Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-06-13

Mr.. HOUSTON regretted that the debate had taken suc
dlscursiye range He would not protract it, He did no
think the subject Of the resolution proper subject
discussion there. II matter for court-martai HI
could not believe but that General Gaines acted in pope
devotion to his country, and il not likely that he wou
commit except by accident. When the call wa
made, was simultaneous with the report that Paroles
advancing with great force Detached he was III,
General may have violated the rules But could he have
waited till Congress acted No. His duty clear in the
emergency As the Lieutenant Of the Executive be had
undoubted right to make the requson If he satisfied
that the emergency required it. his duty he
had DONE Even he had transcribed his ORDERS the action
OF the Government subsequently in approving what he had
done, made legal Of But till the facts before
the body was not proper specializing to discuss the matter
II not Just necessary to arragn officers before that body
until they had full possession of all the facts He could
believe that General Gaines had acted in any ncon
sistent with patriotism and honor In voting the resolu
ton he did that he impugned the conduct
General Gaines The purest motive he confident had
actuated that officer He had felt all the Southern excitement
against the nsdous character of the Mexcans only
lair 10 Judge OF General Gaines according TO the circumstances
in which he placed He deprecated any judgment the
in advance of proper investigation General Gaines had
always been for his country ready any time to sacrifice his
life in its defence Till he stood convicted Of criminal
design he would always be prepared if to
mend General Gaines If the troops had been called
repel invasion direct feared he ready stand by him
who called them out matter who he As to whether
the Executive transcribed his powers in sending troops the
10 De discussed III
place. Of one thing he well assured, that compromise
short of the Rio Grande would stand.
Mr. MANGUM said he had not been able to take the view
the resolution indicated by several of the Senators who had
spoken the subject He thoughit premature and not
prepared act denitvely upon present He doubted
whether any action at all the part of the Senate in the
present state of their information, wise, prudent just
even delicate towards the Executive Gen Gaines himself
The resolution could have only two objects the TO
que information upon which additional legislation might be
founded the other a naked Of Gen Gaines As
to the fonner additional legislation could be necessary
would be wholly supererogatory.
The laws passed in pursuance Of the Constitution IN regard
to the raising of troops suppress nsurccon to epe nva
sop or 10 enforce the execution of the laws clear
pcl well defined, and sufficiently comprehensive covering
the whole ground To enforce those laws all that could
be necessary in any imaginable The power of enforce
ment not conded to the Senate Congress- II is de-
voved upon the Executives the duty and the responsibility
are his and why shall pruneny nterpose impoen
authority. unsustaned by any sanctions in such this
is represented to be Why foresal the Executive
If the resolution have but purposes of censure of Gen.
Gaines he opposed its adoption at this time for such
purpose. Gen. Gaines not responsible directly TO the
Senate Congress He responsible the Executive,
lie dealt with by court of inquiry court MARTIAL and the
Executive responsible Congress and the country for the
having Of the laws duly executed ard for the Furnishing Of any
officers of the army navy who should tampe the laws
and the Constitution.
That had to believe in the present state Of our
that great irregularities, usurpatons Of
power and disregard of law, attended the recent raising Of
troops in the Southwest unquestonabe But he meant
to intimate denve opinion at this time, regard To the
legality legah,y Of those proceedings. He should alb
stain from attempt to incupate any upon the present
proofs In truth, Of such emergency such ext
gencyour gallant little army pushed forward to the Rio
Grnnde del Nortc cooped up within the 6edwoks opposite
Matanoras; at long distance from the depot Of supplies
that deps with inadequate force TO defend it, and surround
ed by accustomed action and battle OF three
four times their number under the lead OF experienced and
practical generals and in country mostly covered with
dense and peculiar underwood, the chapana rendering
impossible regular and scientific field operations in word,
such the condition Of Gen Taylor and the gallant army
under his command that the veest sensibly and anxiety
pervaded only the Southwest but the whole country At
such moment and in such exigency, prompt patriotic,
burst oenergy, and vgor little beyond the law, in throwing
renfocements upon the point of DANGER though IN nowse to
be justified yet would find in every patriotic bosom much to
extenuate, Remember that the flower Of the
army, comprehendng large proportion OF the military SCI
Of the couny-a corps Of officers inferior to OF
service upon earth OF their grades and capable OF com
handing with vgor and efficiency, if properly distributed
thirty times the number Of the rank and file the Rio
Grandea these dear to the interests the honor the go
y and the affections Of the country, supposed TO be in
the EXTREMIST peril Much much may be overlooked or eI-
cused in any irregular bursts Of patriotism in rushing TO their
But the honor and glory Of that glorious little
army such aids absolutely necessary for their
Their rusty blades their Skill their unmchng, ndonl
table, and headong vao under the guidance Of their COOL
sagacious brave and able General than accomplished
their verancethe enemy stricken astonishcd and appa
led overhrown scattered and almost disorganzed
II it had turn, out that skill and bravery could have
succeeded against overwhelming numbers and the contest had
been potracted and General Gaines strict law bad folded
his and witnessed the entire destruction of the army,
when by taking dangerous responsibility be might have
saved it. the burning fires Of nations indignation would have
been upon him in force that will come by reason OF
any Irregularities of uncacuang patriotic zeal
Mr.. NJ. desired TO be misunderstood No violation Of
the laws constitution be defended justified.
such aggessions the laws have taken place. lei the oen
ders be brought trial. and such punishment awarded the
may require Though nothing be found to ward
off conviction, something may to mitigate penalties In tins
however according TO the statements OF the Senator from
Michigan, (Mr CAss) il does appear with what grace
decency consistency the President order inquiry and
trial for if according his views legalty and unconstItu
be exempt who has sanctioned the first three calls Of General
Gaines for troops IT. in the subsequent calls made by Gen
Gaines he acting exgency of apparent force, TO
wit the accredited that Paredes advancing from
the capital upon Maamoras the head Of fifteen
thousands Of men, the last calls Of General Gaines will at least
he quite excusabc those which the President has adopt
cd, though neither can be justified
II persistence in this irregular has been continued
contrary express orders from the Department of War; then
neither justification, excuse reasonable apology be Of
iered or pretended.
Mr.. NJ would not discuss the question of everything
y above law beside law and incapable from its very nature
Of regulation definition by law He could easily conceive
Of caseshcy must he extreme the EXTREMIST and touching
vitality the very existence Of government its greatest into
rcsn which that dangerous plea might be heard and al
ways with jealousy not in Justification but excusatory, as
a ground for pardon.
Whether this be pushed into that Of
necessity quite another question and whether il can
(supposng its existence which do not adn I've thrown
shield around Cen Gaines viewing his connexion with this
whole NATTER yet another and quite different question
trust, and suppose, that this resolution
not from the Administration but from the of duty which