Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-12-10

10 our and our citizens would itn-
pose on her, Il is notorious that she does not
possess The means 70 meet such an undertaking.
From such a treaty no result could Be a~ntiuipa-
ted, but the same irritating disappointnents
which have heretofore attended the violation Of
similar treaty stipulations on the part Of Mcxi-
co. Such a treaty would be but a temporary
cessation Of hostilities, without the restoration
Of the friendship and good understanding which
should characterize the future intercourse be-
tween the two countries. /.
That Congress contemplated the acquisition
Of territorial indemnity when that body made
provision for the prosecution ofthc war, Is obvi-
Gus. Congress could not have meant-when, In
May, i5iG, they appropriated ten millions Of
dollars, and authorized the President to employ
the militia, and naval and military forces of the
United States. and TO accept the services OF ff-
ty thousand volunteers, to enable him 10 prose-
cute the war and when, at their last session,
and after our army had invaded Mexico, they
made additional appropriations and authorized
the raising Of additional troops for the same mr.
posc-that no indemnity was 10 be obtained
from Mexico at the conclusion of the war and
yet il was certain that, IL no Mexican territory
was acquired, no indemnity could be obtained.
IL is further manifest that Congress contem-
plated territorial indemnity from the fact that at
their last session, an act was passed, upon the
ANHKNNNWAMAIuW NHINI
millions Of dollars with that express object
This appropriation was made Ito enable the
President TO conclude q peace, limits, and boun-
diaries with the republic Of Mexico, to be used
by him in the event that said treaty, when sign
cd by the authorized agents Of the two GOVERN.
mcnts, and duly ratified by Mexico, shall call
for the expenditures Of the same, or any part
thereof The object Of asking this appropria-
ton was distinctly stated in the several MESA
ges on the subject which l communicated to
Congress. Similar appropriations made in 1908
and 1900, which were referred to, were intend
ed to be applied In par: consideration for the
~cession Of Louisiana and the Floridas. In like
manner il was anticipated that, in settling the
terms Of a treaty Of " limits and boundaries
with Mexico, a cession Of territory estimated 10
be OF greater value than the amount Of our de-
mands against her might be obtained, and that
the prompt payment Of this sunni part con.
sideration for the territory ceded-on the con-
clusion Of a treaty, and It's ratification on her
part, might be an inducement with her to make
such a cession OF territory as would be ~satisfac-
tory to the United States And although the
failure to conclude such a treaty has rendered
it unnecessary TO use any part Of the three mill
ions OF dollars appropriated by that act, and the
entire sum remains in the treasury, Il ia still APP
pIicable to that object, should the contingency
occur making such application proper.
The doctrine Of no territory Is the doctrine Of
no indemnity and, ii sanctioned, would be a
public acknowledgment that our country was
wrong, and the war declared by Congress with
extraordinary unanimity, was unjust, and should
De abandoned an admission unfoundcd In fact,
and degrading to the national character.
The terms of the treaty proposed by the Uni.
ted States, were not only Just 10 Mexico. but.
considering the character and amount Of our
claims, the uniustifable and unprovotad co,o-