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


the purchase of louisiana wish know whether
correct in my understanding OF the statement of made
by the gentleman from Missouri, Mr. BENTON / took
down his language at the time and | understood him
that Mr. Jefferson consulted the House of Representa-
ves and the House alone asking that body for 50
TO enable him TO purchase the island of New Orleans and
the tlordas and that he made towards such
purchase until the appropriation was made
Mr. BENTON. A motion was made in the House by
friend of Mr. Jefferson for him. and his friends supported
Mr.. HOUSTON The gentleman is disposed to shift his
sails a little But Twill give him the benefit Of any
PLANTATION he desires to make. The gentleman holds the
Affirmative of the issue and challenge him the proof
To sustain his statement he refers to motion made in
the House, as he says by of Mr. Jefersons friends
meaning understand him. the resolution presented in
secret session. the lith of January, 1903 by Mr. Smith,
OF arylandproposing put at the disposal of the Pres
ident two millions of dollars to be used by him. if
ry, in his intercourse with foreign nations
My examination has led me to the conclusion that Mr.
Jefferson did consult the House relative that treaty
until after il had been enthusiastically until long az
ter he had been negotiating for the purpose of obtaining
the territory.
The official intercourse between President of the Uni
ted States and Congress is by message the house he
may desire to address abody His message is public so
far the members Of that dy concerned all having
access to it. tSee note at the end of the specify We
have many of Mr. eersons messages in the Journals and
if the gentleman from Missouri Mr. BENroN will refer me
to that in which he asks the advice of the House before
his negotiations will thank him. ! wish TO see when
where and how this consultation took place
Mr.. BENTON. 1t appears in the message itself
Mr. HOUSTON. Then will the gentleman rsler me to it,
asked MN on yesterday to refer to the message be-
cause as frankly told him, intended to controvert his
statement; and did not want to do without letting
him know what intended and If had fallen into SO
grave an error desired to be corrected He says he
ferred me to motion made in the House. knew of that
mouon but wanted to see the message, and yet wish
to see the message. find message of Mr. Jefferson to
the House OF Representatives of 22d December 1902.
will read it:
I transmit report from the Secretary of State with
the information requested in your resolution OF the nth inst
IN making this communication deem it proper to observe
rrhf aud trfar
Of the United States and to the just enb of the portion
OF our fellow immediately affected by the rreg
uar proceeding at New Orleans to lose not moment in
causing every step to be taken which the occasion claimed
In ro% being bs q, sqa iva Of the 9 obligation to
purpose those just and honorable which belong the
character of the United States"
This message was in reply to resolution of the House.
and presume will not be relied upon by the gentleman to
sustain his statement On the 3Oh December 1902 find
another message from the President the House of Rep
resenatves the general subject communicating
copy OF an additional letter Gentlemen can refer to it
have not time to read iii also message the Senate in
executive session of the lth January 1903 in which Mr.
Jefferson says:
The cesson of the Spanish province of Louisiana TO
France and perhaps of Forda and the late suspension
right of depose at New Orleans primary
interest to the United States On both occasions such meas
promptly taken thought most likely ami
cab to the present and prevent of
territory left bank The Mississpp and eassrard Of
tha practicable, conditions mhic The proper auhoy
changes which might lessen secure exercise Of our
rights"
Nor viii this message sustain him. it wa, sent to the
Senate will the resolution moved in the House by Mr.
Smith OF Maryland for if Mr. Jefferson desired and intend
ed to consult the House Of Representatives and the House
alone as was stated by the gentleman from Missouri he
would have done in such manner as to have left no
doubt about it. He should and have no doubt would
have sent in his message that body upon the precise point
upon which he desired the advice of the representatives
There would have been improperly in his asking such
advice if he thought his duty so that the inter-
ess OF the country woud have been promoted by it and
in that event II is but fair and just to Mr. Jefferson snp
pose he would have sought that advice by message either
in writing, or delivered otherwise to the body itself but
to suppose that he would seek expression from the rep
resenatives of the people upon subject SO important as
the acquisition of Louisiana and the Foridas by holding
private conferences with his friends alone and concealin
his purposes from other members of the body when
1t is alleged that his object get the free and full ex
preston OF the feelings and views of the House of Repre-
sentaves is in my view reflection upon the intelligence
and patriotism of Mr.. Jefferson of which will not be
guilty.
But Mr. Chairman, let us admit for the sake of argu-
ment that the motion of Mr. Smith, of Maryland was at
the instance of Mr. Jefferson and for the purpose of obtain
ing free expression of the sentiments the House. and
then see If the genenan statement is He stated
that Mr. Jefferson did not make towards the acqu
siton of that territory until after he had consulted the
House. asking for the two millions and then until the
money had been appropriated. Allow to call your
enton to the facts they stand upon the public records
of the country that may see whether the gentleman is
not IN an error even under his amended statement The
resolution of Mr. Smith is what now understand him to
contend for as the act of consultation the part of the
TesoiuUOn Is referred IN speech OF
Mr. Bayard, as having been submitted by Mr. Smith the
] lth January, ls03 hope the committee will notice the
dates On the l4th February 1903, the House by Mr..
Nicholson and Mr. Bayard its committee for that purpose
delivered to the Senate the message which now propose
to read
" GENTLEMEN THE SENATE We transmit you a bill
which has passed this House, entitled making
provision the expenses attending the between
the United States and foreign naons and in which
quest This bill has been passed by us in
order to enable the President of the United States
nence with more effect negotiation with the French and
Spanish relative the purchase of the island of
New Orleans and the provinces of East and West Florida
The nature and Importance of the have
induced to upon the subject with closed doors
will of consequence consider this communication conf
DENTAL"
On the 22d February, 18o3 the Senate through Mr.
Wright, of its members, delivered to the House of
Representatives this message:
" "GEwTLEMEN House RErREsESTATIvEs: We
return you the bill which passed your House. entitled
making further provision for the expenses attending the in
ercouse between the United States and foreign nations and
the bill entitled AN act for extending the
te United States both of which the Senate have passed
without amendment
The act first named in this message-the one appropria
un9 tne S20ooO00was approved by Mr. Jefferson the
26t February 1909 that distinctly before us
the data to enable know according to the pentcuans
hypothesis, when Mr. Jefferson consulted the House Rep
esentafives Tor the purpose of obtaining its that
nc might cndeavor by treaty to acquire Louisiana and the
FIoridas.
propose to read few extracts from debate in the
House of Representatives resolution of Mr. Griswold
calling for certain documents and information from the
President of the United States relative the cession of
Louisiana by Spain to France In the discussion of that
resolution ON the 9th January 1903 Mr. Rutledge said
The cession of Louisiana has been stated the public
prints of Europe and this country and the the
British Parliament. This cession had made wear ago
md otvifh ou6 fla anf