Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-06-24
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Mr.. HOUSTON from the Committee Of Ways and Means,
reporeda bill to enable the Presdentof the United States
to fulfil the third article of the treaty between the United
States and the Mexican Republic Of the 30h December
1853, amended by the Senate of the United States
which read twice and committed. b.. ~.
Mr.. BENTON. Mr.. Speaker, propose to bring for
ward question the privilege of this House in
ference to the bill which has just been reported from
the Committee Of Ways and Means. l want an oppor-
tuniy to plead the privilege of this House before we
vote on that BILL am not ready this day. The matter
comes all Of sudden and by surprise and want
opportunity of pleading the privileges of the House. the
Constitution of the United States and the people of the
United States before pass to that appropriation.
ask it, sir in the of the Constitution of the House,
and of the country. -....
The SPEAKER. Does the gentleman submit any dis
tinct proposition for the action of the House?
Mr. BENTON. l propose that do not consider that
appropriation until shall have opportunity of in
quirng whether the privileges Of the House have been in
vaded in the negotiation Of that treaty. This will be
ready for to morrow. .....
Mr. HOUSTON The gentleman msunderstands the
condition of the BILL 1t is distinct BILL to be taken up
and considered in Committee of the Whole and is there
open debate There is proposition to incorporate
it with the civil and diplomatic BILL Indeed, there an
express rule which requires all bills appropriatng money
carry out treaties to be referred and discussed in
the Committee of the Whole the state Of the Union
| did not propose to take up the bill to-day
! PERSONAL EXPLANATION.
Mr.. BROOKS. l rise to privileged question. de-
sire make personal explanation in connexiou with
the resolution which offered yesterday and desire
the of the House do before the House
solves itself into Committee of the Whole.
! No objection being made
| Mr.. BROOKS proceeded. To guard against misappre-
henon, Misrepresentation, and interpreting have put
what desired to say in writing What have to say is
| this: ".".
1t has been intimated to me that the resolutions of
which gave notice yesterday might be fairly con-
strued by some and desgnedy by Others into GEN.
sure upon my friend from Tennessee, Mr. CHURcRwELL)
declare that to censure that gentleman, by
| implication, no part of my design No one knows
better than himself that my sympathies with him
because Of political association; and many with whom
most familiar know that impressed with the
belief that there concerted plan by of the
ponents Of the Nebraska bill to embarrass the gentle
| man. had avowed my purpose to sustain him under
every circumstance, and had made animated efforts to
produce in them like determination. They also know
that it my intention to to lay the table the
resolution of which notice given by the gentleman
i from Virginia, Mr.. MILLsoS and which l, in common
with others, fancied at the time to be maneuvre of
| combination. ..
In regard the action of the gentleman from Virginia.
have say am satisfied thatI in error, and
did him injustice by the suspicious entertained now
know that they were unfounded.
In respect to my resolutions have this say 1t had
been openly asserted the foor in reply to manly and
tasteful apology for violating the decorum Of this body
that deadly instrument had been angrily exhibited
in this House. This announcement would go to the
try and without intending support deny the
ton as to the exhibition of weapon, it occurred to
there was manifest propriety in emperng
public that this House would reprobate whenever il
might conduct at variance with its decorum and
detracng from the dignity Of the American Congress
The first of the resolutions presented is founded il
propriey, in honor and in WISDOM and shall insist up
on its being added to the rules Of the House The other
was intended to ridcue unmanly and perncious ha
Bit and to restore by jest the harmony Of the House
which was fast becoming excited and divided.
Mr.. CAMPBELL. l ask the gentleman from Soutl
Carolina to allow me q single word.
Mr.. BROOKS. With pleasure.
{, Mr.. CAMPBELL. desire to say, in connexion Will
the remarks submitted by the honorable member roH
South Carolina, in relation to his impression that ther
preconcerted plan to embarrass the honorable gen
tleman from Tennessee, (r CHuRcHwRLL thatit is du
Others and especially to those involved in the trouble
that should say, as do now, that there was nothn
like preconcerted plan on my part with others in bring
ing up the matter which brought before the House con
nected with the explanation Of the honorable gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. CHURcHwELL) Monday. And sir
avail myself of the courtesy Of my friend from Sout
Carolina because have understood from other source
that 1t has been asserted that had made prearrange