The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-02-27
The Three Million Bill.

Sometime since, bills were introduc-
ed in both Houses of Congress, to ap-
propriate three millions of dollars ''to en-
able the President to conclude treaty
of peace with the Republic of Mexico" {"
These bills were debated for number
Of days, in both branches demo-
Gratis favoring the passage, and the
wings opposing.
The following is the form in which
the bill was reported to the House Of
Representatives:
A BILL making further provision for the expen-
ses attending the intercourse between the United
States and foreign nations.
Whereas war exists between these United States
and the republic of Mexico, and assurances have
been given to the government of Mexico of the
Presidents wish to settle all questions between
the two countries, on liberal and satisfactory terms
to each, and their mutual interests and security;
and the President may be able to conclude peace
with the republic OF Mexico prior TO the next ses-
sion Of Congress, If means for that object are at
his disposal: and whereas in the adjustment OF the
many complicated questions between the two coun-
tries, it may happen that an expenditure of money
will be called for by the stpulatons of any treaty
which may be entered INTO: Therefore,
Be it enacted by th' Senate and House of Rep.
resentatipes ctMe United States of america in
Congress assembled That the sum of thirty thou
sand dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated
out of any money in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated, TO enable the President to enter up
on negotiations for the restoration Of peace with
Mexico; and also the sum ofthree millions of dol
lars be hereby appropriated out of any money in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to enable
the President to conclude a treaty of peace with
the republic of Mexico, to be used by him in the
EVENT. that said treaty, when duly ratified by Mex
ico shall call for the expenditure of the same or
any part thereof: Provided, That full and accurate
accoun Is of all these expenditures shall be by him
transmitted to Congress as soon as practicable.
To the above bill an amendment,
known as the Wilmot proviso, was Of
fered. To US, it seems, that this amend
ment was prematurely introduced =
and by its addition to the original bill
in the House, will undoubtedly, we
think, cause the defeat of this important
measure IN the Senate. Mr.. Calhoun
and a number of other Southern demo-
Gratis (D will vote with the wings, on
account Of this proviso.
1t is well known that there is no
slavery in Mexico. Should the United
States, therefore, acquire, by treaty.
any territory from that government,
could human beings, or negroes, if you
please, be held as property by citizens
emigrating with slaves to that territory
from the Southern States? We think
not. Can negroes be held as property
at .common law p Unless we are
mistaken they can only be held as pro
perty by Statute-then, until Congress
would pass law authorizing slavery,
(and that they would neuer do,) negroes
could never be held as property in any
such territory. There are many 9th er
reasons why the Wimot proviso was
prematurely introduced, but we are
physically unable to write much on
the subject at this time. The follow
ing Is the form in which this proviso
was passed by the House:
4Prouided, further. That there shall be neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude in any territory
on the continent of America which shall hereafte,
be acquired by, or annexed to, the United State,
by virtue Of this appropriation, or in an7 otheI
manner whatever, except for crimes whereof tn,
parties shall have been duly convicted: Prouided
altoays. That any person escaping into said ter
ritory from whom labor or service 10 lawful,