ee ee ee ee 
ee eee 
5 TAPS 
lative to that treaty, excepting such 
of the said papers as apy existing 
negotiation may zender improper to 
be disclosed. 
dij deliberating on this subject, 
it was impossible for me to lose 
sight of the principle which some 
have, avowed in its discussion, or 
to avoid extending. my views to 
the conszgvzices wnich must flow 
from the admission of that prin« 
ciple, ; 
I trust that no part.ef my con- 
du¢t has ever indicated a disposi 
tion to withhold any iniormation 
which the constitution has enjoined 
upon,the president.as a duty to give, 
or which could be required of him 
by either | ig of congress as a 
right; and with truth I affirm, that 
it has been, as it will continue to 
Ge while J. haye che hononr,to pre- 
side in the government, my con- 
stant endeavour to harmonize with 
the other branches thereof, so far 
as the trust delegated to me by the 
people of the United States, and 
ny sense Ri the obligation it im- 
poses, to ‘ preserve, protect, and 
efend the constitution,’ will per- 
mit. 
The nature of foreign negotia- 
tions requires caution; and their 
successes must often depend on se- 
crecy, and even when brought to 
a conclusion, a full disclosure of 
all the measures, demands,. or 
eventual concessions which may 
have been proposed er contem- 
plated, would be extremely, impo- 
_ditic; for this might have a per- 
Ricious influence on future nego- 
tiations, or produce immediate in- 
conveniences ; perhaps danger and 
mischief, in relation to other 
powers. The necessity of such 
€aution and secrecy was one cogent 
PA; Pie, eS: [291 
reason for vesting the power of 
making treaties in the president, 
with the advice and consent of the 
senate ; the principle on which 
that body was formed confining it 
to a small number of members. 
To admity then, a right in the 
house of representatives to demand, 
and to have as a matter of course, 
all the. papers respecting a nego- 
tiation with a foreign power, would 
be to estabiish a dangerous prece- 
dent. 
It does not oceur that the inspec- 
tion of the papers asked for ean be 
relative to any purpose under cog~ 
nizance of the house of representa-. 
tives, except that of an impeach-, 
ment, which the resolution has not 
expressed. L.repeat, that I have no 
disposition to withhoid any infor. 
mation which the duty of my sta- 
tion will permit, or the public 
good shall require to be disclosed ; 
and, 3 in fact, all the papers affect. 
ing the negotiation, with Great 
3ritain were laid before the senate, 
when the treaty itself was commu. 
nicated for their consideration and 
advice, ' 
The course which the debate has 
taken on the resolution of the 
house, leads. to some observations 
on the mode of making treaties 
under the constitution of the United 
States: 4, % 5 Las 
Having been a member of the 
general convention, and knowing ° 
the principles on which the con. 
stitution was formed, I have never 
entertained but one opinion on this 
subject ; and from the first esta- 
blishment of the government to 
this moment, my conduét has ex. 
emplified that opinion, that the 
power of making treaties is exclu- 
snely vested in the president, by 
o 
2 and 
