Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-05-21
Washington, May Ilth, 1916.
Proceedings in Congress on the War with
Mexico,
War Ree0gnieed-Nof Deelared-By the House.
Passage by the House Of the bill 10 raise so, 900
Volunteers and oPpropridting Sl0,OO0,0 900.

Passage by the House Of the bill 10 raise $4,000
Volunteers and GPprcpriGfing SlO,OOOOO0.
MONDAY, May H.
On the reception Of the Presidents Message. the
House took up, and after long debate passed, bill
entitled-AR Aot 10 PrOrids for the Prosecution Of
the Eristing Var 6et,ocen the United States and
the Republic Of Merioo.
The following is an abstract
Whereas, by act of the Republic OF Mexico a
state oil war exists between that Government and
the United States
Sec |. The President is hereby authorized to
accept the service of Volunteers exceeding 80
900, for twelve months, to the end Of the war
Sec. . SlO.OOO,OOO are hereby appropriated to
carry the above into effect.
Sec. 3. Volunteers are to furnish their own
clothing and horses. but when mustered into active
service, are to be armed aud equipped by the Gov.
eminent
Sec. 4. They are to be subject to the articles Of
war, and, except To clothing and pay, to be
placed on the same footing as the army. aud in lieu
OF clothing they are TO receive an equivalent in
money
Sec. 5. The Volunteers to be official accord.
ing 10 the respective laws OF the States to which
the companies belong.
Sec. q. The President, il he thinks it necessa.
ry is empowered to make nominations to the SEN
ate, Of Generals Of Brigade and Divisions, aud Of
the General Staff, as now authorized. The Gener-
ais will appoint their own Aids, and the President
will apporion the officers among their respective
States rendering Volunteers
Sec T. The Volunteers received will be emit.
tied TO all the benefits conferred on persons wound
ed in the service OF the United States
! Sec 8 The President is authorized to complete
all the armed vessels now authorized by law; to
purchase or charter merchant vessels and steam.
boats to be converted into public armed vessels in
such numbers as are necessary to protect the sea-
board aud harhors. or general defence
Secs. o & 10. Provide the rate Of pay aud the
continuance Of the act for two years Privates Of
foot companies will receive $40 per month the
mounted men $40 per month, including the use
and risk Of horses.
| The amendmen, to raise the money and men
passed by vote of 1913 TO o. and the bill was read
third lime and passed by majority Of ia to IA.
The following the nays:
| Messrs. John Quincy Adams, Ashmun, Grams
ton. Culver, Delano, Glddings, Grinnell, Hudson,
Daniel P. King, Root, Severance, Slrohm, Tilden,
Vance-I4.
The very short time given for the discussion OF
this important bull (Which the same in substance
as the one reported early in the SESSION. allowed
little 10 be said on either side, Mr. Brinkerhoff of
Ohio in favor of the bill state of war exist
ed, and he should not inquire how the war begun,
or who was responsible for it. lie was for yigor-
Gus prosecution Of the war, aud for al once crush.
ing the enemy fully, instantly aud vigorously
MIR Brockenbrough Of Florida and Mr. Thomp-
son Of Miss. were for Bill which should declare
war upon the face Of it, and which should require
enlistment TO the end Of the war.
Mr. Holmes of s. c. was opposed to the declara-
ton OF War, which he regarded as unnecessary
The Mexican Government might repudlate all that
had been done by the Mexican Generals.
Mr. Rhett of S. c. said there was no War exist
ing between the two countries There were no
hostlltes and the difference was broad and marked
Before the Message received, the House was
engaged on the bill for the support of the West
Point academy
The SENATE acted more moderately aud calmly
on the recommendations of the Message. long
discussion ensued, which ended by referring so
much as relates TO troops and supplies, to the Mill
tary Committee, and the remainder TO the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations,
Mr. Calhoun commended that War did not exist
and could not exs. without the action of Congress,
M. Morehesd Of KY. agreed with him Mr. Clayton
was ready TO vote supplies to keep our army out OF
difficulty, and Mr. Allen, Houston and others were
as brm full of war they well could be.
The bill from the House to increase the rank and
file Of the army slightly amended and passed,
and motion made to reconsider the vote, pending
which, the Senate went into executive session and
afterwards adjourned. This last bill passed some-
time since by the House, will increase the army to
10 or Ii, 900 men in time.
The War Bill from the House. passed by the Sen
ale Yeas so, Nays 2.
TUESDAY, May IL.
In the SENATE, the House bill making war APP
preparations taken up, with the amendments
proposed by the Committee on Military Affairs
One Of them struck out the preamble aud declared
that war existed
Mr. Calhoun opposed all hasty action. He said
il would be observed that the first portion of the
bill amounted TO a declaration of war aud that we
should he sure Of being right before making such
declaration
| Mr. Allen said that as war actually existed no
time Was 10 be lost in voting the requisite supplies
to protect our troops and our citizens
Mr. Mangum was ready to vote any amount of
men or money, aud without any delay declaring
that there was much patriotism on one side of
the chamber as on the other
Mr. Calhoun rejoined-he said we should not de-
| lay moment--he was ready to act now--but why
| he asked vote for bill which made false decla-
ration that war actually existed by the ac, of the
Mexican Government? He said there was more
meant than actually met the eye, and than was de-
mnnded by the and safety of the Army
lie added that his mind made up, and that
he would neither vote for against the bill in its
present form lie might, he said be alone. Be il
so-he cared but little for popularity, He could
not for the sake Of making war on Mexico, make
war also on the Constitution.