The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-22
INTELLIGENCE By THE MAILS,
TIllItTIETH CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.
Senate.

WAsHiseror, Dec. 30, l647.
Interesting day in the Senate. Cloudy morning. but
the front circle the gallery presents the attraction of
many of the brghteyed daughters Of the land Prayer
by Rev MIR. Gurlsy, who makes q good prayer and
good chaplain Journal Of Thursday last. Mr. Webster
In his seat to day, looking very well.
An unusual amount OF petitions were presented and
papers transferred and Of morning business generally
good deal was disposed Of
The VIcr PREsrpEsr laid certain papers from the
Treasury Department before the Senate
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Mr. ASHLEY offered resolution asking Of the Seore-
tary Of the Treasury why he had not returned
swer to a resolution of the Senate Of 18th Februsry
1886 nquirng for information regarding certain public
lands in the State Of Arkansas to be overlooked
by the Arkansss and Mississippi Rivers the value Of
them and to prevent their overhoW, Sc; which was
adopted. Mr.. Walker will, therefore, have to answer
sundry bills were introduced by Messrs. Mapgum,
Nh. JOHNSON Of Maryland, presented the memorial OF
the surviving officers and mon of the late United States
brig Somsrs asking indemnity for Losses In tho
wreckipg Of said vessel in the Gulf Of Mexico Referred
THE cONIcAL VENTILATION.
Mr.. MANouM gave notice OF bill he should introduce
authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury purchase
the patent right Of Espys conical Tor comicaD vent
lstor
OREGON
Mr.. HANrroAN gave notice OF bill he should intro
duce for the organization of territorial government
Oregon.
PETITIONS FROM THE ARMY.
touching appeal by the officers on leaving Puebla
and Handsome tribute by late fellow officer of the
army, now the floor of the Senate.
Mr. DIX arose for the purpose Of presenting two petit
tons.
Mt. DIX said-Mr President IL rise to present two
petitions to- which desire to invoke the attention
OF the Senate 1t was not until yesterday that
! was apprised of their contepnts or | should have
brought them here at an earlier day They were left
absent sealed and addressed to an honorable Senator
from Missouri (Nlr Bsnton) not in his place who
Military Affairs with dsting honor to himself and
advantage to the country and greatly regret that
is not here to take charge Of them. am not In the
habit, sir as know to accompany tho presentation
Of papers with Introductory remarks In ordinary
1t doubtless more proper to await the action Of
pirate committees the SUBJECTS to which they refer
But trust the nature of there may be deemed by the
Senate to justify departure from the usual practice
They are petitions signed BY the officers Of tho Army
Puebla the first day Of August last just before
commenced its march towards the city of Mexico The
first is styled petition for retiring list" It con
tans two hundred and thirty signatures prays
for certain legislative provisions in respect to aged and
disabled officers which, without casting any bur
den, on the publ" ha would in the opinion of the
and at the time do justice to those who perform
the drudgery and encounter the peris of military
vice in the field will only say further in reference to
this petition that the plan suggested corresponds to
some extent, though not fully with proposed by
late commander Of the army, General Macomb,)
and believe, recently recommended by the present
Adjutant General, with q view 1.-THE Same objects
The second styled "a petition for widows and or
officers and believe the names far as they Co. are
identical with those borne the first 1t is also dated
az fueDA, on the nrst Jay OF August last almost the
moment the army took up its march the valley OF
Mckee, and when considered in connection with the sur
rounding circumstances and the brilliant events which
followed, with rspdity of succession scarcely exceeded
by those which signazed the first entrance of Bona
parts into Italy addresses itself with great force to
the feelings we'll the justice of Congress- and the
country will not deain the Senate by entering into
any detailed review OF these events with view to en-
force the appeal in the petition your atten
ton hope, however, may be INDUCED In saying In
Justice to those who bore part in them that the FRS
conquest In Mexico cannot as appears to me- be com
come or az to the relative strength Of the invaders
rumphs Of Cortez achieved by policy and by supe
rorty in discipline and In the implements Of warfare
The use OF firearms, until then unknown to the nhAbi
ants Of Mexico sufficient in itselfto his
small IT. was, Irresistible In the eyes of that smpl
and superstituous people he seemed armed with super
human power Other circumstances combined TO facli
tate his The native tribes by which the sountr
was possessed distinct communities not always
knowledging the same head and often divided anon,
themselves byfmpscabelhostl and resentments Cor
tez by his oonsummste prudence art turned these
dssensons to his own account he lured tho parties
them into his service and when he presented hmse
at the gates of the city Of Mexico at the head
auxiaries to the band of Spaniards, with which h,
commenced his march from Vera Cruz. Thus his earl,
were as much the triumph Of policy arms
General Scott and the gallant band he led had no such
advantages. Ths whole population Of the country
from Vera Cruz to Mexico, united as one man
against him. and animated by the Gercest animosity
lie opposed by military forces, armed like hi,
own; often better disciplined; occupying POSITION
chosen by themselves, strongly nature, and forti.
fed according to the strictest rules OF art These
obstacles were overcome by his skill a tactician
aided by corps Of officers unsurpassed for theil
knowledge OF the art OF attack and defence, AND
by the indomitable courage of their followers
With half his force left the battle field or In
the hospital and with less than Fix thousand men, afte
series of desperate contests he took possession OF thu
city Of Mexico containing nearly two hundred
inhabtants and defended by the remnant Of an arm,
| Of than thirty thousand soldiers. confes
/ know nothing In modern warfare which ex
cesds in brisncy the military movements Of tn
army, from the Gulf to the city Of Mexico.
hall IN nf In b.. Ia
gusge Ct eulogiumtheY are not ft theme for such
comment. Like achievements Of Gen Taylor and his
brave troops the Rio Grande and especially at Buens
Vista, the highest and most appropriate praise Is
tanned in the simplest statement Of facts Mr. President
the gallant achievements in the valley OF Mexico, t.
which have briefly referred were due to the chvarou
men whose names signed to this petition, and t.
their gallant associates in the Geld At the head
list hnd Winfield Scott William J. Worth, John A
Qutman, Gideon J. Pillow, David f.. Twiggs, Jane,
Shields George Csdwslader and Persifer f. Smith, ali
general officers Harvey, Clark Riley, and Garland
among the colonies and among the field and staG and
lower commissioned grades other names tedious to
MENTION which those who bear them have by their gal
already said, that this petition signed at Puebla
almost at the moment the army commenced its march
from that city for the valley of Mexico Sir 1t ia
than probable that the last time many Of these gAan,
men held pen to inscIbe their upon thi,
petition and when this appeal to their country men
was made In full confidence doubtless that their pray
would be heard their hands thenceforth dealt only with
the weapons with which they indicating their
country's honor in the field and which but Death
MIR President will not undertake TO give summa ~
of the contents Of this petition. IL Is very brief pre-
pairing as the petitioners were for the unequal contest
which waited them and Of which, perhaps they alone
did not doubt the issue they had no words to waste
even the subject nearest TO their hearts will read
it. with the ssnates permission in their language
"To the Senate and Hon" Of Rspresentaiives Of The
United Stdes Of anertod
We, the undersigned, officers OF the United States
Army beg leave most respectfully to represent to YOU
honorable bodies that many Of married and have
left wives and children at home dependent upon tina
constantly exposed to danger and sudden death
only the field OF battle but by exposure to
healthy aud deadly climses and that In going to tn
fight many of us hearts depressed by the mel
ancholy conviction that, fall, wives and chill
will be heplessly thrown the cold charities Of tn
world
We most respectfully AK our country to give us thu
assurance II offer up lives in her service, tina
she will provide for our desut. widows and orphans
aud that she may do so humbly petition your honor
able bodies TO pass such law, you In your wisdom
shall deem jus shall give to he wives and children
officers and soldiers dying in the service OF their Soan
try pensions pg the natural lives or widowhood o.
the wife, and during the minority OF the children; and
your petitioners, as in duty bound, VIII ever gratefully
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