The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-02-16
TWENTY-NLNTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.
SECOND SESSION.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, lS47.
THANKS TO GEN. TAYLOR.

THANKS TO GEN. TAYLOR.
After a few remarks from Messrs.
SPEIGHT and EVANS in relation to
the private calender
The ioipt resolution of the Senate O.
wing the thanks of Congress TO Gen.
Taylor and the army for their gallanry
at Monterey came up; When
Mr.. ATHERTON moved that If be
referred to the Committee on Military
Affairs.
Mr.. CRTTTENDEN hoped that
course would not be pursued. He thought
il better to lay this resolution on the table
for the present, and take up the resolu-
lion from the House; which suggestion
having been adopted
The House resolution was taken up,
and having been read, as follows:
RESOLVED, unanimously, by the Senate
and House of Representatives of the
United States IN Congress assembled,
That the thanks of Congress are due, and
are hereby presented TO Major General
Zachary TAYLOR, and through him to the
brave officers and soldiers, both OF the
regular army and of the volunteers under
his command, for their courage, skill, for
titude, and good conduct in storming the
CITY Of Monterey, defended as it was by
a force more than double their number,
and protected by the strongest fortifica-
tions, which resulted in a most brilliant
victory to our army, and reflected imper-
ishable honor upon our arms, engaged as
1t was and still is in a war commenced
and forced upon us by Mexico, and con-
tnued by US in defence of the honor and
vindication of the just rights of the Unl-
ted States. assailed as both had been by
repeated and fragrant acts. on the part OF
Mexico, of insult, outrages, and finally Of
invasion of one Of the States Of this
Union. PROVIDED, That nothing herein
contained shall be construed into an APP
probation of the terms of the equalization
of Monterey.
RESOLVED, That the President be re-
quested TO cause TO be struck a gold medal
with devices emblematical of this splen-
did achievement, and presented 10 General
TAYLOR, as a testimony of the high sense
entertained by Congress for his iudiclous
and distinguished conduct IN that memo
rable occasion.
RESOLVED, That the President of the
United States be requested to cause the
foregoing resolutions TO be communicated
to General Taylor, and through him to
the army under his command.
Mr.. SPEIGHT moved to amend the
resolution by striking out The proviso.-
lie would state, he said, in very few
words, his reason for making this motion.
He was not one Of those who were al
any time forward in returning thanks to
any man for doing his duty; but, when
he did so, he was not willing 10 present
thanks with one hand and a censure with
the other. If that part Of the resolution
should be retained, he would be obliged
10 vote against the resolution itself. He
was not at present prepared 10 determine
for he was not a military man-nor
had he the facts before him to enable hun
10 determine, whether Gen. Taylor did
his duty in regard to that affair or not;
but, if thanks were to be voted to him,
they should be voted in the usual manner,
and not accompanied by any thing that
would imply a reflection upon his con
duct.
Mr.. ATCHISON said. il it were in
order, he would move to lay this resolu-
ton on the table, to be taken up when the
resolution offered by the Senator from
Tennessee came up again, 90 that they
might both he referred 10 the Committee
on Military Affairs.
This motion was, upon a division, neg
atived-ayes 81, noes IS.
On Mr.. SPEIGHT's motion the yeas and
nays were ordered.
Mr.. SEWER held that there was No
censIre expressed in the proviso. L
was calculated merely 10 prevent a con
clusion that might be drawn if that pro
viso were not attached; to prevent TN
conclusion that Congress, in adopting th'
resolution, appreciated the armlsiice tia
WAS made at Monterey. II was not cen
surfing Gen. Taylor at all. 1t was mere
~ leaving the question free; so that thos
vino were disposed 10 vote thanks c0ui
do 50 without expressing any opinion il
regard 10 the capitaladon. He considere'
hat those who reSsr.cd tie ayalsiice ]