Tuesday, January 11.
The House proceeded to consider the amendment proposed by the Senate to the bill entitled "An act for the relief of Charles Hyde;" Whereupon,
Resolved, That this House do agree to the said amendment.
Cession of Louisiana to France.
Mr. Griswold moved that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, intending, should he succeed, to call up his resolution presented on the 5th instant, viz:
"Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to direct the proper officer to lay before this House, copies of such official documents as have been received by this Government, announcing the cession of Louisiana to France, together with a report, explaining the stipulations, circumstances, and conditions, under which that province is to be delivered up, unless such documents and reports will, in the opinion of the President, divulge to the House particular transactions not proper at this time to be communicated."
I recollect, said Mr. G., when I proposed on a former day that the House should go into Committee of the Whole for the purpose of considering this resolution, the principal arguments in opposition were drawn from its supposed connection with a subject which had been referred to a secret committee, and, therefore improper for previous or public discussion. Those arguments have now lost their weight. The House have decided on those confidential subjects, and their resolution was published, and I believe it will appear that I was not incorrect in my opinion, that this resolution has no concern with any confidential communications. When before under consideration, the inquiry contemplated was considered important. The information requested must be in possession of the Executive; it cannot be supposed that such documents as would be useful to the House, do not exist in the Executive cabinet. We cannot legislate with a proper understanding, unless we are informed of all the circumstances, conditions, and stipulations, under which that territory is ceded to France. I will not believe that the Executive has neglected to demand such explanations as the honor and interest of the United States require. It is this official information which we want. As we are unembarrassed by other subjects, either of a public or secret nature, I hope the House will now come to a decision; I shall call for the yeas and nays.
Mr. Dawson moved a postponement of the resolution to a future day.
Mr. Mott said he was opposed to the resolution, but was for going into Committee of the Whole, and deciding upon it, rather than to be troubled with it from day to day.
Mr. Dana.—I consider the refusal to go into a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union as a negative upon the resolution. We have been told before by the gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. Randolph,) that it does not amount to a refusal of the resolution. True, it may not be so harsh a mode of putting it aside, but the effect is virtually the same. Will it be made a question whether it is proper to ask for information? The President has recommended the subject to our attention in his message. It is not only proper, but of course becomes our duty, to deliberate, and to request such information from the President, as will assist and enlighten us in our proceedings. It is his constitutional province to do this, and it would be a reflection on him to suppose that he would withhold any information from the House, on a subject which he had thought so important, as to form part of an official message. It could not have been inserted merely for the sake of rounding off a period. No, sir, the President has undoubtedly sufficient reasons for mentioning this, as a subject worthy of our deliberations; he is designated by the constitution as the proper person from whom information on subjects of this nature is to be derived; he is supposed to combine the whole; it is not proper to receive it but from an official source. The general subject is mentioned in the following terms: