Later he would bring in a motion to do away with all foreign intercourse.

Goodrich answered that the office of foreign minister was created by the Constitution itself, and the power of appointment was placed in the President.

The House might speculate upon the propriety of doing away with all intercourse with foreign powers, but could not decide on it, for political intercourse did not depend on the sending of ministers abroad.
Foreign ministers would come here and the Constitution required their reception.

The idea that we should have no foreign intercourse was taken from Washington's Farewell Address, but his words applied only to alliances offensive and defensive.

If ministers were abandoned, envoys extraordinary must be sent, a much more dangerous practice; the only choice was between ministers and spies.