The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-16

Ten. kearny the conquerorf Was the President the
eonqueror, not rather the American people, and they
consequently BY the laws OF nations, authorized To pro-
vide Tor the saekeepng and preservation OF those con-
quests lie (Mr % was not prepared to pronounce any
opinion on the question which would be satisfactory 10
himself even. They Were entering upon new and
untried scenes They now nduging for the first
time in projects of conquest They had actually made
conquests and for the first time the question
CURED, How was the government TO disposed OF them
Were they to fall into hands, like Roman provinces
and to be governed by eonsuis and pro-consulsf lie,
for one was not prepared to decide these questions and
he hoped they would be very cautious in their egsa-
ton He hoped the resolution would be laid on the Ia
BILE, as had already been proposed and he believed
there would be no danger OF division in opinion after
the members had had time 10 consider and reflect upon
the subject H. however, the resolution contemplated
extension OF the government OF the United States he
was opposed to il entirely. He thought Congress had
no power or right whatever under their present conshu
ton to make such extension OF the civil government
Ia conclusion, he moved to lay the resolution the Ia
Mr.. BENTON desired the gentleman to withdraw the
motion.
Mr. CRITTENDEN Withdrew il, and
Mr. BENTON proceeded. The hon. senator had brought
forward entirely different question II was he believed
strictly parliamentary and proper for congress to inquire
whether the conquerors had kept within the laws Of
tons, and further, whether they had kept within the
bounds OF prudence and proprey in applying those laws
The laws of nations in modern times were tempered with
humanity, and when they prescribe rights over persons
and property, those rights are TO be examined with the
utmost possible degree Of eneney. And in that point
OF view, he held il not only right but audable for the
civil authority to look to the conquests OF our
generals, and 10 see not only that they do nothing
but what Nattel and GTotius allows them TO do ; but
that they exercise the highest degree of discretion in
applying the laws OF nations regarding property and per-
sons. He (biT b. had no objection to the proposition OF
the gentleman from Kentucky, He was willing TO
ceiye any resolution OF inquiry which he any member
might be pleased to submit for the purpose OF ascertain
ING the intention of the President OF the United States
But spare me, said he from he exhibition Of the Senate
OF the United States, presented TO their own country 10
Europe and TO the world, celebrating about the esiab
liahNn igfri in
our amies-terories which may be recovered back to-
day by operation OF arms and which first taken
possession OF by an operation OF ams-terrores which
never in our country be considered presenting soil
field upon which our laws and constitution ope-
rate. The American republic had no way OF establish
ing government over province until II is incorporated
within the Union. Spare me- he repeated from the ex-
hbtOn; and because he unwilling TO have the SEN
OF the United States presenied-for the resolution
would make them assume that Posltion-he would also
desire that they might be spared from being presented TO
the world in the attitude OF conquerors egsang about
subugaed province.
MIR SEAiPLE said il was certainly improper to refer
the matter any committee OF the Senate, the pas
sage in question not contained in the Presidents
message II il was proposed 10 inquire what had been
done with any portion OF the message, he would say that
had already been referred II they had exceeded the
authority which had belonged 10 them that belonged not
the Committee on Territories The Committee on Ter
rtores could take cognZance OF nothing but territories
The motion OF reference therefore, not in order and
should not be entertained
Mr.. CRITTENDEN renewed his motion to lay the
motion OF reference upon the table; which agreed
TO, upon a division, by vote OF % to %.
ELECTION CHAPLAIN.
Mr. CAMERON moved to proceed to the election of
chaplain the Senate, in accordance with the Joint reso-
luton; which was agreed TO.
The ballots having been cast and counted il appeared
that a votes had been given and that 90 were
to a choice OF these Mr.. Slicer received % Dr. Dew
ey, 0; Mr. Tustin, .; and MIR. Gurley, t. No choice.
A second ballot was then had, with the following re-
suit:
Whole number of votes given, -. Necessary to a
choice, 90 OF these Mr.. Scer received "a; DR. Dewey
o. Mr. Tustn, 7; and Mr. Gurley, 4.
The Rev Henry Sicer having received majority of
all the votes given declared TO be elected chaplain
to the Senate.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
On motion by Mr.. SEWER, the Senate went into ex-
ecutive session. and, after short time spent therein the
doors opened, and
The Senate adjourned.