Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1847-02-17
From The Baltimore american.

ABSTRACT OF Mr.. CALHoUNs SPEECH,
On the 100000 Bill. in the U. S. Senate.
The three million bill was then taken
up. and Mr.. Calhoun commenced his re-
marks. He said that never since our
country has been upon the stage Of attiou
have we been placed ina more critical
position. We were'in the midst Of a war
and there was also question of great do
mesric inquietude. He hoped there would
be The fullest discussion upon both topics
before the close Of The session, short as il
was. The important question was how
should this war be prosecuted =! There
were two ways-the one 10 push on in
the hostile country, and The other 10 take
. defensive Posi,iou.-Which was the
bcsl
MIR. e. said it was a grave question,
and one 10 which:he had given his most
deliberate attention. His judgment was
that the defensive position was the best,
the best 10 bring the war to certain
aud successful eud. This would result
in most economy, and most honor. lfhe
rightfully understood the objects of the
war this was consistent. The causes for
which this war was commenced were
three -
To repeI invasion.
To establish The Rio Grande as boun-
Diary.
10 secure indemnity due to our citizens.
The Two first were first considered.
The President did not ask Congress to
declare war. He asked Congress to re-
coenise the existence of The war, and he
assumed that there was invasion because
the Mexicans had crossed the Rio del
Norte.
The President and Congress had re-
sarded The primary objects Of the war the
establishment Of Boundary. Congress
has avowed no other Chjec, than This.
Being in the war, however, it was rec.
mcnded that i, be prosecuted for the
payment our claims. The two objects Of
the war had been Observation-Disclosures
replied, The Rio Grande secured, and we
could safely acl upon The defensive.
Mr.. Calhoun went on 10 state what the
character of this defence should be. II
oush, to be near our supp!ies-iu proximi-
ly to our country, convenient, &c. 10
wards Mexico we ought to be most liberal,
not only because she was our neighbor
aud sister republic, but great power
upon our Continent. More than this,
Mexico was one of The greatest problems
connected with our foreign relations
There was a mysterious connection be-
tween her and US. She was as forbidden
fruit. The day of her death would DO
almost the end of our political existence.
Her independence, her capacity, her
greatness, should be esteemed by US as
next in importance to our own.
Mr.. Calhoun defined what he thought
good boundary defence. Beginning at
the mouth of Del Norte, continue 10 Pass
del Nnrte. and then due west to the Gulf
of C California, and it would strike the head
of The Gull.
This he would defend. 1t would give
US The Rio Grande from its mouth TO its
source, and he had consulted military men
who said that three forts aud four regi-
ments would be suiicien, for all purposes,
as follows:
One fort at the mouth Of the Del Norle.
Que near Camargo.
One at Pass del Norte.
From the waters which seperate the
Del Nor,e from entering the Gulf Of Cal
ifnrnia one more might be placed.
Hence FIVE regiments and small Ma.
val Peace establishment, could successful
" defend lre boundary.
This country was Of little importance
to Mexico, but Of great importance to US.
# had only 100000 people, and these
were spread over 100000 squares miles.
An open uninhabiled country was the
best for US; we wanled space for our pop
ulation which doubled once in twenty
three years. Itwould be eighty millions
in forly-six years. This country tNew
Mexico) was remote from Mexico, farther
from her than from Washington. FoT
The first time the savages were making
grea, inroads upon the Europeans. This
waa no, because the Spaniards were not