The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-06
CONGRESSIONAL.
TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS-,
Second Session.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1877.
SENATE.
THE THREE MILLION BILL.

by the array would be unstable one-no TO De relieu
uponand it is therefore to popate that army 10 secure
its support in the negotiation into which we may enter,
that this money to be used do not know whether
is to be properly understood to be money gwen 10 Inc
peace with us but this do know that the history OF the
country so far as am informed in it, affords instance
whatever of any case which money has been appro-
priated BY this government for such purpose Why,
sir in our negotiations with the Indian tribes yielding 10
their customs, provided for their susenance when
they assembled to treat with and INDUCED the ancient
habits Of the people by making presents to their chefs IN
order to facilitate intercourse with them. But dd
know that had transferred or were about to trans
fer this speties of internal diplomacy with the abo-
regimes of the country TO negotiations with foreign
powers Are we disposed to treat with Mexico as with
lie ayowa of these principesthat looking to her
sous condtontoth the fact that she has not government
sufficiently stable TO fulfil any treaty engagement INTO
which she might enerthat this public avowal on our
part-[the remainder of the sentence was ostl APP
prehend not. | apprehend that the opinion OF the
distinguished chief who is now at the head OF The
Mexican army may be influenced in different direction
from what is contemplated by this appropriation 1t may
be- if we are authorized believe what we have read
rey on it. that Santa Anna is really disposed treat with
this country--it may be- that understanding the unset
tied condition of his own country In order to give effect
and permanence to any treaty spuations which may be
entered ntoit may be that he finds it necessary to be
possessed of fund which will enable him to secure the
fidelity of the army and ii this be SOL Santa Anna rs
money in order to enable him to pay his army, and to
pay the other expenses of the and to secure
their support and counenance in such negotiations which
he may have, has entered nto we have the key to
the extraordinary inactivity of that distinguished military
cheftain, who is at the head OF forces as we know
vastly superior to any which the enemy can oppose
This also may afford solution OF the manner In which
Santa Anna enabled TO pass the blockade OF Vera
Cruz. | understand it to be conceded that this
money is to be appropriated to paylng-is to be gwen
to the Mexican government for the purpose of beng
applied by them to the payment OF the army, and other
expenses. presume, when paid to the Mexican gov
ernment it must beexpended at their discretion When
part with shall have lost all security, which its
possession gave us, that any stpuations entered In
NO the consideration for the money thus appropriated
will be fulfilled. Mr.. President desire to remove an
impression which fear may have resulted from the
opening remarks of the chairman of the Committee on
question by the vote which they have given in
to the application of the Executive IN his message OF the
4th of August, lsi6. The senator from Arkansas has
corrected the Misrepresentation under which he was labor
ing that the vote OF the Senatethe almost unanimous
vote of the Senaewas given upon the resolution which
he had first taken-namely the resolution first reported
by the Committee on Foreign Relations, proposing an
appropriation OF the sum OF two millions, demanded by
the President, and for the purposes specified by him.
But fear that is not distinctly understood by the Sen
ate what is the real action of the Senate upon that sub
ect Now, the President in his message required an a
preparation of millions OF dollars in order to put in
his power to advance portion OF the consideration IN
money for the cession of any territory which may be
made. The following is an extract from that message
''Under these and considering the ex
austed and distracted condition of the Mexican republic
might become necessary, order peace, that
should have it in my power to advance portion OF the
be made. The Mexican government might, not be willing
wait for the payment OF the whole until the treaty could
be ratified by the Senate and appropriation to carry It
into effect be made by Congress and the necessity Tor such
delay might defeat the object al,oge,her would there,
appropriate such they might consider adequate
on the ratification Of the treaty by Mexico This dsburse
would of course be accounted for at the treasury not
service money, but like other expenditures
On this message Of the President, the Committee on
Foreign Relations made the following report to the
Senate:
esored That the adopted and proposed by the
President indicated in his message of the h instant
for the speedy termination of the with Mexico,
ceives the appreciation of the Senate.
esoued, That, in the opinion of the Senate, it is expe
dent place two millions OF dollars at the disposal OF the
yo peace with Mexico, satisfactorily adjusting the bound
aries of the two countries and that the Committee on For
session. bill for that purpose in conformity to the pro-
visions of similar acts passed in lSO3 and 1885,
Now, these resolutions SO little acceptable TO the
Senate that the then chairman of the Committee on Fo
reign Relations, OF his own accord, modified the second
resolution in this way:
'.esored That the opinion of the Senate expeden
place of money the disposal of the Pesden
be used at his discretion IN the event OF treaty of peace
countries"
Upon this, on motion by another SENATOR il pro-
posed to strike out all after the word resolved" and
say
That The Senate heartily unite Nth the President in his
oppressed desire for speedy and honorable Nth crico
M al present informed, they hare further adoice TO gre
IN The premises"
Then these resolutions were so little acceptable to the
Senate that by order of the Senate they recommlt
ted to the committee, and they reported back the follow
ing:
Resolped That the Senate strong desire
that the existing with Mexico should be terminated by
n of peace Just and honorable to both nations and
that the President be advised adopt all proper
for the attainment of that object"
Well now presume that is a resolution in which the
Senate would unitehat they entertain strong desire
for the termination of the existing upon honorable
terms and advise the President TO adopt all proper
for that end The second resolution then presented
in these words:
'2d Resolved ft,rthc That the Senate deem it advisable
that Congress should appropriate sum oil money to enable
boundaries with the republic of Mexico and 10 be used by
him in the that such treaty should call Tor the ex
pendre of the money so approprat' or any part there
senator from Arkansas referredbut the vote given by
the Senate--some 80 to 1Swas vote upon the second
resolution which, by that majority the Senate recon-
mended that of money be placed at the disposal OF
the President conclude treaty of peace limits, and
boundaries with the republic of Mexico, not to be used
be used by him the event that such treaty should call
for the expenditure of the money appropriated any
part of it, Now, have referred to these proceedings OF
The Senate at its last session Tor the purpose OF showing
that no senator committed by the vote which he gave
on these resolutions to the proposed by the
bill under consideration.
Mr. SEVER Will the senator from Georgia permit
one remark
Mr. BERRIEN Certainly
Mr. SEWER AS soon as | saw the error, corrected
it in this chamber and so the senator Will see, II he
looks TO the report in the papers.
Mr. BERRIE,N. Yes, the senator from Arkansas states
with perfect that he dad correct the misappre
had the opportunity of doing it. discovered the
which he had committed | announced to him privately