The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-25
rendered necessary any augmentation Of our
military and naval forces.
The message was read

hs'utSfy ouu naval ioIccS. Ht#
The message was read.
Il stated that in his annual message, he had
recommended such increase, and has seen no
reason since 10 recall it (; but, on the contrary,
has seen additional reasons TO enforce such
recommendation. The heads Of departments
had sent to the different committees of both
Houses such information, under his sanction.
Subsequent events had confirmed him in the
policy Of those recommendations, in addition
to The general policy Of being prepared for war
in time Of peace. In relation 10 Oregon, the
message stated that England is making exten-
siye and extraordinary additions to her arma-
ments Of all kinds, not called for by her Eu-
ropean foreign relations which are eminenty
pacific. In the event of rupture these arma-
ments would be used against this country,
and were undoubtedly so regarded contingent
ly by England, as being useful in case of
war with US. Under this aspect, therefore,
the necessityfor our increase of our forces was
strengthened! Though the Notice and the
other Oregon measures were not cause of
war to England, yet the preparations for them
would not be lost or thrown away. He, there
fore, saw no reasons to change the tenor OF his
Annual Message in relation to Oregon. In re-
lauon 10 our unsettled condition with Mexico,
our Minister was yet refused to be recognized
or received, and he deemed it necessary to
station two thirds of our army force on the
Mexican frontier, leaving other points exposed
and undetended. In this view, he reiterated
his recommendations for an increase. He
concluded by expressing his determination to
maintain his settled policy, 10 preserve hon.
orable peace and that there was no better
way to preserve this than firm maintainance
OF our just rights, and unanimity in our
councils. The message was ordered TO be
printed for the use of the Senate.
Mr.. Webster rose for the purpose OF making
an enquiry of the heads of the committees
what was the specific information given to
their respective committees. He SAID the
message did not state, and he desired 10 know
4 how the body Of the Senate was TO obtain the
information. He did not complain OF this
mode Of the President answering queries, and
he was aware that it was not new 10 transmit
information in that manner to committees; but
it was practice not TO be encouraged. He
called on Mr.. Benton to suggest some form or
mode by which il might be divulged
Mr.. Benton stated how it happened that the
Departments had communicated with the
committees under the sanction of the Presi-
dent. The Secretary of War had sent esti-
mates of various army expenses to the Mill
tary Committee Of the Senate.
Mr.. Fairfield, chairman of the committee
on Naval Affairs, made, in substance, the
same explanation. Estimates had been re-
ceived in relation to the expense and cost of
the war steamers, &c.
Mr.. J. M. Clayton enquired if the naval
committee had reported all.
Mr.. Fairfield was understood 10 say that he
could not answer that question.
After some further conversation, in which
I Mr.. Cass remarked that he was glad that
we had been instructed TO prepare for war by
a Prcsldenrss message instead Of by Britist
cannon, the Senate went into Executive ses-