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

not service money but like other expenditures
This message referred to the Committee on For
eign Relations who reported, with Others the following
resolution, which, after various unsuccessful efforts to
amend it, was passed by vote of about two TO one:
ssResoiued further, That the Senate deem it advisable
that Congress should appropriate sum OF money to enable
the President conclude treaty OF peace, limits and
him in that such treaty should call for the expen-
dture of the money appropriated or any part thereof
Upon the passage of this resolution, the chairman of
the Committee Finance proposed resolution appro
priang two millions of dollars in pursuance OF the EX
ecutive recommendation From these proceedings the in
junction of secrecy subsequently removed, and they
became public On the Sth of August last the Presi-
dent submitted the recommendation to both houses
of Congress in public message and the House OF Rep
resenatves passed and sent to the Senate bill appro-
fed in the message Butfo the bill appended pro-
yiso relating the sukie& of slavery This bill came to
the Senate on the s5Ha the session few hours be, be-
by the arrivals ~ Hh661 while this proviso
was under Disco this, the bill would
! have passed and aw-the Senate hav
ing previousl yneci&o of the appropriation
This appropriation was UyeO the President upon the
high responsibilities of his office and then had, and
now have strong for believing that, this mon
recommended, honorable peace would have speed
ly followed that boundary satisfactory to both parties
would have been adjusted, and that ample indemnity
would have been secured to the United States. But it
was defeated we have already seen, In the Senate,
too, where the principle OF the appropriation had just
been sanctioned not upon the merits but IN contest
over an amendment providing for the domestic regulation
of territory, which might might not obtain by the
proposed negotiation. Upwards of SIX months have
elapsed since the close of the last and assuming
as do thatits passage would have answered the pur
poses intended its defeat has cost the country millions OF
dollars yet untold and vast destruction OF human life
And such the fruits produced by the introduction OF
this speculative crudity at the last session. At the
commencement of the present session. the President IN
his annual message, repeats the recommendation Tor tins
appropriation which he assures US he deems important
for securing speedy peace IN the following emphatic
terms
''Ihe reasons which induced me to recommend the
subject your consideration and suggest the importance
of early action upon it, Should the appropriation be made
and be not needed twill remain in the treasury should il
be deemed proper apply it, whole or in part, it viii
be accounted for as other public expenditures
| The message sent TO Congress on the sh OF De-
cembe last and its 'early action is evinced by the con-
sideration, the last day OF the session but two, and
past midnight, whether we will insert another provlso
chance, it shall be gained to the United States
Upon the proprety of this appropriation, have neither
hesitation doubt The exgency requiring action is
extraodinaythe responsibility of the Executive to his
country is mighty-the occasion should be met in
responding spirit OF patriotism by Congress, and all rea
sonabe facilities should be afforded for the exercise Of
wise and liberal discretion, in guiding the desnies OF
his country in hour OF peril and in endeavoring to ar
the further loss of treasure and etusion OF blood
The constitution has devolved upon him the duties and
the power of negotiation, and he may well have, and
doubtless has, reasons for his recommendation unknown
to u.s. and which it would be unwise and unjust to the
public interests TO communicate. In short we are thus
sttutona organ of the Executive upon this floor While
publicity gives health and strength to Institutions
duses and preserves the spirit OF popular freedom and
uphold and beautfy the fabric of social order
in domestic policy, in our intercourse with foreign
governments, whose institutions hostile proves an
element of weakness. Central and executive govern,
mens confne their foreign policy within the circle OF
the cabinet, and strike before the warning is given
while ours is publicly debated in CONGRESS, and
spread broadcast throughout the world his being an
Executive recommendation designed to aid in bringing
this to happy termination II granted, should be IN
the form, and for the purposes recommended unless
strong and controlling reasons can be urged against
it. If doubt the proprlety of making the appropria-
ton, let declare and meet the question frankly and
directly, by wthholdngt But lett be feered and
restricted by amendments as to destroy the objects II was
intended to answer be stranged with pror,sos winch
can as WELL and with more proprety, be passed sepa-
rately Upon this question there are, in fact but two
sides one is support and the other IN effect however
good in design opposition But, SIR, while we are le
gsating for the termination OF bloody and expensive
war, by placing OF money at the Executive discre
ton for the purpose of negotiating peace we are again
required in advance to pass upon the domestic regulation
OF any territory which may perchance, be purchaser
by the money about to appropriate and to that
end presented accordingly with proviso' IN the
! following words:
! "Propided further, That there shall be neither slavery
involuntary servude in any territory the continent
nexed the United States by virtue of this appropriation,
other chaerr except for crimes whereof
the party shall have been duly convicedi Prouded at
That every person escaping into such territory from
whom labor service is lawfully claimed in any of the
conveyed out OF said territory to the person claiming his or
her labor service
And, though it not enough to legisate for the
government of such territory may be procured under
AMI by virtue OF this appropriation, If any shall be-
which rests, OF course in uncerainty-this amendment,
forsooh, provides for the domestic regulation of any
territory the continent OF America which shall here
ter be acquired by annexed to the United States any
other manner whatever And thus this wholesome and
pacific must again be subjected to delay and the
hazards OF de eat-the must be prosecuted afresh
with its engines of destruction. abandoned by a
and dsgraceu retreat campaign alter another
be lost while the willy and eacherous foe and his nau
raj ally the romto are preyng upon the brave hearts OF
our patriotic solderythat we may leglslae not merely
for the domestic government of Mexican territory IN the
expectation that may hereafter obtain it, but that we
may erect barriers to prevent the sugar manufacturer
and cotton planter of the south from extending his plan
taon and his slavery towards the polar regions. IT, them
the popular Judgment shall commend that pioneer be-
nevoence which seeks to provide for the government OF
territory which, though it yet sleeps in the wide abyss OF
possibility" may be acquired by this proposed negotla
ton, if the appropriation shall be made, and negoa-
ton opened, and the President shall propose to ac
cept for indemnity, and the Mexican government
lated, and treaty be male between the two govern
meats, and ratified by both and the territory be organ
Hed by the legislation of Congress, what adequate en-
comums shall she lavish upon that more comprehensive
philanthropy, and profound craftsmanship, which, IN
bill designed TO terminate bloody and protracted war;
discussion this apple of domestic dscord under the pre-
tence OF extending the benevolent egs OF freedom over
any territory which may at any time, or IN any manner
or upon any part OF the continent be acquired by the
United States 1t is justification Tor the introduce
uon OF this element of strife and controversy at
hls Tune and upon this occasion, that it is abstract
! ly Just and proper, and that the southern States
IN tn ia