Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-05-21

territory and revenge our injuries. Mexico he
SAID, never owned territory east of the Rio Grande
since the existence of Texas. The people of Mex
leo were not unfriendly to Texas. They were
brought in manaces to fight.
Mr. Mangum said that The opinions of the Texas
Senator, Just expressed, were pot the American
sentiments upon this question. The idea that war
existed was repudioted by both parties during the
two sessions of Congress in which Annexation was
debated.
How did the Chairman of the Committee of For
elgn relations come to know that the supreme DOW
err Of Mexico would avow or had avowed the nets
on the RIO Grande? lie was willing to authorize
the Executive to pass to the seat of Mexican Gov
ernmcnt anu dictate peace, unless dsavowed or the
invasion cease.
Mr.. Archer said he believed war de Grcio exists,
ever since the annexation of Texas He was
ready now TO vote war de jme-to egalize The fact
lie wonld vote for the motion of the Senator from
Delaware, but was ready, when we received farther
ad7ices, to declare war.
lie was not in favor of permitting Military and
Naval officers to blockade ports and throw nm mill
ltary em0ankments opposite the cities of other
countries, while VIC were not at war with those
countries.
Mr.. Cass would be in favor of prosecuting the
war beyond the Rio Grandc He would ask the
Senator from South Carolina whether he believes
mat the Mexican army would cross the Rio Grande
without the consent of the Government-sboll we
wait and ask the MeXicans to 90 back till war is
legtilnatcIy declared? He would not say that the
territory on the Rio Grande was our soil. Grant
mat /! Is common territory, and yet Mexico can't
drive us away.
Mr.. Berrien admitted that hostilities exist he
tween our armies but not between the countries. IF
Gen. Taylor had crossed the Rio Grande and men
had fallen IN a collision between the armies wonlJ
Mexico be Justhable IN assuming that we had de-
clared war; when the constitutional power had not
declared it?
lie showed Mr.. Casss folly in saying that he
would not claim the territory between the Neuces
and the Rio Grande, If 1t was neutral or disnuted
territory. The Mexicans had as much right there
as we Americans. We in that case were as ruiltv
of hostility as Mexico.
Mr. BeTen proceeded in a very able spcech 10
review The debate on this question AID to put it in
a clear light.
Mr. J. NJ Clayton (whig) called upon the Senate
to vote Tor those supplies without mixing up 9th.
or matters Of doubt
Mr. Crittenden (whig) said he believed that in IA
hours after the date of our last news from the Rio
Grande that Gen. Taylor had whipped the Next
cans and that we should next hear from him in Mat.
amoras.
If the territory was not clearly otrs, why did we
march our army upon it to the very verge?
lie was willing not only to drive back the Mex
leans, but to follow him and compel him " come
~ ~ MS w may Will u straw make n UrG 10
burn down city, and unless we make this sharp
and short war-if it lasts longer than one year it
will be more than a Mexican war.
lie would have the army carry peace in one hand
and War in the other. To have the Commissioner
go with the General, and show Mexico with every
blow that we desired settlement and an honora-
BILE peace.
lie would move an amendment which he would
read. That the President be authorized to repel
inyaslons and otherwise prosecute hostilities till
our frontiers be free from danger"
Mr. johnson said he would vote to strike out to
insert Mr. Crttendcn's amendment.
Inc vote was then taken to strike out by Yeas
ana Nays, and resulted Yeas 20, Nays 25-CaIhoun
and McDuffie voting with the AYES. the rest Whips
--;Ja,rnagn (Whg) voting in the negative.
The vote was then taken to strike out as propos
ed by Mr.. Clayton and insert Mr. Crittenden's
amendment This was put by Yeas and Nays and
resulted Yeas 20, Nays26 Parties same as above
one more Locoioco voting &" No"
Mr.. Clayton (Whigj said that the time was now
come Tor nun and his party to act. He protested
against the conduct of the party in power. lie
would vote for the bill for the sake of giving the
supplies, but protest against the tyranny of forcing
nun either to vote for what he did not know to be
true or to cripple our army by Withholding the sup
plies.
Mr.. Davis made protest of the same kind. He
wished to vote the supplies but the tyranny of party
not know.
MIR. Davis said he could not vote on a subject
ABOUT winch he knew nothing, he therefore must
vote against 1t as a whole though he wished to rive
succor 10 our army.
Mr.. Crlttenden referred to the acts of 1886 and
1882 authorizing the President to accept the servi
ces OF volunteers, with which this bill was nconss-
tent, ana moved to strike out the 9th section of the
House bill.
Here great scene of confusion cnsued about the
mode OF calling out and offering the volunteers
during which Mr.. Archer and Mr. Houston had quite
spat about the Constitution of the United States.
An amendment upon this point was adopted by
Yeas 81 Nays not counted
Mr.. Benton suggested the time of service TO be
six months; but aiterward made it twelve months
or during the war. Adopted with some other slight
The Senate adjourned at half past o'clock, af-
ter passing the House bill, 40 TO 9.
The principal amendment was to transfer the an
pontment Of officers of the volunteer Troops from
the President to the Governors of the respective
States There were some other slight amendments
relating 10 equ pments, &c.
On the final passage Mr.. Crittenden moved TO
vote separately on Preamble and Bill, so as to allow
his friends TO vote the supplies who were opposed
to the spirit OF the Preamble. The lice President
decided that not in order, except by unanimous
consent.
mat consent seemed likely to be given, when
Mr. Breese (oco) objected Being strongly ap-
peacd to from several quarters, he withdrew it, but
Mr.. Bagby (loco) renewed the objection and would
not yield.
Mr.. Mangum then rose, and, in noble and man
ly STYLE said he was in favor of the bill and would
vote for 1t, but entered his solemn protest against
the allegations in the Preamble
Mr. Clayton and other Wings followed in sim.
liar strain, when the vote was TAKEN
/.
sappers and miners was passed, 1873 to o.
WEDNESDAY, May 10.
SENArE,-A message was received from the
House OF Representatives, announcing that the
House had concurred in the amendments of the
Senate to the bill providing for the prosecution of
the existing war with Mexico.
Mr.. Cameron presented resolutions from the Leg
islature OF Pennsylvania, insructing him and his
colleague to oppose any reduction Of the tariff.
Mr. Lewis wed to suspend the previous orders