Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-06-20
CONGRESSIONAL.


of Representatives is the Tariff question: the debat
upon which is still in progress. We make room
for sketch of a sing speech on each side of tn,
question.
Mr.. SEABORN JONES, in the absence of Mr. MCKAY
who unable, through ndsposon, take his place dur
ing this portion of the sitting into general explanation
of the policy and provisions of the BILL but promised by
remarks reply 10 what had been said by Mr. STEPHENS
relation to the Mexican war.
Mr. j. had understood his colleague (Mr STEruENs to say
that he wished to throw obstacles in the way OF the Ad
mnsraton in conducting the present but he had assa
ed the Administration for having wuy, and without
siy, brought Some very unfortunate admissions how
ever had been made by him. He understood his colleague
say that the President had right know where the boun-
DAIRY line Of Texas really lay.
Mr.. STEPHENS said he bad made no such admission.
He had said that the President ought have advanced
the army beyond where Texas had established and exercised
her Jurisdiction If the President not bound know any
southern boundary of the United States he might order
ed the troops at 10 the city of Mexico.
Mr.. JONES resumed The gentleman had said that the
boundary line of Texas was open question: but that the
line ought be at the Rio Gande On what ground could
his colleague have TO that conclusion Must not
have been from the compact of Texas with Mexico from the
history Of both; from the which had taken place between
them, and the result of those from the declaration of
Texas and by the extension OF laws the whole
country the Ii have been from consider
alton Of these things that his colleague his conclusion
and from the premises doubtless, the President had
come to the same conclusion
Mr.. sad that he had expressly observed tna
he thought the Rio del Norte ought be the BOUNDARY be-
it natural boundary These considerations had
nothing at all to do with the grounds Of his conclusion
Mr. JONES said that this could not be the legal reason
The proper line that which justice and right required
Whether it natural boundary not had nothing do
with the legal question and he knew his colleague TO be too
good lawyer say that had He must have required 10
the history the country aud surely he might have excused
the President for coming to the conclusion But taking
an unsettled question, still the President bound de-
fend the whole extent Of territory which claimed
stung part of the United States That the whole
of country this side the Rio Gande claimed
would deny.
The gentleman from Texas had indicated, in very con-
vncing MANNER the right of his State advance such
claim The land had been purchased by the blood of her sons
and her right to it sealed by blood
His colleague had further admitted that if the question Of
boundary could be settled by negotiation ought then
be settled by the sword He sad to be sure that might
have been settled by negotiation but in that opinion he stood
fearful minority There would not, he would venture to
say in hundred who thought with him. Indeed,
had he heard his colleague express the opinion he should
have doubted whether there The Government had
inquired from that of Mexico whether, if Minister sent
he would be received and received for that he would
be Our Minister then sent but when he arrived the
Mexican Government declined to receive him. and that
bubble. Meantime revolution took place there, and
he then rejected with insult When all this taken
into considerations and added to the declaration by Mexico
that she intended econqueT Texas aud her the
Mexican Republic and that Paroles elevated the Pre-
sdency that question: must be manifest that all hope
boundary negotiation Ne
goaon having thus failed and the President being warrant
ed IN believing that the question could not be settled by
aton there remained to him alternative but settle it
by the sword.
Mr. STEPHENS asked if his colleague meant that the
President had right to settle boundary question by the
sword
Mr. JONES replied that he did not mean to say that
the President had power declare war; but that his
duty to place the army Of the United States the Rio Crande
to resist the which Paroles had openly threatened
That threat had been published the world Mexican troops
were assembling the frontier Minister had been gno-
mlnouy dismissed and under circumstances like these the
President had most clearly right station the where
ever he judged best adapted to the defence of the
country Nay, he would have been traitor and disgrace
to his country if he had not His doing did but
add another feather to the plume which decked the brow
James X. Polk While he peace President he had re-
Gently shown that he well competent conduct wa
also Not that he fit to lead in person the armies
the United States. Those armies would show hemselve
abundany able 10 fight for their country. Would Go,
that they might prove successful the armies of Cesar
Cromwell Of Bonapar,e while he yet fought only for hi
country The whole world must witness the forbeaance
the United States Government in her whole course towards
the Mexican Government Indeed, such would hay
dsgraced had not past days thrown the gauntlet
more powerful foe.
Mr.. j. addressed himself the bill before the commit
tee The Committee of Ways and Means had intended 1
send to the House certain amendments this BILL which
rendered necessary by the change Of circumstances which
taken place since 1t first prepared But owing to tn
fact that the estimates from the Department bad yet bee
init the amendments the House. They would however
mainly in those which had been recommended by III
Secretary Of the Treasury the Senate. Mr. j. had me
morandum Of the principal items and they mainly thos
the lower schedule but few comparison had been in
creased the higher The question for the House 10 se
whether they would pass bill, such should
10 the Government the greatest of revenue
whether they would reject all modification OF the tariff of a.
and leave the law as il stood.
Our situation would require all the which the CO.
eminent could command and Mr. J. asked the friends of
tariff in that House recollec the circumstances
der which the act Of 1912 had been passed. and PARTICULAR
TO recall to mind the speeches Of Senators Wright and Beno
that OCCASION expressive Of the motives which induced the
to assent TO the BILL and ohe determination the first props
opportunity to alter the bill by striking Of its
odious features. Mr. j. called upon the friends Of tho
distinguished Senators carry the intentions which the
at that time ayowed Il had been said this morning by III
gentleman from Pennsylvania sir. McCLEAS) that a tire
known by its fruits II the of Wing principles bo
fruit which could aid their country of need
could not be good tree he would not add the words of III
Saviour, let it be cut down and cast into the fire.
He would call the friends Of the Administration general
to the pledges which given by them the Banor
Convention. great deal had been said about those pledge
that oo and he hoped that gentlemen who had kept
pledges in regard TO other resolutions then passed would
forget that which related the tariff II they had
been faithful in all things he hoped that they would ea
be in this and would vote TO reduce the existing tariff TO
revenue measure that larger Of revenue might
obtained from IT than at present realized.
Mr. j. said he that the bill which had been re
ported by the chairman of the Committee Of Ways an
Means was not altogether free from objections He be
heyed that some OF the duties still lef too high with
view to protection, but violent modification Of the tar
would not answer, and he desired that the reduction whc
took place should be accomplished by degrees The
bill did not, all Its items aim exclusively nj revenue We