Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-09-24
The sTwo Million Appropriation Bill.

The history of the administration project 70
purchase peace with Mexico" together with the
why and wherefore il was not adopted by Con-
gress is given BY the Washington correspondent,
OF the North American as follows. He says:
~ knew Mr. Polk had become sick Of his expert.
mental war. and would be glad TO close il on any
terms, simply because il had become unpopular, the
very antiPodes Of his purpose in beginning ii, for
that was the card he played for denomination.
knew emssaries Of Santa Anna had been at Wash.
ington and that negotiation between him and the
government failed. because they could not trust
each other. knew that Santa Anna was 10 have
embarked for Mexico on the 9th Of May last, and
that his design frustrated by the betrayal ofthe
commander Of the Castle of San de Uoa, upon
whom he principally relied for declaration ON the
part of Vera Cruz. These and other important
facts convinced me that this same braggart admin
isration, Notwithstanding all the bullying of its
origin, was ready TO buy, beg or bride peace with
Mexico, as the opportunity might offer. Hence
was not surprised to understand that our notable
Executive had secretly despatched, on the 9th of
July, an agent to Mexico with oyertures Of peace,
instructing Commodore Conner to pass the des-
patches undera flag Of truce to Vera Cruz. from
which point they were 10 be transmitted to the Sec
rotary for Foreign Afairs at the capital Il is nov
somewhat necessary TO keep our eyes upon the
dates as we progress so that the ddplicny, and the
want Of candor and honesty, which has characteriz.
ed the administration in this proceeding, as well as
in every other connected with our foreign and do
nestle policy, may be clearly manifest.
On the 9Th Of July-but twelve working DAYS of
the session were left-the most important appropria-
tlon bills, and other necessary public measures,
were pending, some of which, by The way, were lost
solely for want Of time. Under these circumstance
it was unquesiionably the bounden duty OF the
President if he desired TO consult the Senate in
good faith and to ask appropriation from Con.
gress to lay the matter before their consideration
at the earliest moment, in order that the merits and
propriely offs grave proceeding as that contemp-
lated might be fully aud dspassionately investigat.
ed, and not rushed into with the hot speed with
which the war supplies were voted, almost without
time to read the bill.
Il was not until eight days afterwards, on the 4ih
Of August, if my memory serves, when but four
days and the four hours OF that ofthe adjournment
remained, that the Senate officially apprised OF
the overture ofpeace. Having no data before me,
speak from recollection only as to tho dates, but
have much confidence in their correctness, as they
were strongly impressed on my mind by the events.
On the 9th Of August the Senate sanctioned the
overture ofpeace aud discussed the expediency Of
the two millions. The President desired to have
the means put under his control without the re-
sponslbiiiy OF a message to that effect But the
main feature Of this whole affair was carefully kept
|, out ofihe document and has yet never seen the
light Of day. exceP. in my correspondence at the
time u cannot, howsYs', be 700 oasa repeated.