The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-12
THE TWO MILLION APPROPRIATION.

As some confusion seems to exist in the public
mind relative to this appropriation, we shall present
brief summary of the facts to our readers. This
we are enabled to do by the removal of the injunc-
ton of secrecy from the proceedings Of the Senate.
On the Alb instant the President made confden-
tial communication to the Senate, in which he pre-
scented the reasons which recommended an appro-
priation of money, to be used if needed, in con-
GLIDING just and honorable peace with Mexico.
He also brought To their view two precedents for
similar appropriations, during the administration of
Mr. Jefferson.
The Senate, promptly responding to the views
of the President adopted, the 9th inst, the fol-
lowing resolutions, which had on that day been
ported from the Committee on Foreign Relations,
by Mr.. McDuffe, its chairman:
al. Resolved, That the Senate entertain a strong
desire that the existing war with Mexico should be
terminated by treaty of peace, Just and honorable
to both nations and that the President be advised
adopt all proper for the attainment of that
object.
10 Resolved further, That the Senate deem it advi-
sable that Congress should appropriate sum Of
money to enable the President to conclude treaty
of peace, limits, and boundaries with the republic
of Mexico, and to be used by him in the event that
such treaty should call for the expenditure of the
money appropriated, or any part thereof"
The frs, resolution passed by nearly unanimous
vote but two votes being recorded against it, those
Of Mr.. Atchison, of Missouri, and Mr. Rusk, of
Texas.
The second resolution passed by vote Of 80 to.
10; which stands recorded in the executive journal
Of the Senate follows:
"Those who voted in the affirmative are,
A-lI A.l--- ~
by, Benton Breese, Bright, Calhoun, Cameron
Cass, Chalmers, Corwin, CrtteDden, Dickn on
Dix, Evans, Fairfield, Houston, Johnson, Of Mary
land, Johnson, of Louisiana, Lewis, McDufie
Mangum, Niles, Rusk, Sewer, Speight, Sturgeon
Turney, Webster, Westcott, and Yulee-33.
''Those who voted in the negative are,
Messrs Atchison, Barrow, Berrien, Cilley
Thomas Clayton, John M. Clayton, Davis, Greene
flanagan, Huntington, Jarnagin, Miller, More
head, Pearce, Phelps, Semple, Simmons, Upham
and Woodbrdge--l9."
1t will be perceived from this vote that it was
not party question: Messrs. Archer, Corwin, Crit
tenden, Evans, Johnson, of Maryland, johnson, of
Louisiana, Mangum, and Webster-cight WING sen
ators-havng sanctioned the views of the President;
whilst Messrs Atchison, flanagan, and Semple
voted against the resolution. 40.
The appreciation of the Senate having thus been
given by very large majority, both to the proprie-
ty of the measure and to its policy and expedicncy,
thc President, the 9Th instant, sent to both
houses of Congress apublic message recommending
the appropriation. bill appropriatng 100000
was reported to the House, on Saturday last by the
Committee Of Ways and Means. Whilst this bill
was before the house, an amendment was moved by
Mr.. Wilmot, Of Pennsylvania, declaring, in sub.
stance, that slavery should not exist in any territory
which might be purchased from Mexico. Mr..
Adams himself (who supported the appropriation
admitted in debate that such a declaration was
wholly unnecessary, slavery did not exist in any
part Of Mexico, and it could not possibly be the
intention of the administration to introduce
it by treaty The proposition, however, excited
the feelings Of many ofthe southern representa-
and produced long debate at period of the SEES
sion when time was invaluable. It finally prevailed
and then many Of the original friends Of the meas
ure voted against the bill on account of the amend
ment but nevertheless it passed the House by a
majority of six votes. Had II not been for this
amendment the majority in its favor would have
been very large. Thus was the propriety and the
expediency Of the Presidents recommendation sus
tanned by an overwhelming expression OF the sense
Senate.
The bill, being sent to the Senate, was taken up
fer consideration on Monday morning, Congress
having previously fixed upon twelve O'Clock on tina
day as the time Of adjournment. There was but