Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-05-13

The Executive in tie instructions 10 our military com
mnnder which had been The subject of discussion. TIC
had seen nothing in those instructions, or the ieer OF
Gen. Gaines calculated to violate them Rr. NJ. eA-
messed the hope that the question raised by the gentle
man from Massachusetts, (Mr. Adanso wnether Tue u
Stntes will recognize the independence OF Texas "ouio
not be involved in the consideration OF this question.
These people have asserted their 10 an independent
sclf:eovernment, and now engaged in bloody ana
appalling struggle to maintain it. Whether ihey are 10
succeed time alone decide. II they shall success
fully encounter the fearful odds arraycd against them,
and maintain dc Jacto Government It will be tor the
United States when the event shall transpire, 10 oetef-
mine on the relations be established with them; re-
cogntion of their independence under such circun-
stances will be violation of our treaty with Mexico
But surely nothing has occurred here or elsewhere, TO
Justify suspicion that it is the purpose OF the PRESIDENT
u( The United States of ority of the House OF
Representatives under the existing state of affairs, TO
exercise this high power. The Texans have not asked
it, they have many melancholy proofs Of the uncer-
ainy Of the result of their efforts 20 expect us to re-
connie them independent people When the fact
shall exist it will be the duty of the Government Of The
United States to decide the question.
WHAT Then, asked Mr.. NJ, is the question under con-
sidclalon; And why have the measures been adopted
which induce call for this appropriation?
| In the prosecution of fixed policy the United Statcs
have removed tract of country west of the Mssls-
sippi bordering Texas, Indian tribes with p"pula
ton nu,o there estimated at one hundred and sixty thou
sand In the treaty with Mexico, ratified in 1881 there
are mutual spulations, binding eac, Of the Republics
TO restrain by the Indians within their respective
limits from hostililies against the other. We are not
only bound 10 project own frontier but 10 rrpress
the hostile movements Of those powerful Indian tribes
already restless and Disconnected whose disposition to
Join in the contest it must be extremely difficult to re-
strain if the country i'll their immediate vicinity shall
as it probably will become the seat OF war Nuthing Is
so well calculated 10 accomplish this object as the pre-
sence of strong military force the part of the Uni
ted States. 1t may be said, that Mexico will not com
pain but may invite them t" join in the conflict Wl'e-
Their Mexico complains mot il is the duty OF the uni
ted States 10 prevent the indians from engaging in war;
because there car be doubt Of the Of the
opinion of Gen. Gainrs that they WILL when in arms
respect no boundary, real or imaginary and that the Ca
lanities of their hostility will he felt by our people
general officer of great experience aud discretion.
md of acknowledged bravery, charged with the duty OF
defending this frontier, has communicated to the War
Department his npprchensions of hostile feelings and
movements the part OF The lndluns and OF the pnss-
be event III violation OF our territory atd neutrality
by the bcliigcrcns in Mexico-orders have been given
TO collect force sufficient to awe the suvnges into
peace and to restrain either of the conendng PARTIES
in Texas from entering our territory with arms IN their
hands. An estimate Is sent from The proper Department,
asking appropriation 10 furnish the Of afford
ing this protection 10 Citizens and to cnac the
Executive, in good faith, execute the treaty 1t is
true that General Gaines i'll executing the orders Of
the Government, given TO accomplish these rcts has
been authorised to advance within the territory caimrd
by Mexico; but the Unit, Staes has notified the Mkt
can Government, that in taking such position, the
purpose has not been take adversary possession of
the territory dispute, but with the single intention oil
executing the trcuiy, and preserving neutrality So
far from II being war MEASURE is DECLARED TO be pro-
rsiona and precautionary, and it is The only prudent
by which peace is TO be preserved and pre-
vented. The committee would observe that in these
ders both the con,endng parties placed the
footing and that the Government, sustaining from any
interference with the between them, dcermin
ed 10 do equal justice to both.
Mr.. M. said he could not undertake 10 determine
whether these precautionary measures whould Sc
cure peace but believing them essential whether peace
is to continue war is to be encountered he should con-
slider himself shamcfuy wanting in duty lie were not
to respond TO this CALL by placing at the command Of the
Executive The means of maintaining our neutrality, Of
protecting soil from The expressions Oft any who may
be disposed to invade it, and of restraining savage war,
in which citizens must be the greatest sufferers.
He in the orders to General Gaines clear rccrgn
ton OF the prnc pie of neutrality, disposition to do cxuc
justice 10 both partcs firm resolve to protect the
American People from violence, and faithful observance
of the obligation Of treaties.
MIR. Underwood was still convinced OF The proprety
of postponng the further consideration Of this subr
until Monday, least for, he not disposed TO vote
hastily it, and if compelled 10 act day, he should feel
compelled to vote against the appropriation altogether.
lilo feared the effect Of passing this BILL after the
nications that had been read to-day: it would give the
Mcxicans TO believe that anticipated war, as
it would be sanclionlDg the conduct of General Gaines
in entering their territory. He thought they should in
scrt dcclaralon that the conduct Of General Gaines,
if he the Mexican borders, would be disuprroved
Of The gentleman from Virginia (Mr Nason) said that
General Gaines justified in passing the border be-
cause lie did it maintain the treaty. Santa ANNA
might invade the United States, and justify himself un
der The preext. For The purpose Of considering
this subject after mature deliberations. he moved
that The committee r.r; losl-ayes 81 noes D.
! Mr.. Underwood then moved 10 amend the bill by in.
sorting provso that the appropriation should not be
dcrstood giving any sanction to an invasion by the
troops of the United Slacs of the territory u the United
Mexican States; which not agreed 10.
Mr. Mckay then moved 10 amend the bill by providing
that the money should be expended under the direction
Of the Secretary Of War; according The act of the 2sh
February, 17!G providing for calling t"rth the militia
and the acl Of I'd January, l7, regulating the pay DC
of the militia, when called into actual service.
Mr.. Caulbreleng did not know the precise effect of
the amendment proposed, but presumed il was in con.
formity the provisions of the act OF l7!5. When the
bill making appropriation for the Seminole pass
ed this House. the amount was to be expended according
10 law that provision was struck out, and The reference
TO the act of 1889 was substituted that refers the
Of 1928, and the last 10 the act Of 1898 If lie compre
hcnded the amendment, lie objection to it,.
While up he would express his surprise at The cxtraor-
binary the debate had taken. We had been dis
cussnu Tie question Of with Mexico, and the Ad
mnlslralion charged with design to create it,
while it manifest That they had determined by every
step they had taken in reference to this war; on our Dor
der, to preserve the uos rigid neutrality, and TO res
poet the national rights Of Mexico. The President had
but two days ago sent a communication asking for
appropriation pny the expense of running the boun.
dairy line between this country and Mexico We are
called upon for an appropriation to enable our Co.
vcrnment maintain its neutrality. Without strong
force then, (snd we ought 10 have had ten thousand
men there before now it will lie impossible TO command
the respect of both parties, and without occupying the
position in The neutral Territory, proposed in certain
contingency and without efficient force, our neurn.
lily never be sustained. He was, therefore, much
surprised at the remarks Of the gentleman from assa-
chusctts, Mr.. Adams, about q war with Mexico We
were trying TO avoid one, whatever might be the event
Mr.. Mason of Ohio addressed the committee ut some
length against the bill lie denounced the whole Tex
ian controversy TO be humbug and this proposition
for The defence of the South western frontier be de-
cded humbug for the purpose Of bleeding The Treasury
and getting rid of the surplus revenue. Tie also con-
demned and anmadvercd with great severity on the con-