CH. MAU. TALLEYRAND.
Monday, June 25.
Alien Enemies.
On motion of Mr. S. Smith, the House went into a Committee of the Whole on the bill respecting alien enemies. The Chairman stated, that when this bill was formerly under consideration, a motion was made to strike out the first section, which was negatived. He proceeded to read the second.
Mr. Otis hoped the committee would rise. He made this motion with a view of moving, in the House, a postponement of the consideration of this bill until the next session of Congress. He did not know that there was any immediate necessity for it, the President having sufficient power over aliens by the bill already passed.
Mr. Gallatin said, he did not expect a motion of this kind. If any bill respecting aliens was necessary, it was certainly a bill of this kind against alien enemies; but a bill having been passed against aliens generally, the gentleman from Massachusetts appears now to be willing to pass by the bill against alien enemies. This gives a new coloring to the business, and it seems as if gentlemen were more desirous of guarding against alien friends than alien enemies. It is true, if this bill is not passed, the President of the United States will have the power of removing from the country all those aliens whom he may think it necessary and proper to be removed, whether they are alien enemies or alien friends. But, if alien enemies are really dangerous, it cannot be supposed that the President can remove them all. This bill, therefore, provides in what manner they may be laid under certain restraints by way of security.
Mr. Otis interrupted Mr. G. to say he would withdraw his motion. He made it, because he expected the bill would have been objected to by the gentleman from Pennsylvania and his friends. Since they were agreeable to pass it, he had no objection to it.
The committee rose and reported the bill, and it was ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.