Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-02-18
MIR. CiLuOIyS SPEECH.


situation as this moment. We were involved IN an
onerons war, and in a dangerous domestic ques-
ton both Of which deserved our deliberate consd'
Grafton. The questions involved IN the sunIec'
we're many lie should conhne himself chiefly 10
one How shall the war I've best conducted, so as
TO bring il to satisfactory conclusion OF ra'ner
what is the mode Tor obtaining the objects Tor
which the war was made There were two ways
one TO push on and conquer Mexico, and the
other to take defensive position IN The territory
now in our military occupation lie was ~ iavor,
after much deliberaon, OF choosing the latter
mode-a defensive position. This would, ~ MS
opinion, give US every object for which the war was
declared, II he rightly conceived us object. He
would say, II he rightly understood II, for to this
day, il was not clear TO him what was the object
Of the war From the Presidents Message he was
led to believe that the objects tbreefold; to
repe invasion TO secure the Rio Grande as
boundary and to force the payment Of the claims
Of our citizens. Both the Executive and Legisa-
tive branches OF the Government assumed that the
Rio Grandc was our righlfu boundary. Being IN
The war as the President alleged. il was pressed
with view TO the adjustment Of claims, as well az
for the other two objects, which he approved Of
because, when IN war, all subjects IN dispute
should be prosecuted to adjustment. Two objects
were already accomplished. We had repelled the
invasion by two brilliant victories; we had secured
our boundary by taking possession OF line along
The Sierra Madre mountains 10 the Gulph oil Cali
forna. Whether we should take defensive line
embracing all this territory he could not undertake
to say without further information. We should,
by all means, avoid the appearance OF taking pos
session Of any part Of the territory, resulting
from conquest The ouly design ough, TO be to
take line that would secure Us from invasion,
and give ample indemnify, mot for the expenses
OF the wnr,-but for the claims Of our citizens.
lie held that ought TO be just and liberal to
Mexico, not only as neighbor and sister republic,
and emulous Of copying our institutions, but be-
cause our true policy was not TO weaken or OPP
press her. HeI fate mysteriously connected
with our own. Her eapability to sustain herself
was necessary even TO our strength and pros
periiy. He not prepared to say what line
ought TO be taken 1t should be, in a military poInt
OF view, eminenily coercive and it should be one
that would ultimately be taken the boundary be-
tween the two countries, and one that could be de.
Tended in economical manner.
lie would however, suggest line, which. as il
appeared to him, would meet all these considers.
tion. lie proposed line beginning al the mouth
OF The Rio Grande and running up to the Passo del
Norie. aud extending west along the southern boun.
dairy Of New Mexico, TO the Gulf Of California
This conceded with the views OF the Chairman oil
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, even in oil
the continuance Of the compulsory line. This line
was easily TO be defended by one post at the mouth
OF the Rio Grande, another at Csmargo, aud anolh
er at Passo del Nouc. -Four regiments, as military
men informed him, would be ample Tor the proiec
! ton Of this line The country between the Passc
del None aud the Gulf Of California requires nc
defence. Ii was IN the hands Of Indians. few
vessels IN The Gulf OF California, post, with one
/ regiment, would be adequate to the protection o.
| that end Of the line
This territory was sparsely settled. Tha, wa,
an advantage. We wanted, for our expanding pop
ulaiion, soon TO be eighty millions. uninhabitec
country. This territory OF no value to Mex
co-II was a source Of annoy snce 10 her--itS pop
ulaiion was stationary, and was only one hundred
thousand. The MeKieans could not even protect il
/ from the Indians This line had the advantage
that u would secure permanent peace with Mex
Ieo. Our rowing population would spread oveI
this territory. five made provision for our
increasing population. they would encroach upon
Mexico. and involve US is another war. lie would
moi take the line permanently. but subject TO Dego
lation, whenever Mexico should be ready 10 enter
into treaty and should give her liberal CON-
Pcnsation for any territory ceded 10 us.
| He would take possession of the principal ports
Of Mexico. and establish Custom Houses, and col
leet moderate rate Of duly,-say ten per cent
lie had consulted well informed persons as to the
amount, and found that two and half millions oil
dollars would be the expense Of their possession,
which now nigh, be collected form the commerce
ofthese ports, with great benefit TO Mexico, TO US,
and 10 the world. Il NAV be said. that Mexico
would hold out. He though, not. II would be a
turning point in her policy. Now, every nerve
was strained to oppose But, as soon as this
course adopted, she would that her nstitu-
lions and national independence were sale ; and
she would soon make peace.
What were the objections TO continuing an Of
ienslye wari The vast expense the uncertainty
Of success the hazard OF national reputation. To
| conquer peace 10 prolong war. IL took two
| parties to make peace. The defensive Of course,
| he proposed would gain every object Of the war;
every object that could be gained by what cal
! led vigorous war" Il would secure us in the
possession Of The boundary contend for and give
every desirable security for the indemnites due
10 our citizens.
Suppose we could now march to the city ofNiex-
co, and there dictate peace-woud il be worth
the cost II would cost thirty millions Of dollars
and the lives Of fifteen thousand OF our countrymen
Would any one say that the whole country Of Cali
fornia and New Mexico was worth the sacrifice -
This supposed that we succeeded in the campaign.
Success would give us more than we already
have-Possession Of boundary and ample indem-
nifty.
But this only the shell Of the question, a
rugged and often barren country, full Of ruinous
dehles, was TO be overcome.
First, we were TO take possession Of Vera Cruz
the home OF The yellow fever-the most fatal
climate on the earth. The fever prevails there
eight months in the year. By the middle Of March,
the place will be fatal TO our troops We may have
force sufficient 10 take Vera Cruz, but shall we be
able 10 send an army thence TO the city Of Mexico
II not, we must have third campaign for the oh.
ject Before that Mexico would become better
armed and prepared. We shall have, in the mean
-