Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-01-18
To the Editors of The Enquirer.


|
Many we'll informed men here think there j.
strong probability Of peace with Mexico in Z
very short lime-some lhiuk that special mes
| senger is on his way now with the Mexican pro
positions as basis OF treaty; but many AGAR
| are under The impression that The course pursue,
| by the Wings in the House relative TO the war
and censurng the Executive in relation thereto
will have decided influence with the Mexican:
in endeavoring 10 procraslinate the war until al:
| ter another Presidential election, with hope
that if the peace party should come into power
much more favorable terms will be granted The
Mexicans in the consummation Of any treaty with
the United States And This impression will be
greatly strengthened by The course which The
Wings will pursue upon The bill 10 raise add.
lional troops. They will procrasinae the discus.
sion as long as possible upon the bill, and, in all
probability amend it by refusing to raise any ad-
ditional Regulars. but all Volunteers. This will
spin out The season 10 such an extent lha! the
troops cannot be raised in lime 10 get 10 the seat
Of war before The sickly season, which will give
The Mexicans great encouragement, as they will
thus most clearly see, that they have party in
This country, who il moi exactly allies and aux
iliaries, are acting measurably in concert with
them, and cause them 10 make such propositions
for pea &c as they viii, ,eAfht"t YJrse w'ru1d
pass the bill as il is sent from The Senate, and let
war a, once, The Mexcans would see that all par
ties here were for peace or for vigorous prose-
cution of the war. The paliry excuse for not rais-
ing the Regulars Chat the President wants the
patronage OF appointing the officers is unworthy
of consideration, when il is remembered that
there were more Wings Than Democrats appoint
ed in the ten regiments; and 10 one will pretend
that the Regulars will cost more than The volun-
teers.
The House by decided majority, and without
distinction If party, sustained the Postmaster Ge-
neral in reference 10 the mail with The railroad.
1, was not the small sum involved which was
taken into consideration, but it was The great
principle OF sustaining firm and honest officer
10 dischargins his duty whilst enforcing the laws
II the law had been violated to permit this Rail-
road Company TO exlorlion upon The Government,
an unfortunate and disgraceful precedent would
have been established. Mr.. Meade OF Virginia
distinguished himself in the matter. He is des.
lined 10 be conspicuous-his talents will enable
HIM to shine in the House.
Among the many able reports which have
emapated from the members Of The Cabinet, and
heads of Bureaus, not one is superior 10 that oil
The Commissioned of Indian Affairs. No better
selection could possibly have been made, as
Commissioner, than Colonel Medili. He was
distinguished as a lawyer in Ohio, and, upon
being elected 10 the Legislature, ne was made
Speaker, his first session, which was an extIaor'
dinary honor, and evinced his standing and weight
of character. He then served in Congress eight
wears. retired. resumed his practice, and, upon
coming into Office, the President made him Assis
Tan, Postmaster General-and when Judge CraW'
ford was appointed, Colonel Medill look his
place as Commissioner of the Indian Bureau
He at once exercised his fine judgment and eIea
energy of character, in correcting the abuses and
corr1ptions to which the poor Indians were sub
iect He divided his department into divisions
placed an efficient head TO each, and coDmenced
rigid investigation under this complete system
into all the frauds which had been carried on for
years by the traders, TO the great injury and lnJus
lice of The ignorant Indians; and, al his recon-
mendation, (indee1 he drew The bill0 law was
passed by which the traders were prevented far
Their indulgence in their disgraceful swindlins
and this poor race, who seem TO be abandoned
both by God and man, are protected from the
swindler, and placed on more comfortable loot
ing. The report gives all the details, displays a
mind of the finest order, and is we'll worth read
ing, and shows TO any philanlhropic mind that il
would be something greatly 10 be deploIed, parii
cularly for the poor Indian, should Colonel Me
din and his chief Clerk, Mr.. Cocran, who was
formerly chief Clerk in The War Department
over be removed, under any Administration, from
the charge of the Indians, as no other Two met
could be found So entirely conversanl with Ihei
affairs and the best mode oil protecting Them:
"AN' JACKSON.