File No. 17900/4.
The Secretary of State to the Panama Minister.
Washington, Februray 9, 1909.
Sir: The President directs me to say in answer to your communication of February 8, 1909, that the remarks complained of were made in the House of Representatives. Under our Constitution we have for what we regard as wise reasons provided that—
* * * for any speech or debate in either House they (the Senators and Representatives) shall not be questioned in any other place.
This provision we regard as essential to secure full liberty of speech to the elected representatives of the people; and we feel that such liberty of speech should be preserved even though it may occasionally be abused.
It ought to be understood, however, that the utterances of individual Members are not to be taken as expressing the views either of the Government of the United States or of the House in which such remarks are made.
Accept, etc.,