The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-17
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.
THURSDAY, MAY l5, 1856.



ting reports OF the Secretary of State the Secretary of the
Navy and the Attorney General in reply 10 resolution
House OF Representatives of the 9Th of May having refer
ence TO the routes of transit between the Atlantic and Pa
che oceans through the republics Of Nicaragua and New
Granada and TO the condition Of affairs 10 Central Amer
! The message was read
| Mr. MASON. Ipresume that the proper disposition of
the message and documents before would be refer
them TO the Committee on Foreign Relations and have
| them printed. make that motion.
Mr. CRITTENDEN. The Senate is thin now and this is
very important subject requiring remark and
sderation before i beyond the hands of ts body
DESIRE therefore, that the question the reference shall
| be postponed until we have fuller Senate.
think that have rarely listened In this body TO
message from the President Of the United States which
considered franght with consequences and am
say evil consequences than the message which has
just been read The country ought certainly 10 know the
opinion OF this body upon the questions presented by that
message If quietly escapes from the hands of the SEN
ate into the bosom OF conmittee in weeks time this
country will be agtated from end of it to the other
with the expectation of war and every libuser in the
land will be triumphant will thus prematurey (or
would speak with the greatest caution and the greatest
deliberaton on this subject undertake to say what
ought do but something ought to he DONE and that
quickly and that of decided and emphatic character II
we are to have waand it seems to me that all the boz
dngs of this message for warl wish to come and to
be accepted by us denounced by in open manly
manner should be made by great nation do not
desire by any species of indection any pary policy
90 on step by step bliudly, until fall into the pit
OF war; do not admire that course of proceeding but IT
of pathway. ea.. uea .@ss VI Ha aee a##5
How long has this government of Nicaragua as it
called (Which is recognised by you, far rs tho Ex-
ecutive recognise it had a and existence
think it is since convened here in December
cannot count up exactly the months of its existence but
the shoes not the feet Of those who wrought
this revolution and already satisfied Of the per-
manency of this government and satisfied as to its capac
ity to discharge the duties of nation in the great family
Of naonsl Sir 1t is hasty convicton and very hnsty
conclusion in a matter of much consequence and inn
portapce 1t Is revolution effected too the
itself admits by the cooperation of our own coantryme
going contrary the laws of their country TO the aid and
assistance Of this already permanent government which
has known hour of peace and security from the
time of its existence until this moment and which now
engaged in war. sa .s"a
Is this the national prudence and national policy winch
have guided heretofore2 What said General
jackson upon occasion somewhat and only somewhat
like hs In regard Texas long after she had given to
the world of her ability 10 govern herself and
her capacity to maintain herself against Mexico and had
by victories established her title to respect among the COM
munes of the earth--what said General Jackson, in
message to Congress that subject? am sorry that
have not tina, message here but gentlemen will recoect
it. II is worthy to be read by them 1t embraces every
principle and every policy treated of in this message and
gives them thorough, and profound and patriotic refua-
ton and II marks out as clearly and distinctly as day
light the which ought to pursue in reference to
such .r. L .....M .s.
This message totally contrary TO the policy announced
by General Jackson and approved by the whole nation
ID against the American sentiment principle and policy
which have governed us from the beginning We some
times mix ourselves up in the affairs of other nations va
ognsing and thus far espousng the quarres OF commun
ties rising suddenly into existence do by engaging
with them in alliances offensive and defensive This an
entsngling alliance. 7#
General jackson thought Furthermore, any gentle
win find who will read thar admirable message of his
that the accepting of new community into the family Of
nations contracting with 1t such recognising s power
treat SUCH high act of authority about which
the Of the United States and not the President
merely had the right decide and determine Yet here
sir in our presence the President has thought proper
do in any spirit of censorousnessto acknowl
edge this government by accepting and accredtng Its min
ister IL Isl question Of great Importance The comng
into existence of new nation affects may affect the
whole circle Of nations. New relations are to be created
alliances TO grow up new laws and new policies
Of TO he marked out Is this case which, under
such circumstances may be promptly decided by the Pres
| ident Of the United States alone2 .. sm'.....
Sir did not intend TO debate this question: was not
prepared for debate upon it, but II TO me that some
thing ought TO be said and something onght TO be done
do know that this message ought TO be committed ut all
Az rate IL deserves debate before II goes rom the
hands Of the Senate should better understand and
know what called upon 10 do and what we are do
ing hope that the message win not be referred-at
least not al present
| Mr. MASON i am not aware sir, of anything In the
message Of the President which has been read either to
excite the appehensons which have been Indicated by the
senator from Kentucky TO call for the criticism which
he has been pleased 10 make upon the conduct Of the Pres
ident The paper merely Informs the Senate as was his
duty do OF the condition Of country very near to us
in whose condition OF necessity have great cal
OF inteest-Ccntra America generally and Nicaragua
Of the States Of that country more especially lie In
forms that he has learned recently hata change has
place In the Of the State OF Nicaragua
What change2 That which Is taking place all over The
earth from day to daya change OF government The APP
pointmen of Preden, in lieu ofanoher the appoint
ment OF one OF lawmakers in lieu OF another set
Being satisfied that the government n government ds
aco and has sufficient ability 70 conduct the Affairs OF The
people be has felt himself called upon TO receive er min
1 lister. That is all
Now the honorable senator from Kentucky says that this
Is couravention Of policy established from the found
Of this government and adhered TO on menorabe
occasion by General Jackson in reference TO the state OF
Texas he says that the President Is not only oonrayenng
that policy but establishing one. ask the honor
able whether the State Of Nicaragua new state
in the family of nations Have not recognised the ex
sence Of Nicaragua political community since the year
s24st time in confederation, and afterwards sep
arately-ust recognised Mexico or COSTA tto or
Buenos Ayres any OF the States that occupy poI
/ ton of North America Central America or south
America Does 1t not follow, In Justice 70 them sna
to ourselves that when they change their government
all that we have right know is that the government
which they have established Is really government ana
that they hare sufficient stability TO enhe themselves 10
be put In communication with u.s. This ~ Tho whois IN
aury Bat the In this case as though Nj
carngua had for the first time presented herse az
separate political community and the President had un-
der,aken TO determine that In fact political com
muny and recognise II as such, without consulting
the other branches OF the government That IS not The
case at ALL We had minister resident nt the state
of Nicaragua FOR several and one there when this
revolution took place by which their government vas
i changed She had minister resident here We have
Nicaragua for series Of years as we are with the other
States Of Central America We are not now recognising
new power.
am free TO admit (so far as would undertake to crin-
cise the conduct of the President who must by virtue Of
his office regulate not our relations with foreign nations