Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-05-16
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.

seuon that we deem apology Necessary for occupying
so much space with it, The reader cannot fail perus
it with deep INTEREST,"
Mr.. HOUSTON and said, that he did not wish q
uespass ON the time OF the Senate bat he simply TO
the purpose OF expressing his apprehensions in relation
their position with regard Mexico. lie eon,ended tina
they Were actually in state OF that had virtually
existed for between Mexico and Texas that Ter
had been annexed in the face OF on IN,
part OF Mexico that she would regard IL Of
The United States in snnexng Texas had assumed the
sPonsoiiy that devolycd upon Texas ancccdcnt
event. Ii only in accordance with long
declarations OF Mexico that the outsgcs had
committed upon the troops OF the United States, and upor
That territory from which Mexico had nsocuty ordered
CIT zens OF Texas invaders and rebels. The unee
States he argued occupied towards Mexico
the same attitude which the State Of Texas had maintain
ed for the last ten years. On his could uo
resist the conviction that actually existed. He then
went on TO point out the folly and danger Of delaying pro-
per action li the question formal declaration Of wal
should be decided That might be discussed for months
that chamber whilst their troops exposed all the rgois
OF southern climate. doomed inactivity and da
ly wasting away lie eoquenty contended that Mexico
should be chassed her outrage. and
and showed that Mexico had right the territory on III
side Of the Rio Grandethat she held post on t-and
that the Invasion evidently sanctioned 10y the
government-a government against whose Die
course and habitat deception, he warned the Senate He
did not regard the Mexican government systematic po.
ncal organization ALL Were they wait for the action
OF that government though regularly
Not at all The Mexican people kind generous. and
hosPabe, but they ruled with rcd OF iron by
OF vrans bfleands usurpers, and land pirates This
pie left TO themselves would desire nor 90 TO war
with this county The are brought into the eld
against the United States would rather stay home and il
was not they but their drivers who had offered insult to
American ciIizens, and ndignity the American flag
The Moxicans then had committed aggression uader or
der OF their rulers and he would ask they had not pro-
dueed state OF things IN which rs perfectly ex
ng would be after its declaration by that honorable
body The declaration by Texas of was clear aud
emphatic and her correspondents and the cues
ton now was whether the Seuste OF the United States
would sustain them He did wish waste the time Of
the Senate, but he could not omit wing his opinion that
| war existed He would vote for the bill.
| Mr.. MANGuM arose and said, the evidence given Inv
the Senator from Texas. in the of his remarks OF
the existence OF the American idea nor did
with the views taken by senator's IN the debates
which occurred in he second OF the Congrcs. OF the
United States; and seemed to be the idea of those
who held political power in this country now. II would
be recoleeted well, that in the discussions the Texas
question: there nothing which seemed IN the opinion of
that body much to be repudated and summed the
most distant possibility Of this country being involved in
war through annexation. And, he apprehended II wa.
not the opinion OF the Mexican government He thought
the proclamation which had been translated by the honor
able senator from Missouri Mr. Benion conclusive ON
the point Did not the head OF the Mexican government
assume that there between the countries-
lie discaimed the power OF the executive head put Mex
leo into with the United States and refers
the assembling Of Congress period when war was
be declared. w lth the OF the he
offered those OF the Mexican government 10 which might
be added the opinions Of the highest political characters in
the nation that war had not existed by virtue of acts
Of hostility committed the Rio Grande The question
them reduced the inquiry whether from the exist
Of that Of hoses, they had evidence
of IT, they were to admit the OF state of war
There was no need OF repeating that the ema.
nation OF the will OF the sovereign power. He would
thank the chairman OF the COMMITTEE on FOREIGN
Relations 10 IN what document (for he of course
had read them aid the contained thar the
sovereign power of Mexico had assented state of war
II there was any such evidence, he Mr.. was unfor
med Of IL Bat he had ARISEN for the purpose OF asking
his friend from Delaware withdraw his motion 10
strike ana insert, because that form the question
indvisibe; but if it drawn in the form ITO strike
OUT the modification might be in any the sense
OF the Senate And he frank enough 10 saw that al
though utterly repusnant the thought OF considering the
country state of yet he prepared il were
thought eHPedieni, that the Executive should determine
the question: and If Mexico should make no denial BY tbs
Mexican Government OF q OF wsr-lhat the Execu-
tive should that Of things and not confne the
American troops TO the left bank OF the Rio Grande lie
knew the nefciency of army under such circumsan
But suppose there should be disavowal OF what has
occurred by the Mexican government IN what ptedca
meni should they place hemssyes by recognising the ex-
sence OF now, which would be 10 all intent, and
purposes declaration Of But II such state OF things
the want OF dsavowal by Mexico or continuance OF
on. relations as they then the American troops shall
pass the boundary. and, be necessary march 10 the
Of empire, and there dictate peace; and they were
willing provide money and for that purpose lie
hoped ns honorable friend would Withdraw his amend.
menL and II should BE- The tie Senate strike
out, that 1t adOptfome form all purposes
! Mr. ARCHER continued TO say that on yesterday he
spoke OF war not existing in the legal accepts
ton OF the tenn; but slate OF FAcro did exist;
aud the question 10 be presented, days would be-
we're they prepared 10 make that war Dr. FAcro war pL
UKE lie would for the motion Of the honorable Sc
naor from Delaware, strike the word "war" but he
could do without that Gvowa Of his opinion 10 20
before the people Of the United States. He was willing 10
wait for advces from Mexico and learn what was 10 be
the termination Of the present Of things and il 1t was
Ia be war, he was tor prosecuting with promptude and
energy. lie would that any officer military or
civil, OF the United States, should make bockades throw
up iofheahon' IN sight o. ioreen stoa and exercise,
IN truth, all the powers Of and impose ali expenses
oil It's commitments with foreign nations In that OF
things be would not unless got legal co.orng
from the United States. The Senators the other sIde
m th we" o. TIE question: and for the sake Of unanimy
ought defer the suggestion made on hs side for delay
and the necessity Of deberaon before they put Them
\ selves in this position before the world.
Mr. CAss said do not rise TO detain the Senate long
nor TO enter into any proaced discussion Of the subject
now under consideration. have but little say and
shall say that speedily. In the fret place. sir desire to
the appeal which been made 10 this side Of
the chamber by the Hon. Senator from Deauare Mr. j.
NJ Clayton lie desires that portion Of the bill which
the Of between the o. States and
Mexico brought on by the aggression Of the latter, should
De passed by Tor the present. and that should
hoe ouTseyeg 10 consideration Of the necessary
! for the defence Of the county. For Iay own nart /
should be happy take the indicated BY the Sena
tor from Delaware, and which he asks adopt were
not prevented from doing by higher consdo raons II
appropriate money and for the mere purp se
Of repong INVASION place ia the very DO
siuon which the honorable Senator from 5. Carolina Mr.
CuhOun deemed yesterday the proper ,ne and % whch
then expressed. and YET feel insUperabe objections
Mexican army - upon our soil. Are conhne our
efforts 10 rePeing thcm7 Are to drive them to the
border, and then stop pursuit. and allow 70 nd
refuge IN their teriOTyf And ~ha, ,hen7 To col
ec again frontier other point and
again TO renew the same scenes, 70 BE- followed by smi
| lar immunity What sJu Of q condition of things would
this be, sn The advantage would be altogether On the
side Of the MeIcons, while tho los would be altogether
ours. Their army maintained any rate, and Il would
them little and these border
contests than 10 keep their troops their eantonments
while we mus spread troops along border and hold
them 10 readiness meet these nyasiOns whatever point
they may be attempted. Now, SIR, Of mine shall
place my county 10 this situation. And besides these
Mexican hosuines will not be confined 10 operations by
land Arc We 10 suffer their pnvaors 10 spread Them
selves the capture sailors and vessels and
tpfuin commefcel This stale O things, for one
Disposed to meet with prUmputude and energy. Mexico
has attacked the United Stateshas placed herself bel
bRerent attitude. And let her take the consequences
OF her own aggression For these feas0ns, sir, While
provide for tho defence Of the county, am for making tho
defence eHecua by only driving Of he enemy, but by
following them into their iortYry and by debating
peace the capital it be necessary. Bot s " hV