Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-12-24
Congress.

10 Inquire tut
propley of granting l6O acres Of land 10 volunteers
serving in Mexico and increasing the allowance for
transportation and subsistence of volunteers from their
homes the seat Of Mr.. Breese gave notice of
bill graduate the price of public lands. bill for
territorial government Of Oregon. and bill 10 es-
tabish land Offices in Oregon.
HoUsE.-In the House the Wings commenced their
war against the Administration, recommended by
MIR. Webster
MIR. Davis's resolution calling the President for
copies of all orders generals or commodores ela
tive TO the establishment of civil governments in ter
ritories conquered during the with Mexico,
up in ORDER Tie question being on its adoption, Mr..
HARRISON, of Georgia, presented as an amendment,
the words-'f not incompatible with the public in
eress." He questioned the expediency Of an imper-
atve call the Executive for information of this
character. The publication of the official correspond
might prove detrimental TO national interests,
by giving the enemy possession of the views and
plans adopted in the prosecution OF hostllities Mr..
Davis dlsclamed any desire intention of procuring
the publication of any thing calculated to have that
tendency. He wanted merely to obtain information
TO orders directing the establishment of civil gov
ernments in conquered territories He proceeded to
speak length that if it appeared that the President
had acted contrary to the constitution, be (Mr pavs)
prepared for such Interior measures as the integ-
rity of the constitution and the safety of this Union
might demand. Mr.. Douglass, of Illinois, invited
full investigation of the conduct Of the Executive. If
by "ulerlor measures" the gentleman from Kentucky
| (Mr. Davis) meant inlpeachment-if the opposition
contemplated the impeachment Of the President they
would have full latitude. The Presidents conduct
open to the inspection of the world and in order
Inc the establishment Of temporary governments in
conquered territories, he had only performed the SOL
emn duty required of him by his oath of Office and
the law of nations. Power to establish military regu
lations for governing possessions held by right of
conquest was admitted, but there was no right to
establish civil governments in such possessions, and
he (Nr. Davis) challenged the President produce
such right in the law of nations the constitution
MIR. HARRISON followed in defence of the President.
Mr. Douglass explained and defined his position. Mr..
HARRISON suggested that the discussion was prema-
ture. 1t would be more judcious TO postpone it until
gentlemen had ascertained facts in the case. Mr..
Rhett, of South Carolina remarked that the conquer
ed territories fomed part of the United States. If
they did, then the President would have right
to establish governments in them than he has TO
ganze government in Oregon. Our occupation of
California and New Mexico being merely military,
the conduct Of the officers Of government is per-
fectly iustifable. Mr.. Schenck, of Ohio contended
that, by the Presidents showing, the resolution,
far it related to New Mexico, embraced nothing
but what we claim as within the boundary of the
Union. He referred to the Message of yesterday,
proceeded to controvert Mr.. Rhetts position cited
Commodore Stockton's proclamation and other matters
which excited much laughter. Mr.. HARRISON with
drew his amendment. Mr. Winthrop of Massachu-
setts suggested that the proper time for this discus
sion would arrive when the desired information
before the House. He denounced that portion of the
Message in which the Justice of the is advocated
and the boundary of Texas defended. Mr.. Vinton,
Of Ohio, moved TO amend the resolution to in
quire whether any part of the conquered territories
belonged 10 Texas. Mr.. Holmes, of S. c., followed
in defence of the government. Mr.. Darragh, of Penn
syvania obtained the floor, when the House adou n
ed
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Dec. 10.
| The House resumed the interesting discussion of
this subject Mr. Davis modified his resolution as
to call upon the President to state whether he has
recognized any government in Mexico established by
our commanding officers; whether any such govern
ment has beeu established over part Of the State Of
Texas; whether he intends to prosecute the with
view to the permanent occupation of territory; and
for what specific purpose he intends to prosecute the
war and that. if he fit, he be requested to COM
muDciate his reply to the House in secret session,
with closed DOORS:
Mr.. Daragh, of Pa, (Whig,) said it was the demo-
cratic doctrine that this government could not wage
war of conquest and that could not acquire ter
ritory by conquest. He himself believed the to
be Just and necessary but those who did in their
conscience believe, ought not to be branded trait
ors. He read the Presidents denunclatory remarks
on all those who differed with him to the wisdom
/. of the war, and condemned them out and out. He
reminded the House that the late elections had proved
tnat the people not Deeve FOLK 10 De
ble The truth that this war; though just, could
have been avoided. The government withheld our
claims on Mexico with view to force upon it an
acquisition of territory The United States could have
assumed those claims in consideration Of adjusting
the boundary. Mr.. Tyler began this policy of acqu
sition, and Mr.. Folks administration continual
ton of it, in this respect Those claims had been
postponed from time to time for the very purpose oil
retaining preteXt for war and acquisition.
! He not satisfied with the Presidents explana-
tion to the permission given to Santa Anna. II
was piece of humbuggery that required some further
explanation. The Presidents sincerity in stating the
reason which influenced him in sending Taylor from
Corpus Christi to the Rio Grande, questioned and
scrutnzed by Mr.. ID. He showed that an order prior
that of the 18th January. 1916. had been issued for
that purpose. He would never oppose any acquisition
of territory, provided Sarery not to be tolerated
in it. 1t true that in the old States slavery was
tolerated by the Constitution, and it unconstu-
onal to extend it any farther than its original limits
1t was unjust to the Northern States and he hoped
they would resist it. We had no public domain in
1857, excepting the territory Northwest of the Ohio
and the Continental Congress excluded slavery from
that.
1t was understood that il was not to be extended
farther excepting in the States TO be formed out of the
territory of Georgia, North Carolina, &c. 1t was
understood that the Declaration Of independence would
be paradox, lie, If slavery was TO be further en-
couraged and extended. 1t believed that, in the
course of time we should be rid of the evil in all the
old States. What the progress of Democracy would
do he did not know but he believed that the progress
of civilization would stop it. Be assured, said MIR.
D., this question must be met.
Mr. Stanton, of Tennessee defended the Presidents
course and claimed for him the right and duty OF
denouncing all who opposed the war, as uording aid
and comfort to the enemy. But this did not abridge
any one of his right of speech.
1t was well known that the articles in the lntelli-