The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1847-02-18
Correspondence of the Baltimore Americana

10 Inc S6ndie, on fUOtiOH Oi hi. DuiCts
another committee of conference was order
ed on the ten-regment bill, and Messrs.
Mangum, Dickinson, and Niles, were ap-
pointed.
The three million bill was taken up, and
Mr. Calhoun commenced his remarks. He
said that never since our country had been
opon the stage of action have we been plac-
ed in more critical position. We were IN
the midst of war, and there was also ques-
lion OF great domestic inquietude.. He hop
ed there would be the fullest discussion up
on both topics before the close of the ses-
sion, short as it was. The important ques-
ton was how should this war be prosecuted?
There were two ways-the one 10 push on
in the hostile country, and the other to take
defensive position, Which was best?
Mr.. G. said it was grave question:, ond one
TO which he had given his most deliberate at
tention. His judgement was that the de-
fensive position was the best to bring the war
10 certain and successful end. This would
result in most economy, and most honor. II
he Tighifully understood the objects OF the
war this was consistent. The causes for
which this war was commenced with three:
To repel invasion. t,-......4 ........ +.
To establish the Rio Grande as bound
airy. t. -. .fs..s ..e.. 8sf, .e.{, s..s..s ts,,
TO secure indemnify due to our citizens.
The two first were first considered.
The President did not ask Congress TO
declare war. He asked Congress TO recog-
Mise the existence of the war, and assumed
that there was invasion because the Next
cans had crossed the Rio del Norte. -
The President and Congress had regarded
the primary objects of the war the establish
ment of boundary. Congress had avowed
no other object than this. Being in the war,
however, it was recommended that it be pros
ecuted for the payment OF our claims. 49,.
The two objects of the war had been main
tained-invaslon repealed, the Rio Grande
secured-and we could safely act upon the
defensive. s........
Mr.. G. went on to state what the charac-
ter of this defence should be. Ii ought 10 be
near our supplies-n proximity 10 our coun-
Try, convenient, &c. Towards Mexico we
ought 10 be most liberal, not only becase
she was our neighbor and a sister republic,
but great power upon our continent. Il I'D.
| More than this, Mexico was one of the
greatest problems connected with our for,
eign relations There was mysterious con-
nection between her and US. She was a for
hidden fruit. The day Of her death would
be almost the end of our political existence.
Her independence, her capacity, her great
ness, should be esteemed by US as next IN
importance 10 oar own.
/ Mr. Calhoun defined what he thought a
good boundary defence. Beginning at the
mouth of the Del Norie, continue 10 Pass
del Norte, and Then due west. 10 the Gulf Of
California, and 1t would strike The head oil
the Gulf.
| This he wonld defend. II would give us
/ the Rio Grande from its mouth 10 lis source
and he had consulted military men, who said
that three forts and iour regiments would be
sufficient Tor all the purposes, as follows:
/ One fort at the mouth of The Del Norte. E
One near Camargo. va ' .'.'
/ One at Pass del Norte.
From the waters which separate the De-
Norte from those entering the Gulf OF Cali
fornia one more might be placed.
Hence FIVE regiments and small naval
force, one consisiani with our naval peace
establishment, could successfully defend The
boundary.
This country was of little importance to
Mexico, but of great importance 10 Us. II
had only 100000 people, and these were
spread over 100000 square miles. An open
unnhabited country was the best Tor US; we
wanted space for our population which doub-
led once in % years. II would be S0,000,000
in 46 years. This country New Mexico)
was remote from Mexico, farther from her
than from Washington. For the first time
the savages were making their great inroads
upon The Europeans. This is not because
the Spaniards were not brave, but because
they were disarmed by the Federal autliori-
ties OF Mexico. - 81. L'i- o17''''
This country lie would recommend not to
be held as absolute, but as subjugate 10 me-
goiiation; and so he would sag 10 Mexico.
He would deal with her literally and do so
from the first. Until such peace should be
made, he would bold all the ports in Mexico
which could be held without 100 great sac
riice of men and money. He would inn
pose a low rate of duty, not exceeding ten
per cent. and this would yield sufficient rev.
enue 10 ensure The payment of the defence
which would not cest more Than between two
and three millions of dollars. ~
The effect OF this policy would be no
more taxes, reduction of fifteen millions,
and the great measures, which he and his
friends Gree trade) held SO much at heart,
| saved. .t'r1iaf'8 Hs ts -s'4i3 i4-ti'}s
/ He did not think that Mexico would hold
out unfer such state of fact. She would
see that we were resolute and YET meaning
her no harm. She was now maddened, ex
cited, bold, and determined. Under differ
ent policy she would see an honorable peace