Weekly national intelligencer., 1846-05-16

DC found In he necessity Of replying TO the remarks Of the
Senator from Arkansas.
Mr. SEWER rejoined One word Of repy to the Senator
from Delaware and very brief reply indeed all that is re-
CURED He express surprise that an any should
be sent to the Rio del Norte need not tell him that the
army OF the United States always moved from point
another in the United States without asking Congress We
have Commander Secretary Of War, and Pre-
sdenl who always decide the proper disposition of
my We have admitted Texas into the Union It's frontier
was threatened with invasion, and the Legislature and Execu
tive OF the State called for aid Was it then necessary
pass act Of Congress before any portion Of the army could
be sent that service How would have been with Della
ware his own State any other State Of the Union
similar Would all aid have been refused till application
made to Congress- and till il authorized the order send
ing portion of the army defend the frontier And then
he Senator grayey ask the chairman of the Committee
on Military Affairs whether he had been called on and inform
ed OF the motives of the Executive dsposng Of the ar
my think when my friend from Delaware looks at this
matter with his accustomed calmness and ability he will see
less to find fault with than he to perceive NV
own opinion always has been that the army under the d
rection Of the President and and to be
placed where they think proper have never known an act
OF Congress placing the army anywhere.
Mr.. CLAYTON here asked question not heard in The
gallery.
Mr. SEWER replied All know is derived from the mes
sage OF the President The President tells that General
Fayora very worthy and intelligent oicer-was directed
TO take post on the Del Noe at proper time. He had
full discretion, ample discretion he ordered to survey
that river and to take up post upon at such point in his
Judgment would be occupied most advantageousy the
iona interests He did So Well f there is any blame on
whose shoulders does il fall Does it fall on the President
When he sends man-gh in the service capable expert
enced and SUPPOSE enjoying the full confidence Of the par
ty the opposite side Of the chamber and when that officer
allowed the exercise of ample discetonI ask is fair and
magnanmous to blame the President for it think not
understand that General Scott himself consulted this
very post and that he, General Taylor and General Wool
three OF our highest military menexamned the matter and
located that post after due consultation. But my main re-
selec the
President is not to be blamed he gave the commanding
officer a carte blanche to the location of it.
Mr. J. M. CLAYTON. The Senator from Arkansas has
not addressed himself all TO the chief point which present
ed have official information whether any of the
Generals had any thing do with the location Of the post
have nothing to do with that. do not suppose, however,
that will be found, investigation, that the nfonrtion Of
the Senator from Arkansas is correct.
Mr. SEWER So was told this morning But dil
not mean to say that it from official source.
Mr.. CLAYTON. rather think that it will be found
when the matter properly investigated that the President
informed them that decided take position upon the
Rio Grande and asked where the post should be located and
that the point opposite Maamoras suggested to which
they may have assented But doubt much whether the
Generals have recommended in advance of the Executive any
position whatever on this river that they recommend
that the left bank Of it should be occupied at all But that
neither here there If they had that does cxoneratc
the President and his administration of the responsibility under
which they labor. The question is was proper was it
right The honorable Senator from Arkansas said that
proper for the defence of the frontier Of Texas neces
sary for the defence of Texas Let look that for
ment Was necessary to take up position on the left
bank of the Del Nore Was the former position at Cor
pus Christi quite sufficient Why necessary to cross
The DESERT and take up position Immediately in font of the
friendly town of Matamoas Why was it necessary to take
that position with the batteries pointed against the town
distance of not than five hundred yards from its en-
Virons II aggressive which the civilized
world will SO designate much of aggression
on our part as mans pointing pistol anohers
But there another matter which alluded and to which
the Senator did not think proper pay attention. and that
the blockade Of the river The honorable Senator with
must be allowed say, amusing napee throw
the responsibility of all this the officer command of the
Now, am well persuaded that whenever the facts are
fully developed it will appear that Gen. Taylor has done
thing but what he ordered do-that he will be fully
justified by the instructions which he received every part of
his conduct protest against this attempt shift the respon
sbity from the Government the shoulders of the comand
ing officer, acting IN strict accordance with its instructions It
unjust towards that officer In the peculiar
which the Administration have placed him. is glarngy
unjust. do complaint justified in complaining with
some indgnaon-ha any attempt should be made any
quarter to cast the responsibility of the Administration the
officer in command of the troops What the meaning Of
this attempt in the quarter from which it has emsnated
will not pretend to say These the matters which, in
that debate to which my friend has pointed shall call his
attention will give the subject that calm and dspassionate
consideration which he desires have already endeavoed
do have felt that these Of the Executive ought
he condemnedI do condemn them Think that they will be
by the people OF the United States BY these
Congress has not been consulted either branch Of it, The
President Of the United States has the power provoke
perhaps to without the of Congress-bu
he has not the right to do and whilst and my friends on
this side OF the House, in obedience to the dictates of patriot
ism, trust ready TO vote all the money the Teasu
and all that Is necessary If there enough there for
the purpose Of defending the country and yndcang honor
and character think have right call gentle
the other side of the House. and ask Of them 10
ure the spirit of party calmly and fairly weigh the of
the Administrations although is the Administration Of their
CHOICE and when they that done by the Executive
which they IN their conscience cannot approve with
in condemnng openly, in the face OF Heaven and all
Mr. ALLEN and said he had desire protract
he discussion, but he wished he thought the sugges
ion Of the Senator from Delaware (Mr CLArros) prema-
because he had yet had time examine the facts
by the Executive; and for that
hat he thought extremely unjust towards the President that
hey should begin this business denouncng him by chag
ng errors the Government and accusing Of being the
ggressor before there is time examine the of the
This he thought very bad beginning if they wanted the
to be successful if they wanted sustain the honor and
iignityof the country If they desired that they made bad
before the public documents the President had
cent there were printed opcme that the Executive had been
me aggressor and to place all the moral wrong the head of
our own Government by of its branches. He would say
again, was bad beginning War prosecuted alone
by arms 1t not steel that constituted the chief power
modern times but the opinions Of mankind the viii Of the
country That constituted the power, rather than the steel
placed in the hands of soldiers And how they husband
ng that power Why, when the very first announcement of
m INVASION Is made it thundeed forth that the United
states Governncnt was In the wrong that the ae
gressors That might be wise in the judgment Of Senators
Inc other side; but he Mr. believed, second reflection
not would be found 10 say was premature wisdom He
hought premature to condemn the Executive before the doc
lmens which had been laid before them had printed The
Senator inquired how happened that that river was bocka
leo Inc answer was given in the message. The river