American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-12
auerifan Republican.
Reported for the American Republican,
UsRST SESSION of the 29th CONGRESS
WAsHINGroN, May IL, 1916.
SENATE.

THE message was read. ltrecites the efforts
made by our government to renew amcable
relations with Mexico, and their failure, Sc
Finally, the President says, that American
blood has been shed on American soil-that(
war now exists, and exists by the act of Mex
leo. Finally, the President recommends that
power be given to the Executive to call into
service large number of volunteers, and that
money be appropriated for their pay.
Mar. Sewer moved to refer the message, &c.
to the committee on foreign relations, and print
il.
Mr. Davis wished to have all the documents
read.
Mr.. Speght suggested that they were very
voluminous, and it would take two or three
hours to read them He moved to print co.
900 extra copies of them
Mr.. Calhoun hoped the Senate would pro-
coed calmly, dispassonately and with the dig
nifty and irmness that became the OCCASION
He thought that to order the printing of so
large number of the message would seem
like endorsing it, and we had only heard it read
cursorily.
Mr.. Speight said there was nothing like de-
claration of war in the message, and ne endor-
sed every word of it, and believed that it was of
sufficient interest to be given to the public.
Mr.. J. M. Clayton thought that the refer
ence should be to the committee on military af-
falrs the President calls for soldiers and this
was the proper committee to answer Wheth-
or right or wrong, we were now at war with
Mexico, and he wasready to vote the supplies,
but the time would come for other inquiries.
Mr.. Morehead could notagree with the SEN
ator from Del, that the committee on military
affairs was the proper committee; this was II
question of peace and war, and, as such, be-
longed to the committee on foreign relations.
Mr.. Benton observed that there were two
points in the message for consideration, and
that one of these presented military aud the
other political aspect-they ought, therefore,
TO be referred to both the committees named.
Mr.. Sewer modified his motion for reference
accordingly, and after little further discus
sion the message was thus referred.
On the motion to print, long discussion, of
a rambling sort, occurred, which each one who
participated in it seemed to admit was prema-
ture.
In the course of the reading and talking, it
appeared as a fact, (about which doubt was at
first expressed) that Gen. Taylor took up his
present position on the Rio Grande and oppo-
site Matamoras by instructions from the War
Department.
Mr. Crttenden expressed his readiness to
unite in giving efficiency TO the action of the
Government in this crisis, but at the same time
he lamented the necessity that obliged us to
raise our arm against a sister Republic. He
suggested, for future consideration, mission OF
peace to Mexico We could afford to be mag
nanimous-we were mighty nation, and she
was weak one, torn by anarchy and revolu-
ton. We had committed aggressions upon her
for years. 1t seemed to him that mission to
heal all difficulties between the two countries
would be glorious thing. Could he have the
control of such movement, he would send
Henry Clay, or Martin Van Buren,, or either
the Senator from S. c., or the Senator from
Missouri.
This suggestion of MIR. c. was made with
much feeling, and seemed, 10 Judge from the
countenances of Senators, to strike an answer
ing chord in the bosoms of the assembly.
The motion to print 10000 extras was a. {
dopted,
The Chair submitted communication from
the Department of State, in answer to Ieso-
luton concerning ship canal across the 18TH
mus of Panama,
MIR. Benton reported the bill for raising the
mounted ri6emen with amendments, and dis
agreeing from the House amendments-the
Senate concurred, and the bill was passed.
But Mr. Archer moved reconsideration.
A playful dialogue ensued between Messrs
Archer and Benton, the result of which was a
postponement of The motion to reconsider I'M
til tomorrow.
The Senate then held short executive ses-
sion.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Reports of committees first IN order
Several bills and resolutions were reported.
Mr.. Hopkins reported bill TO change the
Postage law, reducing weights of letters from
half to quarter of an ounce, and to charge
oil 1raA nf
three hundred miles, and Is cents for over
600 miles.
The House after receiving other reports,
went into the committee of the whole, Mr..
Gordon in the chair, on the bill for the Sup
port of the Military Academy, which was dis
cussed. Mr.. Sawyer opposed and assailedt the Sc
nate for delaying the Oregon and other bills!
also assaulted the official editor for imputing in
action to the House as we'll as Senate.
MIR. HARRISON replied with much warmth
A scene ensued. Members cried, go it, Saw
yer! Go it, Sawyer!
The committee rose to enable the House to
receive message from the President, which
was read.
The President recaptulated all that has
transpired but gives no new information. He
says the Mexican forces are on the soil Of the
United States, and that ,rar exists between the
two countries; recommends Congress to take
efficient steps to speedily end the war by rails
ing for SIX months large number of troops
and sufficient sum for the exigency. He JUS
titles himselfin all he has done and avows his
Willingness to settle all difficulties with Mexi-
co by negotiation, as soon as that nation may
make known her willingness to do so.
He accompanies the message with cores
pondence with Mexico, and orders to General
Taylor, which, with the message, were refer
red to the committee of the whole
On motion of Mr.. Haralson the House went
into comnaittee of tho W hole and took no the