Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-04-13

a treaty of alliance or confederation as we'll as
possessing forts
Mr.. CoSRAp-Not after the secession.
Mr.. Why not after tho SECESSION If
o State has power, by withdrawal, to absolye
herself from, this obligation not to make a
treaty-graut that-and you grant all she
wants-to hold forts. How can the gentleman
escape that logic? She has got the right to
make Il treaty, to make alliance, even to grant
titles Of nobility, to emit bills of credit and do
anything else that is forbidden by the Consti-
ton to bc done, and yet has not the tight to
take possession of her " forts. viii That
hold water in the mind Of any IMAM that COM
psres one idea with another? NV friend. I
Know is not uncandid. and if he perceived this,
hewould acknowledge it; but it shows me
that he is somewhat blindly welded to
the conclusion that the Federal Government
has 4 right to hold on to these forts.-
And he asserts this as his opinion. | say
to him, that if the Federal Government as.
sumes the power, exercises and e~nforces the
power to hold OH TO these forts, that it is ius;
az dangerous to the peace of his people and of
my people as if they aSssiled the Confedera-
ton formed BY these seven States : to form
which requires n power, requires a right to be
acknowledged, requires the exercise Of a SOW.
reignty, which Is all that is required to take
forts themselves from the Federal Government.
Sill, lot ME say TO the gentleman, that the Fort
on the TortusaS Isles is within the limits of
Florida. Lie: Inc say to him that For, pickens
is within the limits OF Florida. The State Of
Florida, Xix the State Of Virginia, holds all
the islands within the marine league on her
coast To hold the fort upon tue Tortugas is
just SIS much an Invasion of her sovereignty as
an aggressive war; if she be sovereign enough
after a withdrawal from the Confedpracy, 10
emit bills OF credit, TO make q treaty or ALI
ance, she Is sovereign enough to hold the forts
within her limits; and the attempt to take these
forts, or 10 %ontinue the occupation of them
will threaten war, and produce a war, as fear.
fully, as cegtainly, as for the General Govern.
tnent at once To attack the Southern Confeds.
racy itself; for to hold the forts, is, in fact, To
deny their right Of confederation. You deny
all their powers by this 10th section. The de.
n al Of one upon the ground oC status que, is q
denial OF all; and the denial Of any power that
Is essential to maintain the canaition Of those
Southern States, with regard to the condition
and power, and position OF the Federal Govern.
ucnt, Is war, Inevitable Sgr. THIS Administra.
ton IS now holding on to these forts. Tue gentle.
man rom Harrison, {Mr. CARlILr,) said yvster.
day. that be knew Of nothing that The Federal
u T:rnment had done that indicated q purpose
OF war. | say, Sir, thut tue holding Of these
iortS-Whethcr peace or war oe their purpose
the holding on to these forts will inevitably
bring on war, and they know it. Yet know
Ing 1t, they ere sending re Inducements Of men
and supplies Of provisions und strengthening
and fort!iyins the forts with all the munitions
and implements and munilneuts of wal. The
war steamer is OH her path on the deep
Within ten days OF their sailing from New York,
when the attempt shall have been made to re-
ininrce these forts, you may hear tie echo Of
the Goo;niaS Of the cannon which proclaimS
that war, Z higran. war has begun. Yet, in the
face OF these fecis, whilst war is on its march to
the site Of war. we find started this doctrine OF
status an quo thst raises every dire issue that
can grow out OF the question Of peace or Wal.
l ask this committee, | impiore them, not TO
commit themselves upon tlis tenth resolution.
1t Is unwise to pass these propositions to wait
until q National Convention, or until Congress
shall confer the power to amend the Federal
Constitution; for, whilst in the midst of waiting
we may hsar the clash Of the arms Of war.
Sir, | have been accused OF being bellige.
rent | say, as | said to 6 friend who asked
me privately on the floor yesterday my opin-
ion-a gentleman FOR wnuse own opinion |
have great r~espect-whea ne asked lue TO an
swer him in a moment, "wcre you President
what would you do in respect to these forts y
| said to him, without hesitation, VT would
depend upon ny construction OF my powers.
With my opinions, | should iorbesr. With
che opinions uf gentlemen who believe that
the Federal Government is bound " hold on to
those forts, With The opinions Of those gentle
nea, who believe that the Federal Executive is
sworn TO execute the laws, and is bound to en-.
force them ut all hazards, suppose | should
be bound TO execute them" He replied to me,
and | concur in the sentiment Sir be
said, my opinions would require me to eva.
cuate those forts at Once, as a matter Of peace,
rs i matter OF policy, rs = matter OF patriot
ism. for the purpose of restoring the peace and
harmony Of the Union" [ could not but AS
sent to the wisdom as well rs the pacihcation
of the maxim. They ought 20 be evacuated
and we ought to consent to the recognition OF
the independence OF those Southern States.
Mr.. SCOTT OF Powhatan.-I ask for n division
Of the question, for | want to say a few words
upon the question Of striking out.
Mr.. CARTEM-I wish 10 hear the substitute
reported.
The Clerk reported the substitute.
the question was then taken on the mo-
ton to strike out, which was carried in the
affirmative, a call for a division Of the House
having been made by Mr.. SnERFEY and the
count given mp.
The CHAIENAS.-The question recurs upon
amending the terth resolution, by inserting
the proposition OF the gen ile'nanf from Princess
Anne, (Mr. WISE
Mr.. CARLILE.-l call for the ayes and noes.
The cali was sustained.
Mr. ScorT, (of Powbatan.)-I move, as an
amendment 20 the amendment, that the word
consent" be stricken out, and the word ''de-
sire" be inserted in lieu thereof.
The CHAIRMAN stat / IT, q~lti!!<--.
Mr.. SCOTT. (of Pow ila.anl ii !G:., -asr
was clearer, Mr.. ChaiTIu.I AZ: z r'2Jvsi-
ton, than tia: it is n ;hs pr. - .eGa-
raj Government to acSrowit iI@c2-l.
dence III the secede esh.eg. ms s;io
is q government: o. :!-a3ta:i lax; aie
Federal GoveTlmeI. * 3N"2a Eat
nave not been conferred upon It sy lac uun-
sti;ution. Bat the power to make treaties has
been conferred upon il. II has been said BY
some that this t~reaty-making power WIS only
intended to apply to treaties with foreign ma.
lions. The words ''foreign nations do not
appear in the Constitution in connection with
the treaty.making power. But even II they
did, that would make III difference. Who
would be the judge, in respect to the question
who the foreign nations weTe2 Would not the
Federal Government have the authority to
Judge? Would Il not be the judge OF the cues
ticn who were foreign nations, and VINO we're
not foreign nations? Have not the proper au-
thori,;es OF the Federal Government the power
TO acknowledge tho independence OF reVolteu
States, or Of rsrolted people Of other countries
Did not the proper authorities OF the Federal
Government acknowledge the independence OF
several OF the South American States Dla
they not acknowledge tue independence o.
Grepcay We're they not the FRS; 70 acknow-