EVENING SESSION—SIXTEENTH DAY.
Washington, Saturday, February 23d, 1861.
The Conference was called to order by the President, at half-past seven o'clock.
The PRESIDENT:—I have addressed a note to the President-elect, announcing the desire of the Conference to offer their respects to him in a body, at seven and one-half o'clock this evening, or at such other time as would be agreeable to him. I have received his reply, stating that he will be pleased to receive the members of this body at nine o'clock this evening, or at any other time which may suit their convenience.
The Conference then proceeded to the order of the day, being the consideration of the second article of the section reported by the committee.
Mr. GUTHRIE:—I move to strike out the second article, and to insert the following in its place:
"Territory may be acquired for naval and commercial stations and transit routes, and by discovery, and for no other purposes, without the concurrence of four-fifths of the Senate."
It is generally conceded that under our present Constitution the United States have no power to acquire territory for coaling or naval stations, within the country of a foreign power. It was the committee's intention to remedy this defect by the present section. But as it stands, I do not like it. The idea is somewhat awkwardly expressed. I wish to have the enabling power conferred in direct terms.