Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1852-01-29
and thereby dveriog it's regard om the true issue.


demnIty? cast from my mind all other considera-
tons whatever. | recur not to other subjects, But
I wish to look to the facts which lie before me, and
which belong to the case, and all ask Of the com
millee, is, that they will do the same, aud come to
such conclusions as those facts shall Justify. Let me
saw ALSO that during the debate which has already
taken place upon this question, think we have been
led away lIom the true issue which is before
There has been representation memorial p esent-
ed the consideration Of the House, by the Messrs.
GIeea in which they make complaint that they had
opportunity of competing tur This contract, and
the benefits resulting from it. Wei, il such is the
iacl-j these gentlemen were DESTROYS OF negotiating
with the Government, and could furnish To the Gov
ernReHi ample security for its indemnity against loss,
bat had no opportunity Of offering their proposals,
then 1 do not see but that their complaint is just
one. Yet do ask that the ssue may not be tried
upon this question, whether the Messrs. Green have
been treated fairly improperly IN this matter
The issue that has been raised between the Chair
man of the COMMITTEE Foreign Relations, on the
one hand, and the Messrs. Green on the other, and
the subjects which have been introduced by the
chairman Of that committee in connection with the
memorial of those gentlemen, have engrossed the
committee are aware, almost the whole time during
which this discussion has been in progress.
Iurge, therefore, upon the consideration of this
committee, that they do not permit the various ques
tons which have arisen between the Messrs. Green
and the Chairman OF the Committee on Foreign Re-
latons, to divert their attention from the true ques
ton before them. This mat er, which relates to the
grievances Of the Messrs. GreeR, may be proper
Tor the consideration of the House, but beyond
that and above it, and the subject which should en-
gross the attention Of the House almost TO its exclu-
sion, is the great question, whether the course of
any department oil the Government has been correct
aud proper in the whole disposition of the business
which related to the Mexican treaty. Set aside,
therefore, all consideration oil the question it
Spects fairness uniairneSs towards the Messrs.
Green. With that, certainly have nothing to do.
They have no concern with my purposes or my mo-
lives. They prompted not the course which | have
pursued, neither could they have prevented inter-
tered with that which saw fit TO pursue. Let me,
therefore, not prejudice their merits before this
House; and the other hand, let not the case
which they present be exclusively regarded by
this House, or receive such prominence in the con-
sideration OF this question, that other matters, which
are tar more important, shall be in danger of being
lost sight OF aud forgotten.
In respect to the first position which have taken
that no officer Of this Government had right to
make dehniuve negotiation in advance of the APP
preparation Of Congress- should like to see the first
member OF this committee who disputes the correct
ness OF that proposition. have heard in his
place in this House, deny for moment, its correct
Uess. There seems to be implied assent to the
proposition all sides of this question. If any
member undertakes say that il was proper to make
a de6ntye negotiation for the payment Of money,
with bankers and brokers, nearly two years in adj
vance of the appropriation Of Congress, should be
very glad that he should in has place and say so
at this time. II we all agreed on that matter, if
no one undertakes TO dispute the proposition, then
will not undertake to enforce il BY any argument be-
fore this intelligent committee. l will not undertake
prove to the committee, that this House holds the
purse strings Of the nation, and that matter what
treaty may have been negotiated several since,
no matter what sum of money it may have been
agreed by that treaty should be paid to foreign
government, yet, until there shall be approprIa.
ton by this House, no negotiation be concluded
with any party, for any consideration, by which that
party shall obtain the guarantee Of the Government
that the funds OF the United STATES shall be placed
an the hands Of such party, for any purposes con-
necled with their disbursement Many causes might
oeeu Tene~9d WIN MEXICO, or IN the Ianse of f,yo
years, ne" arrangements might have been made with
that power. But it is not necessary to point out
contingencies that mig ht have arisen Il is enouoh
TO say that this House has control Of the purse of the
nation, and, until II loosens the strings no man has
right, In advance Of its action, to put his hands
upon the public funds, transfer the right to an
other
Then, sir, if am correct in the general propos;
dion, what follows? 1t follows that the Secretary
oil State has violated this wise and salutary princi
pie. He has made contract with the Barines and
their associates, for the disbursement of the ubIc
money, IN fiagrant disregard of it. And now, sir.
position, VIZ: that if officer Of the Government
had been authorised, in the discharge of his general
duties, TO negotiate with bankers and brokers' bv the
result OF which, between three and four millions of
the property of the United States should be placed
an the hands OF those bankers and brokers' ia con-
sderation OF certain services to be performed bv
them, the negotiation should be SO conducted as 10
throw open to competition by responsible houses,
the lucrative business Of disbursng the public fnds9
Ol the immense value of the contract with the Gov
eminent for the payment of Mexican indemnity, the
facts presented afford us some knowledge lis full
Dement'S, the brokers understand better than we do
And hence the eager struggle obtain possession of
the prize 1 think no man who takes these matters
into consideration, will say that there ought not TO
nave been tar competition. The contract ought not
TO have been made-in the entire ignorance by the
public OF the whole tranFaction-wth the person
who should be fortunate enough to obtain by some
MEANS knowledge Of the opportunity of GAIN and 10
come forward with the first proposition. WHY!
beleve, IN purchasing the for your Army and
Navy, for the various stations and depos throug bout
the country, you do buy few barrels Object or
provisions OF any kind to be forwarded for your Ar
my ana Navy, without opening fair competition to
the whole county. You send your proposals through
the public newspapers. Now, | do not say that the
Secretary OF State, the Secretary the Treasury
was bound to pursue that identical course rather
than any other, and advertise this contract in the
newspapers OF the country; but do aver, that hay
ing TWO years before him for the payment Of the in
stament then under consideration it was his bound
en- duty to wait until the public in the principal cities,
IN the country and abroad should have been inform
ed that the Government were disposed to negotiate
IN this matter; and to go further il necessary, and
by correspondence with those whose business it is
TO furnish the facilities which the Government re-
qulres, and to reap the benefits which the Govern.
nent bestows, that they should be informed, and
the Interests OF the Government protected b, COM
Petition rather than that the contract should be Civ
en-, as matter Of lavorsm TO the earliest applicant
believe the friends Of the Secretary Of State, and
ms supporters IN this House. have, in debate here,
admitted that the course which was pursued by the
Secretary in this particular in making his contract