Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

DEBATES OF CONGRESS. 669 FEBRUARY, 1835.] Relations with France. [H. OF R. it is said, is nearly finished, and, from what I know sequent letter, of the 22d of December, he stated of its tenor, it will produce all the effect that truth that the new ministry would not even propose and justice can be expected to have on prejudice and to the Chambers to act on the appropriation as party spirit. a ministerial measure. The ministers themThe decision not to make it a cabinet question will selves, therefore, were not unanimous on the not be without its favorable operation, * * * principles of the appropriation, and Mr. Livingsome of the leaders of the opposition, who ston said that he was now far from being sanmay not be willing to take the responsibility of a ine in the success of his endeavors to accomrupture between the two nations, by breaking the g treaty, when they are convinced that, instead of forcing plish the object of his mission. Other reports the ministers to resign, they will themselves only (Mr. A. said) stated that there was no prospect incur the odium of having caused the national breach. of obtaining the appropriation. Under these In this view of the subject, I shall be much aided if, circumstances, he thought it time for the House by the tenor of the President's Message, it is seen to take up the subject, as it was proposed by that we shall resent the breach of faith they contem- the President in his Message at the commenceplate. ment of the session. Now, that it was so prob. It is on all hands conceded that it would be im- able that the French Chambers would do prudent to press the decision before the next month, nothing, it had become the imperious duty of when the exposition will be printed and laid before the House to act on the subject. He was the Chambers. desirous that the Committee on Foreign Relations should make a report. He did not prosuccess in the whole, I am far from beng sanguine of pose to prescribe what they should report; he success in the erdeavors which I Shall not cease to make for the accomplishment of this important object of my mission; and I expect with some solici-. ARCHER, of Virginia, expressed his surtude the instructions for my conduct in the probable prise at the proposition for instruction coming case of a rejection of the law. from his friend from Massachusetts. When the I have the honor to be, &c. House gave a peremptory instruction, such as EDW. LIVINGSTON. was now suggested, for an instant report from Hon. JOHN FORSYTH, Secretary of State, &c. a committee, what did such a proceeding import, and was considered in parliamentary Mr. J. Q. ADAMS rose and said: I move, sir, usage as importing always? Why, that the that the Message, and the extracts from the opinion of the House was made up on the subdespatches accompanying it, be printed, and re- ject of the report, and that, therefore, it required ferred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, no further inquiry on the part of its organ, the with instructions to report forthwith on that committee. This, he repeated, was the parliapart of the Message of the President of the mentary, as it was the reasonable, construction. United States which relates to this subject. Well, then, what was the inference here, if the Mr. CAMBRELENG said that, after hearing the House yielded to the instruction? That itself, correspondence read, he hoped the gentleman as well as the honorable member from Massafrom Massachusetts would withdraw that part chusetts, stood prepared to discard further susof his motion which required the Committee on pense, under the information just communicated, Foreign Relations to report forthwith. He on this most important subject of our relations trusted that, whatever measure might be finally with France, (the occasion of so much anxious adopted on this subject by the House, it would deliberation,) and was now ready to act definireceive the unanimous vote of the House. tively! And how act? In a continued forMr. J. Q. ADAMS said, in introducing the bearance? If that were the course designed, motion to instruct the Committee on Foreign no instruction was required; and, if designed, Relations to report on the subject of the Mes- the instruction must lead to misinterpretation, sage forthwith, he was governed by the persua- given, as it would be on the instant, after the sion that it was inconsistent with the interest reading of unfavorable intelligence from our and honor of the nation to leave the subject minister in France, as regarded the prospects longer unacted upon. He should not object to of the treaty for execution, and accompanied, any amendment which the committee might too, and introduced by such remarks as had propose, with a view to allow them time for the fallen from the honorable gentleman from Masconsideration of the subject. But he did think sachusetts, certainly of no very forbearing and that it was important, as we were now within temperate character. The instruction, then, a few weeks of the close of the session, that the would be the declaration of a disposition on the subject should be brought before the House part of the House to take a belligerent attitude without further delay. It appeared doubtful, towards France, or such a one as had been intifrom the correspondence which had been read, mated in the President's Message, at the beginwhether the Government of France would ning of the session, which had just been referfulfil the stipulations of the convention. Mr. red to with so strong an inference of praise, Livingston, in his letter of the 6th of December, prospective, at least, if not immediate. Was uses very sanguine terms in relation to the the House (Mr. A. asked) in this disposition? success of the appropriation bill; but in a sub- Did it partake the fervor which had been manifested by the gentleman from Massachusetts? to examine the law, intended to contain all the arguments He made open profession that he did s ot, for and facts by which it is to be supported.

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Title: Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.
Author: United States. Congress.
Canvas: Page 669
Publication: New York, [etc.]: D. Appleton and company [etc.]; 1857-61.
Subject terms: United States -- Politics and government

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Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

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