The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-06-11
PROSPECT OF PEACE WITH
MEXlCO-.RENEWE NEGO.
TIATlONS WITH ENGLAND
IMPORTANT DEBATE ON
THE MEXICAN WAR BILL.

Correspondence of the Journal of Com.
Washington, wednesday,, June 8.
Whether the war with Mexico will be
long or very short, will depend upon the
vigor of the prosecution. There is every
token in Congress Of a disposition to sups
pIv all the means which the Government
may ask for, in aid Of this object, and the
people, throughout The Union, appear to
take up the work with determination and
enthusiasm.
We have possession of the lower Rio
! Grande, and are about 10 take the north.
ern provinces of Mexico, both on the up
per Rio Grande and the Pacific. Her
ports, TOO, will soon be under a vigorous
blockade, and it is in anticipation to make
an attack upon the castle of Vera Cruz.
Though it may be a difficult job to take
the castle, in its present 9Th and pre-
para;ion, yet, in the opinion ofsome, Mex
leo cannot be brought 10 terms until that
be done. If the castle cannot be- battered
down, it must be taken by escalade.
Such decisive measures as these will, it
is hoped, bring the war 10 a speedy and a
successful end, because nothing can pres
vent such a result bat the interference OF
foreign powers in behalf of Mexico.
The probability Of British interference
is diminished by a variety of circumslan-
ces. 1t is believed that the British inter-
ests 10 Mexico will be in some measure
promoted by this war. The British cap
italists have vested interests in the mining
districts, and, if those come into possession
OF the U. States, the rig hts of proprietors
will no doubt BE- as much respected as
they have been by the Mexican govern
meEt. An arrangement, too, might be
made 10 assume the mortgage held by
British subjects on SUCH territory as we
choose TO hold.
Again, there is now some prospect that
an offer by the British Government for
the adjustment of the Oregon question is
about 10 be made, and that it will be IA
vorabIy entertained by this Government.
|, is not probable, therefore, that pending
the consideration Of that offer, the British
Government will take a hostile course
against the United States. If the Oregon
question be not settled before The years
notice expires, then indeed, Mexico will
have such aid as will reader her a pow
erful enemy.
Mr.. Pakenham, as l learn, received
advices by the Great Britain that i%nslrCc-
lions would be sent him by the HIbernia
to make a certain and direct offer to the
United States for the immediate ADJUST
ment of the Oregon question. Mr.. p.
Yesterday that he waited for his
mail by the Hibernia with great anxiety.
tle has probably received it today. We
shall soon be advised whether he is in
s.ruc,ed TO renew the negotiations or not.
THE WAR BILL
The House was engaged today on the
bill providing for the prosecution Of the
war with Mexico.
Mr.. Holmes, of S.. c., called the at,en.
ton of the House 10 the relations between
anc other foreign powers. We
must consider the means that Mexico had
ia herself, and also in her commercial al
lies, for carrying on a war-a war with
nine millions of people, who are accus.
toned 10 s%trategistic war and her Mill
tary elements, broken and dispersed as
they had been, were capable of rapid
combination. We had won a position b.
a brilliant coup de main, but that did not,
by any means, settle the contest. There
was much yet 10 do, in order to bring the
war to a successful end. We had TO con-
tend with the climate, and with men ac>
customed TO guerilla warfare. But the
relations of Mexico to Great Britain were
10 be considered. Grea! Britain appre-
the value of the ports Of San Fran
cisco and Monterey, and other ports on
The Pacific. She had views upon the
as we'll as we. She would not
willingly permit US to absorb the whole
Of Mexico. She had, through her sub
Iccls, invested a hundred millions in Mex
lean mines, &C., and held a mortgage
over her territory to the amount OF eighty
millions. Great Britain had expended
millions to aid in the independence of
Mexico, and for the purpose Of breaking
he stringent regulations of Spain, in res
gard to navigation and commerce with
Mexico. Would Great Britain willingly
relinqulsh to US all these advantag es?
Mr.. Fl. feared that this Mexican war
was but a prelude to n greater contest, and
with a more powerful enemy. But we
must look further than Great Britain, 10
The policy already declared by the prime
minister OF France. He doubted whether
appreciated the extent Of our difficult
les, and had prepared to meet them.
IIe drew from these circumstances, an
argument against the proposition to limit
he appointment of The officers OF the ar.
nv, under this bill, to the duration of the
war; as it might tend to discourage mills
AIRY spirit at the moment when it was
desirable 10 promote it.
Mr. Thomas Smith, of Indiana, said
hat Mexico was the last power that he