The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-03-16
SPEECH OF
MR. STEWART, OF PENy'A,
on THE
THREE MILLION APPROPRIATION BILL
MEXICAN WAR.

Dl;psred in IRE House of Representatives. Of the
Us, February 10, lsA7.
The House being in Committee Of the
Whole on the state Of the Union on the
Three Million Appropriation bill
Mr.. STEWART said he proposed, in
the first place, to inquire briefly into the
tue PURPOSES and objects of this bill; for
il seemed to him that, in the course Of the
present debate, almost every thing else
had been discussed but the bill itself.-
This bill grants the President what he
demands, three millions of dollars TO
make a treaty with Mexico, and authorI-
yes HIM to pay the money before the trea-
~ is submitted TO or approved by the
Senate; aud the Senate are thus required
to ratify this treaty before they see 1t, or
know what it is. is it not in effect a ra-
ti6cation of the treaty beforehand? How
can the Senate obIectto the treaty, no
matter what is its character or provisions,
after having authorized the payment OF
the three millions in advance! IL they do,
the money will be lost, and lost by their
act, in authorizing It's previous payment.
He commended, therefore, that any treaty.
which the President might choose to
make for the acquisition Of Mexican ter
rltorv, would in effect be at once binding
upon This Government. Let this bill
once be passed, and | say that neither this
House, nor the Senate, can, with any
consistency, object to the treaty. The
appropriating power is the only control
this House can exert over the Executive
in the making and executing of treaties.
This it is proposed TO exercise before
hand. and thus surrender 10 the President
The whole control Of the treaty-making
power. By this act we tie our hands
and seal our lips. We have no right to
object to any thing the President may do,
and his is manifestly the object and de-
sign OF this bill. In originating the pre-
sent war without consulting Congress,
then in session, the whole war power Of
this Government has been practically
usurped by the President. He has car
ried il on. in fact. He has made war
while Congress was in session, without
submitting the causes to their ccnsldera-
ton, or asking or obtaining their concur
renee. He did not ask us 10 declare war,
but ordered the army TO advance and
bring on the war. aud then called upon
as TO ~srecognise its existence" and APP
propriaie money and men for its prosecG-
ton. Having thus seized upon the war
making power, he now wants us TO sur
render 10 him the treaty-making power
also. As he began the war without the
consent OF Congress. so now he wants
the means Of making a peace without the
aid or concurrence oLcither the. House or
the Senate.
By this law We authorize him 10 pay.
Santa Anna, or any body else, three mil
lions to purchase a peace, which he has
failed 10 conquer. And, if the Senate
shall refuse TO ratfy It, the three millions
are gonel This bill empowers the Presi-
dent to make a treaty when, how, and
with whom he pleases. If he shall be
pleased 10 make q treaty exchanging Ore
gon for California, 10 give northern for
southern territory, to surrender free terri
tory for the acquisition Of slave territory.
and give these three millions TO boot as
earnest money, what right has the Senate
10 object! If they do, may not the Presi-
dent say "what, do you object to the
treaty! Did you not authorize me by law
to make a treaty hat should put an end
to ihis war, and did you not give me three
millions 10 DO it? | made the treaty; Mex
leo has ratified it. have paid her the
three millions, and she has paid it to her
armY, and now, If YOU refuse to ratify
II. The money is a dead loss, and worse .
ii has gone 10 "aid and comfort the enc
ny"
To obviaie this objection. I have moved
an amendment in the llih line of the %
section Of the bill, inserting after "rati6ee
BY Mckee, the words "and the United
States" This will. if adopted keep the
money in our own hands till the treaty
has been approved by the Senate. But,
If the amendment be adopted, the real in.
tent and object Of this bill wil be defeat
ed. For if you postpone, as you oush'
clearly TO do, The payment OF the money
I'LL the treaty is ratified by The Senate
what is the use of passing this bill! Can
Congress appropriate the money simalta'
neonsly, with the approval and ratification
Of the treasy2 Certainty.
Myohjeciion to this bin is, that, having
surrendered the war power 10 the Presi
-dent-having given up 60 him both tht
purse and The sword, ! cspnot consent, L
give him The ireatv-making power also
thas enabling him 20 impose on Congress
and the couutry just such a treaty as suit
himself. Is this 10 be tolerated. | trus
not. unless il is resolved by the malorii,
here to convert this free Government int
a despoiism. and sacri6cesoHr liberties o