The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-11

our country. That was to be done first but as soon
as we can, and between every blow we strike, we
were remember il fell the head OF a neighbor--
every wound we inflicted was on another republican
"A nan we could make our friend. Such mission
was worthy Of the highest talent in the land. We
had surrounded the Mexicans with fiery insults, as
they conceived. All that could occur 10 wound ma
tonal pride had occurred. II required healing meas
ures to remedy that. He threw out these remarks
as those expressive Of the feelings that grew out OF
the first blush of the subject They should all agree
about the defence of the country, and he hoped It
would be so as to the means Of pacl6cation to be
used.
Mr.. SEWER observed that Americans were GER
| tainly very unfortunate people. He never knew
them 10 be right IN the whole leourse Of his life.
| They were wrong, five years ago, in the case Of
France; wrong, lately with Great Britain; wrong in
the Seminole war; and now, wrong again with Mex
leo. He had hoped TO see his country right once IN
| his life, but he was TO be disappointed This coun-
Try had stood more from Mexico than any civilized
power ever stood from another. This country had
reared her up fostered her, protected her. as il had
the republics Of South America. Was she republic
| to-day How long had she been a republic How
long since she had emperor on her throne With
every disposition to be lenlent, there limit TO
| insult from one country TO another. Mexico made
war upon the United States when they were endea-
yoring long before crossing the Nueees, TO nego-
tate Troops were not placed there till all attempts
TO negotiate had failed. He asserted that IN taking
| up his position, under the unlimited authority pa-
ced on him, General Taylor did right He would
condemn neither him nor the government, nor make
| IL question whether he was on American soil or
not That question would come up hereafter. He
hoped the policy Of the government would not be
condemned in advance; and il we could not be right
entirely, he hoped il would be admitted we were so
| TO some extent
Mr.. s. made few other remarks not heard by the
| reporter.
Mr.. HUNTINGTON said he did no! desire to pro-
tract the debate but wished to make inquiry Of the
| senator from Michigan. Before doing so, he would
utter one or two remarks. He thought the sugges-
ton Of the senator from Missouri Mr.. BESrosl
was a proper disposition OF the message and in ac-
cordance with usage and proprety, and would re-
| ceiye his entire concurrence. He would be ready
as any member ofthe body to do all that neces-
sary for the defence Of the interests and honor Of the
country. But in doing so, he would not wish, like
some on the other side to endorse all that had been
said and done in the message Of the President on
the subject. The time would come when the in
curry would be suitable and properafter sklng sers
for the defence OF the country-what had led TO this
state OF things, AM who were responsible for ~
| When that time came, he (Mr II. } would express
his views in relation to it, He now wished TO ask
the senator from Michigan question. II appeared
from the message Of the President that communi-
cation was made to consul in Mexico by that
government IN reply 10 one from him, expressing the
readiness Of the Mexican government to receive
commissioner from this governmental settle all dis
| puted matters between them. The answer Of the
Mexican Secretary Of State had been read, in which
he expresses the willingness Of that government to
receive an Ambassador" to settle the dispute; but
whether that refers TO all disputes uncertain,
| but could be known, perhaps, by close eXamlna-
! ton Of the letter. He wished to know whether
| the answer Of the Mexican secretary assented to
the reception of a minister for the settlement Of
all disputes or some particular one As the sena-
| tor from Michigan was well acquainted with the
subject, he thought he could answer the question.
| The letter Of the American consul to the Mexican
| government was here read.
| The PRESIDENT then proceeded to put the
| question on the motion, when
| Mr.. ALLEN withdrew his call for the yeas and
| nays; and the question was taken, and the motion
agreed to.
| A message was received from the House Of Rep
resentatiyes, announcing that said House had pass-
ed sundry bills, &c.
/ CANAL ACROSS THE IsTHMUs OF PANAMA
| The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a COM
municaton from the Department of State, transmit
ting, in compliance with resolution of the Senate,
certain information in relation to the construction OF
a ship canal across the isthmus Of Panama. which
| was read, and ordered to be printed
| PETITIONS.
i Mr.. ARCHER presented the petition of the ex.
ecutors of Robert Porterfeld, praying to be allowed
bounty land which referred to the Committee
4 on Public Lands
| Mr.. EVANS presented the memorial of Gibson,
Sons, &, Co, Gabriel Mead & Co, and Tooker,
Mead, & Co., praying the reimbursement Of certain
duties alleged to have been illegally exacted which
| was referred to the Committee on Finance.
| Mr.. BREESE presented a petition of number
! Of ship.owners and masters of vessels navigating
the lakes, praying that Chicago may not be made a
port Of entry; which laid on the table, and or.
| dered to be printed.
Mr.. BAGBY presented the petition of Thomas
1 fnr
penses incurred while member of board of ex-
| aminers appointed to experiment on steam boilers
which was referred to the Committee of Claims.
| RESOLUTION.
| Mr.. EVANS submitted the following resolution;
| which was agreed to:
Resolved That the Comm ttee Commerce be instruct
ed to inquire expediency providing by law tina,
any articles the growth or manufacture Of the
adjoining British provinces, or brought into the United
cured may be exported from any port in the United States
for the benefit Of drawback of the said duties under such
regulations may be proper for the security Of
| INCREASE OF THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES.
Mr.. BENTON, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, to whom was refe rred the act to author
izc the President of the United States to increase
| the rank and file of the army Of the United States
| whatsoever IN his Judgment the exgencies of the
country shall require it, reported the same back TO
the Senate with amendments, and moved its imme-
date consideration; which motion was agreed to
number Of men in each company to 100, instead OF
49, proposed in the bill as it passed the House OF
Representatives. Also making the period of enlist
ment 3, instead Of years.
The bill considered in committee of the
whole, when Mr.. B. submitted few remarks in
support Of the amendments.
! Mr.. EVANS asked the aggregate increase which
would be made by the amendment
Mr.. BENTON replied that the addition to the
J army would be between 5000 and 1000,
The question was then taken on the amendments
which agreed to; the bill reported to thu
Senate, and the amendments concurred in.
Mr.. J. NJ. CLAYTON desired to know if the bill
did not increase the army to about Is, 900 men.
Mr.. BENTON replied in the affirmative; bu
stated that when, in tho opinion Of the Executive
the exigences of the country did not require thu
additional force, the bill provided for the reduction
of the number of men to Ga in each company, thu
dispensing with one-thrd.
| The bill was then ordered to a third reading, i'm
medately read third time and passed.
II Mr. B. also, from the Committee Military AT
} fairs, to whom was referred the bill to rais
n reoiment of mounted ridemen for the protection o