The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-21


and with less than SIX thousand men, after series OF
desperate contess he took possession of the city OF Mex
ieo containing nearly two hundred thousand inhabitants
thirty thousand soldiers | confess know nothing
in modern warfare which exceeds in briiiancy the
ens of the American army iron the Gulf to the city of
Mexico | shall not attempt to speak of than in the
Lang uage of euogum They fit theme for such
comment Like the achievements OF General Taylor and
his brave the Rio Grande, at Monterey, and
Buena Vista, the highest and most appropriate praise
contained in the simplest statement OF facts.
Mr. President. the gallant achievements in the valley
Of Mexico, TO which have briefly referred were due 10
the chvarous whose nlnes signed to this petit
ton and their gallant associates in the field The
1.-THE volunteer officers who nobly distinguished them
&c yes, not borne the petition The subject
the regular army only, and the petitioners belong
exclusively to that Of the service Al the head OF
the st find Wiakeld Scott, William j. Worth, John A.
Qnitman G deon j. Pillow David f. Twiggs, James
Shields George Caiwalader and Persfor f. Smith, all
general officers Harvey, Clarke, Riley, and Garland
among the coones and among the field, and staff and
lower commissioned grades, other Names too
mention, which those who bear them have by their
gallantry, made familiar to their countrymen have
already said that this petition signed at Puebla al
at the moment the army commenced its march from
that city for the valley of Mexico Sir IL is than
probable that the last tme many OF these gallant men
held pen TO inscrbe their names upon this petition;
and when this appeal TO their countrymen made
full confidence, doubtless, that their prayer would be
heard their hands thencefoth dealt only with the
pons with which they vindcating their countrys
honor in the field, and which but death, the
queror OF US all, could wrest from their grasp.
mary OF the of this petition 1t is very brief
preparing the petitioners for the unequal
test which awaited them, and OF which, perhaps, they
alone did not doubt the issue they had no words to
waste the subject to their hearts will
read it, with the Senaes permission, in their own Ian
guage
States Of ImercT:
"We, the undersigned, officers Of the United States army,
beg leave respectfully represent your honorable
bodies thar many Of married. and have left wives
and children at home dependent upon that we
field OF battle, but by exposure unhealthy and
deadly climates and that in going 10 the fight many OF
on ha il we fall our wives aud children win be helpless
/ y thrown the cold charities ofthe world
eve respectfully ask country TO give the
assurance, offer up lives in her service that she
VIII provide for our destitute widows and orphans; and
that She may do 50, humbly petition your honorable
bodies pass such law as you in your wisdom shall
deem ust,as shall give TO he wives and children OF Off
during the natural lives widowhood OF the wife,
and during the minority Of the children and your petition
ers, duty bound, will ever gratefully pfay.
"PrEnA Mexico, August is 1917 I"
II is due TO Gen. Scott to say, that in signing the pet-
ton he aided these words "Whont any desire OF pro-
curing for my family any contingent benefit from the
proposed change in the pension laws OF the army
rey in the reasonabeness of the foregoing petit
ion and can military or other objection to its be-
Ing signed and presented.
Cen Qnnnan also signs with the following addition
81 approve the measure of placing the regular army
the same footing with the navy and volunteers"
This remark Of Gen. QuItman explains all The army
is not on an equally favorable footing IN respect to widows
complaining OF the inequality the petitioners respectfully
ask that ii may be reciifed
Mr. President, have no doubt that in reading and
signing this peton The recollection of wives and child
thousands o. miles away, many of whom be-
come widows and orphans before this last missve could
reach the capital the sgners far trying than
the scenes of danger and death on which thew were
about % enter. If it was to them moment of weak.
ness-the only weakness pardonable TO gal liant menthe
memory OF dozen bae-helds aiests that il the last
Some OF them sleep honorable graves-some lying
beds of sickness Mexico; many still the held
ready ever, 10 peril all in their counirys causes and
others-l sorry to say not fewresored to their
homes, dragging about their SCARED and mangled
limbs the face Of their friends and kindred with lives
held by the frailest tenure.
But, sir, have said enough 1t would be to dstrust
the right feeling of the Senate TO say Less could
not say, justice to myself with this paper before me,
on which recognise the names of numerous friends,
and former associates many Of whom we shall no
more. ltgves me pleasure not unmixed with pain, TO
present their petton and if the presentation has beer
accompanied with the manifestation of more feeling than
becomes the performance OF public duty this floor,
am will be ascrbed to right will
cude, sir by reading the Senate extract of letter
enclosed with the petition, with the single remark that
was written in behalf of the army, by Major Harvey
Brown gallant officer, with whom had the pleasure
OF being associated many years ago the staff of former
commanding general of the army. II is dated at the
National Palace, in the city Of Mexico, the LIST of
October two months after the petition was signed
IwouId also call the mel ancholy fact that
many The officers. have signed this petition, have
since gorousy fallen in the service OF their country eav
ng destitute widows and helpless orphans and, being
dead they emphtticaly speak, saying I'VE have
offered up lives to our country upon
her provide decent competence for bereaved wild
ows and fltheress children
Is it much, Mr. President, ask that these petit
tons, with the attached Them may be printed
know il not the practice OF the Senate print peti
tons; but these something As far they
co. they lists OF the gallant living and the honored
dead in Mexico. | make the motion to print
The memorials then referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs, and ordered to be printed.
PRINTING
Mr. BREESE. A few days ago. report was made
fha and ard
report maps which necessary have engraved
Upon examination, have asceraned that the expense
Of engraving will not exceed 800 therefore
that the Senate order the necessary number of those maps
to he printed
Mr. WESTCOTT remarked that there was a map of the
State OF Florida accompanying that report the engraving
OF which would occasion very little expense. He in
qured II that map embraced In the senator's motion
Mr. BREk.SE replied that 1t included.
The motion agreed 10.
Mr. YULEE presented the memorial of Isaac Varnes,
senior praying indemnity for losses sustained in
quence OF the occupation OF his property as a military
post by troops of the United States; which was referred
to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Y. also presented the memorial OF Joseph Knox
Boyd praying compensation for his services in the
capture OF the United States frigate Philadelphia the
harbor OF Trpol in the year 1901 which referred
20 the Committee Naval Affairs.
MIR. Y. also presented the memorial of William A.
Christian, purser IN the navy, praying the allowance OF
certain items suspended by the accounting officers the
settlement OF hs accounts Tor payments made to the act
ing forward officers boar OF the United States
Princeton; which referred TO the Committee Ma
val Affairs
Mr.. Y. also presented the memorial of John Crosby,
in behalf OF the children OF Andrew D. Crosby deceased
late puTzer navy, PRAYING that they may al