Washington sentinel., 1854-07-19

treaty; ana ne mas seen Ht 10 lenu himself 10
these rumors, and become the channel through
which they are to be published TO the House
and to the country Then, sir, If he was 80
Jealous of the public interests, and of the rights
and privileges of this body, why did he not at
once introduce his resolution? If he believed
the rumors were true, it occurs to me that his
duty required him to move call and if he
did not believe them, think it strange that he
could consent to give them so much Of his en-
dorsement as to publish them from his plaoein
this Hall.
Itis true, President Pearce did not send the
correspondence to the House when he trans
mitted the treaty, and be had the highest au.
thority for this course. When President JEFF
ferson informed the House of Representatives
by message that he had made treaty, by which
he had purchased Louisiana, the treaty itself
accompanied the message, but not the cores
pondence. In thecase Of the Louisiana treaty.
Mr.. Jefferson desired the action of the House.
and so stated in his own phraseology. In the
recent message, Mr.. Pierce says he has not ex-
changed rati6cations with the Mexican gov
ernment, and respectfully asks of the House an
appropriation to enable him to execute the
treaty between the two governments. What
more should he have said?
But / desire to pass on. l wish to notice
gentleman from Missouri, Mr.. BENTON, and
being pressed for time, / must do so briefly
He says that the privileges Of the House have
been invaded by the Executive, because he did
not consult the House of Representatives and
obtain its consent before the treaty was agreed
to- The question, then, between that gentle
man and myself is this: He says it was the
duty of the President to consult the House of
Representatives before the conclusion of the
treaty. say it was not. He brings forward
as instances sustaining his position, the cases
OF the Louisiana and Florida treaty. / contend
that he is mistaken, and that those treaties
sustain me. Let us test it.
Before proceed to the consideration of the
treaty for the purchase of Louisiana, wish to
know whether | am correct in my understand
ing of the statement of facts made by the gen.
tleman from Missouri, Mr. BENTON. l took
down his language at the time, and under.
stood him to say that Mr.. Jefferson consulted
the House of Representatives, and the House
alone, asking that body for $2,00O,000 to en-
able him to purchase the island of New Or
leans and the Floridas, and that he made no
movement towards such purchase until the ap-
preparation was made?
Mr.. BENTON. A motion was made in the
House by friend of Mr.. Jefferson for him,
anu MS lrlenus supported IL.
Mr.. HOUSTON. The gentleman is disposed
to shift his sails little. But / will give him
the benefit of any explanation he desires to
make. The gentleman holds the affirmative
of the issue, and challenge him to the proof
10 sustain his statement he refers me to a mo-
ton made in the House, as he says, by one of
MIR. Jefferson's friends-meaning, as / under
stand him, the resolution presented In secret
session, on the llth of January, 1903, by Mr..
Smith OF Maryland-proposing to put at the
disposal of the President two millions of dol
lars to be used by him, if necessary, in his in
tercourse with foreign nations
My examination has led me to the conclu-
sion that Mr.. jefferson did not consult the
House relative to that treaty until after it had
been ratified, certainly not until long after he
had been negotiating for the purpose of obtain
ing the territory
The official intercourse between President
OF the United States and Congress, is by mes.
sage to the House he may desire to address as
body. His message is public so far as the
members of that body are concerned, all hav.
ing access to it. See note at the end of the
speech.) We have many of Mr. Jefferson's
messages in the Journals, and ifthe gentleman
from Missouri Mr.. BESToSl will refer me TO
that one in which he asks the advice of the
House before his negotiations, will thank him.
wish TO see when, where, and how this consult
alton took place.
Mr.. BENTON. 1t appears in the message
ITSELF
Mr.. HOUSTON. Then vii the gentleman
refer me to it. / asked him on Yesterday TO
refer me to the message, because, as frankly
told him, intended to controvert his state.
ment; and / did not want to do SO without
letting him know what / intended and if I
had fallen into so grave an error, desired to
be corrected. He says he referred me to a mo-
ton made in the House. i knew of that mo.
ton; but wanted to see the message, and ]
vet wish to see the message. find a message
OF Mr.. Jefferson to House of Representatives
OF I'D December, 1902. / will read it,
81 now transmit report from the Secretary of
state with the information requested in your re-
solution OF The lHh instant. In making this CON-
munIcaion, deem il proper 10 observe that was
led by The regard due 10 the rights and interests
OF the United States, and 10 the lust sensibtv OF
the portion OF our fellow citizens more immediately
affected by the irregular proceeding at New Or.
leans, 10 lose not moment in causing every step
10 be taken which the occasion claimed from me
being equally aware Of the obligation 10 maintain
in all cases, the rights OF the nation and 10 en-
poy, for that purpose; those Just and honorable
means which belong 10 the character Of the United
States"
This message was in reply to a resolution of
the House, and i presume will not be relied
upon by the gentleman to sustain his state
ment On the Both December, 1902, find
another message from the President to the
House of Representatives, on the same general
subject, communicating copy Of an addition.
al letter. Gentlemen can refer to it; have
not time to read it also message to the Sen.
ate in executive session Of the 1lth January,
1903, in which Mr.. Jefferson says:
"The cession Of the Spanish province OF Louis.
lana 10 France, and perhaps of the FIoridas, and
the late suspension Of our right Of deposit at New
Orleans, are events Of primary interest to the
| United States. On both occasions, such measures
were promptly taken as were thought most likely
amicably TO remove the present, and 10 prevent
iuture causes Of inquietude. The object of fbss,
measnres lereto obtain The territory on the len bank
of tie Mississipp,, and eastward of lta, If praeti
cobte on conditions TO tohicb The proper AUTHORITIES
| Of oav country tconH agree; or, at least to pre-
vent any changes which might lessen the secure
exercise OF our rights"
Nor will this MESSAGE snsta;n him. for n