sentinel. You have also been posted as sentinels, but you have permitted the enemy to pass your lines, and Mexican like, you are ready to sacrifice your country at the shrine of plunder. Mr. President, I speak coIJeclively as you all form one whole, though at the same time I do not mean all. I know you have honest men there, and of sterling worth and integrity; but you have Judas in the camp- corruption, base corruption has crept into your councils, men, who if possible would deceive their God. Notwithstanding their deep laid plans and intrigues, I have not been asleep; they have long been anticipated, forestalled and counteracted. They will find themselves circumvented on every tack. I am now tired of watching scoundrels abroad and scoundrels at home, and as such I am now prepared to drop the curtain. The appointment and instructions founded on the resolutions predi- cated on false premises, shall now be tested. I will immediately countermand the order made out in such haste, and as you say, and as her register says, the armed vessel Invincible is a Government vessel, I wilJ immediately order a suitable officer of the Government to go and take charge of her in the name of the Government, and hold her subject to my order. And if that be refused, I will immediately recall her register by proclamation to the world. I would further suggest to you that our foreign agents have been commissioned and specially instructed to fill out our navy, and procure the proper officers and crews; and unless they can be certainly informed of the absolute purchase in time, to prevent their purchase of a similar one, the purchase, so made by you, shall never be ratified or become binding on this government; because you would do the Government serious injury by meddling with matters which you have put out of your power by special appointment. You shall not be permitted by collusion or manage- ment, to act in bad faith to the injury to the Government. If the appointment of general agents, with latitudinarian powers, with the power of substitution, and many other things equally inconsistent, and ridiculous; which have been engendered in, and emanated from your caucussing, intriguing body, recently, does not show a want of respect to my department, and a total neglect of the sacred oaths and pledges solemnly made by you, I must admit I am no judge. I wish you distinctly lo understand, that the ground on which you stand is holy, and shall be guarded and protected with e\'ery assiduity on my part. Permit me again lo repeat it, Mr. President, that it is not intended to Louch either yourself or the honest and well intending part of your Council. Look around upon your flock, your discernment will easily
459
Powered by FlippingBook