The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1847-02-25

The following sketch Of Mr.. Cahoun's
Speech, made III the United States Senate,
on the 9th instant, IS copied from The Bal.
limore American;
The Three Million Bill was taken ~
and Mr.. Calhoun commenced hls remarks.
lie SAID that never since our country has
been upon the stage Of action nave We been
placed 10 a more critical position. We
were in the midst OF a war, aud there was
also question OF grea, domestic nquletudr.
lie hoped there would be the fullest discus.
sion upon both tones before the close Of
the session, short as II was. The tmpor-
ianI question was bow should lhs war DC
prosecuted There we're two ways-the
one to push on IN the hostile country
and the other to take defensive position,
Which was BEST
Mr.. c. said II was grave question, and
one to winch he had gwen bis most delib.
crate attention. His judgmen, was that
tho defensive position was The best the
best TO bring the war 10 certain and sue.
cesslu end. THIS would result 10 most e.
economy, and most honor. IL he rightiul.
~ understood the objects Of The war this
was consistent. The causes for which tins
war was commenced we're three
To fepel invasion.
To establish the Rio Grandc q, BOuu.
dairy.
To secure indemnity due 10 our citizens,
The two FIRST were first considered
The President did not ask Congress to
declare war. lie asked Congress 10 re,
cognIze the existence Of tue war, aud he
assumed that there was invasion because
the Mexcans had crossed lie Rio del
Nore.
The President and Congress lad regard.
o. the primary objects Of the war the es.
adjustment OF Boundary Congress has
aNowed 10 other object than this. Being
m the war, however, Il was recommended
that i be prosecuted Tor the paymeu, u
our claims.
The two objects Of the war had been
Observation-Disclosures repealed, the R.a
Grande secured, aud we could safely act
upon the defensive.
Mr.. Calhoun went On to state what The
character Of this defence should be. 1t
ought 10 be near our supplies-in proxlm.
lly 10 our country, convenient, &c. To.
wards Mexico We ought to be nost Iber.
al, not only bcceus she was our neiehbor
and sister republic, but a great power
upon our Continent.
More than this, Mexico was one Of the
greatest problems connected with our for.
elgn relations. There was a rnysterlou.
connection between her and US. She was
as forbidden ffult. The day Of her death
would be almost the end Of our political
existence. Her Independence, her capaci.
", her greatness, should be esteemed by
us as next 10 Importance to our own.
Mr.. Calhoun defined shat he thought a
good boundary defence. Beginning al the
mouth Of Del Norte, continue to Pas. del
Nortc, and then due vest 10 the Gulf Of
California, and il would strike tie head .ol
the Gulf.
THIS he would defend. II would rive
US The Rio G'rande from its mouth to its
source, and lie had consulted military men,
who sad that three forts and four reei.
ments would be sufficient for all purposes,
rs follows:
One fort al the mouth Of the Del Nofte.
One near Camargo.
Oae at Pass Del Norte.
From tie waters which separate the
Del Nor'e from those entering the Gulf Of
California one more might be placed.
Hence five regiments and small Ma.
val force, one consistent with our Nava.
Peace establishment, could successfully de.
tead tue boundary.
This country WAS Of little importance
70 Mexico, but Of great importance to US.
1t had only 100, 900 people, and hose were
spread over 100000 square miles. An
open unlnhabied country was the best for
US we wanted space for our population,
which doubled once IN % years. It would
be sO,OOO,O0U IN 4G years. This country
New Nexico) was remote from Mexico,
farther from her than from Washington.
For the first lime the ,aysges we're max.