Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-17
SPEECH CT Mr.. MILLER,
OF NEW JERSEY,
On, the Mexican Uar and the mode of bringing
IL to a speedy and honorable conclusion.
OF NEW yERsE


with Mexico speedy and honorable conclusion being
under consideration
Mr. MILLER said This bill urged upon our considera
ton by the which have been pressed upon us
for the adoption of every connected with the Mex
wa-ha the President asks for il, and that it will be
the means OF procuring speedy and honorable peace.
Ii believed that the passage OF this bill would produce
this result would cheetfuy for it. Three millions of
dollars would be cheap sacrifice TO rid the country of this
unfortunate war.
But along with this proposition, the chairman of Foreign
Relations, speaking, as suppose by authority from the Ex
ecutve has told how this money be used, and has
given the terms of the peace which procure. We
informed that this money to be used in way, not
clearly defined, TO induce the Mexican authorities
portion OF the Mexican people who inclined to be friendly
towards us certain of peace be dca
ted by the President of the United States These
that Mexico SHALL by way of indemnify for the expenses
of the war; cede the United States New Mexico and Upper
California Upon these TERMS and upon these alone,
the Senator tells the Executive ought make
peace with Mexico.
We have for the first tme from an official source, the
information which the country has long desired Obtain viz
to what extent and for what purposes this be further
prosecuted.
is dsmenber the Republic of Mexico and to annex
two of her provinces TO the United States. This war; them
which we have been SO frequently assured by the Executive
was forced upon by Mexico and only prosecuted by hm
in vndcaton of tights and in defence of our territory
10 be converted into Of aggression and of con-
quest part These objects openly avowed be-
the world III mat these
acquired through the and under the sanction OF
treaty, for all know that such treaty be exorted
from Mexico by Of the further prosecution of the war;
and that she abandons her claim to Texas and surrendes
two more of her provinces at our dictaton it will be only
to the entire Republic from being subugated by
Called upon day after day to vote and money-the
lives and property of my fellow ctizens-o sustain for
the origin of which thank God am in way responsible
and the continuance of which regret that have but
little if any control, feel due to myself and to those who
have honored with this floor take this
sion to express plainly but fearess my views and feelings
upon all the subjects connected with the Mexican
will therefore proceed notice the character Of this war; the
importance has assumed to the country the which
led it and the in which it has been conducted
and then suggest to the Senate few considerations in regard
to what consider the mode Of bringing it to speedy and
honorable termination
Whatever might have been said as to the existence of
state Of between the Republic of Mexico and the United
States the It'll of May last the day which the Pesi
dent sent his message Congress, all must admit that
exists And whether it exists by the act of Mexico
by the act of the President of the United States the
try nevertheless compelled bear its burdens suffer its
evils, and its hazards until those who control its
issue shall be induced compelled peace to the
country. If believed that by Withholding the supplies
cessary sustain this honorable peace might be restored
to my country would at all hazards myself, vote against
them all But this is beyond my control com
mencing in the will by bunde of the Executive, it has
proceeded step step under the management OF those who
direct political affairs, connecting itself with the e
glslaton OF the country in every form, opposition, be-
eye TO the will of majority of the people and in defiance
of the terms Of the constitution itself, until it has fastened
itself upon the country in such MANNER that those
who depoe its origin and do approve Of its objects
compelled for the sake of the honor OF their county, to
give it their support by voting the necessary supplies.
Yes sir, this little war, brought upon the country with
little thought and with less preparation, grows larger and
larger time advances. The enemy, retiring before
victorious armies gather strength from every
defeat year ago. Mexico divided in her councils dis
acted in her domestic affairs, without and without
credit to sustain appeared TO lie before like the lamb
before the hon. We had but to seize and devour But the
devoted victim gather strength from every wound
nct its blood like that Of the patriots shed in defence of
home and resdes becomes the ebood of the naton and
rallies hundred eemen avenge the death of All
Mexico is in resist your invasion every mountain
pass defended by her citizen soldiers The road the city
OF Mexico grows longer and difficult ADVANCE and
the promised oves in the halls of the Monezumas have
been preceded by many carnival Of blood That peace
which to conquer by the first of November flies be-
fore our invading army like ignis fauus, and is
further from grasp than the day crossed the
Nueces.
1t is evident to all that this has assumed serious
and momentous aspect 1t has got beyond the control of
mere Cabinet management not to be settled by intrigue
with an ouawed Mexican Generality paper conquests Of
resisting towns and defenceess provincesby procama
tons OF annexation pepareda Washington and repeated from
the quaer-dec OF ships of the coast of California
or upon the mountain tops of New Mexico.
No. sir all these devices of boodess conquests have passed
away like the dreams of the night We waking up
TO the realities of the Its burdens beginning to be
felt; its calamies falling thick and heavy. Already
your Treasury exhausted already have thousands of your
patriotic soldiers fallen either by the sword disease and the
sick and the wounded daily returning remind of the
desoaions Of war;
Now comes urgent calls for troops and for money TO
pay them. The Treasury empty loans be
ed to- The national debt accumulatng fearful amount
New and heavy taxes be laid your national credit will
be crushed beneath the burdens Of this war.
this war be continued for another year, it will require all
the power and energy of this nation be exeed to their full
extent, in order TO conduct it with vigor and
We have already authorized the President receive into
the service fifty thousand volunteers We have increased our
regular army to twenty -seven thousand men.
This army OF $4,000 is TO be employed in foreign
country at distance of about three thousand miles Its line
Of operations extend from Tampco the Gulf to San Fran
cisco, on the Pacc embracing sixteen degrees OF latitude
The urthest point in this line upon straight drawn
from this Capitol, distant 900 miles, and only to be APP
preached by voyage of $4,000 mile, by the OF Cape
Horn In order to occupy this extended line forces have
been divided into four divisions One DIVISION and the largest
upon the Gulf upon the upper Rio Gande another at
Santa Fe and the fourth is hardly know where, bengyet
aoat upon the high around the world but Destined wind
and waves permitting to take possession of Upper California
All the munitions of and the supplies for these several
armies 10 be drawn from the United States to be carried
by land deserts and through wild and savage wilderness
No one can anticipate the difficulties estimate the ex
penses of such an army They only be realized when
come to settle up the account Of this war.
We may, however, in some degree anticipate the amount
by the expenditures already made From the best information
get satisfied that the first year of this will cost
us about 500, 000, 000