The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-21
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

and after a short time spent therein, adJoufneu'
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
| MExIcAN ISsTALMgST.
| On motion of Mr.. HOUSTON, the House re-
solved itaelf into Committee of the w hole on the
state of the Uniou-NIr JONES of Tennessee, in the
chair-and resumed the consideration Of the bill to
| provide for carrying into execution, In further
part, the twelfth article of the treaty with Mexico
| concluded at Guadalupe Hdalgo. IL appropriates
| 81 l5O, 900 for this purpose,
| Mr. MoMULLEN addressed the committee, and,
in the course of his remarks, said that, as he un
| dersiood this subject would be discussed at some
length his purpose was to call attention to the fact
that in the payment of the last Mexican instalment
there loss 10 this Government OF sixty or
eighty thousand dollars because OF the manner IN
which the payment was made, namely through
| Corcoran and Riggs, and British bankers-he Bar
| ings. lie was informed that the Government de-
| sired payment 10 be made in some other way, and
by which there would have been saved TO it two or
three hundred thousand dollars. The American
| Congress had the authority to direct tho payment
accordingly without the negotiation OF another
treaty.
MIR HOUSTON had no question of the power of
Congress II they see ut, TO instruct the mode and
! manner OF making the payment He had no qucs-
ton that Congress can direct the President; but
the position he took was, that, unless some gentle
man will say that the President the Secretary OF
State, IN making payment, has done so improp-
--ty, ssrrep ty md iraudulently, the House ought
~ 90 It's duty and vote the appropriation, and let
m dM Ss SAID Xfe ta re Rhs9 chairman OF the
Com milee of Ways and Means had conceded
| more than he thought he would; still the gentle
man desired that some one would come forward
and charge corruption and improperly, Would
any memter tell him that it was the duty of gen.
tleman TO do so, unless he was thoroughly satisfied
| OF the fact? No, sic. But any member has right
to ask that the payment be made in different
manner than heretofore This should be done, If
1t ID only 10 effect saving OF money, without
charging corruption on the Executive branch OF
| the Government,
Mr. HOUSTON said that if the President, in ex-
ecution of the laws. should fail to protect the Gov
eminent and all its interests, If he should put II
in the power Of bankers of thi5 country or foreign
countries to impose on Mexico, he has not acted
| properly.
Nj. McMULLEN remark that such has been
the charge preferred against the President, not on
this floor, but through the newspapers Of the coun
/ Try; and 1t ought to be investigated.
Mr. DISNEY observed that there was nothing
more easy than TO ascertain the facts. The chair
man of the Committee of Ways aud Means could
make inquiry the State Depa: tInent, and inform
! the House of the result
Mr. HOUSTON did not think that this would be
the proper mode The usual way was to call for
information by resolution.
Mr.. DISNEY remarked that, if the gentleman
could not get along without the resolution, he shall
have il.
Mr. HOUSTON replied, and asserted that the
money is due and ought TO be paid
| Mr. McMuLLEN resumed, saying that if the
statements IN the newspapers arc true, Mexico has
been most shamefuy and wantony imposed upon
aud COrcOran and Riggs II permitted TO speculate
upon this subject, he thought he might satisfy the
House that there WAS, at least, something of ia
vuritism In the transaction OF payment Of the in
dt nnIty.
| Mr.. MARSHALL, of Kentucky, did not rice to
defend the Secretary of State, but TO suggest the
propriety OF taking vote and securing the pass
age OF the bill at once. IL seemed TO him that
this was not the proper time and occasion for the
enemies Of the Secretary of State 10 make assaults
upon him, was this the time for criticisms upon
,.4,R.a, t.4 49,,
there now memorial before the Committee
on the Judiciary relative 10 the Mexican metal.
ments, aud, when report shall have been made,
/ the House can pronounce on the conduct of the
Secretary OF State. lie repeated that this not
! the time for such a disc usslon.
| Mr.. DUNHAM concurred in the views expressed
/ Ivy The gentleman who had just taken his seat.
] lie Appreciated that there was an undoubtcd ne
cCssity that the terms OF tho treaty should be
! Piled with therefore, the true course vas to pass
the OIll. Let the money be paid and then, II the
House shall think proper the conduct Of the Sccre
/ tsry Of State can b. Investigated. The money lad
been heretofore expended according to law; but If
there was corruption outside Of this II the duty
\ OF the gentleman from OHIO to prefer charges. All
| he ssked wac that the treaty, hiCh 10 "A law Of
I the land, shall he executed, and that means be
furnished for this purpose; aud let the response
/ bilty rcst upon the Executive for the manner Of
! Mr.. DISNEY was at a loss 20 know why inquiry
was 10 be sufed. Why would gentlemen refuse
/ light,
Nir. MA rs HALL, OF hentuckyt asked TIC gen
I tieman whether he was willing, on his own Off
cial responsibility, to present the charges to the
country
Mr. DISNEY replied That the public print. Of
thi, city tecmcd with charges Of THE sort. He had
heard them until his mind was brought TO the con-
yictOn that they ought 10 be investigated. 1t was
not requisite for a member To make the charge as
true; bot, when there arc reasonable grounds Of
inquiry, il is the duty Of the House 10 make it.
Mr.. DUNBAR sald that his object not TO
shle inquiry. No oEc would be more earnest than
he in making It on the proper occaron, bat this
was not the time Tor u.
Mr.. DISNEY responded, and, in conclusion,
said that he would offer resolution calling for in
| formation.
Mr.. BROOKS called attention 10 the fact that all
Of these subjects we're discussed last year, and all
tie facts which could be elected were brought out
either ia debate or in documents before the com
mit-e. 40 friend Of the President, and coming
! from The -7me State, he observed that these ru-
mOrs and suspicion. were ell wrong, and called
upon the House TO take action, which they refused
20 do, before voting for the appropriation. The
mode Of payment he did not approve Of and on
behalf Oi certain friends Of the Administration, be
submitted proposition that the contract be put
Up, - IN the Of loans, to the highest bidder.
le obtained only fifty votes 10 tie favor in Com.
mIttec 81 the Whole on the state Of the Union, and
when j. was brought before the House only fifteen
mtfnJcrs-nOt sufficient number-were disposed
20 make "A record by the yeas and nays. II this
proposition had then been agreed to, money would
nave been saved. In behalf Of the Secretary Of
state, nc challenged an investigation, and would
vote for committee. lie iel, satisfied that no
talni Of cishonesy or corruption attached to that
officer
Mr.. GiDDlNGS then made remarks Of personal
character IN reply 10 HE colleague, Mr.. ThYLoRO
and with REFERENCE - that gcnticman's course
I when the resolution extending a cordial welcome
! TO Louis kossuth was before the HOuzo.
Mr.. TAYLOR earnestly replied at some len 9Th,
/ giving way Tor explanations 90 his colleagues,
| Nlcs.rs. CARTIER, BAEEEaE, and llvSrER, with
reference 90 private conversation which had been
/ repeated, and misunderstood, affecting several
4 gentlemen from ONO who had voted against the
hgssuth resolution, and whose coursc the sub.
Jsot q co umcnt 10 one Of the newspapers Of the
city, the National Era
Mr.. TAYLOR resumed, aud continued bic re-
marks, saying, ia conclusion, that the committee
! ought o. tIse and report the lil
| Mr. CAMPBELL, Of Ohio, justified his course on
/ the KOssuth resolution.
! Mr. OLDS without designing to interfere with the
dlfhcOltes between his colleagues, spokc Of polt
col parties IN Ohio, and with reference 10 come
things which fell from Mr.. TAYLOR
During the day several amendments 10 the bil
under confederation were offered
The committee rose at four O'Clock
And the House adjourned.