Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-01-22

marks commenced by him on Saturday last opposition
to the bill.
Mr.. B0C0CK followed in reply, strongly advocating
the bill
Mr.. RICHARDSON moved that the bill be laid on the
table which motion agreedto Yeas H. nays a.
The bill was then read the third time and passed :
Yeas 80, nays 49,
PRINTING OF EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.
Mr. POLK called up for consideration the motion made
by him yesterday, to reconsider the vote by which the
House ordered to be printed the message from the Pres
dent relative to the claims Spain in the Of the
barque Georgiana and the brig Susan Loud.
The SPEAKER stated that the question was second
ing the demand for the previous question, which
pending when the House adjourned yesterday,
Mr. STANLY desired to know the why the gen.
tleman from Tennessee did not think it proper that the
Communication should be printed?
Mr. POLK replied that he stated his yesterday
Mr. HOUSTON suggested that debate was not in order,
as the previous question was pending.
Mr. POLK said that by the permission Of the House,
should be printed.
The SPEAKER stated that all debate was out of order
the previous question having been demanded.
MIR. CABLE called for the reading of the message.
The SPEAKER stated that the gentleman had right to
call for its reading
Mr.. POLK Have we not right to have secret
session?
The SPEAKER 1t is competent for the House to clear
the galleries and close the doors.
Mr.. POLK. Such course may be proper, as this may
be communication of some Importance.
\ Mr.. STANLY. The communication contains no secret
VOICE. Then you must have read it.
Mr.. POLK do not desire to give the communication
publicity until know what it contains, and therefore
move that the doors be closed and the galleries cleared
Laughter.
Mr.. FLORENCE Imoye to make some exceptions.
will become responsible for several ladies in the gallery
Mr.. POLK The gentleman from Pennsylvania as
STANCE responsibility when he becomes responsible
for the keeping of secrets by ladies' Renewed laughter
Mr / call
reference to communications
The rule was accordingly read, as follows:
"l2. Whenever confidential communications received
from the President of the United States the House shall be
cleared of all persons except the members Clerk
arms and Doorkepe and continue during the reading Of
such and uness otherwise directed by the
House, during an debates and proceedings to be had thereon
when the Speaker any other member shall inform the
House that he has communications to make which he con-
ceye ought to be kept secret the House shall in like man
ner cleared till the communication be made the House
shall then determine whether the matter communicated
quires secrecy not, and take order accordingly"
Mr.. STANLY. raise the question Of order that this
communication not being confidential one the motion OF
the gentleman from Tennessee is not in order
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Tennessee states
in his place that this is q confidential communication.
Mr.. STANLY. The Speaker is mistaken The gentle
man from Tennessee does not state that
Mr.. POLK. have not examined thedocument, and
do not know what it contains At the time without
doing any injustice desire the doors closed and the gal
leries cleared that the communication may be read
Laughter.
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Tennessee
ceves that the message ought not to be published and the
Chair decides that it is competent for the House to de-
termine whether not it will close the doors
Mr.. STANLY. That is not the point know it is
competent for the House to determine close the Doors
but the rule is, that when confidential communications
transmitted to the House. then the doors shall be
closed and also when member states that message
of aconfdenta matter There two branches neither
of which exists in the present The gentleman from
Tennessee does not state that this con-
fdential.
Mr.. POLK. am acting upon the evidence of the
past
The SPEAKER The gentleman states that the mes
sage is of such nature in his opinion ought not to
be published and which requires that the House should
consider it in Executive session. 1t is clear by the
rules that is competent for the House, upon the
ton submitted by the gentleman from Tennessee to close
the doors.
Mr.. POLK. l wish to be distinctly understood. l
have not examined these papers, and am opposed to
having any document connected with affairs with
SPAIN in their present condition. published unless they
first examined, for the simple reason that the past
teaches that communications have been made public
which act against the dignity Of this Government.
The SPEAKER. The question is not debatable.
Mr.. TAYLOR said that the President requested to
communicate this information, provided ii would not be
incompatible with the public interest and he did not sup
pose that the message contained any thing Of conf
Dental nature.
Mr. BAYLY, Of Virginia. believed that the message
referred to the about which the gentleman from
Maine Mr. SMART made speech, and he did not think
it could contain any thing which it would not be proper
to publish
The question was then taken on the motion Of Mr..
Polk that the doors be closed and the galleries cleared
and it decided in the negative by large majority.
The message was then read, as follows:
WASHINGTON, JANUARY 10, 1858.
To the House Of Representatives.:
the resolution Of the House Of Representa-
tyes Of the 27h umo requesting information relative to
the claims Spain in the Of the barque Geogana and
the brig Susan Loud transmit report from the Secretary
Of State, TO whom the resolution was referred.
WILLARD FILLMORE
DEPARTMENT or STATE,
WAsHIsGros, JANUARY 49, 1853.
To the President Of the United States:
The Secretary of State whom has been referred the
solution Of the House Of Representatives OF the 9th umo,
incompatible with the public interest what
any have been taken since the 9th day Of January 1852
the naturalization by the Spanish Government Of the
captains owners and of the barque Gcogiana and brig
Susan Loud in consequence Of the capture and conhsaton
said barque and brig by the Spanish authorities has the
honor report that measures which il is not deemed expe
dent specify present. progress for the adjustment
Of all claims Of citizens Of the United States against her Ca
thoc Macsty Government which may have originated since
the convention between the United States and Spain Of the
18th Of February, 1884.
Respectfully submitted. EDWARD EVERETT.
The question required the motion reconsider the
vote by which the above documents ordered to be
printed
Mr.. POLK. | rise to privileged question. Since
discover that the President Of the United States has add
ed his voice TO that Of the nation in condemnation Of
the publication Of the Cuban correspondence withdraw
my motion to reconsider
Mr.. BAYLY, Of Virginia, said that reference Of
the communication seemed necessary, he would to
reconsider the by which referred to the Com
mittee Foreign Affairs.