Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1858-01-13
Congress on Nicarasuan Affairs.

Congress on Nlcaraguan AnalrS. ''.r.
On Monday last Mr.. Ctngman, as Chairman Of the
committee Foreign affairs, introduced the follow
ing resolution into the House Of Representatives:
Resolped That the President be requested to COM
muncate to this House, If not Incompatible with
the public interests all the information in his posses
sion in relation to the late seizure of Gen. William
Walker and his followers in Nicaragua, together
with such instructions as may have been given to
our naval officers and other officials, pertaining to
the subject. ..aGl #-ra ltnrf~5 ..Te.;
Objection being made to the introduction Of the
resolution Mr.. Cngman moved to suspend the rules,
which was done by vote,of lit tot. The remain
ing proceedings we quote from the Globe: .s.al
Mr.. Clingman. did not expect to have said
anything upon the resolution, but it seems to me
that the opposition Of gentlemen around renders
q word necessary. l think moments reflection
will satisfy the House that it is important that the
resolution should be adopted. And in reference to
the suggestion Of the gentleman from Tennessee,
[Mr. JoNEs,] l will say that if he will offer the
amendment to which he referred, will vote f"r it,
fought, perhaps, to saya few words about th' 70 m
of this resolution. and the reasons why the commit
tee made the call in this mode. l think it is broad
enough to cover the ground indicated by the gentle
man from Tennessee. II calls for all the information
in the Presidents possession in regard to the seizure
OF course the President will be likely inform the
House what this man has been doing. as reason
why he seized. II also calls for all instructions
essee is not satisfied with that, why, let him
an amendment calling for any further information
and opening the doors wide possible, and
shall be ready to vote for it. Every gentleman will
see, upon moments reflection, that this is ques
ton of much importance, and one which the House
cannot over, look 1t involves three considerations of
sufficient importance.
In the first place, there is question in relation
to the rights Of walker and his followers who have
been seized Whether they have any claim, upon
10 IF Oulv n,inO Nmp pnrta anco
Then there is second question, with reference to
the rights of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, whoever
owns the territory which has been invaded. But,
sir there is still question Of far more Importance,
so far this House and the country concerned,
which does not depend upon either of these Itap
pears that of officers-whe;her with the
authority of the President not is not now
sary to inqure-has, at the head of large body of
armed men, gone into territory that does not be-
long the United States and carried away by force
one or two hundred persons This will strike eve.
rybody as Of war, and its justification does
depend at all upon either Of the other questions.
For example, suppose-for mere arguments sake
Walker was as bad man you imas inc him
to be; this would not justify his seizure in that
mode Why sir, there are bad men in all the coun.
tries of the world but that does not justify Off
GERS in marching into those countries and arrestng
them without any authority from Congress. Wheth-
er Nicaragua does does not object TO this proceed
ing is wholly immaterial Suppose Nicaragua had
been invaded by foreign army, a d one of
officers had assisted her to expe it.; she would not
have complained oS the invasion of her territory. II
rebellion or civil had prevailed there and our
officers had gone in to put down to to take sides
in it, why, of course the triumphant party would
not complain | have sort Of doubt that if, dur
ing the revolution in Paris in 1S4S American troops
had gone there and put down the revolution, Louis
Philippe the monarch, would not have complained
Of the invasion Of his territory.
Mr. Richie. l desire to make a single remark
Just at this point show the light in which I re-
gard the late act of Commodore Paulding That
act sir was jusfable on this ground that Walker
was fugitive from the criminal laws Of this country,
and the officer Of any country dispatched in pusuit
Of criminal has right to arrest him anywhere with
the consent Of the Government of the country in
which the fugitive has sought an asylum.
| Mr.. Clingham. / hear the suggestion of my
| friend from Pennsylvania with great pleasure al.
| though do not concur with him | think that on
reflection he will that that does not justify IN
anv respect movement Of this kind. Suppose q
fugitive from this country were to flee into Canada,
or to London, Paris, and officers. with troops
were to follow him there and bring him away by
force the gentleman will preccivc how that
would involve We have right 10 demand from
some foreign Governments, in some cases. the ex.
tradition of the fugitive, but not to arrest him by
force upon foreign soil.
But, Mr.. Speaker, my object in rising was not to
enter into a justification or censure Of Walkers
movements, but to show the House that whether
the man was criminal or not it does not affect the
present question. Congress may authorize inter
ference in the affairs Of foreign country; they
may make declaration of war but as the Const
/ tuition gives to Congress alone the war-makine
power, the point must strike every one that ouI
officials have right to perform acts Of war unit
authorized by declaration Of Congress. Wheth
ther Walker was an invader Of Nicaragua, or was
rebel party to civil war in that country. in any
point of view officials could take part in The
contest, unless authorized by Congress to do so Il
is because the war.making power is one Of the mos
important that Congress is invested with, that
think it our duty to hook into this question at once
Mr.. Grow. / would suggest to the gentleman
that when we get the information called for in hi
resolution. it will then be the proper time to discuss
this question.
Mr.. Clngham. I am infinitely obliged to tn,
gentleman from Pennsylvania for the suggestion, ant
agree with him on that point. l do not now pro
pose to discuss the facts involved in this matter bu
to indicate points of view in which it may be impor
tant Another great question must suggest itself L
the mind Of every gentleman. We have for year.
had struggle going on with Great Britain as to tn
dominion control Of these Central American
States and have often complained of the acts of he
officials there but if We justify this act of Commo
dore Pau?ding, may not Great Britain interfere a
she plcases in imitation of this precedent? II VI
can thus interfere may not Great Britain do tn
same? And shall we then have any right to com
plain? This proceeding may, too b. violation o
the Bnlwer. Clayton treatyP In this point Of viev
I hold that the Government is bound to dsavoy
this act Great Britain may do whatever she think
proper hereafter.
But again, sir: are we to leave to our naval off
GERS the discretion to do acts Of this sort 1t ma
turn out that in this particular instance it will Civ
rise to difficulty but If naval officers are t
be allowed to go into foreign countries to make sci
zures the result will be that Congress will be strip
could not have authorized it and shall we leave tn
power to subordinate officers? It seems to me tha