Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-05-29
The Staps4fo.

md Central Ansrica - Delivered In the House Of
Representatives, Nay 8. 1868 Esg
ARREST OF wALKER-cENrRAL AMERICA.
s5E Mr.. CLINGMAN said 5.s 81.
IS Mr.. SPEAKER: With the indulgence Of the House
: / viii make some explanation of the report made
from the Committee on Foreign Ahslrs on the ar
rest of General Walker by Commodore Pauldng.
Il will be remembered at early day OF this SEES
sion offered some resolutions, in the following
words:
"Rsso.ced That the treaty between the United States
beng under the interpretation placed by Great Brit
ain an entire surrender of the rights of this country and
the IL m an an
having hitherto been productive only of dins
and controversies between the two ought
Reaoloed That since the acquisition and settlement of
our territory the Pacific certain portions of Central
louisiana prior to its acquisition territory in
the Mississippi valley and therefore ought not to Dc sub
fere materially with our interests
"Resol0ed, That inasmnch as the Government of the
United States has heretofore taken steps suppress the
considerable annual keep squadron ON the
coast Of Africa to the We fee It to 0e "r
called the Coole trade not only on the prcpes OF humans
s Of
the countries in which they are transported
They indicate the line of policy upon which ex-
pect to speak to day; but before doing So desire
to offer few words on the subject Of this Pauldng
report
It takes the ground that he. Commodore Psulding.
had no authority to arrest General Walker in Nj
caragua 1t has been said that pirates may be fol.
lowed into any jurisdiction and there has been an
attempt to hken this case to that. On that point,
can refer to a very high authority. Mr.. Webster,
in his letter to Mr.. Fox. says:
Her Maestys Government pleased Also to speak of
those American citizens who took part with in
Canada engaged instruction against the British Gov
ernment American pirates The undersigned does not
ssns Of the United States fitted out or were engaged in
fitting military expedition from the United States,
intended to act against the British Government Canada
they clearly violating the laws of tteir country
and exposing themselves to the just which
might be inflicted them if taken within the British do
not pirates does the think that it can ad
the accommodation of national difficulties, densmi
nate them Their oense whatever it was had analogy
to cases of piracy Surprising all that is alleged against
earded as civil war and thew were taking p1rt on the
side of the rebels Surely England herself has regard
ed persons thus engaged deserving the appeaton which
her Majesty Government bestows these citizens of the
United States.
is quite notorious that for the greater part of the
last two centuries subjects of the British Crown have been
permitted to engage in foreign both national and
civil and in the latter in every stage of their progress
allowed her subjects to turn pirates Indeed
times not only have individual subjects Of that Crown
whole regiments openly recruited embodied, armed and
disciplined land with the avowed purpose of aid
ing rebellion against nation with which England was
ut peace"
1 will remind the House. in additian to that strong
authority that when Gen. Felix Houston proposed
to raise an expedition to help the Greeks in their
revolution, John Quincy Adams, then President of
the United States, HeE.y Clay, then Secretary of
State, Daniel webster, Forsyth, and La Fayette,
gave him strong letters of instrumentation. La Fay
cite himself was an ustrious example of that kind
of piracy. In the DEBATE which took place in the
House some time ago, it was urged that Paulding
had right to follow Walker as criminal into Mic
aragua, and arrest him. This is contrary to the law
of nations; and If gentlemen will take the trouble to
look into the extradition treaties which have been
entered into with Great Britain, with Switzerland,
and with other countries, they will find that those
countries have recognized no such right this
has the right in any case, been conceded, but only
the right to make demand on the executives. The
Nicaraguan Minister could not have given any such
authority. 1t is an authority which can be granted
only by the treaty making power. Mr.. Dallas could
not authorize any English captain to into the
United States for such purpose that could only
be done by the President and Senate, the treaty
making power.A
But it is argued, in the third place. that Paulding
went there for the benefit of Nicaragua. Well, Sir,
upon that point have to say that officer in charge
of the United States forces only those forces
in the service of the United States. That PROPOSE
ten. / think, is indisputable What the last House
leave to show. by presenting the vote upon a resou
ton Of my own.
/ will say to the House, in explanation of the cir
cumstances under which offered that resolution,
that Immediately after the Panama outbreak and the
slaughter of our people occurred, went to see the
late Secretary of State, Mr.. Marcy, and advised at
once that body of troops should be sent down to
protect the Panama railroad. called Mr. Marcy 8
attention the fact that the United States had
antied the safety of the line by treaty which was
the supreme law of the land. He admitted such
was the treaty, but said that the Executive could
not use the United States forces within foreign u.
risdiction without the authority of Congress- re-
minded him Of what had been done at Graytown,
= and he intimated that they had probably exceeded
the law at Greytown; but" said he, 1--WE will do
anything we can do from the guns of our ships, but
we cannot land troops there"
say, Mr.. Speaker-because this has been sub.
ject of some discussion lately, and arm very frank
man in politcs-that did press upon the Secretary
OF State the importance of sending troops there.
king possession of the lne and holding that sthmus
rs satisfaction; but agreeing to pay to New Gren.
ada sum of perhaps two or three millions to boot
for cession to us. That was my line of policy.
desire to hold this isthmus. also remember very
well, that, in the course of that conversation-for
was perhaps little ultra and pressing in my re.
marks-in reply to question Of the Secretary Of
State as to what we all thought up here in Congress
about his foreign policy, did say to him that, in
my judgment, his foreign policy had been irritating
and weak; that they had quarreled with everybody
and maintained nothing.
But. sir, it is sufficient for my purpose to say that
the Secretary of State thought that there was no au
thority, and he referred me to the President had
conversation with President Pierce on the subject
and he took the same view of it: that, without au
thorty from Congress, the Executive could not us.
the troops Of the United States in any foreign jurs
dtction therefore presented in the House the fol
lowing resolution:
resoIoed &c. That for the better profession of tn
and property of American citizens under the Law
OF nations and as secured by existing treaty stipulation
nth reference 70 the lines of travel be
tween the Atlantic and oceans the President of tn
United States be- and hereby authorized to employ AM