The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-28

ton threatened To mpeach the President So il was
threatened IN the last war Mr., Webster sounded the
Pennsylvania did not seem 10 agree with that gentleman,
Tor her volunteers were pouring In by thousands Let
them mpeach the President i they dared. All their ef
forts would have no more effect than the abors OF the
little chp-munk TO pull down the hills Of the Allegheny
mountains, [laughter He would write out his speech in
full and adduce evidences and facts to sustain his posi-
ton.
Mr.. BAKER then rose and addressed the committee.
He said: Mr. Chairman beg leave to return my pro-
found acknowledgements TO very many gentlemen on
both sides OF thS House who have kindly offered 10 fore
go their intentions 10 attempt addressing the House. IN
order that might be permitted TO say few words this
mornings before take my departure on my return to the
army In Mexico. While return my thanks for the
kindness, beg leave TO add that il is intended
by themas it is received by me--ony a tribute 10 the
gallany OF those with whom il has been my good for
tune to be associated Sir feel humbed and abashed
when reflect upon how little il has been my fortune TO
do to deserve such kindness, whether bestowed upon
me personally or as the representative OF my brethren
in arms. Sir, wish that instead OF myself il the
gallant Davis who, resgnng his seat on this floor, has
so bayey fought the battles OF his country, that now
addressed you II II had been his fortune to stand here
and receive the congratulations and praise which he has
so nobly earned you would have more fitting object
whom TO bestow your kindness; for as for myself
can pretend to merit 1t has been my evil fortune to
be left far in the rear OF the war; and il venture
to say few words Tor those with whom am associated
whether those who calamity sustained the fortunes OF
their country in the bloody streets of Monterey or those
who, encounerlng still stener fate, have been forced
to die on the banks OF the Rio Grande- beg this House
TO believe that while II Is indeed a pleasant task
to endeayor TO aid them in this House, 1t is, on
the other, painful TO stand here, as | do, after six
months service, deserving credit, and desiring
yet to receive no reward | confess, Mr. Chairman,
that is with little astonshment that have listened
TO portion oil this debate am sure that at this moment
is not imagined by your gallant volunteer army that IN
this the third week OF the session. the Congress OF the
United States is engaged in grave and important discus
sion 10 mObs in Ohio, and the nature OF the vote by
which representatives, in the next Congress have been
elected The who fought at Monterey; the men
who entitled to all honor and the highest reward do
not suppose that such state OF things exist here
The who have survived the fierce assaults OF dis
ease on the Rio GRnde-the men who have endured
every pryaton that the want OF pay clothing, and every
comfortably whose fault whether by the fault OF any one
they did not say-the who amid al these suferings
eagerly looking TO the front for the foe, and aNiousy
awaiting succor from their friends at home-these men
certainly did not anticipate such state Of Things that
OF which must inform them as existing here have
been sometimes led TO believe since my arrival in Wash
ngon that the Congress OF the United States not per-
fecty informed 10 the true condition OF things In Mex
leo. Whether that be so not, shall do myself the
honor to make few statements of fact. | do not de-
sign to engage for moment in any partisan controversy
on this floor Where my sympathles are now, and where
they have been, is well known Where they have been,
they still are and there through good evil fortune,
they will remain forever But at the present moment
cannot understand that "whg" democrat" has any
thing to do with the question which is or ought to
be, before the House; and design, II 1t be possible
without anything OF partisan feeling to urge upon the
members OF this House to act NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
at once-now-for this gallant army, laboring, tong,
bleeding suffering in foreign land In the first place,
then, take this opportunity to say that the army IN
Mexico needs and more money and they need
il nou. have been informed that the forces now oper
ating in Mexico, including Woos column, Tayors col
umn and Buffers and Pattersons divisions, did not ex
coed Ii 500 effective fighting men excluding possibly,
and yet not certainly Gatess artillery battalion, and two
new regiments called the Oregon regiments recruiting,
and some OF the companies OF which have perhaps al
ready arrived at Tampco With that army there is an
area to be covereS which hardly attempt to de-
scribe 1.-THE gallant and honorable speaker here briefly
ketched the vast area at present occupied by the United
States forces In Mexico and also described the numerous
places that be garrsoned and the heavy demands
which must be met IN consequence OF the great extent OF
lines OF communication to be kept upl All this Che pro-
ceeded) cannot be done with army OF IL 01o-l2O)O-
Ia 900 men, doubtyei express this opinion with great
difhdencel doubt whether be possible with the best
troops America sent forth to accomplish all that and
II am America did send forth an army more
skul, gallant unfnchng than that in Mexico to-day.
But recollect that this army of 1900 is to be scat
tered extending from east to west five hun
dred miles, and four hundred miles from north to SOUTH
where the modes of communication are doubtful and
the population hostile. When all this Is remembered,
ask how is il to be eypected-how is il possible that the
advance continue to be, it has been, marked with
glory and honor? have heard it said, sir not often,
but yet decidedly that there is no use IN reinforcing
to any great extent army in Mexico; because even II
you advanced to the city Of Mexico ITSELF you will be
peace than you II that be true, they
should have thought OF it before they declared the
and certainly before they adopted the plan OF invasion am
one of those who, without attempting to discuss at this
moment whether were right wrong IN the manner
in which the war was brought on acted in the belief that
Mexico had commenced the attack upon what was
claimed as American soior territory to which the gal
liant American army had been sent-and was not willing
to yield the claim was not willing then, and am not
willing now But even the Just, admitted
al! hands does not follow necessarily that was to be
a war Of invasion As war of defence, it has been
beyond all description glorious to the American arms
"a war 1.-THE remainder of the sentence was lost
The of invasion last spring was not necessarily IN
cumbent upon us; but with the almost unanimous con-
SENT far as this House could act with scarcely dis
senting voice, understood, amongst those who ex-
pressed that opinion on the subject; All parties and
Well we obtained three great battles. In doing so we
have advanced it is true, some three hundred miles into
the Mexican territory yet we have scarcely, to any per-
ceptibe extent crippled their resources, weakened
their power On the contrary, it has been very much
doubted-and am one who doubs-whether Mexico is
not stronger than naonalzed, more concen
ated in public opinion, looking with more undivided
glance towards single heal-and was about to say,
more heroicyes, will say, more heroic than ever-tor
they always heroic who rush to defend their country
more capable of sustaining the desperate and prolonged
conflict apprehend that from this state OF tacts-in
which am every gentleman will agree with me
that we ought to derive consciousness OF the duty
devolvng upon towards the And 1t is on that
point only that desire especially to be heard, and for
that purpose only do open my bps at all will not un-
dertake the task of predicting at this moment whether 1t
is in our power to compel peace even were to at
tempt to dictate its terms in the city OF Mexico itself
But of thing am very certain-hat nothing which
have yet done this sufficient to convince the
Mexicans that able to conquer them They feel as
they have felt that the territory which we have over
run the towns which have conquered the cities which
have stormed form no important part OF their territory,
and in nowse the seat OF their power With the
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