Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-02-13
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
FRIpAr, FEBRuARY s, Is47.


U..s FRIDAr, FEBRUARY s, IS47. ..
The bill to put three millions Of dollars the disposal Of
the President Of the United States enable him negotiate
peace with Mexico, being under consideration
Mr.. BERRIEN said he had to the Senate yesterday
in the expectation that might but in the hope that would
not be necessary for him engage the discussion Of this
measure at that time Circumstances beyond his control had
deprived him Of the opportunity of making references
which he desired to make and he also suffering from
disposition, which would have rendered il exceedingly ncon-
venent for him to have been obliged to proceed with the
marks which he proposed make reference to this bill
that time. He unwilling, however, from any per-
sona considerations to ask for postponement Of the bill
for he admonised by the urgency exhibited by the hon
orabe Senator from Arkansas who, as chairman OF the Com
mtee Foreign Relations, had charge Of the bill, what
would be the fate of such appeal far depended
him. He was unwilling. by any action Of his, to subject to
discussion question Of personal courtesy HIMSELF with the
knowledge that Senator would be opposed TO its al
lowance. His friends around him thought differently how
ever and he acquiesced in their decision He had thank
them for the feeling which prompted them propose the post
ponement and he begged offer the Senate his
acknowledgements for the in which the proposition had
been received. 5... S'.....a,
(sad Mr. b to the consideration Of this bill
Sir the bill which H before you proposes appropriation of
$4,000 OOO rather not exceeding 49, 0O0 for the pur
pose OF deayng any extraordinary expenses which may be
incurred in bringing the existing with Mexico speedy
and honorable conclusion Now, sir with view of bring
ing this war to speedy and honorable conclusion, have
already authorized the President of the United
an army Of upwards of seventy thousand and in add
ton to the ordinary of the Government have
placed at his disposal yeny-eght millions of money and
now is asked that shall make appropriation of three
millions of dollars for the purpose specified in this BILL be
applied under The sole discretion and control of the President
and asked, with apparent confidence at the
quest will be complied with, to let this bill pass without debate
discussion, Ieservng for other occasion the
ton OF those interesting questions which present themselves
the mind of every Senator at the when this PROPOSE
ton is made For myself certainly consent the
feelings the wishes, the just expectations of the American
people combine forbid it. They desire know they have
right to know far informed, what their
don in relation to this foreign Power with which
They have right 10 know, far have the
Of informing them, what expectation they may entertain of
termination of the conflict liz which they have been
pectedly involved Sir in May last without any premonion
without expectation the part the American people
such result you suddenly reused by the intelligence
that hoes had commenced between the American and the
Mexican armies These hostes had brought about by
military movements made in consequence of orders emanang
from the commandment chief of the American army In the
first momeat Of excitement produced by the intelligence that
hostes had been commenced Congress recognised the
sence of the war; and made provision vigorous prose-
cuton Every demand that made by the President with
solitary exception has been acquesced in He has been
furnished with the which he has deemed necessary for
the prosecution of this war; and gallant army has noby
sustained the honor of the American Wherever
standard has been une wherever the and the stripes
which embazon have been given the breeze the honor
the American has been indicated. That
in the heart of Mexico has the phraseooay Of the day.
covered itself with glory with garment Ii the military
fame Of army thing of which not before
certain they have it for themselves They have tr
umphed superior numbers and Mexico stands beaten
stricken down by army inferior in numbers, occupying
the heart OF her territory If il be this glory Of which
in Search have it. We in the heart Of Mexico
with forces which she shuns TO meet.
But what have done How, by the advance of the
army have advanced the interests of the country How
have advanced that honor which
not certain, but for which the entered upon Who,
that witnesses the actual posture Of affairs able to tell
how much nearer we are to the termination of this war
uhap ppfar hpi.y th,tth
be terminated believe that may be terminated by
consistent with the honor of the American nation believe
that it may be terminated by which shall only
consist with interest," but which shall place in that
elevated position which, free nation Of the world
we ought to occupy in the of the civilized world have
asked how much honor shall have attained the termination
Of this by all the victories have won Who does
know that the effect Of military operations has been
unite and to animate distracted people and that this
moment determination for resistance the part Of Mexico
more fixed more resoute, than at any former moment
On what that determination founded Whence did il
originate in his opinion, the determination of des-
pair 1t the result of that desperation which the Mex
lean Government reduced by their belief Of the exorb
Of demands He would take from them this motive
to resist he would take from them, not by renewal Of
oveures OF which they had dsregaded but he would
take from them by declaration Of the opinion and feelings
Of the American Congress to the purpose for which this
prosecuted and as to the terms upon which might
be terminated. II with view this object that he had
suggested to the Senate the amendment of which he gave
tce the other day II printed by order Of the Senate
ted to their consideration poviso to the bill under dis
CUSTOM The question upon this motion might be stated now,
the close Of the remarks which he proposed TO submit
according the Senate might elect He waited its direction
either to pause proceed.
Mr. CASS said, if this the proper moment, he would
inform the Senate that he had amendment which he in
tended to submit substitute for that proposed by the hon.
oiable Senator.
The amendment Of Mr. CAss was read by the Secretary
as follows
"Andi' hereby declared to be the and
ing of Congress, in making this appropriation that as by
the act OF the Republic Of Mexico exists between
that Government and the United States de-
claraon made by act OF Congress the 9Th OF May last
therefore the interest and honor Of this country require
the said should be vigorously prosecuted to
issue and that reasonable indemnity should be obtained from
Mexico for the wrong she has committed towards the oyc
ment and citizens Of the United States.
And is further declared that the extent OF
such indcmnties proper subjects in the first
Executive consideration when negotiations peace may be
opened between this country and Mexico subject action
Of the Senate the question Of ratification"
The amendment OF Mr.. BKnRIES then read in these
words:
Provided always and II is hereby declared to be the
intent and meaning OF Congress making this appropriation,
that the with Mexico ought be by this
Government with view TO the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF that Re-
public the acquisition by conquest Of any portion OF her
territory that this Government DESTROYS maintain and
preserve peaceful and friendly relations with all nations and
particularly with the neighborng Republic Of Mexico, will al
be ready enter upon negotiations with view TO term-
nate the present unhappy conflict terms which shall secure
the rights nvolate the national honor OF the
United States and of Mexico that especially desirable in
ought always exist between neghborng Republics that the