The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-11

be one of the most exciting that will be taken
during the session.
Tomorrow Congress will begin to work.
GALvIKNsIs.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 1876.
Cowgress-Mr. Dapiss Neutrality-suspicious.
of the Qmestion-7he Tone of the Recent Intel
isgemcs from Mertco.
The Senate is going to work with an evident
determination not to fatigue itself. 1t adjourned
to-day without transacting any important bust
ness.
The resolution offered yesterday by Mr.. Davis,
of Ky, calling upon the President for information
concerning the orders issued to our military and
naval officers in having reference to the establish
ment Of the jurisdiction of the United States over
the territory of California and northern Mexico,
came mp to-day, the house having adjourned yes
serday pending the question on suspending the
rules to permit the introduction of the resolution.
The debate this question occupied two
hours and half, and will probably occupy many
more tomorrow, if it do not extend over several
days. The farther the House advanced into its
consideration, the more 1t became entanaled.
The fact is the question is not ripe for discussion,
and any attempt to preciptate it, consideration
can be productive OF no good result. Bendss, 4
has been hlthegS9 Hsff Winthrop, to be sure,
made il the vehicle Of a polished assault on the
executive. His speech, and some remarks made
by Mr.. Rheu, were the only sensible portion OF
the discussion. All the rest was "leather and
prunella."
This thing can be explained in few words.
Congress, in May last. recognised war as existing
between the two countries. II clothed the execu-
tive with extraordinary powers, and placed at his
disposal extraordinary means to enable him To
conquer peace. 1t authorized the mastering into
service OF fifty thousand men. 1t made divers
appropriations for the prosecution of the war
thus investing the government with full powers,
ordinary and extraordinary, to prosecute the war
till peace would be obtained.
The President sent out his army and navy to
hover on the borders and coasts of Mexico. The
enemy thinking they had an opportunity Of crush
ing Gen. Taylor's force. fought on two successive
engagements, on the 9Th and 9th of May, in
which they were sgnally worsed but this did not
content them. Our government found there was
no mode Of bringing the deluded Mexlcans to
Africa" Accordingly while Gen. Taylor was
penetra ing into the heart of Mexico, expeditions
were sent to the departments OF Northern Mexi-
co and to California for the purpose of seiZing
upon those places. Now, by the laws Of nations,
we had right to seize upon the whole OF Mexico
il we could have got it in our possession, and TO
have kept it until a treaty OF peace would adjust
more, we had right TO force the inhabitants OF
THU vanquished territory to swear allegiance to
the government of the United States. All this
we had clearly right TO do, war existing between
! The TWO countries.
The administration Of the laws as well as the
laws themselves were in such deplorabe state
! that il act oil mercy IN our officers to en-
deavor to mould them on our free institutions.
| Accordingly, temporary governments were
established, judicial tribunals appointed, and
regulations adopted for the preservation of
life and property. To be sure, the books
do not say that this can be done; yet il
was On act Of humanity, and as such should
be praised rather than censured. The people
instead of being oppressed or incommoded
were grateful, and, as before the occupation o
the territory by our troops, they had ne law Oh
order among them, so by giving them the advan
tage of our free institutions, no law OF theirs
| could have been subverted
| Besides. does any one doubt that California and
portions Of Northern Mexico, will in time be-
| come portion Of our territory by treaty. We
cannot consent to a peace without compensation
for our losses, and Mexico has no funds. We
must be paid-how, except by the territory oil
the enemy?
Recent accounts from the army would at least
Justify the inference, that not only the inhabitants
Of Mexico, but even Santa Anna, Is in favor OF
peace. II il furthermore surmised, that his OBJ
ject in concentrating a large army at San Luis
Potosi, is to gain such popularity and influence
among the soIdiers,as will enable him TO carry out
his policy, regardless OF the will Of the people.
More of this tomorrow GALvnNsis.
wAsxisoroS, Dec. 8, 1875.
The Messsse-TAs Wigs and their Intentio~s.
You will see the Messsge for yourself II IL here
regarded good thing and Is thought that the Prssi-
dent makes out quite respectable Of the Mexcsn
war, and all the proceedings connected with IT, To b
sure the treaty with Santa Anna when he prison
or TO General Houston, would not be Of much force
On argument law but leaving that out Of the quss
ton, the Executive tells plain, hatfooted unquosop