The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-22
IN CONGRESS OF THE u. STATES
MONDAY, DECEMBER 30. isl7.
y hea Wv IN CONTINUATION.


MONDAY, DECEMBER 90. isiz
e its Aoal IN CONTINUATION.
,e SENATE. s s
THE CONQUEST MEXICO
Mr.. CALHOUN. hope that the resolutions which |
offered the other day may be taken uP IN order to
fix a day for their consideration.
The resolutions were then taken up and read follows
Re,yed That to conquer Mexico, and hold it. either
province TO incorporate in our Union would be
been departure from the settled policy OF the
government, conflict with its character and genius and,
in end subyersve of free and popular institutions
Resolved That line of policy in the further prosecution
OF the war should be adopted which lead to conse-
Mr. CALHOUN. | shall be regulated in fixing the
day by the wishes of the Senate have no particular
desire regard to very early consideration OF the reso
lutions All wish is, that there should be no unneces
sary delay it be agreeable to the Senate, propose
that they be taken up the first Tuesday in January
next-two weeks from Tomorrow.
Mr. ALLEN 1 understand that the senator from
South Carolina has made motion, and suppose am
in order in rising make remark. do not know that
have any particular objection to that motion; but as
this is a matter of very grave importance and
from source which entities il great consideration and
is, the face of the resolution, as conceive, little
bguous ask the indulgence OF the Senate, and the
ator from South Carolina whilst request him to explain
the resolution far to tell whether it means to
exclude the idea OF any territorial indemnity from Mex-
CO, incorporation into the body of the public do
main FIRST and then States into this Union of any
ritory which may acquire at the conclusion Of this
war; Or, whether it means barely connecting the idea
OF annihiating the sovereignty Of Mexico, and ncopo-
ask whether ii is to be understood in the one or the other
of these senses! That is the matter, sir, which am
DESTROYS of knowing before vote in anywise in refer
4. MI. CALHOUN. / will answer the senator from
Ohio with great deal of pleasure. II is not my inen-
ton to involve any question in reference to territorial in
demny, or any other subject, apart from that which is
question at this moment is whether shall conquer
Mexico, and hold her as subjected province, incor
porate her into Union That Of course, would in
vove the nationality of Mexico, and to that point
that my resolution referred think, sir it is question
which ought to be first decided, because Mr. President,
if am any judge at all Of the operation OF existing
causes, the certain tendency Of all that is doing is to end
in the annihaton OF the nationality of Mexico and
shall thus find ourselvesunless the greatest caution is
exercisedat the end Of another campaign, at some
future time, with eight nine millions of Mexicans
without government hands, not knowing
what TO do with them, and forced to other Of
the alternatives which have presented This is a
question which consider overriding all Others at
this time. After that is decided, we may then con-
slider what course, in accordance with that decision,
1t may be wise to pursue |, for one wish to guide my
course, and offered the resolution for the double
purpose of bringing before this body and before the
country and putting myself in reference this Mexican
question where wish to stand.
cedence on the calendar, and were passed inform
ally: are they included in the motion now before the
Senate nj II Tf, VI J4grl
The PRESIDING OFFICER. They are not embraced
Mr. CALHOUN. / perceive that one of the morning
papers supposes thatmy resolutions introduced with
reference to those offered by the from New York
Not at all, My resolutions written several days
before his were introduced The senator may fix any
day he peases Tor the consideration OF his resolutions,
either before after the day fixed upon for the consider
Mr. ALLEN. The subject of the Mexican war is one
capable OF being expanded very largely in the minds OF
be put forth at this early period of the session, it
than likely that will embrace large portion Of the
session in it's discussion giving rise very large diver
sy Of sentiment in the members of this body 1t may
therefore be matter we'll worthy OF the consideration
OF the Senate whether subject comwehehdng many
remote consequences as are suggested by the senator
Is in the Judgment Of every of very great Importance
should not be considered with that deliberaon which
the Senate always bestows on grave, national ques.
tons; and therefore whether it should not in the first
place. pass to OF the committees organized by this
body for the due consideration OF propositions, before
they are submitted 10 the final adjudication OF the body
and who shall guaranty the Senate against the incoming
OF dozen others of similar character Who shall say
where this subject shall end, when becomes divided up
and adjusted to the different capacities and judgments OF
this boly This but the beginning of the session. and
we have two sets OF resolutions Before the day arrives
for the action of the Senate upon this particular matter
we may have dozen other resolutions; and submit it
to the better judgment Of the body whether it is not the
proper course, under these circumstances, to refer the
whole OF these resolutions in the first place. to the Com
mtee on Foreign Relations II it be in order, shall
make that motion.
Mr.. CALHOUN, do trust that the course suggested
by the senator will not be pursued What is the object
OF the reference! Reference is made to committees for
the purpose OF considering and perfecing details; but
here there are details to settle In fact, il simple
propositions The Senate have only to determine whether
it is intended desired that the whole of Mexico shall
be conqueredhe nationality destroyed--and that we
shall be placed in position which shall be COM
PEELED either to hold her subjected province ncor
porate her into Union We have carried this bust
OF reference far beyond the parliamentary rules and
have encroached, IN my opinion, in small degree
the rights OF individual senators here As to the number
of resolutions that may be offered have to be-
oduced and they upon entirely different subjects. One
understand refers to the slave question-nanly, at
leas-and the other TO question entirely aside from
that Sir do not believe that there will be long dis
cussion. Unless very greatly deceived there will
he no great divisional least there not at present
great division IN the country this point and trust
there will not be in this body The end against which
templated. | do not know that il is intended. trust
that it is not intended. But may find ourselves in
position moi intended, and from which cannot extri-
cate ourselves. My object in introducing the resolutions
is to guard against such result trust they will have
that effect, and that the Senate will not agree refer
them to the COMMITTEES on Foreign Relations
Mr.. ALLEN. certainly did not desire to deprive any
senator OF any Of rights in this body nor Of any OPP
poruny for the exercise Of those rights but believe it
would be difficult TO find, on reference to the Journal
instance OF any question being introduced in the form
of resolution of such grave importance this, which
not referred 10 of the committees of this body
1t would be very difficult to find exception to the gene
raj rule-very difficult This is question affecting
foreign relations clearly and emphatcaly 1t is not
SO merely in its meaning and effect but it is SO on the
face OF the resolution and in many words. Well sir,
will limit ranpe IN send II