The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-02

out Tor the concluding words OIL the resolution All
the information asked for is after ALL left TO his dlscre
oni 80 that il there be any portion OF the Instructions,
or anything In regard 10 the object OF the expedition,
which he may deem improper TO communicate 10 the Sen
ate he will OF from the very terms OF the resou
uon withhold all that II any portion OF II be OF that
confidential character which will De improper 10 commu
nlca'e aud make known TO the world, OF anything which
may prejudice our interests il made public he OF course
will not give il to as The very object had in view
10 adding those words TO the resolution TO leave il TO
the discretion OF the President and Il he shall deter
mine that the whole of il should be withheld il is
petent Tor him do so, and 10 Withhold from the Sen
ate And lei me say TO the Senate that, IN my opinion, II
not Incompatible with the interest OF the country that
all tins should be communicated 10 the Senate.
Mr. President, with regard TO what the honorable
aor from North Carolina said about precedent in this
case, and 10 calls for instructions, think he entirely
msconceues what | said or intended to say. on that
question. did not mean 10 say that there had been
resolution OF this character, for appehcnd that there
has not been expedition OF this character before But
did mean and think said, that resolution calling
upon The President OF the United States for information
IN regard any branch OF the public service, which the
Senate had ever thought proper 10 make. lad been OPP
posed upon this floor whether in reference TO naval
expedition any other kind OF movement in any part oil
the public service about which the Senate had inquired
never heard oil such resolution being opposed, and
yer heard oil the Presidents refusing TO answer, unless
upon some such suggestion Is included IN this resou-
ion-when portion OF the information il would be
incompatible with the best interests OF the country TO
communicate. For these reasons, Mr. President, shall
vote against the proposed amendment TO strike out that
portion OF the resolution asking for the instructions,
although do not consider It OF great deal OF import
ance.
Mr. SHIELDS requested that the resolution be read
amended; and il was read accordingly
Mr. HALE do not suppose the senator from Ar
kansas Mr. BoRLAND be really serious IN his sug
geson that spoke with the authority of the President
OF the United States. OF course he did not have any
such idea ae that therefore will let that pass wish
to say word in regard 10 what the senator from Mich
gan Mr. CAssl said for know that whatever he says
al this time falls with great weight upon the country. and
PROBABLY great many things IN short time will TALL
10 sill I0rA atar at0hf
Mr. CASS You allude to cold fogies" now.
Mr. HALE The honorable senator knows | would
say nothing but what is kind and respectful towards
him. but think the senator has advocated what is very
dangerous, and principle that wish 10 guard against
in order that he may not hereafter be embarrassed in any
action he may be called upon 10 lake, provided the
wishes OF his friends shall prevail heeatter that 49,
that the commandment chief OF the army aud navy may
not send division of the army or squadron OF the
navy any particular duty without the object OF that
order and the instructions given 10 the commander being
liable to be made a legitimate subject OF legislative IN
curry Sir, deny that entirely and utterly.
do not expect TO be President OF the United States
very soon, Laughter it is therefore, from no selfish
consideration that speak But say that II the constin
ton OF the United States anything al all. it means
that this power oil issuing orders 10 officers OF the army
navy Is matter which is exclusively intrusted 10 the
discretion oil the President and when you make call
upon him, he may with perfect propriey and decorum
say to the Senate, Gentlemen you are travelling out OF
your record And, II am not exceedingly mistaken,
that call made in this Senate since the election OF
General Taylor to the presidency resolution WAS IN
troduced by the senator from Name (e1r BnADBURY,]
calling upon General Taylyr 10 give reasons Tor certain
removals he had made OF certain officers which was IA
matter completely under his control; and some of the
soundest lawyers IN the Seate-among whom 40 no!
include the senator from Michigan, Mr.. CAss1 for
believe he did not express that opnIon-opposed that
resolution. They took the ground that II the Senate
that resolution The President might tell them ,ha,
they al perfect liberty 10 pass such resolutions, but
that he had also perfect liberty 10 answer them or not as
he pleased and that he would not them give
his reasons--for j, was a matter within his jurisdiction
he vas req nah IN he
the Senate
friends Of General Taylor upon the discussion which took
place here. Now, mark the construction OF this resou
ton u not only asks for information concerning The
object OF the President in sending this expedition, but j
inquiries for copy of the instructions which he ha.
given to the comm inder OF that expedition II under
stand the honorable senator from Michigan Mr. CAss
he says that this is iar and legitimate matter OF egsla
tive inquiry, and tina, we have right TO make IT. Now
sir, do not want TO argue that question, Tor think i
rather an abstraction, and do not want TO spend time
talking upon distractions; but ! will merely say tina
such not my convictions, and with all the respect
have for the distinguished senater-and nobody has
MORE cannot yield to him. but must repe The idea, By
my own action, OF any such theory OF the constitution
as that which he has advanced.
4 Mr. CASS One word. and have done with The sub
jec,. The honorable senator from New Hampshire Mr.
HALEl says that upon call on the administration e
stale The reasons Tor certain removals. they not re
quired 10 answer Now, let me ask the senator wha
parity Of condition there is between such question an
appointment, This is his constitutional province Their,
is the end Of it, All have to do is 10 confirm them
n we please But how far different is the in relation
10 the land and naval forces involving expenditure
some fifteen or twenty millions We want TO know wha
is 10 be done with II, and why il is done The Pres
dent does not stop there. He cannot get along whou
the money lie does not do il OF himself, but he is
sponsibe TO We ask for information because we wan
the reason for levying TAX upon the American people
We may suspend the army and navy tomorrow, MIR
President; and II we think they doing harm, will
suspend them the spot There are, as before OBJ
served two reasonsone strictly military and the ohe
may call poco military, embracing other consdera.
tons bssdes the mere military questons-why par
tcula force should be sent to particular point anG
why il should be kept there. And we shall be obliged
on part inst 10 make appropriations, and next 10
tinue them, or IN the third place TO suspend the army
and navy, II we find their effects mischevous. We shall
never fulfil our duties the great supervisors and sd
mnistraiors OF the public fund II we do not attend Il
these duties do not say positively, but have strong
impression, that this whole question fully opened
thirty years upon the occasion OF the removal OF tn,
troops from Council Bluffs and II conceded on al
hands, after 1t had been discussed for time,
cordng TO my indsnc, recollection, that Congress had
right TO make such call. Al any rate The call wa,
passed merely des,red, sir. TO explain my views
i Mr.. DAWSON The whole OF this controversy seem,
10 have arisen from what called newspaper publca
ton. An alarm is attempted 10 be thrown upon lhs
county that expedition is fitted out for vastly i'm
/ poftsnt purpose. Have not invariably kept ou
j squadron floating on those seas Were the sQuadron'
intended TO lie in our ports Have they not all III.
me from the day they put upon the ocean, found
i their way 10 foreign for the protection OF ou
| commerce When has there been time, since they
have been ahoa when squadrons have not been ~
some oil those oceans And now, sir, one s fitted
out for particular section OF the world Are any
estimates called for any appropriations TO be made e