Washington sentinel., 1854-06-27

bSuuemdu from Alabama. (Mr. HoUSToNJ III ne
had right he would so on aud assert his points
of privilege.
The SPEAKER said he would hear the gentle
mans question Of privilege
Mr. BENTON then presented his points, in a
series OF resolutions, 10 the effect
]. That The House will not consider the question
ofappropriating $i0000000 carry into effect this
treaty with Mexico, for the acquisition of foreign
territory, until Il shall first have considered whether
breach of the privileges of this House in nego-
tiating and concluding said ireaty has moi been
committed, nor until after The House shall have
obtained full Information on the conclusion and
negotiation Of said treaty.
= That said treaty, depending for its execution
on law OF Congress- il was the unquestionable
right and duty OF the House TO deliberate on the
expediency or inexpediency of carrying The treaty
into effect, and determine and act thereon as in
their Judgment would most conduce to the public
good.
This, said Mr.. b.. is a copy of the resolutions
adopted by the House in l796, after President
Washington had refused 10 communicate 10 the
House papers on the subject of a treaty.
Mr. HOUSTON said that he desired the deci-
sion Of the Chair far, as the gentleman from
Missouri had gone. Cries Of no. no.nl He re-
marked that he was in order, and had right 10
make his point,
Mr. Benton. But l am not through yet
Mr.. HOUSTON wanted the decision of the
Chair as to whether this was privileged ques-
ton.
The SPEAKER said he preferred 10 hear the
other resolution read before he should give his
decision.
Mr.. BENTON continued his reading The
third resolution was in effect, that the admission
OF new States into the Uninn, being question
exclusively granted 10 Congress by the Constitu-
ton, any treaty siipulatng for the acquisition Of
foreign territory, with right 10 admit II State,
without the authorization hy Congress, is breach
of the privilege Of this body, violation Of the
Constitution, and is illegal and void. That the
purchase Of foreign territory by the federal gov
ernment not having been provided for in the Con-
stiiution. concurrence by the Legislative and ex-
ecuiive departments of the government-the for
mer by act oflegsiation and the latter BY treaty
ia necessary TO the consnmmation Of the act as in
the case Of Louisiana and Florida.
4. That The House of Representatives has the
right to information TO enable il to Judge, and that
the President Of the United States be respectfully
requested 10 furnish copies of instructions on
which the treaty was negotiated, and the cores
pondence 70 which il gave rise, and all other pa
pers on the subject. The same can be communi-
Gated confdentally, III the public good will not ad-
nit of its open communication.
The SPEAKER, for reasons which he stated,
overrued Mr. BENTON, not being able to see in
what he had presented any question Of privilege.
Mr. CAMPBELL askee. whether il would be
in order 10 move a suspension OF the rules.
z The SPEAKER said that the motion already
pending, 10 go into committee, had precedence.
The House then resolved itself into Commit
tee OF the Whole on the state of the Union-Mr.
Grafton OF the bill appropriating ten millions Of
dollars TO carry into effect ihe recent treaty with
Mexico.
Mr.. HOUSTON said that the bill which had
been read, well as the message and the treaty
communicated by the President, We're laid on the
tables of members on Friday or Saturday last
therefore, il would be useless 10 remind the COM
niitee that, according 10 The stipulations 10 the
treaty, the ratification have 10 be exchanged by
the thirtieth of this month leaving but few
.tn ,ktxI 1fs sLs
urged speedy action, and appealed 10 the House
TO close The debate Tomorrow or next day. He
had under the rules, the right to address the
mittee an hou, in opening; but he should defer
making any further remarks until the closing of
debate, when he should take occasion 10 reply 10
objecli,ns 10 the ILL.,
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, moved 10 strike out
the enacting clause Of the bill, not with a view
10 defra it, for he expected 10 vote for it. but that
no motion may be made on il until after the de-
bate shall be oncluded. He should vote for the
bill not in consideration Of the small amount Of
land we are 10 get. but because This treaty re
lieves us from all obligations, real supposed, TO
defend the Mexicans from Indian incursions on
their side of the line, and from all harrassments
or rindemniiies Herepeated he should vote for the
bill TO get rid OF this article in the treaty of Guada
louPe Hidalgo and NOT because he felt bound to
stand by the action of the President and the
Senate. He held that he or the House Itself was
as free 10 reject this bill if the treaty does not
meet with appreciation, as TO vote against the most
trihing and ordinary appropriation.
Mr.. BENTON opposed the bill, and, in the
course of his remarks, said he knew Of nothing
worth saving in the Constitutions if The President
and the Senate can take the money fibe people,
when they please. Nothing SO help him God,
was worth saving, fthey could take from the peo-
pie what this bill proposed to take. If anything
he could say could induce the representatives OF
the people to think npon the subject, he should
regard it IS the most glorious day of his political
life. and should rejoice in the circumstances which
brought him here this day 10 plead the privileges
of the people and the Constitution, 10 plead for
the only thing, which being lost there nothing
In the Constitution worth preserving.
He referred 10 the manner of negotiating treaties
in times past, and. in this connextion, remarked
that when treaty acts on a subject thin the
Legislative power of the House. fhGt moment the
right Of the House attaches and it has the author
ny and II becomes the duy 10 examine into all the
circumstances and consider the expedency or In
expedlency OF. The treaty precisely as the public
good may require. ssgs
The message Of the President precndes the
House from, the subject matter Of The treaty, or
the power TO act uponlt. The message was moth
ing in the world but a demand Of the check Of the
House for ten millions Of dollars and that at brief
notice and without tho usual days Of grace Give
me the money by Tomorrow This is like the de-
mand, " Stand and delivern
He considered The making or this treaty hish
INVASION Of the privileges Of this House; and
then proceeded to comment with severity on its
provisions. s
MIR, CAMPBELL raised question OF order,
whsch was debated at some length.
@ Mr.. ia YLY replied the gentleman from Mis-
sour, and denied that neither the crown Of Eng
land nor France never undertakes to negotiate a
treaty without consulting the ecommons. The gen.
tienan would recollect the treaty which Mr.. Rves
made with France, where ihe crown agreed to
pay this government certain sums, without con.
suiing the chamber Of deputies. General Jack
son made point on the French government land
on that occasion had no abler defender than the
gentleman from Missonr) and insisted that the
chamber OF deputies was bound 10 make the APP
preparation, though it was not consulted in ad-
vance.
Mr.. JONES asked if any OF the signers OF the
memorial had taken part in the resistance TO the
law, lately in Boston,
Mr.. ROCKWELL said he was not aware that
any of them had.
MIR. JONES replied, and asked the senator if he
believed the Union would continue aAer the repeal
OF the fugitive slave law. +
Mr.. ROCKWELL said that he had said he did
not believe The Union could be dissolved
Mr. JONES said that the senator was very much
mistaken.
Mr.SuMNER followed saying that the Union
could not exist without a law so unjust and wrong
rs the fnrtiye SLAVE law the IA ono IN ~