The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-05
THE UNION.

the discussion question OF personal courtesy to my
SELL win the knowledge that any one senator would be
opposed 70 II; but friends around me thought differ
emily and acquesced in their decision. have 70
thank them for the feelings which prompted this appeal
on Their part and beg TO offer my respectful acknowedg-
ment to the Senate Tor the manner IN which II was re-
celved turn to the consideration OF the bill SIR, the
bill WHICH is before you proposes an appropriation OF
three millions OF dollars Tor the purposenot exceeding
three millions OF dolars-or the purpose OF deiraylng
any necessary expenditures which may be incurred IN or
der TO bring the existing with Mexico TO speedy
and honorable conclusion. Now, sir, with a view 10
BRING the war 10 speedy and honorable conclusion we
have already authorized the President OF the United States
10 raise army OF upwards of seventy thousand men,
IN addition to the ordinary revenues OF the government,
we have placed AT his disposal twenty millions OF
money; and now il is asked that should make appro
praon OF three millions OF dollars for the purpose which
specified in tins bllto be applied under bis sole uncon
uolled direction; and are assed-and with an APP
parent confidence that this request would be complied
wh,o let this bill pass without debate or discussion,
reserving for some other occasion the examination OF
those interesting questions which present themselves TO
the mind OF every senator AT the moment when this sub
ject is proposed. For myself, sir, say this cannot
be. No, SIR; the ieelings-the wshes-the Just ex-
pectations of the American people combine TO for
bd II. They desire to know--they have right
TO know, SO far as we are niormed--what is their
actual condition with relation to this foreign power with
whom at They have the rghtto know, SO
far have the means 10 inform them, what execta
tons they may entertain OF the termination of this conflict
conflict into which they have been Unexpectedly
involved. Sir, in the month of May last without any
menton-wthout any apprehension on the part OF the
American people OF any rupture OF the peace OF the ma
tionther attention was suddenly arrested by the intel
ligence thar hostes had commenced between the
American and Mexican armies This hostility has been
brought about by military movements made in conse-
quence of the order OF the commander-mch OF the
American armies. In the first moments of excitement
produced by the intelligence that hosties had been
commenced, Congress recognised the existence OF war
and made provision for vigorous prosecution Every
demand that made by the President, with solitary
exception, has been acquicsced in. He has been fur
nshed with the means which he deemed necessary for
the prosecution OF the and gallant army has
tanned the honor of the American name. Wherever our
standard has been unfuredwherever the stars and the
stripes which embazon have been given to the breeze
the honor and the reputation of the American name
has been indicated by the army 1t is in the heart
of Mexico. 1t has, in the phraseoogy OF the day,
covered itself with glory as with mantle If mil
tary fame is that for which search, have
won it. II has triumphed in every battle force
superior in numbers and apparently overwhelm-
ing; and Mexico stands now rebuked, stricken, beaten
by inferior numbers and occupying the heart
of her territory If this is the glory of which
in search, have won it, Weare in the heart of Mex
leo. with force which she shuns to meet; but what
have gained How, by the advance of that army
have advanced the interests of the country How
have advanced nearer to the objects of which we are
in search--the objects for which this war was entered
into Who is there who able TO tell me-surveylng with
whatever minuteness the actual posture OF our affairs
who is there who is able to tell me how much nearer
are TO the termination OF this war than when II COM
menced? Sir, believe that this war may be terminated-
believe that ii may be terminated by consistent
with the honor of the American nation believe may
be terminated by which shall not only consist with
interest but which will place us IN the elevated po
sltion which, the first free nation OF the world we
ought TO occupy in the view Of the civilized world.
have asked how much have approached to the
termination OF the war by all the victories which we
have won Who does not that the effect OF
military operations has been to unite and animate a
distracted people, and that at this moment the detemina
ton of resistance the part of Mexico is more hXcd
resoue than at any previous moment of this con-
test Upon what is that determination founded Whence
does it originator Sir, is, in my opinion the deen-
of naS,Nnr tha nf
ton, to which the Mexican government has been reduced
by their belief OF the exorbtance OF our demand.
would take from them this motive to resistance would
take II from them not by renewal of the overtnres OF
peace, which they have dsregarded, but would take IT
from them by declaration of the opinions and
feelings of the American Congress as to the purpose with
which this prosecuted-as to the terms which
it may be terminated Ii is with view to this object,
sir that have suggested to the Senate the amendment
Of which gave notice the other day It was printed by
the order OF the Senate, and laid the tables OF MEM
bers now submit i, to your consideration as provlso
to the bill under discussion The question on this mo-
ton may be stated now or at the close OF the remarks
which propose to submit TO you, according to the pleas
OF the Char; and will await his direction either to
pause or to proceed.
: MIR. CASS here nterposed II this is the proper
ment, would inform the honorable gentleman from
Georgia that have an amendment to make to his amend
menl, and desire to have it read
Mr.. BERRlEN. | hope the senator will have 1t read
Mr. CASS then submitted his amendment
The PRESIDENT. Does the senator from Georgia
desire to have the amendment read
Mr. BERRIEN. Certainly, sir.
The Secretary commenced reading MIR. BIS amend
ment-
Mr.. BERRIEN. The Chair is under misspprehen-
sion. The amendment Of the senator from Michigan
desired to have read.
Mr. R. JOHNSON. hope they may both be read
sir.
The PRESIDENT The amendment proposed by the
gentleman from Michigan will be read.
The Secretary then read Mr. CAsss amendment, fol-
lows
Strike out all after the word 'provded" and insert
Sand it is hereby declared be the intent and mean
ing of Congress- in making this appropriation that, by
the Of the republic of Mexico, state of exists be-
that government and the United States, agrseaby
the declaration made by this Congress on the 18th day OF
May last therefore the interest and honor OF this country
require that the said war be vgoron sly prosecuted to sue
cessu ISSUE and that reasonable indemnity should be
obtained from Mexico for the wrongs she has nited to-
wards the government Of the United States.
Sand it further declared that the nature and extent OF
executive consideration when negotiations for peace may
be opened between this country and Mexico sub the
action oil the SENATE on the question OF ratification
The PRESIDENT The amendment heretofore pre-
scented by the senator from Georgia is the following:
The Secretary then read Mr. BERRIEN's amendment
as follows
Provided, alteay and it hereby declared be the
intent and meaning Congress making this approprn-
on That the with Mexico ought not to be prosecuted
by this government with any view to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT
OF that republic the acquisition by conquest OF any
portion of her territory: thai this government desi-
maintain and preserve peaceful and friendly rea-
ing republic of Mexico will always be ready to enter upon
negotiations with view terminate the present unhappy
conflict, which shall the just rights and
nvioae the national honor OF the United States
and of Mexico that il especially desirable in order
maintain and preserve those amicabe relations which
ought always exist between neighbong republics that
settled and that provision be made by the republic of Mex
for the prompt and equitable adjustment of the just