The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-03-03
MR.. DAVIS, ON THE THREE MILIS
BILL


Inc " Washington correspondent of the New
York Journal of Commerce, gives the following
sketch of an interesting portion OF the proceedings
in the Senate on Thursday last:
The three million bill was taken up, and Mr..
Davis OF Mass, spoke at length against it,
In the course OF his remarks, he referred 10
Mr.. Sewers statement that the money was to he
used Tor paying the expenses of Santa Annals
army.
Mr.. Sewer, in reply, said MY idea is that
these tnree millions were 10 be used for The pur
pose OF making peace. He supposed that in
consideration OF it, and the indemnities due us
we should receive cession OF territory. He
supposed that the money would be paid to the
proper Mexican authorities, upon he ratification
OF the treaty. He supposed, of course, that the
mexican government would use ii for their ordi
nary eXpenses-civil and military
Mr.. Davis insisted, however, that the bill did
not state any such terms The President could
pay the money to whom he pleased One YER
SION that rumor gave TO this matter was thar
santa Anna could not make peace without Sc
curing the hdelity OF the army. The treaty. it
was supposed, would be adverse to the will of
the MeXicans, and that the leader must emnlov
the army TO put down that popular will. If this
were so, would not the army, alter year or two
break the peace, unless paid these three mil
mons again. Such peace, so bought, would not
be lasting, and it would be disgraceful TO the I'm.
ion.
1t seemed to be considered that we must if we
make peace, receive territory. We had ALREADY
begun like the foot pads, to quarrel over the d.
vision OF anticipated spoil. If the territory came
IN as free territory, 1t ought to remain free
That argument was good, il il was true that
slave territory, as heretofore argued, should re-
main slave territory after annexation If this
principle were not established the number of
slave States would greatly exceed that OF the
free States. 1t time Tor the free States TO
look to this matter, and TO the maintenance OF an
equal footing with the slave States.
He was ready, at the ate session, to vote for
the anu slavery proviso that came with the bill
from the House. The bill came here but few
minutes before the hour which terminated the
session He spoke against the BILL and ii failed
Tor want OF time. A torrent OF abuse and vitu-
peration were, OF consequence, poured out upon
hun. The satellites of the Government and the
Abolihonists Wed with each other in the selec
ton OF terms to malign him. 1t did not, howev
err, disturb his serenity. The Administration
abused him because they wanted the slave terri
tory; and the Abolitionists abused him, because
they wanted the proyiso He, Mr. d., was TAX
ing course to prevent the striking out of that
Provlso. The Chairman of Finance had moved
10 strike out that proviso Ii the question had
been taken, the motion to strike out would have
prevailed, and so it will if tried -lav. There
was brought up at the last minute OF the sessio !,
Bill that menaced the agitation OF the whole
Union bill that had occupied the attention Of
this body-a great part of this session-and we
were required TO vote it, without considera-
ton. He, Mr.. d., occupied the floor lust Is
minutes, and was interrupted by five or six mes
sages from the House. Senator'S around him
cried to him to tgo on. He saw unmistakable
signs that others would discuss the question if he
did not-that many here were determined that
the provlso should not be voted down, nor the
bill passed without consideration. But he Mr.
d., promised the Chairman an opportunity 10
make motion to proong the session. He made
it in good faith. But owing to difference
which he was not aware OF, OF eight minutes be-
tween the Senate and House clocks, the House
had adjourned before he (Mr. d. concluded his
remarks Yet he was accused OF having talked
the bill to death.
Mr. Webster will speak on his resolutions to-
morrow, and Mr.. Calhoun will follow him.
Mr. flanagan will speak on the three million
bill, and, it is said, win undertake to show that
we had better have gone TO war with England
than with Mexico.