d connected them with it. Amid the public excitement
thus created the treaty failed to receive the requisite two-thirds vote
of the Senate, and was rejected; but whether the action of that body was
based wholly upon the merits of the treaty, or might not have been in
some degree influenced by such unfounded allegations, could not be known
by the people, because the debates of the Senate in secret session are
not published.

Under these circumstances I deemed it due to the office which I hold
and due to the character of the agents who had been charged with the
investigation that such proceedings should be had as would enable the
people to know the truth. A commission was therefore constituted, under
authority of Congress, consisting of gentlemen selected with special
reference to their high character and capacity for the laborious work
intrusted to them, who were instructed to visit the spot and report
upon the facts. Other eminent citizens were requested to accompany the
commission, in order that the people might have the benefit of their
views. Students of science and correspondents of the press, without
regard to political opinions, were invited to join the expedition,
and their numbers were limited only by the capacity of the vessel.

The mere rejection by the Senate of a treaty negotiated by the
President only indicates a difference of opinion between two coordinate
departments of the Government, without touching the character or
wounding the pride of either. But when such rejection takes place
simultaneously with charges openly made of corruption on the part of the
President or those employed by him the case is different. Indeed, in
such case the honor of the nation demands investigation. This has been
accomplished by the report of the commissioners herewith transmitted,
and which fully vindicates the purity of the motives and action of those
who represented the United States in the negotiation.

And now my task is finished, and with it ends all personal solicitude
upon the subject. My duty being done, yours begins; and I gladly hand
over the whole matter to the judgment of the American people and of
their representatives in Congress assembled. The facts will now be
spread before the country, and a decision rendered by that tribunal
whose convictions so seldom err, and against whose will I have no policy
to enforce. My opinion remains unchanged; indeed, it is confirmed by the
report that the interests of our coun