Quote by George Washington
To admit then a right in the House of Representatives to demand, and to have as a matter of course, all the Papers respecting a negotiation with a foreign power, would be to establish a dangerous precedent. It does not occur that the inspection of the papers asked for, can be relative to any purpose under the cognizance of the House of Representatives, except that of an impeachment, which the resolution has not expressed. I repeat, that I have no disposition to withhold any information which the duty of my station will permit, or the public good shall require to be disclosed: and in fact, all the Papers affecting the negotiation with Great Britain were laid before the Senate, when the Treaty itself was communicated 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.
Summary
This quote highlights the importance of not establishing a dangerous precedent by granting the House of Representatives an automatic right to access all papers related to negotiations with foreign powers. The speaker states that the only circumstance under which the House would need access to these papers is in relation to the impeachment process, which the resolution does not mention. The speaker emphasizes their willingness to provide necessary information but underlines that all relevant papers were already made available to the Senate during the consideration of the Treaty with Great Britain. Additionally, the speaker begins to discuss the process of making treaties under the United States Constitution.
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