The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-07-09

of the Union
Mr. HOUSTON said
propose, Mr.. Chairman to occupy hour this morn
ing in submitting to this committee the views
the points presented in the discussion of the bill
ander consideration. And that there may be misun-
dersanding OF position 10 the rights and privileges
of the House of Representatives and its constitutional
thory to act upon treaties the extent of that authority
and when it shall be exercised propose to read and adopt
as containing my sentiments, this resolution:
Resolrd That, it being declared by the section
of the second article Of the constitution that the President
shall have power by and with the advice and of the
present concur the House of Representatives do claim
any Agency in making treaties but that when treaty
paates regulations Of the subjects submitted by the
constitution to the power Of Congress- must depend for t
execution as to such stipulations on law or laws to be
duty of the House of Representatives in all such to de-
bsa's on thee the Of nen
judgment may be most conducive to the public good"
Mr.. Chairman that is the resolution which adopted
by the House Of Representatives in l796-afer long and
very able debate the British treaty. and after General
Washington who then President of the United States
had refused to communicate to the House the correspond
which led TO its formation and which the House had
by its resolution, previously called for
Before, however enter into discussion of the merits
OF the proposition must be permitted to notice briefly
matter which regard preliminary to the main subject
and which, think most unfortunately for the actors
in it, brought into this discussion advanced stage
of our proceedings on this bill Two gentlemen from New
York. Mr.. HAVEN and Mr.. PEcKHAa and also the gentle
man from Missouri, MIR. BENTON have dwet with SEEM
ing earnesness upon the fact that we have not before us
tween this government and Mexico relative to the Gadsden
treaty.
said yesterday and repeat it now that the proper
and legitimate deduction to be drawn from the of
those gentlemen h that they really did not desire the in
formation they seemed to seek for the purpose of aiding
them in coming to conclusion to the merits de-
merits of the treaty. that their judgments had already
been formed and, far two of them concerned
GMessrs. Benton and PEcKHAM] have thought they
would vote for this bill, ii they could find obcc
ton arising out of the instructions and correspondence;
and Mr.. Chairman draw this deduction from the fact
that the call was not proposed until Monday after had
moved the House resolve itself into committee for
the purpose of taking up for action this bill. Nor
had l taken any advantage Of those gentlemen. had
notified the House some days before that ! would
on Monday make that motion. Under these cir
cumsances, if they had desired the correspondence to
enable them to form proper conclusions have right to
suppose they would have made the call many days before
they knew when the treaty sent to this House, and
the message and treaty open the inspection and
examination of members, have right to suppose they
knew the correspondence had not been sent in with it.
Why did they not then make their call? Why sleep upon
their rights when they pretend to think the privileges
Of this House have been invaded? One of those gentle
gressand presumed to have the largest and most
tensive experience of any member Of this bodya gentle
man who not only understands his rights but who
seems disposed to take into his particular charge and
guardianship the rights of the of well the
high and important privileges of this body would not
therefore, pass upon him great insult as to say he did
not understand when and how to call for the information
But have special word TO say my friend from New
York, on my right [Mr. HAVEN gentleman who COM
derstands what due him. and what is due to this body
He knew that the correspondence had been furnished
and that we had right to call for it if thought it
necessary to action upon this BILL yet he has made
effort to obtain itnone whatever He is member of the
Committee of Ways and Means, was present when that
committee instructed me to report this bill to the House.
and if he had desired the papers about which he
speaks with such warmth it does to he would
have then made the CALL Why did he not make it am
curious TO know why he allowed that opportunity pass
when, If he had wanted the papers, he could have had
thom regardless ofobectons opposition from any quarter
or he could have kept out the BILL mean say he could
have had such of them the public interest would have
authorized tho President to furnish
Mr.. HAVEN. Win my friend allow me one word? III
my memory serves me right the bill asking this approp
alton was reported Thursday last When it re-
ported the gentleman from Missouri Mr. BENTON got the
floor, and informed the House that he was prepared
then but he desired to raise question of privilege and
think he expressed desire to the correspondence
nected with this treaty. do say in addition whatever
the gentleman from Missouri mir Brsrosi said he gave
notice of his intention to raise and argue this question of
privilege before the House. and Monday last the first
day when in order for any oncfor the gentleman
from Missouri, myself or any one eseto suspen-
sen Of the rules in order to submit resolution calling for
this information. ,ar4N1 sa
Mr.. HOUSTON. No, sir; the gentleman is mistaken
II was no more in order to submit such resolution
Monday than it was the day the treaty sent to the
House, the day the bill reported. On either day
the consent Of the House had to be asked the only differ
being that Mondays it is in order to suspend the
rules il consent could not be had. But at the time the
resolution proposed motion to suspend the rules
was pending and another motion of the character
Mr. HAVEN wish to say here that the resolution was
not in order when it made because the gentleman from
Alabama took the floor Immediately in the morning hour
and made privileged motion. The gentleman would not
withdraw the motion he made and allow the resolution
be presented.
Mr.. HOUSTON To enable me to report the BILL | had
to obtain the consent Of the House. and the consent
could easily have been obtained for resolution calling
for the papers and if had been offered in proper time
would not have objected to it, did wish TO prevent
an inspection Of the correspondence but after gentlemen
had delayed until the day had notified them would
move for action on the bill, was unwilling to delay The
bill for longer time to crafty them, when had right
poses legitimately connected with their action upon it,
Mr. Chairman, there is another thing TO which will re-
fer for the benefit Of friend from New York He told
us on yesterday that the very air pregnant with
mos of fraud and corruption in connexon with the Gads
den treaty and he has fit to lend himself to these
rAmors and become the channel through which they are
TO be published to the House and to the country. Then
SIR ne was jealous Of the public interests and of the
rights and privileges Of this body why did he
introduce his resolution If he believed the
true occurs to me that his duty required him move
call ana II he did not believe them think it strange
that ne could consent to give them much Of his endorse
ment as to publish them from his place in this hall
is true President Pierce did not send the correspond
to the House when he transmitted the treaty and he
had the highest authority for this course When President
Jefferson informed the House of Representatives by
sagc that he had made treaty by which he had purchased
Louisiana the treaty itself accompanied the message but
not the correspondence In the the Louisiana trca
t Mr. Jefferson desired the action of the House and so
stated in his phraseology. In the message Mr.
Pierce says he has exchanged notifications with the
Mexican government and respectfully asks Of the House
an appropriation TO enable him 10 the treaty he
tween the two governments What should he have
said2 N-n