The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-04

them by which the language Of the President is TO
be controlled and his further in this coDtro-
yersy regulated. ! doubt the propriety well al
The wisdom of all this either as regards the Presi
dent the Senate OF the country II Successful in his
declarations or expositioas, whichever they may be,
| do not see what practical Advantage the senator
expected to gain. The President would still have TO
perform his own duties, and We to perform ours,
without reference to the embarrassmeDts created by
| this novel mode of reading the past views and the
future course Of the Chief Magistrate. In the mean
time, what better plan could be devised TO excite tho
public mind, and to rouse suspicious, which
would ny upon the wings OF the wind 10 The
farthest verge OF the country No such intention
ever entered the mind OF the honorable senator but
submit 10 him, II, 10 It's very nature this process ~
not calculated 10 produce such result and whether,
in fact, il has not produced il. And yet It seems TO
me- that the in support of il are utterly in
sufficient TO justify the conclusions.
What arc these reasonsl will Just touch some
Of them, having no time TO pursue the subject
There were two acts Of commission was the
offer before made OF the parallel of ago eompro-
| mise and the other was the expression of Mr. Blu
chanan in his last letter TO the British minister,
dated August 30th, l845, that the President hoped
the controversy would be terminated without col.
llsion. .....-.
Now, sir, as to the first, I trust have shown
that whatever course the President may pursue re-
specting the parallel Of 49o as boundary bereaf-
ter, his duty will be before him, unembarrsssed by
the offer heretofore made, and that consequently,
that circumstance IL no key TO unlock the hidden
future.
And as to the second, will ask the honorable
az upon reflection, he thinks the expression
Of toe Presdenis hope is really entitled this grave
consideration. ---. ..s-.
IL seems TO me partly polite and courteous
phrase, and partly the sincere declaration Of wish
that some mode might be devised for an amieable
ad ustment OF this matter. Let US not deprive dip
omausts Of that hope, which carries us oil forward
TO the bright recompense Of the future. But let US
not convert the expression Of il into solid promises,
nor settled convictions. -...r. .frr....
And what are the acts of OMISSION One is the
neglect to recommend defensive measures. and the
other Is want OF confidence in the chairman of the
Committee on Foreign Afairs.
And now for the first. | presume ere this the
honorable senator ID aware that he has entirely mis-
understood the views Of the President upon this
subject. In his message at tho commencement OF
the session, the President recommended that force
of mounted riAemen should be raised, and also an
augmentation Of the naval means Of the county.
But later IN the session. in conformity with resou-
lions which originated here, recommendations and
estimates seen and approved by the President, and
his IN fact agreeably to the constitution Of execu
tive department, were sent, by the Secretaries OF
War and OF the Navy, to the proper Committees Of
the Senate. bill was reported by Ne Naval
Committee for an additional steam fore nd vas
chairman Of that committee But u u 10
sleep, partly, If not principally, believe, ~ the
ground that, It you cannot Immediately -quip
navy, therefore you must not build a ship; and "
you do not require an army, therefore you must not
raise regiment And the result may well have
been taken as an indication, both by the Naval and
Military Committees, that the Senate did not deem
an augmentation Of the defensive means OF the eoun-
try necessary under the circumstances, and there
fore prevented all further action on their part as
less. For | consider the proposition of the Naval
Committee, thus put to sleep, one Of the least OBJ
lectionable OF all the measures submitted 10 US I'M
der the sanction Of the President. ] have looked
over these estimates, sir, both from the War and
Navy Departments, and consider them proper and
iudiclous IN the existing state OF relations with
England; and, will add the heads Of both of those
departments discharged their responsible duies--for
their duties were responsbe-in satisfactory man
ner.
brief recapitulation may not be unacceptable,
nor Improbable.
The Secretary OF War recommended an imme-
date passage OF bill for the works.
An appropriation of $500 900 for the fortfca ton
and obstruction Of channels; and also FOR field
works.
"a An appropriation of 800, 900 for genera, contin-
gencles in the field, including the preparation Of
pontoon equipage. lisa, 60
An estimate Of the sum of IS 200 600, as neces-
sary for forhcaons and distractions, 10 be appro-
prlated when Congress might think the aspect Of
affairs threatened hostties, and then to be placed
at the disposition Of the President.
The estimate for ordnance and ordnance stores,
amounted TO "a 279, 630-of course to be appropria-
ted as Congress might deem proper.
An addition to the army of so many privates az
would raise each company to 100 men, thus adding
7 $50 men to the army.
Authority to the President to raise SO, 600 volun-
reers, to be called into the public service for one
year; whenever required. ..... ....
The propositions respecting Notifications and ord.
nance came from the proper bureaus, and the propo
ston for an augmentation OF the army and volun-
teer force, came from the commanding general,
whose high character and gallant services in the
field, justly give great weight to his opinions; end
those propositions assumed by the secretary,
and he became responsible for them.
The Secretary OF the Navy recommended an &C
cumuIation Of naval materials and storeI to the
amount of 81 ,060, 600. .
For the repair and equipment of all the vessels
in ordinary and Of the ffigaes of the Uniid States,
S2145,000 ......0,.. .......
For three steam frigstes, five steam s'oops, and
two steamers Of smaller class, S3,3l0,000.
Naval ordnance and stores, S360000
How these estimates we're prepared in the Navy
Department, the document in my possession does
not show. pres ume they went through the proper
bureaus They came to the Senate, however, as
the act Of the secretary. .-,...
II is obvious that all these appropriations in any
contingency, would not be wanted for some time;
and, indeed, that the full legislative acton upon the
subject would await the developments growing cut
of our foreign relations. Ordinary prudence re-
quires that commencement should be Immediate
" made; to what extent Congress must judge.
But it will be remarked that much the larger por-
ton Of these estimates is for materials and supplies
which must have, some time other, and ought
to have ere long, let the aspect Of our foreign af
fairs be as it may.
In making this provision, we bat anticipate on
necessities, and the worst that happen will be,
that shall be prepared for state things
for which ought to be always prepared.
As to the mode of receiving this information, it
has been sanctioned by the practice of the govern
ment for years. Congress and its committees have
been in the daily habit Of calling upon the heads of
the departments for the necessary facts and views
in the discharge of their legislative duties. And,
in al like the present, the reports are sub
submitted TO the President before being sent here,
and thus receive ~his sanction, and they are often
changed by his directions. This is well known to all
who are acquainted with the routine ofour executive