Weekly national intelligencer., 1846-05-16


ment had declared The President might order our
70 meet the invading force and disam destroy but
ne could no on his authority, direct them invade and
conquer Mexico, entering capital and the
try This was to be done under the authority Of Congress-
and oi Congress alone. The President although in his
sage ne recognised the existence Of did not recommend
declaration Of All he asked for power to repel
invasion.
Mr. BRINKERHOFF here interposed remind Mr. RHErr
that the President did request Congress to recognise the
istence of a state of war.
Mr. RHETT said that true but he did not ask Con-
gress to declare There state of hostility but not
state of actual
"A voice q Where's the difference ~
Mr. RHETT. He heard gentleman ask what was the
differences There was wide constitutional difference. War
could only be declared by two nations neither the United
States nor Mexico had yet declared war. Mr. r. did not
object TO voting supplies be willing money TO any
amount But he unwilling by voting declaration Of
to expose to horde of pirates who were
their prey.
Mr. HARRISON said that amidst the excitement which
prevailed all round him, he desid to be COOL IA laugh
This bill authorized the President accept the services OF
volunteers TO repel invasion Southern frontier
and to settle our difficulties with the Mexican Government
he proposed to fill the blank in the bill with ten millions Of
dollars That amount would be ample and would enable him
70 conduct the war with energy. Gentlemen alluded to the
dangers Of our commerce, and asked the House not to make
an actual declaration Of war lest the interests of the merchants
should be injured They asked the House wait while the
blood of murdered eow-citzens was calling from the
ground for immediate action Let shut our ears to the
demand Let us show Mexico that people be
outraged with impuniy "a voice Keep yourself cool "
The House might pass the bill with or without declaration Of
war If the bill should pass the Executive could order our
troops to enter the Mexican territory her troops had dared
TO enter ours Who would deny right What gentle
man here for ammelng the Executive when the Mexi
had been the Who was going to forbid him
to go down the coast and invade their country they had
dared to invade ours Why might intercept their sup
plies and turn the flank of their positions as thew had en-
deavocd to do ours Let adopt eiectua ener
getc measures Whether declaration of was made or
not he had fears of the Presidents exposing himself to an
Imprisonment lie desired to keep perfectly COOL "A voice
DO he might seem 10 be warm in manner, but he had
spoken the cool deliberate sentiments of his Judgment What
would be thought what would be said Of us if we sat de-
lberang and delaying here about what course to pursue
We had but before u.s. that was to send in
sant and to the of brethren This the bill proy-
ded for and he hoped gentleman would hesitate in such an
emergency.
The question being on Mr. BRINKEnuorrs su,stute far
the first section of the bill
Mr. ROBERTS said he had amendment to olIer
The CHAIR said it in order to perfect the section be-
fore the substitute was passed upon.
Mr. GENTRY gave notice that il the amendment of Mr..
faed he should strike out the lst
and ID sections OF the bill.
Mr.. BURT moved that the committee rise
The question being put rising, decided in the ne
gatiye Ayes so, noes 96.
Mr. BURT moved amend in the 5th line ly striking out
the words any foreign nation and inserting Govern
men of Mexico"
The amendmen. was rejected Ayes 49, noes not counted
Mr.. ROBERTS offered the following
" Whereas state OF exists between the Republic of
Mexico and the allies thereof and the United States of Ame
Be enacted blythe Senate and House of Representatives.
Of the United STATES Of Amerca in Congress assembled
That the President OF the United States hereby authorized
to the whole land aud naval United States TO
the into effect and private armed ves
and reprsa form as he shall think and under
the seal OF the United Sates against the vessels goods and
effects OF the Government Of the said Republic Mexico and
the people and allies thereof"
Twas rejected.
Mr.. TTBBATTS moved to amend the bill in the 9th line
OF the lst section by inserting the words and
ntory OF such nation to be invaded" Rejected.
Mr. DOUGLASS moved to amend the lst section by strik
ing out these words Resist any attempt which may be
made the of any foreign nation exclusive ufisdc
on any part of the territory of the United States or
any territory in dispute between the United States and any
foreign Government; well also sustain the rights Of
the United States to and repe invasion upon the said
ory and for this purpose employ and in lieu thereof
insert TOR the vigorous prosecution of the existing be-
tween the United States and the Republic of Mexico"
The question being taken, negatived Ayes 6s,
noes 81.
Mr. DAVIS, of Mississippi, renewed the amendment NOV
ed by Mr. DoUsLAss changing the words existing war into
existing hostilies" II rejected
Mr.. HOLMES, of New York, moved to add the following
proviso
"Proridd That the provisions of this the first section do
not shall they be deemed apply portion Of the
country the river Nueces exc so Ear as to
wndaw ad ~ need be- TO from the region
of the Rio Grande.'
It was rejected Ayes 9, noes 1872.
Mr.. CHAPMAN offered the following
That whereas the existing Government of Mexico has y
an open and avowed act Of hostility, violated SOIL
and wantonly and unprovokedy she'd the of
citizens Therefore is hereby expressly
Government against Mexico and of the United
States be and he hereby is authorized employ the
military forces OF the United States and portions Of the
militia he deem advisable service for the d
hcent prosecution OF such war;"
II was rejected.
Mr.. EWING, of Tennessee, offered an amendment az
follows
hat, in consideration of the relations existing between
sderation Of the collision that has place
the armies Of Mexico and the United States river Rio
Bravo del Norte.n
It was ncgatived.
Mr. BAKER wished to offer substitute for the whole bill,
but II was not now in order
Mr. McCLERNAND moved to amend the bill Ivy prefix
ing to the first section the following clause
tween the Republic Of Mexico and the United States Of
lea, and''
II was negativcd Ayes az, noes counted.
aer several other substitutes had been proposed and ruled
out OF order the question taken Mr. BaINKERnorr
suose Tor the first section Of the bill before reced and
decided IN the negative Ayes so, noes 80.
me Question then recurring the amendment Of Mr..
JACOB THOMPSON, was nesatived Ayes 40, not
counted.
Mr. JOSEPH r. INGERsoLL moved that the committee
rse with view TO have the whole subject referred TO com,
mittec but the motion did not prevail IT.
The question was then put the following amendment
moved by Mr. BAKER, and il rejected
That for the purpose Of resisting repress;np the hos
Utilities committed upon citizens and troops by the Govern
prosecution OF the existing between Mexico and the
United States the President OF the United hereby
thorizcd to employ the military and forces United
states together with the militia and volunteers is hcrcin-