The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-02-16

were Unsupported oil, ana lie mao Oeen un
der the impression that this ~disapprova
was embodied in this resolution until he
heard it read the last time; but, as it was
not, he did not know that he should have
any great objection to the proyiso being
stricken out.
How had it been in respect TO another
military man when it was attempted to
pass a little bill returning to him a thou
sand dollars which had been taken from
him? They found every Wing Senator
e%ndeavoring to attach to that bill a provi-
so equally Objectionable with the present.
This showed that Senators could change
with circumstances. He was not dis
posed 10 say a word in relation to the ar
mistice. His only object was TO leave it
an open question. Was it asking too
much, when passing this vote of thanks,
that they should be permitted to leave
this point an open question, especially as
this capitulation and armistice had been
reported TO the Department; and. whether
rightfully or not, disapproved Of?
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Maryland. Does
the Senator say that the capitulation was
d~isapproved of?
Mr.. SEWER said he so understood.
MIR. EVANS. There is no evidence
Of it.
Mr.. SEWER said he had no docu-
ments ON the subject in his possession;
but he had been informed that it was dis
approved of.
Mr.. JOHN NJ. CLAYTON said that
the Senator from Arkansas seemed now
to be reconcilcd to striking ont the provi-
so. But he regretted very much that the
honorable Senator, in the course of his
remarks, had thought proper, upon an
occasion like this, when they were about
to pass a vote Of thanks TO the comman-
der of our army, to talk Of this side and
the other side Of the chamber, as if there
were or could be different sides among
them in regard to this matter. lie trust
ed and believed that gentlemen OH the OPP
posite side of the chamber were Just as
ready to return thanks to the gallant sol
diers of our army as they were upon this
side. The honorable Senator, he thought.
was mistaken entirely when he said that
the Department had disapproyeJ Of the
capilulation. They dlsapproved of the
armislice, and directed General Taylor TO
terminate it, and he did so in pursuance 81
the order of the Department. But he
believed that it made at last a difference OF
only about four days; for only about four
days remained Of the armistice that had
been agreed upon at the time the notice
of IFS termination was given in obedience
to the Executive order. No injury, then,
was done by the armistice; and as to the
capitulation, he had never heard before
that the Department had disapproved of it.
Mr.. SEWER said he had the impress
sion on his mind, and that impression
was confirmed by General Taylor's let
ter, that the capitulation was embraced in
the disapproval, as well as the armistice.
Mr.. j. Nj. CLAYTON said he did moi
so understand General Taylor's letter.
He understood from it that direction had
been given by the Government 10 tern,i-
nate the armistice; bat he did not under
stand that the capitulation had been dis
approved of.
He would be very sorry that such a
! proviso as was annexed to this resolution
in the other House should be retained, on
account of lis moral effect, not only upon
the country but upon the army. What
would be the Inference from retaining
such a proviso? What was there wrong
in the capitulation? After three days hare
fighting, when much blood had been shed
the general of the opposite army asked
for an interview with the commanding
general of our army; and in that inter
view, in order to save the needless effu.
sion of blood, it was agreed that the city
should be surrendered, and that the off,
GERS of the opposite army should be per.
mitted 10 march out with their side arms
What would gentlemen have had Gen
TAYLOR 10 do under such circumstances
reduced as his forces were, with perhaps
not more than 5000 men fit for service.
Would they have had him attack an army
of twice their number, strongly entrench
ed, and attempt to drive them from thel
Notifications and make prisoners of them
And for what! What could he have
done with them after had been made
prisoners. General Taylor was badly
supplied with provisions; he could no
have fed them for ten days; he could no
have retained them as prisoners of war
They could have liberated themselves a
any time. With these facts staring then
in the face, he repeated the question
what would gentlemen have had Genera
Taylor 10 do! Would they have had hin
storm the Notifications, regardless of TIL
lives of his soldiers! And for VIVA
purpose? For the purpose Of gaming ad
ditional glory and honor for having slail
so many hundred Mexicens in battle
Were they to have no regard for the los
( -