WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1843
489
five thousand dollars found its way back to the Treasury. Neither the advice nor sanction of the Senate was asked in these instances; nor was any appropriation made by law for defraying these expenses. They were therefore, drawn and used without authority of law. And strange as it may seem, the Honorable Senate were not even "excitecl" so far as to call in question the constitutionality or legality of those acts. tional concurrence and action. If, however, the Executive might rely for any irregular action he might think proper to take relative to our foreign relations. At the time the diplomatic movements referred to were made, a treaty was negotiated with persons from Yucatan at the Capitol of this Republic, and its provisions carried into effect without ever being submitted to the Senate for its constitutional action. Though the nation was thus deprived of its naval arm of service, it produced no "excitement." It is strange that at this time "excitement" should arise in rela- tion to negotiations never thought of but in the fevered delirium of opposition to the Executive, and that patriots, participants and beneficiaries in past transactions should have remained tran- quil under these manifest violations of the constitution, and at this time, when none such are contemplated, .should become so "greatly excited" as to disregard all "courtesy" which should exist between the Executive and the Senate and seek to degrade him by a system of inquisitorial exactions unexampled in history, is ample cause for amazement. If the President could for a moment believe that any conduct of his could have induced the implication of his charac:ter contained in the preamble and resolu- tion he would feel humiliated under the apprehension that his fellow citizens had elevated him to a station upon which he had brought disgrace. When he compares his incessant labors and familiar acquaintance with the affairs of the government with those of the Representatives of the people, he is irresistibly drawn to the conclusion that his opportunities for forming correct opin- ions are at least equal to those who are occasionally engaged for a few weeks in the business of legislation, and then return to their various avocations without an opportunity of knowing what ma? in the meantime transpire in the correspondence of the govern- ment and in its various relations either foreign or domestic. The Executive is proud to aver that he has always cherished the most ardent desire to unite in paying to the representativeg of the people all the respect to which they are entitled as such.
Powered by FlippingBook