Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-08-12
The Two Million Hill.

OF extraordinary character desirous.
though had but little expectation Of such result that
nmight be promptly ncgshved in the form in which
it wss originally proposed in compliance with the Presi
dents suggestion. We perceive necessity for cloth.
ing the Executive with the discretionary power for
which he asked II he really wishes put n end a
war; into which he has both needlessy and unconsuton
ally involved the counuy-and do doubt that he
sincerely anxious TO do since he has that tits
to be holiday affair and that it ell likely
TO illustrate his Administration by OF splendid VIC
tories, to be crowned by speedy iumpha procession
the city Of the Montezumss-we say il he really Wishes
To restore peace, his powers already adequate that
end. II will be time enough ask for additional
when he prepared the which he pro-
poses to them When an Executive asks the Repre-
senavcs OF the people for millions OF money, he ought
specify the which he intends apply or, he
refuses do the supplies should be withheld unless the
emergency be Of extraordinary character and
cihly unless the unlimited confidence be eposed
well in his discretion in his integrity. Mr.. Garrett
Davis of KY indicated the line of action which in such
Congress ought adopt when he said eli the Pres
dent desires my invest him with such large money
power, he inform how he intends it," The
old Republican doctrine Of specific appropriations based
upon that esous watchfuness OF the pursesngs which
constitutes the strongest and efficient check in all free
governments to Executive omnipotenco-which, in Eng
land has often enabled the Commons battle the Crown,
and TO conine the powers Of the King within limits
phlbe with the maintenance Of Legislative independence
and popular freedom-ought TO be abandoned for
light and trivial When Congress appropra,es
large OF money, it should the time specify the
object OF expenditure, which be safely left TO
Executive discretion. Mr.. Polk might not true abuse
the us-buI future Presidents quoting this pre-
csdent, Mr.. Polk himself refers in like
of Congress give color Of proprey his
binary application may perchnnce employ similar grant
for objects less justifabe and more dangerous.
Mr.. Davis OF Ky. shows, in the following remarks, the
nj
by the President, and the total irreevancy OF the other
The President quotes Precedents. The fret was
believe voting money the President enable him TO
buy peace by the payment OF tribute of the Barbary
Powers when feeble a nation, and sorely har-
by both Eng land and France Does Mr. Polk intend
follow this precedent II his object be pay money to
Mexico purchase peace am against it. That would
be ignoble and the proud spirit OF my country
would revolt peace meanly obtained. Ii We -
be an indeble stain upon the nation, O
The other precedent quoted by Mr. Polk VIZ 81. -.
Ting of large sum OF money by Congress to NJ JeGon
TO enable him to purchase LOusans. This nr,eedsn, -
opposite, because Q are not at war wiz RE ' -
neither is Mr. Polk Jefferson" ~
And Mr.. Davis might have added III, III. ob.c, ,o h
Attaned-f the acquisition Of the orpi.s he that oh
set-is not at all comparable in pOy lance with thu, which
mr. Jefferson had IN ne"i while me circumstances which
rendered 1t necessary to refuse the Executive the dsce
honary powers asked Tor by Nj Jefferson are wholly un-
like those by which We now surrounded Iik. NJ,
Davis we are opposed to purchasing peace which W.
have undertaken TO conquer IL has an uev souin,ins a.
eagerness 10 back out from fight which we have pr
Noksd and iact Confession that have found the diff
cunes IN 'ne way OF speedy triumph Of arms so o
'entaoasy pIedieed IN the be much greater than
we had anticipated There somepng Illuminating in the
suggestion Had Mr. Polk, before blow had been struck
proposed the basis of PEI manent reconciliation he
tween the two governmental term. which woud have re-
CURED the payment oil two millions by the u States for
lar equivalent the susg' son would have been Il proper
one, ana no one wonio have objected to its But
while we are in tho midst Of war, which but single
bow has been sV ok, and while enemy though defeat
cd, exhibits no disposition for peace. make
public declaration of desire buy him off, strikes as
rather ludcrous and disgraeefu finale bian; pro-
misses with which the campaign was opened
The bill which has received the Of the House Of
presenauves finally modified by Mr.. Mckay as the
mouth piece of the Executive, reads as followa
Whereas q OF exists between the United
States and the Republic OF MeKco which II is desirable
should be speedily terminated upon Just and honora.
bic both nations And whereas hereto
fore been given the Government OF Mexico that il was
the desire Of the President TO settle ell questions between
the the liberal and Satisfactory terms
according the rights Of and The mutual interests
and security Of the countries And the Pre-
ndent may be able conduct treaty Of peace with the
Republic Of Mexico prior the session Of Congress-
II for that object bis disposal And whereas
in the adjustment of so many complicated questions
exist between the countries, II possibly happen
that expenditure Of money will be called Tor by the
supuations Of any treaty which may be entered into -
Therefore,
Be il enacted by the Senate and House Of Represen.
tatves Of the United States Of America IN Congress
sembed. That the Of thirty thousand dollars be and
the hereby appropriated Of any money the
Treasury otherwise appropriated, to enable the Pes
dent upon negotiations for the restoration Of peace
with Mexico whenever shall be in his power do so.
Sec 2. And DO further enacted, That the Of
millions Of dollars be and the hereby appropriated
any money IN the Treasury otherwise appropn
Ated ensbe the President conclude treaty Of peace
with the Republic Of Mexico be used by him 10 the
event that said treaty, when signed by the authorized
Of he i've he'll ihed nv
Mexico. shall call for the expenditure Of the same any
part thereof full and sceurae accounts for which e1pen
diture shall be by him transmitted TO Congress early
day as practicable.
But before the question taken upon s passage Mr..
WmNoT, the only member from Pennsylvania who voted
for the repeal Of the Tariff Of l542we presume for the
purpose Of neuraIDg the effect Of that vote, far az
practicable. and Of making little capital home offered
by way Of amendment, the following POyso, which
adopted, by vote Of 80 to Ga
PROVIDED, Thai, express and fundamental condi-
lion TO the acquisition Of any territory from the Republic
Of Mexico by the United States by virtue Of any treaty
which msy be negotiated between them and the by
the Executive Of the moneys herein appropriated neither
slavery involuntary sorytude shall exist in any
part Of said territory except for crime, whereof party
shall fret be daily convicted"
This anti slavery provision Of rendered tho bill
unacceptable large number Of he original friends. IL
nevertheless passed. by vote Of 81 10 s5-neafy oil the
Southern members, including Mossrs. Atkinson, Buyly
BedinRer Dromgooe. Hopkins HUBBARD, Hunter Johnson
Leske, Mcdowell, and Pondoton, Of Virgins, the re-
nsndor Of delegation being ABSENT voting against
Prom the eogent remarks Of Mr.. Davis Of Ky, max,
the following oHuacts;
81" should object the acquisition Of Cslfornis or .,
much Of would give the bay Of San Francisco.
We might have good port In temperate latitude the
Of the Pacific, butt should oppose any other mode
acquisition thsna purcha'e by ia negotiation, upon pro-
per consideration. Il this what the President inends1 No
or, no, cir. HE euds openly the design and
end Of this move b 10 obtain California ughuy or wrong
fully, aud Nj Polk's message does conceal h. Ho s,
us whilst this IL made and pending. the existing
husucs sgains Mexico ere 20 be most Vigorously prose
outed. In hand no already bfandshos weak dis
aoed and PROSTATE Mexico the bloody sword the other
he asks Congress place millions Of dollars, that h,
tnay present her snd the who lawssy her III,
tempting lure with the alternative Of desolaung her viii
wsfs havoc
THE palpsbe purpose Of the ADMINISTRATION and ~ sup
porsFs enlarge the ground which they assumed hs
begnnaH Of this 10 10 odd 10 lie obi.em q obtsnnI
the Satisfaction a the esis a Aefosn citizens and hs
alahl.hnlnn 81 The hnnndarN line hefnnan Msrirn