days
lof the session, so that we had no opportunity OF
testing the Of the Senate its constitution
atty.
Mr. PEARCE. The only difference between
the Senator and myself IS, that think if the con-
stitutiona objection weighs at time, it does at
all times, and that the obligation is stronger to
reject the nomination, if such circumstances were
employed in the vain and cupahle endeavor to
prevent the application of that constitutional OBJ
lection. pass from that, however, as too clear
to admit of question.
The next charge that find made by the Sena-
tor from California is, that certain General John
Wilson was appointed Indian agent 10 the Salt
Lake; that he was sent out there by General
Taylor's administration, at a great expense TO the
Government; and that he went with all his family
and property-an emigrant, going not at his midi
yidual expense, but at the expense Of the Govern
iIltHt. III COIntCuOn Will lulS, THERE are NdTlouS
other charges made by the Senator. Now, there
is nothing novel in all this The administration
Of General Tay was not the first Administration
that sent out civil agents under the protection of
military escort whose outfit was at the public eX-
pense. II il no new and startling abuse. Ii is not
thing recently found out. havea memorandum
of several escorts furnished to ageRts-as many, !
believe, under the preceding Administration as
under this. ] find, for instance, that transport
n am un ort WAS furnished N Mr. Weller
Commissioner to settle the Mexican boundary,
and that the Quartermaster's Department fur
nished the supplies ] find, too, that the cost Of
outfit and escort was $40, 577, including the pur-
chase Of many things wanted for the commits
sion, which were supplied, as understand, by the
Quartermaster's Department. General Lane went
out as Governor Of Oregon with a military escort;
and from the Quartermaster's Department am
furnished with statement, showing the cost Of
outfits and escorts civil agents ia Mr.. Polk 5
time. and General Taylor's, which win read to
the Senate.