The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-05


view Of General Gaines's responsibility 10 military
law. II the Executive had approved Of part Of his
conduct-of one ael-how could he call him 10 ac-
count for another act Of the same character They
had been blowing hot and cold, all the time, on this
Mexican question. Suppose that the struggle had
been perpetuaed, and these troops-iregulary call
ed out as they may have been, Che pronounced no
opinion on that point)-had come in the nick Of
ume and saved the honor of the country where then,
would have been heard a murmur Of dssatifacton
with the conduct OF Gen. Gaines1 Had the rumor
which impelled Gen. Gaines TO act turned out to
be true, and that officer had remained silent and In
aetiye--the army overwhelmed-eyery' man in
America gileylng for our dshonor--would not the
Indignation of the nation have burned against Gen.
Gaines with fury greater even than that Of his
most violent enemy He (Mr M } could well con-
ceve where there is a law Of necessity exer-
cisng lTregulsrity in the mode Of meeting the ur-
gent danger, II General Gaines cupable-if
the President was himself involved in that cupabil-
ity-he (Mr. M must be satisfied that that law of
necessity did not exist before he could cast censure
on any one. At the proper time, if there was any
necessity for the interference of Congress he doubt
ed not there would be communication from the
Executive. lie trusted that the resolution did not
come from the Executive; but from the sense Of
what was proper in the bosom Of the senator from
Michigan himself
Mr.. BAGBY said, that with regard 70 the militia
ry character of Gen Gaines, il was confessedly
beyond the reach Of time OF accident. The only
question was as to the prepriety Of his course in
calling for these troops. Gen. Gaines had bsen Of
fieialy Informed that the entire control OF the oper-
atoms Of the army on the Rio Grande had been
given to Gen. Taylor, and that he was TO refrain
from all interference with il; and that was done
without the slightest derogaon from the character
of Gen. Gaines. The senator from Massachusetts
had minated his design to have this matter probed
TO the bottom. When il 80 probed il would be
found that Gen Taylor had been intrusted with the
entire conduct OF the war. As to the approval Of
some of the acts Of Gen. Gaines, he mr.. b. as
one Of the representatives OF the State which first
responded TO the call had been at some pains to as
certain the facts. One company was near the seat
OF war before the news came TO the departments;
but II had been raised under a reauisition on the
governor. II could not, for moment, be supposed
that the mover Of the resolution entertained any
unworthy motive in seeking this inquiry. That was
entirely impossible. II had been solemnly dlsclaim.
ed. He himself Mr.. b. had the honor OF being
numbered amongst the personal friends Of Gen.
Gaines. But, whilst he entertained the most pro-
found respect for that brave and patriotic man. he
still felt II TO be his duty TO second this inquiry into
this call for volunteers hoping that some legislation
would follow to prevent in future any abuse Of mill
tary authority.
Mr. ARCHER was amazed at the course pursued
on this resolution Was this question whether a
military officer OF the United States sent relief TO
portion Of the army on the frontier No. On the
very sPot-the very scene Of danger-was an officer
clothed with full authority to act Gen. Gaines had
not even made requlstion the executives of the
States. He had raised an army on his own hook
Therefore, II was in view Of this unparalleled out
rnge on the lawsuits exercise Of the power of an
autocrat, that he (Mr. Al was astonished at the
tenderness with which the subject had been handled
on both sides of the house. II was said that the
time was not ripe for discussion, and vet these
gentlemen thus speaking had gone as fully az
possible into vindication Of this military officer.
No mn he he
TO the resolution. The senator from Arkansas
| Mr. SEWER had gone still farther and had made
an amendment altogether MISUNDERSTANDING lust
as much on the resolution on the Oregon qnes-
ton. He would ask if that proposition was fit to
be submitted by senator OF the United States,
tie (Mr. Al had been anxious to find excuses for
the conduct Of General Gaines. He had been will
ling to avoid this discusslonj but others had a df.
ferent notion Of what was fair, and reasonable and
just. IL was preposterous 10 suppose, as some had
argued that the Senate Of the United States should
not exercise in this its authority as the guar
dian of the constitution and laws. Could General
Gaines he indicated without the passage of some
such resolution? And, for fear Of touching General
Gainses military reputation, were they to be dumb
as legislators and deaf patriotsi Were they to
refrain from sitting that weigh,ier matter alluded
TO by the senator frsm Massachusetts, TMr WEB-
sTER To his inexpressble astonshment, a friend
near him Mr.. MANcuMl had desired to lay the res
olution on the table, and thus stife all inquiry
Mr.. MANGUM entirely disclaimed any such an
idea. He had again and again said that he consider
ed the matter as now the subject Of inquiry by the
Executive.
Mr.. ARCHER thought that that was equivalent
to sitting inquiry. What, after oil, was the enor-
nous result to which this doctrine vent One sena-
tor Mr.. HoUsToNl announced that success in this
war was to be a mantle for everything! Therefore
no sort OF inquiry was to be had into the breach Of
the laws and usurpauon of the constitution He
(Mr A. was as proud any one of the glory of
the American arms; but if victory was TO reap for
their generals exemptions from the crmnality of a
violation Of the laws, his rejoicing would be turned
into widely, different feeling. He hoped the reso-
luton would pass. The facts must go-they
should go-to the people of the United States
Mr.. SEWER replied to the senator from Vir-
gina, who last spoke. He contended that the sole
OBJECT OF the resolution was to censure an officer
who had done his duty to his country. 1t was true
that General Gaines had not been permitted to COM
mand the forces in his own district. All knew that
and lest Gen. Gaines the superior officer should in
terfere he receives official notice to desst from any
control OF the operations of the army on the Rio
Grande. Well, he submitted. General Taylor was
clothed with authority to call for militia; but, under
ting the strength of the enemy, refrained from ex
ercisng IT, TILL he was surrounded, and his supplies
cut off. Then he called for help Ana vet at crisiss
like that, they were talking about the fear of obtaining
the assistance so much needed But gallant officer
who had gone through two wars, and had received
me thanks OF Congress, and wore sword, the gift
of a grateful nation, promptly stepped forward and
dd SIMPLY what his duty and the exigency demanded
And for this he was to be censured He raised the
troops. What he did was in part approved of. A
portion OF this force thus raised, reached Point
Isabel IN time to render succor to the army. And
Tor that, General Gaines to be censured 1.-THE
resolution had any other object, he could not see it,
and it had not yet been pointed out. Mr. s then
went on to defend the propriety of his amendment,
which had been assaed by the senator from Vir.
s,nia' u General Gaines was TO be overhauled, he
Mr.. s. thought that it only fair to examine |
into the conduct of his superior officer He had
heard of letter to the War Department from Gen.
Scott, and he desired to know something Of that
Mr.. J. M CLAYTON here asked il the senator
would accept the following modification of his
amendment; which was read by the secretary:
And with copy of any letter letters written by |
zen scott to Gen Taylor, by the direction with the
knowledge Of the Secretary Of War
And that the President also be requested to further in
form the Senate whether any order at any time Civ
by the President or the Secretary OF War Gen
proceed te the Rio Grande TO take the command Of