The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-03

Resoiped. That the President OF the United States be re
quesed the foregoing resolutions 10 be communi
Gated 10 General Taylor and through him TO the army I'm
der his command
4 MIR. SPEIGffT moved 10 amend the same by striking
out that part which related TO the capltuauon OF Mon
erey. He would state in few words the reason iol
| that amendment He was not one of those who were
very forward i'll returning thanks 10 any man for dong
his duty But when he did so, he was not accustomed
to hold out thanks in the one hand and censure IN
the other He totally opposed to such proceeding
and If that provso was contained the resolution, he
could not vote for il. For every one knew that Gen
TAYLOR bad discharged his duty. He not military
enough say whether he acted with entire consist
ency in agreeing to the captulaton al Monterey or not
Neither the Senate body prepared TO decide
that question thencerainly not TO pass vote OF cen
sure They had not all the facts the before them
and for aught they knew there might have been some
mitigating circumstances yet unknown TO them, which
would Justify the conduct of General Taylor on that oc
cason But be that as might, he deemed 1t proper to
was one of his particular friends from the State OF
Mississippi He knew him TO be mobile and brave man.
and he could not by his vote say anything against that
gallant officer. He repeated, II they desired to pass
of thanks at that tme let II be done without any
qualifications OF that Sort and in the customary straight
MIR. ATCHIsoN then moved to lay the resolution on
the table, with the view OF taking up the resolution Of
fered by the gentleman from Tennessee, [Mr. JARNA-
GINl in order TO have II referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs which motion was negatyed by vote
of 81 10 &c.
The question then recurring the amendment the
ayes and noes were called for and ordered
Mr.. SEWER hoped the amendment would not be
adopted. The resolution implied no censure He hoped
it would be passed that it might be considered
approving of the armisce of Monterey He hoped II
would be so worded that those who were disposed to
pass vote of thanks could do so without committing
themselves in regard to the capituation and armisce:
So far as he had looked into the subject he himself did
not think that the armstlce ought to have been made
He had as high an opinion OF the military qualifications
of General Taylor any could have; yet he must
be allowed to say that he was OF those who thought
the armisce improper act The resolution conveyed
censure however as IT neither approved nor dsap-
proved OF his conduct on that occasion.
Mr.. JARNAGIN. There is not word said in the
luton about the armistce.
Mr. SEWER The capituation, then The resolu-
ton from the House we considering. | hope will
| be read.
| The Secretary accordingly read the resolution.
| Mr. SEWER The gentleman from Tennessee will
perceive that was right.
| Mr. JARNAGIN. Exactly wrong, sir
Mr. SEWER. There is nothing the resolution in
| relation to the amstce
| Mr. JARNAGIN. The resolution, when introduced
TO the House, contained nothing in relation to either
arnistce capitulaion That was afterwards intro
duced eytraneously, and amounted TO censure.
Mr. SEWER; My only object was that nothing might
be introduced which would imply commitment in re-
gard to the captulaton of Monterey.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Louisiana There is certainly an
implied censure in the resolution. Should it not be
stricken out, cannot vote for the resolution. 1t does
amount to very strong censure.
Mr. SEWER called for the reading OF that part of the
resolution referring to the attack on Monterey
The passage was read.
Mr.. j. NJ CLAYTON. / desire to inquire of the gen
tleman from Arkansas what ground he objects TO
resolution approving Of the capitulaon OF Monterey
Why does he do IT. What was there wrong in the ca
ptnation ITSELF He is military man; will he tell the
| reasons for his dsapprova?
Mr.. SEWER. Ii was not my purpose TO enter into a
discussion at all on this subject do profess to be
military man either am ready TO give my reasons
proper occasion, if called for Every one has right
to his opinion But do not propose to go into a
discussion of the subject at all on this occasion
Mr. ARCHER. would superadd to the inquiry of
my friend from Delaware of the honorable senator from
Arkansas to the grounds of his disapproval of the
capitulaton Monterey, further inquiry Whatever
may have been the merits OF that whatever
be the which the honorable senator deems su-
fcient to lead him to disapprove of that capuation-
wish to know the reasons why we should connect ex-
preston of that disapprobation with resolution of
thanks for the vaor displayed that memorable
SION.
Mr.. SEWER. If the Senate will allow me, | will ex-
plain the matter. Mr. SEWERS explanation not
distinctly hsad SS lhs r spa scanned him
remarks of gentlemen the resolution, that General
Taylor regarded with somewhat of that party spirit
which infused itself into everything in relation to every
country They ought not so to regard Gen Taylor He
was not politician He their countrys
leader the battle fed--not in party strife
His Success for the of the common country
and he ventured to say that if his views and feelings
were known, gentlemen would not entertain such party
like feelings towards him. The whole country greeted
the general and the army on the great and splendid
achievement at Monterey; and now, when they were
about to give uterance to those sentiments of high appro
Daon they were ABOUT 10 drug the cup OF thanks with
sly censure. Such an act unworthy the dignity of
the United States Senate He spoke not of the motive of
the gentleman who introduced the resolution the
amendment, but only of the effect which il would have
upon the world when they read the dongs of Congress
on the subject MIR. c. here entered into an elaborate
vndicaon OF the conduct of General Taylor and his as
sociae officers and men engaged in the stormng of Mon
terey. They showed Judgment, humanity, and policy in
the captulaton, by which they gained little breathing
time of peace by which they saved thousands of
and children in Monterey from all the horrors which
would have attended sack Of that city No, there was
his officers. How, he would ask the gentleman from Ar
Kansas would the brave officers engaged in that
BILE conflict look upon the action of this Senate, if they
should adopt that resolution How would the army
ceive it They were comforting it as testimonial not
only of regard for past good conduct nducement
for repetition of valor Would such be its effect Mix
up your thanks and censnres. The soldiers would not
thank them for such treatment If they would give any
expression to the gratitude of their country and of the
Senate, must go forth pure the dews of heaven
tie hoped the amendment would prevail.
Mr. SEWER said be had some faint recollection of the
opinion which prevailed with regard to that captulaon
at the time. 1t that the captulation was made for
General Taylor. He believed that it was stated in the
papers that Generals Henderson and Worth opposed
to that captulaon He was not disposed to have any
conversation the subject. He would leave the res
oluon open but was i asking too much on their side
when they were voting these thanks, which every one
disposed to grant that they should not be constrained
to commit themselves point which disputed !
He understood that the department here had dsapproved
| of the whole affair of that capitulaion
! Mr. r. JOHNSON. Do understand the gentleman
from Arkansas say that the departments disappoved of
| the capituation
Mr. SEWER. said So
| Mr. R: Johnson. There is ne document to show it.
| Mr. SEWER | may be wrong about il but under
stood that it was disapproved of at the time
Mr. J, M. CLAYTON regretted that his honorable