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

DEBATES OF CONGRESS. 671 FEBRUARY, 1826.] Congress of Panama. [H. OF R. and colleague, (Mr. HAmILToN,) who was not they would not find even the vestige of one. now in his place, in which he did no think that When did ever a case like this present itself t(c gentleman had been fairly treated. The reso- the Iouse? Where was one t- be found, bearlution had been called his, and the gentleman ing a similitude to it? None, he was sure, had from Massachusetts had said that his honorable ever taken the devious and strange course friend had alternately adopted and repudiated which this proposition had taken. When it his own offspring. But how had his colleague was first introduced, they had no feelings on done this? Was it not from the first manifest, the subject; but it was laid on the table, and that, owing to causes which his friend, with there rested for a while: but it afterwards rose his usual candor and frankness, had stated to up, foaming on them like soda-water. What the House, he did not think the House ought was all this for? What was all this feeling then to pass the resolution? A similar resolu- manifested about? A while ago, they did not tion was afterwards offered by another gentle- want the information, and now they do. If it man, and the question being put whether the was right formerly, it is right now. Mr. M. two resolutions were not in substance the same, said he had asked for a little information on the Chair had decided that they were. And, this subject, in the earlier part of this investiwith the consent of the mover of the latter gation, but le had received none. Why, thereresolution, the resolution of his colleague was fere, was it asked for now? On the other considered before the House.' What then was hand, it was said, it was all right; it was quite the conduct of his honorable friend? So little consistent this information should be furnished; desirous had he been of being considered the but, whatever you do, don't have too much of author of a resolution which he had not pressed, it; their eyes were weak, and they might have that he wished to withdraw it, and suffer that such a blaze of information as would palsy of the gentleman from Kentucky to take its every exertion of their minds. fMr. M. said place. But this course was forbidden by a rule he thought he was able to resist this effulof the House. He was therefore obliged, by gence. But they were not to have it: for, if circumstances, to consider as his own, a resolu- they did, they would become as wise as the tion which he did not press, and which he, in President. fact, desired, should not, at that time, be con- What is it, then, that gentlemen so much sidered. Now, every gentleman must know, fear? Why is the resolution so guarded? In that there was often as much consequence in his mind, Mr. Mi. said, it was a sort of adverthe time at which a resolution is offered, as in tisement to the President, which says, we ask the form which may be given to it. Various you to give information, but we don't want amendments were afterwards introduced, and you to give all the information. Why were as his friend was not permitted to withdraw those words so often used? Why were they so his resolution, he consented to those amend- tautological, unless with a view to communiments, under the impression that they im- cate to him that, though you are asking for inproved the original resolution. Afterwards a formation, in truth you do not want it? There proposition was offered by the gentleman from could be no other reason that he could see. Massachusetts, which, though it had the form The gentleman has said there could be no preof an amendment, and by rule could only be cedent for this mission. Mr. Ml. would tell him, received as such, was, in fact and in truth, a in reply, that such a case had never occurred, substitute for the resolution of his honorable and if it had not occurred, how could they exfriend. This new resolution contained a dupli- peet to find a precedent for it? The gentlecation of provisos, as to the discretion of the man from New York said, a case might present President in making the communication re- itself, where this course might probably be quired, and this produced an essential differ- thought necessary; but Mr. M. said, if there ence in the tone and manner of the call. His was any case on this earth that presented itself friend was, therefore, justly entitled to consider for the deliberations of freemen, that required this resolution not as his, though, in point of a fair investigation of its whole contents, this form and rule, it had to be so considered by was one. the House, and he had an entire right to act What was it they were about to do? Mr. toward it as if in fact it had been the resolu- M. said he would take up the President's lantion of the gentleman from Massachusetts. guage, and on that he would view the matter. When, therefore, the gentleman from Massa- [Here Mr. Ml. quoted that part of the Presichusetts, in a vein of pleasantry, talked about dent's Message, which relates to the mission to his friend's adopting and repudiating his own Panama.] offspring, he must have forgotten that he was This was what the President had said, and himself the parent of the bantling which he this was the foundation of all this inquiry, this assigned to another father. argument, this expression of feeling, this brawliMr. MIITCHELL, of Tennessee, said: It is nev- ing for the question. Look at it for a moment, er too late to correct an error. Now, as to and what was it? The President says we are precedent, he thought it was impossible, in the to partake in the deliberations of this Amphieannals of the history of this nation, we could tyonic council, but we are to take special care get one for the subject now under discussion. not to violate the neutrality which we hold to They might look back to those annals, and England, to Spain, and other powers. This, it

Pages

About this Item

Title: Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.
Author: United States. Congress.
Canvas: Page 671
Publication: New York, [etc.]: D. Appleton and company [etc.]; 1857-61.
Subject terms: United States -- Politics and government

Technical Details

Collection: Making of America Books
Link to this Item: https://name.umdl.umich.edu/ahj4053.0008.001
Link to this scan: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moa/ahj4053.0008.001/673

Rights and Permissions

These pages may be freely searched and displayed. Permission must be received for subsequent distribution in print or electronically. Please go to http://www.umdl.umich.edu/ for more information.

IIIF

Manifest: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/api/manifest/moa:ahj4053.0008.001

Cite this Item

Full citation: "Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856." In the digital collection Making of America Books. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/ahj4053.0008.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 21, 2025.

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

Annotations Tools

Actions

About this Item

Technical Details

Rights and Permissions

Related Links

IIIF

Cite this Item