Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-06-22
J P BENJAMIN,
Secretary Of Stats.


Your committee have eTsminad carefully this
letter Of the Secretary Of State, with the d0cu-
meuts accompanying it and ara NOS prsDars3.
upon the data furnished, 90 rscomm end either
tbe Rdoption or rejection Of the original PROPOSE
ion submitted TO them aud without entering at
large into the reasons that have induced this
conclusion, state briefly, thst facts clmmunics-
ted are so limited sbd Of such character as to
have aided them hat little f1 their investigation.
They consist simply Of O statement already
known to the country OF the names Of cur com
uissi0Bers and their secretaries abroad, with
some extracts from their correspondence snd
instructions from tia S.sts Department.. accsm-
panied by an incomplete list Of tha SCENTS of
foTsign governments residing in our midst
Your committee are wei assured that It was
not the desire Of the house to trench any
manner upon the provinces Of the senate
Sc the constitutional advisers of the Ex-
eCViiYe in matters relating 70 foreign sffsirs
by ths adoption Of its resolution Of inquiry; nor
i7 there any disposition to complain Of tho Ex-
ecUijve exercising a Just discretion in with
holding the communication Of such facts in re-
lati0a to foreign affairs, aud our secret agents
abroad ss he may deem it detrimental 70 tie
public interest 70 make Your COMMITTEES feel
however, that as the recognition of eur indepeu5-
ence by foreign powers has not yet been se-
cured, nor eur foreign relations established with
Otge5 governments, sni as it is by virtue Of di-
rect legislation on the subject, and not merely
Of a constitutional provision, the President has
felt himself authorized to sand commissioners
and commercial gents abroad, and ss Congress
has esfore It for legislation matters affecting our
commercial relations with other govercaonts,
ard ths security Of Che rights of our cisizsns
sbrosd. ind those Of foreigners in our midst
this house in no way tsascends its powers
when Is seeks of the Executive, through
the proper channel, knowledge not
only Of the number and names OF our diplo-
mstic egsnts, but also statBnent Of the fact,
whether consular or commercial agents have
been seat abroad, and if so, TO what countries;
and whether they have been permitted by the
governments to which they hsve bsau sent 20
exercise the customary powers sf such agents
OF hayesbeen forced TO foreg0 eatiFely the dis
char so 81 t1e very important duties pertaining
to such sn,aintments, and made to oceapy the
cbaTaci - 81 extraordinary or special, or seerat
agents. The necessity of such information IS
apparent 20 the discussion Of the resolution be-
fore the house, in its two-fold character: First,
whether it would be polite 20 recall our com
missioners sent 10 European States; and,
second whether il would be wise TO refuse to
recognize the consular agents Of other govern
ments, openly exercising their privileges in our
midst, under sn sxequatUr from a government
with which 70 are at war.
Without further remsEk upon ths reserve Of
the State Department on this sabisot Vsur cam
mittee wil Uerely add that they are not allowed
to be ignorant Of the fsct made known thrsugh
published official correspondents Of foreign
governments and tho debates in Bdhsh Fariia-
msut, tAst some such sgents Of our Govern
ment in some capacity, either consular Or com
mercisl, DO exist sbrosd but Of thsir number.
or the countries 70 which thsy have bea1 sent,
OF the powers they havs been permitted 70
eTerGiss, your committee ere Ignorant. and
the communication Of the Secretary Of State
gives no information on the subject We are,
however ineidentsliy made awara of ths fact
that a REGULAR correspondence IS carried or
between the consuls Of foreign powers, re-
siding in our midst, and the ministers Of
thoss powers, aeeTaditsd and residing at
/ Washington, through aregular established chan
I mel Of communication, which The United States
! Government hss succeeded in induciHg those
poWers notwithstanding the remonsraue Of
our Secretary Of State, to close eifsetnslly
I against az correspondence Of cur Gsveroment
/ with It's sgsnts abroad. Il is also made knowa
I by che communication from the State Depart
/ msnt that ona Of our commissioners, Mr. Rost,
has resigned bic position, and that bafors d0iRg
/ so, he submitted 70 tho President whsther it was
coasstsot with cur s8lTsspeet ard the dignity
I Of lae country, % keep longer abT0ad commits
si0ners who are uBar no cireums tsnces TO
I be Tscsiysd aad listened 8
] Another, mr. Mason, dated Juns 23d writes
/ u have conferred fegasutiy and freely with
! Mr. Sii3e'l on the sxpedisncy OF making s re-
] noWat request 10 the Government Of France or
England, or to either, for recognition Of our IN
/ dependence, and am happY to say that q cor
dial understanding exists between Us to act in
/ dependently or simultaneously as our joint
Judgments may approve Ny own strong con-
viction Is that it viii be uawise, if not unbe-
coming IN TIE attitude of she ministry here
TO make such request Row, unless it were
! presented ss g demand Of right, aud il re-
fused, as l little doubt il would be, TO fol-
low the refusal by a note stating that / did
not consider it compatible with the dignity Of my
Government snd, perhaps with Fay own self-rs-
speet, 90 reulsin any longer ID Eogianb bui
should retire 50 the continent, 20 await Cha f1rihel
instructions Of my Government shege, I DO not