The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-06

subject upon lis proper loong and that he dd so m con-
sequence Of perfectly friendly communication which
made to him myself instead of making the correc-
ton on the floor | have spoken of the manner
in which, as | understand It from the PROVISIONS OF
this bill, this money is to be applied now ask
the attention of the Senate TO the consideration OF the ob
ec which il is proposed to accomplish by the use OF ths
money If take the message OF the President oil me
United States asking this appropriation, we md tfat lhe
object obtain indemnity TO ocr citizens having pecu-
mary claims against Mexico, and ample indemnify LOT ue
expenses of the When one looks at the Empower
lshcd condition of Mexico that is stated by senators
on all sides and is perfectly consonant with the fact
when looks at the impoverished state OF her finances
and the distracted condition of her people-he message
of the President of the United States alone WOULD
have shown what were the objects which II was pro
posed to accomplish by the use OF this money. ample
indemnity would, IN other words have been e4uFaient
to ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the Mexican republic ipampe
indemnity wanted for the expenses OF this war,
which have probably amounted TO fifty or may amount to
one hundred millions OF money was TO pc obtained by
the of this money and the negotiation OF treaty with
Mexico then the message of the President OF the United
States would alone have been sufficient to show that
his object TO ii for the purpose OF negotiating
treaty which should accomplish the dsmembement of
the Mexican territory That would have been further
confirmed by the official communications OF the different
departments of the army and the navy looking to mil
ary force for the occupation of these portions OF Mex
territory in the possession OF our troops, with view
to the application of the u pos'des at the termination OF
the war; but the fact was distinctly avowed in the
opening of the debate that the minimum of the demand,
which is said ought To be moderate, which we are to
make Of Mexico, is the cesson OF New Mexico and Up
per California.
Mr. SEWER have said So
Mr. BERRlEN II is so understood do not contest
the right of the senator from Arkansas entertain that
opinion. What | am disposed to question is, that he
added to the annunciaon this floor that there is no
senator in this chamber who does not think that that
is the least which ought to take. Now, ask sena-
tors with this understanding OF the object to which these
three millions OF money to be employed in the attain
ment of cesson OF territory from Mexico to cast their
eyes the map of that republic and what portion
OF her territory is thus intended TO wres from her
Here several sentences not distinctly heard, in
consequence OF interruption in the gallery, but the hon
orabe gentleman understood to contrast the condi
ton of the United States with that OF Mexico with
view OF showing the. unworthness of the attempt to
wrest any portion OF the territory of the latter
Mr.. President we are twenty millions OF people We
have stable form OF government Mexico is enfeebed-
dstracted-bome down by the strife and conendings OF
military rulers, until she is reduced to condition that
ourselves about to found an act OF Legislation
upon-he assumption that she has not strength to exc
cuteand it is with sister republic, thus in the magni-
tude of strength, and in contemplation OF her weak
are about to advance to wres from her thrd OF
her territory and appropriate as indemnity to ourselves
for the expenses which have incurred In the yndl-
cation of national honor. This, sir, in my humble
Judgment is an act which would be violation OF our
national honor far TO be deplored than defeat in the
most sanguinary conflict. That might be remeded-it
would be promptly remedied-by the galantry of our
army But what time--what bravery could expiate the
blot which would stand upon the fair escucheon OF the
,
herself OF the distracted condition OF nelghberng re-
public to crafty not her desire to vndcate her national
honor, but her lust for the acquisition Of territory Sir
if national honor is to be indicated by this war; and
if il be not already vndcaed am content tar any
vote of mine is necessary for the purpose OF strengthening
the national arm-I am content to furnish the means
which may be required for its vndcation but enter
my solemn protest against the adoption of principle by
which ii shall be avowed to the world that we cannot
of our national honor. Mr.. President, have asked,
secondly in considering the objects to which the money
is to be applied-and these objects are now distinctly
avowed to be the acquisition at least of New Mexico and
California; have asked secondly whether such an acqui-
ston could be made consistently with the national inter-
ests And this subject desire, for moment the at
national interest to be preserved at the expense OF nation
al HONOR know not; but looking to this question solely
of interest, ask you is it consistent with the
national interest to acquire such territory! Consider
as already acquired either by the use Of the money
which i is proposed to appropriate by this BILL or by the
force of consider that territory acquired and
hope senators ready to answer the question,
how will you dispose of this terrtory' When you get
these provinces. what will you do with them' Will you
remove the existing population and settle the west which
which will have been left by emgrants from the United
States' That may not be. You cannot do it without
violating every principle OF the law OF naons-every
principle which has been recognised by your own courts
of Justice Whether these territories be acquired by
quest by purchase the moment they pass under your
domination their inhabitants become the objects Of and
entitled to- your protection. What next Them Ii
you protect this people and the territory which they
inhab will you govern them us 2rovincesi Will you
send governors OF provinces ~ supentend and pro-
tect theml On what principles will you govern them What
next' II you may not depopuate hem-if you may not
govern them provlnceswill you exercise the power
given you under the constitution, and obviously given
while the view of the trainers OF il confined within the
territorial limits of the then United States? Will you
ecIse the power OF governing them territories, and OF
course ente them the privilege of being incorporated
States of the Union, when they shall have attained
the requisite number of inhabtans' Are you willing TO
put your brthrght in the keeping of the mongre
who nhababit these territories by incorporating them
into the federal Union For myself am free to declare
non haec fedora, and believe that declaration will
be responded to from the remotes extremties of this
we are contendngi What is the position to which
this lust for the acquisition of territory is about
to lead us When we shall have acquired these
territories how TO surmOunt the difficult
ties which will necessarily attend their possession!
We cannot consistently with the constitution, govern
independent province. We cannot, consistently with
what to ourselves put it into condition TO be
you could. DO not you bring with it hatqueson which
more than any other the duration and the perma
nence OF this Union DO you believe that any treaty
which may be negotiated with Mexico receive the
constitutional sanction OF this body leaving the question
of slavery open Do you believe it receive the con-
stitutona sanction of this body excluding slavery? Do
you believe receive the constitutional sanction of
this body permtnggrant that am wrong in the opin-
ion which would TO be indicated by the President
that it would be practicable TO obtain the constitutional
majority of this Senate which would leave open the
| question of slavery? And | ask American senators
whether they would not sumber upon their posts if their
given to treaty leaving that question open
ask American senators if it is not their imperative duty
10 the States which they represent when any acquisition
shall be made by treaty to take that the domestic
institutions and interests of the States which they repre-
sent protected by the express spuatons of that treaty.