Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-04-06
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT.
The following letter was sent to the
House of Representative on the 29th ult.
by President Buchanan


by President Buchanan
TO Tie House Of Representatives:
Aftera delay which has afforded me
ample time 70. reflection, and after much
and careful elaboration, I find myself
constrained by an imperious sense of duty,
as coordinate branch of the federal
government, to protest against the first
two clauses of the first resolution adopted
by the House of Representatives on the
9th instant, and published in the Con-
gressional Globe on the succcedingsday.
These clauses are in the following words:
:" Resolved that committee olive meru-
bers be appointed by the Speaker, for
the purpose (firs) Of investigating
whether the President of the United
States, or any other officer of the gov
eminent, has, by money, patronage, or
other improper means, sought to infu-
ence the action of Congress, or any COM
mittee thereof, for or against the passage
of any law appertaining to the rights OF
any State or Territory" (and I'd, "al-
SO to inquire into and investigate whether
any officer or officers of the government
have, by combination or otherwise, pre-
vented or defeated, or attempted to pre-
vent or defeat, the execution of any law
or laws now upon the statute book, and
whether the President has failed or re-
fused to compel the execution of any
law thereof"
confne myself exclusively to these
two branches of the resolution; because
the portions of it which follow relate ia
alleged abuses in postofiices, navy yards,
public buildings and other public works
of the United States. In such cases in
quiries are highly proper in themselves,
and belong equally to the Senate and the
House, as incident to their Legislative
duties, and being necessary to enable
them to discover and provide the appro-
pirate legislative remedies for any abuses
which may be ascertained. Although
the terms of the latter portion Of the res
olution are extremely vague and general,
yet my sole purpose in adverting to them
at present is to mark the broad line of
distinction. between the accusatory and
the remedial clauses of this resolution.
The House Of Representatives possess no
power under the constitution over the
first or accusatory portion of the resolu-
ton, except as an impeaching body
whilst over the last, in common with the
Senate, their authority as Legislative
body is fully and cheerfully admitted.
I. is solely in reference to the first or
impeaching power that propose to make
a few observations. Except in this sin
gle case, the constitution has invested
the House of Representatives with no
power, no jurisdiction, no supremacy
whatever over the President. In all
other respects he is quite as independent
of them as they are of him. AS a CO.
ordinate branch of the government, he
is their equal Indeed, he is the only
direct representative on earth Of the peo-
pie Of all and each of the sovereign
States. To them, and to them alone is
be responsible whilst acting within the
sphere of his constitutional duty; and
not in any manner to the House of Rep
resentatives. The people have thought
proper to invest him with the most honor
able, responsible. and dignifed Office in
the world and the individual, however
unworthy, now holding this exalted po-
sition, will take care, so far as in him
lies, that their rights and prerogatives
shall never be violated in his person.
but shhl pass TO his successors unim-
paired by the adoption of dangerous
precedent. He will defend them to the
last extremity against any unconstitution.
al attempt, come from what quarter it
may, to abridgc the constitutional rights
Of the Executive, and render him sub
servient to any human power except
themselves.
The people have not confined the Pres
ldent to the exercise Of executive duties
They have also conferred upon him a
large measure Of legislative discretion.
No bill can become law without his
approval as representing the people Of
the United States, unless it shall pass
after his veto by majority Of two-thirds
OF both houses In his legislative capa-
city, he might, in common with the
Senate and House, institute an inquiry
to ascertain any facts which ought to
influence bis judgment in approving or
vetoing any bill.
This participation in the performance
of legislative duties between the co-or-
dinatc branches Of the government ough.
to inspire the conduct Of all Of them,
in their relations towards each other,
with mutual forbearance and respect
AT least each has right to demand JUS
tice from the other. The cause Of com
plant is that the constitutional rights and
imnunities Of the Executive have been
violated in the person Of the President.
The trial Of an impeachment of the
President before the Senate on charges
preferred and prosecuted against him by
the House Of Representatives, would be
an imposing spectacle for the world. In
the result not only his removal from the
presidential Office would be involved, but
what is Of infinitely greater Importance
TO himself, his character, both in the
eyes Of the present ard Of future gene.
rations, might possibly be furnished.
The disgrace cast upon him would, in
some degree, be reflected upon the char
acter Of the American people who elect
cd him. Hence the precautions adopted
by the Constitution to secure fair trial.
On such trial il declares that tho
Chief Justice shall preside" This was
doubtless because The framers Of The