Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-12-22
CONG r E S S f..
FOREIGN POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES

msnded the previous question on its adoption;
Resolved That Congress has constitutional rgn 70 IN
policy of the United States as well IN the OF
Powers in other matters ard II IS tne eonsuGnai au
ne citations in the OF the national force when an
BY law and the sh SV the %
which pronounces III and snch poposiu9n whie Penong
and undetermined 10 not III topic OF opomatc
ton with any foreign Power
The previous question was seconded and the main
Mr. FARNswoRTH moved that the resolution be laid
on the table; which motion was decided IN the affrma
tiVe-yeas 60, nays GO, not voting o.
Mr. DAVIS, of Maryland. Mr.. Speaker, 1 riie TO a
privileged question desire to be relieved by the House
Of Representatives. from further service on the Committee
on Foreign Affairs - !, .
are connected with any service upon which the House OF
Representatives shall place me- but when IN the course OF
the discharge Of those duties find myself unfortunately
differing opinion from the majority oil the house 90
not consider it is proper should longer continue 10 mold
any such position The vote which mas been JUST passed
by the House 10 which will allow OF no other con-
| struction.
The House on my motion, the unanimous recon-
mendaton of the Committee Foreign Affairs at the last
session. passed resolution declaring the pohcy OF ms
Government touching the Republics OF America IL was
adopted unanimously 1t went to the Senate and there IT
lies II had not been passed three days before the oer
charged with the foreign correspondence OF inns Govern
ment directed representatives abroad virtually to apo
oeze to the French Government for the resolution adopted
by the representatives of the people and III that CORE
spondepce presumed to impeach Congress oil nsrpaton
in undertaking to prescribe to the President the rules
which should guide him in the foreign policy OF the United
States! a.
That correspondence made the subject Of circular
by the French Government to all of the Governments OF
the world to let them understand that the Congress OF the
United States had right to speak with authority IN Tue
foreign aara of the Government and mat nothpg was 70
be except the will and declarations OF the Execu
tive In the debates that took place in the French Assem-
bly, the world was given TO understand by the member
representing the Emperor that the passage o he reso
Il
Mexico was momentary ouburst of passion on the part
of the representatives of the American people ke that
which occurred when Messrs Mason and Sllde were ar
rested on board the Trent but which DID NOT prevent he
Federal Government from giving the two prisoners The
world was given to understand on tho authority OF the
Secretary State by the Imperial Government hat Con
gress is such thing the French Assembly the doele
reflex Of the Executive WILL its resolution VAN and pre-
sumptuous usHrpaton. .
he letter of the Secretary of State was in tone that
was not respectful to the dignity and the authority OF the
House of Representatives And If that letter lays down
the law of the and-snd this House by ts vote day Gays
it does-then you have right TO Committee on Foreign
Affairs aud aLn child to play az doing that which you
have no right to do. The Secretary OF state before all
Europe in matter of the greatest moment slapped Inc
House Representatives in the face IN his correspondence
with the French Government and the House Of hepresen
tariyes says il will not assert ts dignity The House
Of Representatives the appropriate and adequate guard
of its dignity Sir am the only guardian OF my own
dignity and after this vote and that correspondence
most hunby but respectfully ssk to be excused from iu
Their service upon the COMMITTEES on Foreign AasrS.
Mr. cox of Ohio. feel constrained to object TO re-
eving my colleague from service on the Committee on
Foreign Affairs but if the House nsat upon e1cusingfhm
ask the privilege myself and desire to be excused
from service upon that committee have no doubt gan
temen will accord that privilege to me very readily and
perhaps excuse me from all committees that IL their
| pleasure The Committee Foreign Affairs have had
little to do since this Congress began The House tent
them this resolution for their consideration The gentle
man from Maryland examined TIE question committed 10
the committee with crest care great dehberaton and
great learning his report which has been sent to this
House. will show That report will challenge the admira-
ton of every body those who are not perhaps dgent
anopob 10 read the proceedings of Congress- gnc
rant to understand iEe dponac history CT the country
Mr. Speaker By an examination of that report, which
has nothing of partisan character IN IT, everybody would
be satisfied that Congress has some voice at least n tho
foreign affairs Of this country and In the dipomahc ar
rangements by which peace kept with all the world
Precedent after precedent IS cited where congress has
again and again recognised foreign Governments aud we
all know the precedents with respect to voting approp-
aous to carry out treaties in which the voice oil Congress
has been omuptent with respect 10 our foreign relations
Aud there is why tle voice OF the chairman OF
our committee the voice OF that committee ltse Should
not have been treated respectfully 10 this House The
House passed resolution yindicating our continental
policy ard The Monroe doctrine from the Infringement Of
foreign Powers, and especially France is went 20 the
Senate there for certain reasons 1t sleepsseeps lhe
leep OF death, and will know no waking. Inc country
was nsuted the continent was nsulted, by this French
intervention and the House Of Representatives. 10 mo
Of pride OF nationality Of true dignity asserted lts
proper prerogaye with respect to thus question The
Committee on Foreign Affairs but carried out their wishes
How our resolution treated by the Executive and by
the House 10 their acton this day know But, SIR,
do not think this action Of the House good reason why
the gentleman from Maryland should be excused that
the House should excuse him. un!ea he holds this House
aud this Congress IN utter aud absolute contempt
hope Mr. Speaker, there will be something done TO
vndcae the privileges of at est the lower House OF Con
gress from the Executive, and II you please diplomatic
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We have had in tais country within the
last years the old question which they have bad
IN England for great msny years and centures-the old
between the royal prerogstve and parliamentary
privilege with this exception whereas IN England FArls'
men is paramount 10 this country are or ought TO be-
limited by written Constitution. In England and In this
country that contest has been waged between Executive
usurpatIon and Congressional privilege and the gentle
from Maryland, not only in this matter but 10 other
matters has asserted the Congressional right against E1
ecuve usurpatop and be deserves the thanks OF every
national Of every party for it. 1t is time sir that the
rights and privileges Of the National Legislature were re-
spected and would appeal 10 the erespect oil members
upon both sides to vndcste their dignity and the dig
NIFTY of the Constitution. There question in my mlpd
but that Congress has If not controlling large voice IN
diplomatic aud foreign relations. But il seems, by the
just taken ayirg this resolution the table, that
the House thinks Otherwise IL it chooses TO think so,
very we'll but do not let the gentleman from Maryland,
after such action take umbrage at any thing this House
may do He viDdicate his selirespect and dig
nifty, he has d. before, when rights intrench
ed upon by the Executive 10 hs famous manifesto, which
be bold enough at all times 10 vndcate before the people
Mr.. Speaker, there good many questions pertain
ing TO congressional privileges which will before this
session IL over. They will require us to yndcae our
rights here against the Executive 1t only yesterday
that the House adopted The resolution OF the honorable
/ gentleman from New York, (Mr. BRooEs,) committing
TO the Committee Foreign Affairs inquiry what
! n