Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-04-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
SEVENTEENTH WEEK OF THE
SESSION

body, on motion OF Mr.. Dayton, whether there
was anything in the posture of our foreign rela-
tons which demanded an increase of military
preparations. The message, at first produced
considerable excitement. The President asks
for an increase of both the army and the navy
and especially the construction of steam navy;
but, although he seems to admit that rupture
may grow out of the Oregon question, and
assigns as one reason why we should make pre-
paration, that England is armng herself at ali
ipoints-yet he does not regard his recommends
ton as war measure, nor as one which ought
to, or which will, give offence to Great Britain.
He adopts the maxim, that in peace we should
prepare for war; and the gist of his message is,
that as there mag be war; we should, while in
state of peace, prepare for it; and that even III
there should be no war; the increase of defences
asked for will be necessary as an exhibition of a
determination on our part to maintain our ma
tonal rights.
alt expresses the opinion that our. foreign
relations present peculiar demands for the in
crease of our military and naval forces as
measure of wise precaution.
1t refers to the annual message and reiter-
ates all the views and recommendations of that
message
The President says that he has seen no rea-
sons to withdraw or modify the views which he
then expressed; but he has since seen additional
reasons why provision should be made for the
public deence he then says that estimates were
made for the army and navy committees u@der
| L. =, al I,; ,oc IN tbo
present session.
He reminds the Senate of Washington's max
i'm: in peace prepare for was, and refers to the
controversy between the United States and
Great Britain.
He adds that while Great Britain is at pro-
found peace with all Europe, she is making
extensive military preparations, and in the
event of rupture with the United States,
would be prepared to strike suddenly and efIec-
lively
AS to the purpose of those ornaments, there
were undoubted facts showing that they were in
tended for the United States.
He then shows from the language of Min
listers of the Crown that this was their purpose.
Under this aspect of things he recommends
preparations which can give no offence to
Great Britain, nor increase the chances Of war.
He then urges that notice be given immedi-
ately to terminate the convention, and that pro-
vision be made for the protection of settlers in
Oregon
He then refers to Mexican affairs as be-
ing in doubtful state, and such as to require
the presence of two-thirds of the army on the
frontier.
| In view of these circumstances he rocom
mends preparations, and at the same time de
cIares his settled purpose to pursue such pol
icy as will preserve peace with Mexico anc
Great Britain, and with proper regard to ou
Just rights"
Mr. Webster inquired whether any estimates
\ of the amount of increase of army aud navy
+ recommended by the message, had been receiy
ed. He put the inquiry to the chairman of The
: Military and Naval Committees respectively
These gentlemen admitted that estimates hat
been transmitted to them from the Departments
but that they were confidential. The replies
were evidently eyasiye; and considerable ankle
4 ty has been felt to ascertain the exact amount o
q enlargement it is proposed to make in our war
like preparations.
E 1t seems that the same estimates were mad
=, also to Committees in the House; and Mr. L
> B. King, member of the Navy Committee
attempted to lay them before the House, bn
> was forbidden to do so by the majority Tn
correspondents of some Of the papers have how
ever obtained them, and according to the Ma
tiona Intelligencer, the Secretary Of the Nav
l. has proposed to increase the naval force of th
: country--in men, to $4,000; steamships, to 4C
. sloops, of-war, to 80; in all, an increase of 5;
q vessels Of war; and requiring an estimated eS
. penditure Of twenty millions Of dollars, uo,
far it is proposed to augment the military fore
: has not yet TRANSFERRED; though resolution wa
passed, on motion Of Mr.. Berrien, that the est
nation of this and the Naval department shout
be laid before the Senate, to publish them or not
as they should see ft
: The debate on the general question ha
s been carried on by Mr.. Sewer of Ark, in
: $40 speech; by Mr.. Miller of N. j., in iayo
+ of compromise; and Mr.. Chalmers of Miss, OIL
same SIDE
Il
the debate to a close; but without success.
Mr. Rusk and Gen. Houston, Senators from
= the state of Texas, were qualified and took thei
n seats.
h On Monday, Mr. Webster made brief bu
very impressive Speech urging the utmost eau
ton in treating the SUBJECT, and deprecatng
d collision with England.
}, In the House, the subject of the increase O
/ the army by raising two regiments, has been dis
If cussed but without any result
: The subject of Contingent Expenses of tn
Government brought to light pretty bill of eS
penses, incurred in settling the Texas question
! and this led to some warm and decided remark
on the subject of Slavery, which was not suffer
= ed, however, to proceed too far.
The Committee on Post Office have reporte
>, = formally in relation to the establishment of
line of Atlantic steamers, to run between U. S
. England, France, and Germany.