Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-08-27
III rMo MILI.IoN Ill.

7 st&s " y Aik s4islNfN AtAtsf1s
The application ofthe President 70 Congress
for two millions Of Gollars 70 be used in nego-
tiatonS with Mexico was made under cifcum-
stances too remarkable to escape special com
ment. Il is not stated that any proposal to
negotiate has come irom'AIexieo; il does not
appear that Mexico is al all disposed 10 sue for
peace; we are not told that any event has hap
pened recently 10 change the aspect OF our rela-
lions with Mexico. The President, however,
introduces his Message by inviting the aten-
ton Of Congress 10 the pTopriety ..of making
an appropriation 10 provide foT any expendi.
ture which il laay be necessary 10 make in
advance for the purpose Of seaIing all our diff
Rcuhies with the Mexican kepubublle,N
II has generally been supposed that the APP
preparations already made 10 the amount Of
twenty millions or more for the prosecution Of
the war beyond the Rio Grande, the leyying
Of twenty or thirty thousand men, the aTma-
ments aud munitions Of wat sent to the South
West, the marching OF our troops towards
Monterey, and the presence Of our squadrons
in the Gull aud Pacific were all intended Tor
no other purpose than that Of settling all our
difficulties with the Mexican Republic"
But the two millions specially asked for Were
TO be used in connection wilh another system
of operations. The appropriation is not requi-
red as an additional item for carrying on the
military movements Of our forces. The Pres
ident wants il for purposes OF a negotiation
which he himself is TO open, since Mexico
will not he looks to prospective treaty which
is 10 secure TO Us certain portions OF territory
1T might be announcement says The Message,
'.tor the Mexican Government to wait for the
whole sum, the payment Of which may be SIT
pu!ated b. Ibis treaty, unlillt can be ratified
by our Senate, or an application 10 carry II m
10 effect made by Congress. Indeed, the ne
cessity for this delay might de.eat the object al
together"
The sum Of the whole mater seems to be
that II we cannot conquera peace" Wllh Mex
leo we are to buy one. In tie event that steel
shall fail 10 accomplish a successful war, gold
is to be tried. Tie Message indeed says that
this money IS not to be used as secret service
money, but 10 be accounted Tor like other ex-
pendltures vet if that Were really 50, what
need Of cash? a stipulation on behalf Of this
Government TO pay any sum agreed upon
would surely be sufficient 10 satisfy the Mexi-
can Government, il that Government was dis
posed 10 treat al all in the manner indicated by
the Message. The UHion is tyet bankrupt;
its credit is not wholly gone, nor in SO critical
a condition that Mexico need distfast IL Why
would ii be "meoaceaiett for he .Nedie@i Coo
e51,n,ent 10 acat for Tie aeLoie sam which
might be agreed 10 be paid by any treaty likely
10 be negotiated between the parties2 Con
gress VIII be in session again in less than four
months a strange notion indeed
The President assumes that we are 10 pay
money 10 Mexico on the conclusion of trea-
" with her, and that she cannot wait until the
next meeting Of Congress for the whole Of it
He therefore wants some ready money IN
band as an earnest OF the balance--a sort Of
pledge or security in advance that We are able
TO pay and may be trusted. THIS money is
asked for while open war is raging between
the two countries. Our fleets are blockading
the ports OF Mexico !; our armies are marching
towards her capital. The Mexcans are pre-
pairing for defence, and have not animated the
slightest disposition to yield to our demands or
to solicit peace Al these facts aud circum-
stances mark the Message as an extraordinary
one
The appropriation was not granted. The
modest assurance with which the President
asked the confidence Of the two Houses was
not warranted by his previous course. We
are inclined to the belief that he does not pos
seSs the confidence OF a majority in either
House.-Bah. finer.