The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-09

communication to the legislative department of the
government Mr. Jefferson threw himself with a
patriotism and firmness which deserved all praise,
entirely in opposition to the principle OF such policy
Mr. M then alluded to the occurring under the ad
illustrations of Jefferson and Monroe-he first in ref
to the purchase of louisiana and the second TO
the acquisition of Flonda-whlch had been cited pre-
cedens by which they TO be influenced III the
sderation of the present measure He thought there
was as wide difference could well be conceived be-
tween the former and the one under cOnsde
ration. In those cases no harm could possibly result
from the appropriation. There was II true, dscre-
ton in both instances given to the President, but the
manner in which the money was to be applied was Just
well known by Congress by the President himself
There was concealment, no attempt to conceal from
the people the direct object for which the appropriation
was intended But in this they had no light His
honorable friend, the chairman OF the Committee For
egn Relations, when the question was propounded TO
him 10 say what the object OF this BILL gave no In
formation Instead of giving information TO enable them
to act and TO satisfy themselves to the proprie-
ty of the measure, the gentleman announced prin-
cple to which he could not subscribe IT was, that
Congress need have fears upon this subject; the
President of the United States was responsible !;
give him the money, and hold him to his responsibility
Mr. NJ then alluded to the course OF senators upon his
side of the chamber in reference to the manner IN which
friends the other side when they wanted money they
gave it to them when they wanted men their votes were
counted side by side with theirs to give them. When the
President nominated set OF party men to take charge
OF this war; opposition was made from his SIDE OF the
chamber; and when at this session. they asked for
men and more money! they stood side BY side with them
in granting both Whenever they wanted money for
the purpose of carrying the it granted them
But when they came for three millions of dollars the
assumption that the President of the United States
responsible and that Congress had nothing to do but to
grant it, he for compelled to take his stand in
support of the rights of the legislative department of
the government The proposition of gentlemen on the
other side was, that it was our duty to give him the
money which he asked for without requiring
any explanation Of the objects or purposes to which
it to be applied He deemed it his duty to inquire
into those objects and motives before granting the money
Mr. NJ then alluded to the position in which the coun-
try was placed by the wara position which was about
to subject the constitution to much seyerer trial than
any it had yet experienced Hitherto the wars IN which
they had been engaged We're wars Tor human liberty or
in defence of violated rights. Now there pending
war of conquest What were the obligations resting
upon the government of the United States in view OF
such state of things' Should they, in imitation OF
the governments of Europe, prosecute war Tor con-
quest, to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF neighboring nation
Did the genius OF constitution permit the adoption OF
such course' He thought that the great American
doctrine doctrine peculiarly applicable 10 the sup
port and protection of our domestic institutions totally
distinct from any purpose OF acquiring foreign territory
by conquest But now it seemed, in view Of the at;
| titude in which were placed, i'll war which had
been brought on, as they were told by their friends on
the other side, by Mexico and merely recognised by
us, that OF this character to be prosecuted
with vgor and energy for the purpose of acquiring
territory and OF setting up civil institutions with
in the territory thus acqulred thus extending, as was
said the limits of freedom by the prosecution of this
OF conquest Without inquirng into the fact wheth-
err the war was commenced by Mexico or not, it would
have been but the exercise OF proper discretion on the
/
the army from Corpus Christi 1t would have been
fair subject of inquiry lit seemed to him on the part OF
the Presidents how far would be expedlenf ana proper
to direct such movement how far i would be con
strued into act OF hostility towards Mexico he dit-
eed with the President to the popriey even OF this
incipen movement But not TO deian the Senate with
any protacted argument upon this point, he would pro-
coed to the next important act OF the President IN rea
ton to this war, in permitting Santa Anna to re-ener
Mexico and he would venture TO assert that there was
no event in the history of the prosecution of war any
where, novel and Unprecedented this. The Presl-
dent attempted, IN his message at the opening OF TINS
session. to give them his views at large upon this sub
jec and assign the which had acuaed HIM IL,
permitting Santa Anna to pass the blockading squad
! ron These reasons were before them; and in view
| of the subsequent events which had happened and
in view of the elevated position which Santa Anna now
occupied Of the dangerous nature Of that position IN re-
lation to the army OF the United States, and of the OPP
portunty which he possessed to njure us he would
leave it 10 the people OF the United States to Judge III what
the trust conied TO the President had been fulfilled
After commenting at some length upon the manner IN
which California had been taken possession Of and civil
governments established therein by the officers OF our
squadron, Mr.. NJ. alluded to the important fact an
nounced few days ago by the senator from New York,
Mr. DIX, that our acquisition of territory amounted to
third Of the whole Of Mexico, and embraced one
tenth Of her population And whatever might be the the
which this government desired to 60 IN the ac-
QUESTION of territory was evident to his mInd from all
the circumstances connected with this subject that the
intention the part of the government was the appica-
ton of the u possietis principle to all the territory that
had thus been acquired II painful to HIM TO advert
TO these movements OH inc part vi government,
bat when great principle at stake whatever might
be the consequences he could not withhold the express
sion of his opinion in regard to them The spectacle
had been exhibited to this nation. and TO the world OF an
officer of the government OF the United States with the
sanction of the constituted authorities of this govern
ment not only acquiring territory belonging to Mexico,
but against all precedent, all authority, all rule, and
against every true policy 1t seemed to HIM, as well as
against the interests of this nation establishing civil
government within those conquered territories with the
consent and appreciation of the President of the u States
After reviewing the instructions given by the heads OF the
War and Navy Departments to the officers commanding
the expeditions against New Mexico and California Mr.
M said that it seemed to him, after these examples of
the course pursued by the Executive, that would be
remey proper to withhold for the present from the Pres
dent the exercise of any great discretionary power in
laton to this matter Like his honorable friends the
ator from Georgia and the senator from Maryland, he
should take his stand against the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
Mexico When he said this however, he desired TO ac
company the declaration with the explanation which he
individual senator that there should be partial addition
of territory in Upper California, with view TO obtain
ing certain harbors those of San Francisco, Monterey
and Santiago, 10 facilitate our commercial operations
But when he spoke Of national ACKNOWLEDGMENT, to which
he was opposed, he alluded to extensive, encroach
ment upon the territory of neighborng nation, and the
application of the M possdd,s principle 10 the territory
part of the territory of Mexico they ought to pay
a fair equivalent they ought to have nothing
in the way of conquest nothing the way
of indemnity 10 satisfy the cost of the contention
Mr. Nj then TO say that there were other great
interests involved interests TO which alusion had been
made by the senator from Georgia and the senator from
MARYLAND; interests growing out OF these acquisitions OF
territory by the dismembeTment of Mexico Besides the
principle that was at stake besides the ncompabity of
doctrines of this kind with the interests of the govern