Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-12-09

nothing extraordinary in such meeting OF Ministers
as it was said had been held at 0stend.
The gentleman from Maryland had said that this
ference Of Ministers f indeed it had taken place.
unprecedented Although the gentleman might be tech
nicay right in this remark he not to the spi
rt Of intercourse which took place between our repre-.
sentatves abroad II not at all unusual for them to
confer with each other by actual visits and far from
it being unusual for them to confer by writing, II
part OF their instructions to do They required
to keep each other constantly informed as to events
which Transporting the respective Courts to which
they accredited If therefore, they were required
to keep one another informed by written communion
tons, what improperly could there be in their meeting
at convenient place talk matters over compare
views, and to confer with that freedom which was
easily INDUCED in by personal intercourse than by formal
official communications?
He was not prepared to say whether not this was
resolution which the House could safely pass; but he
would say that the character of the message Of the Pre-
sden communicated yesterday ought to disarm gentle
men of any dsrust which they might in regard
to our foreign affairs He thought that the message
emneIty conservative, and he admired it because being
conservative in respect foreign relations he was
glad to feel that he should be able to most
cordially with the Executive in the views he had express
ed In conclusion, he moved to refer the resolution to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. WENTWORTH, Of Illinois, said that when this
resolution introduced yesterday he voted against
il because he thought premature the House that time
not having received the Message Of the President which
they had right to suppose would contain fair expose
OF the condition of country towards foreign Govern
ments With the gentleman from Virginia he endorsed
that message. 1t was message from President for
whom he voted and far its foreign policy was
cerned he very glad that he had cast his vote for
Franklin Pierce ms President of the United States 1t
was conservative message, just such the Wings
should approves and it only remained for the Democratic
party to act to what it professed Ii election for
President should be held morrow with all the isnas
which prevailed in the United States the who
adopted any other foreign policy than that laid down by
Franklin Pierce would not be sustained
had haa, 49, Mn,e
had been writing addresses to the people OF foreign
tions, appealing to them and telling them what they
ought to do. The documents which were said to have
emanaed from them might be forgeres and for the
dit of his country he hoped they He held that
Mnisers-ought to do all in their power honorably to
maintain pacific relations with foreign nations He hoped
the resolution would be referred to the Committee
Foreign Affairs.
Mr. GREY was in favor Of the resolution 1t was mere
y Of inquiry, and did not compel the President
give any information which might be detrimental to the
public interests. There great anxiety to know
thing of the object of the conference Of Ministers
abroad. 1t was something unusal in history and
he could see objection to afording the information
which the resolution sought He did. not think it pre-
mature.
Mr. WASHBURN, of ManeN said that the resolution
which the country had right to expect would
be offered and adopted by the House II known fro
common report that this conference had been held at
Ostend, and all were anxious to learn its object Not
withstandng what had been said by the gentleman from
Virginia. he believed that such meeting was unprece
denied in fact in spirit and in principle The history Of
the country did not afford any precedent for such
ference of Ministers, with such flourish Of trumpets,
upon foreign ground, composed of persons who were
themselves in part of foreign birth. 1t seemed to him
that they had the right to know if there any good
for transferring the Congress of this country from
our shores to Minister'S in foreign land They
entitled to whatever information might be in possession
OF the President or the State Department, that they
might at express if they should find it necessary
earnest and decided protest against any such
ment any such conference, any such action Of American
Ministers abroad.
Mr.. HILLYER said that he voted against this resolu-
ton yesterday because the message Of the President had
not then been received being of the opinion that pro-
baby would communicate the information sought by the
gentleman from Maryland He was of the opinion that
that information ought to be given the people In this
country there could be necessity for keeping secret
transaction Of this character Public attention had been
directed to this Congress Of Minister'S inquiries
every where made in regard its object and result and
he thought that this body the proper tribunal to call
for information the subject in such official shape
might be submitted to the people with that confidence
which would command their respect.
Mr.. PHILLIPS did not deny the power of the House
make the call proposed in the resolution, but thought
that it should be exercised only upon occasions Of in
terest and when there something substantial to act
upon If there ever unsubstantal occasion for
the predicate Of such resolution it the present
The House had no evidence that any such meeting
directed to be convened at Ostend by any in
thory, and proof that it resulted in any thing
dignity ofthe House, with its proper duties that upon
every idle and newspaper gossip their aten-
ton to be challenged in debate They should have
something than suspicion before taking action in
the premises.
What ifsuch meeting had been held at Ostend by the
authority of the Government! The whole objection
that it unusual; but there any thing in the
slightest degree improper in the direction Of the Pres
dent that those who represented country in foreign
parts should interchange views by meeting together OF
designated place. Hehoped the melton of the gem
temen from Virginia would prevail.
Mr. LETCHER supported the resolution, declaring that
he would for it if something added to it.
He satisfied, from the tone of the public Journals
throughout the country and from conversation with intel
ligent citizens among his constituency that there
was dstrust to extent of our Minister at Madrid
and desired that the facts should 60 before the
try in order that that disrust uufoundei that gen.
teman might have the benefit of the vndication which
their publication might give. If, however, they were
wefounded the country ought to know it and he was
therefore in favor of procuring this information that
people might how the matter stood. The resolution
made important call for information any he had
known be addressed to the President since he had
been member Of the House.
The gentleman from Alabama had said that they ought
to call for information upon grounds of suspi-
cion He (AIr. L. had known to be very seriously
injured by suspicion alone and excite suspicion about
aud then prevent investigation into the facts
about clear mode of injury could be adopted
So far Mr.. Soue concerned, his relations with
him had been pleasant and he esteemed him gentle
man; but at the same time he did think he ought
to have been abroad, and he believed that the
interests Of the country would be promoted by bringing
him home If the suspicious which he entertained against
Mr.. Soule in with others did him wrong one
would be ready to repair that wrong than himself
these suspicious should be proved to be groundcss
Mr.. BAYLY, Of Virginia The resolution has refer
ence to Mr. Soue, or TO his conduct.
Mr.. LETCHER. 1 understand he was at this confer