Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-05-13
Mr. HANNEGAN. Has not Great Britain established

Mr.. HANNEGAN. Has not Great Britain established a
great depot Of arms at the Belize
Mr. DAVIS. Certainly; am aware Of that fact II she
was sending muskes there, however, she would send them
from her armoe and Of the present standard Those
Tower muskets also found in the hands Mexicans
having been purchased by those who could obtain only cheap
arms or bad less skill in the Of them. Great Britain may
be interfering IN the affairs Of Yucaan but prepared
70 jump to that conclusion. Like ourselves she might only
be Answering the call Of humanity she may be insdiousy
armlng the Indians But whether il be the the other
II 10 mmaenai 10 my argument take the ground that,
with Mexico we have right 10 establish poss
in any part Of Mexico be necessary 10 the prosecution of
that war and II Great Britain steps in when we have pros
ated the Mexican Government advantage of the can
don Of affairs and seize Yucaan we have the cbt 10 inter-
pose. We the beligeent Power we may take M po
ons within that territory and with the highest motives Of
humanity and policy assert our right TO exclude any other
Power from Mexico any portion OF her territory in the
present PROSTATE condition which she been reduced by
In my Judgment therefore, the President has placed the
question on the true ground.
rise 10 offer amendment TO the BILL upon the ground
simply Of the urgent demand which exists for the immediate
increase Of the army, and 10 give power the President to
call out troops TO supply the place of those Withdrawn from
the army for the purpose Of holding posts Yucaan With
these Introductory remarks, beg to offer my amendment
The amendment which is follows, and is substitute
for the whole bill, then read
Bel enacted sc. That the President Of the United States
be and he hereby authorized and empowered accept
services OF equal number OF volunteer troops supply the
place OF such may be withdrawn from their present
duty the exigent demand for the immediate pre-
of portion of army Yucatan Prouided Their
services shall be required the same be raised for service
Ss agresan s q
Mr. UPHAM. | would ask if the President has not the
right now TO increase the to the extent Of twelve thou
sand volunteers
Mr. DAVIS. The President was authorized TO call out
certain number of volunteers by regiments These regiments
called They have wasted away the service and
would take perhaps the number named to l up the ranks
of regiments already existing in the volunteer service but the
only way which that be done by recruiting and
cung for volunteer regiments has been found 10 be diff
cult that looks Of inceasnghe army
The Senator from Delaware, may remark before
my seat represents Yucatan sicky country and speaks
Of the suerngs Of troops Mexico Now, do not be-
eve that the interior either Of Yucatan of Mexico is sick
y but when new troops sent TO tropical climate in the
summer exposed to the ncIemences Of camp life and
put upon soldiers fare, they liable to contract disease
partly in consequences Of their Of knowledge Of the pro-
per mode Of encampmen and of the best Of protecting
themselves Hence the necessity for sending into
try troops that have had experience and nsendng
fresh volunteers they should be mingled for with troops
that have been in SERVICE from whom they learn all the
necessary of taking of themselves in climate.
MI. CRITTENDEN. It appears to me that the amend
ment Of the honorable Senator from Mississippi entirely changes
the character Of this BILL and that simply proposition
increase the military force employed in the with Mexico
In that point Of view there is occasion for this
whatever. My honorable friend from Michigan (M CAss)
has been aboously marching forward-slowly acknowl
edge, but not the less digenyfor the last months
the head Of his twenty thousand miiamen They are int
Decd pretty well advanced and every day the word ha
for introducing this special bill for the purpose of making
uncertain and indefinite augmentation Of the army instead
taking the bill which has already been proposed providing for
army commensurate with all the exgencies Of the war
The amendment makes this bill nothing than provision
for the general purposes and exgences of the war; according
to the discretion of the Executive who has the management
and control of i-nothng more The twenty thousand vol
unteer bill has the purpose for its object Why, then,
introduce another to effect the object If there
be any exgency demanding the augmentation of the
twenty thousand volunteers have only to amend that bill
L.C~-~
has peculiar and especial object and purpose which have
been explained by the honorable chairman Of the
mttee and by the message Of the President Of the United
States. My friends amendment loose the bill from the
object Of the President altogether The object Of the Pres
dent to unhappy people overwhelmed by savage
foe. That is his object But the amendment proposes
increase the to give to the President force aae
quate TO effect the military occupation of the country
measure in with Mexico But, SIR, may have,
and trust that ut this day have treaty ratified which is
to give peace TO this country and Mexico What them be-
Of the message Of the President and the object of this
bill, if you this warfare in Yucaan merely Incl
dental with your in Mexico If the with Mexico is
terminated by treaty Of peace the incident along with
III and you do not interfere at ALL The amendment Of the
gentleman has for its object the following up Of purposes Of
and the abandonment Of the purposes Of peace and pre-
servaton proposed by the message under consideration.
the exgences Of this war the interests honor Of this
country require it prepared to vote for any additional
number Of that may be necessary for the general purposes
Of the But this particular MEASURE and this par
uclar object proposed by the President that IL
SUBJECT 10 great tine avest character
This nerposon in Yucaian proposed by the President
part and parcel Of the Mexican for the Mexican
has for its object the prosaon Of enemy and Yucatan
he says portion of Mexico and therefore enemy So
far from having any destructive purpose Of war; the
proposed has for its object purposes Of preservation and charity
IL Is in that point of view that be subject
very grave objections. II somewhat surprising to me
that has not been thought necessary accompany this
tany extraordinary proposition with official copy Of the
armce lately made between the forces Of the United States
and those Of Mexican amsce extending and teyond
Yucaan hear differences Of opinion expressed among gem
temen how far the proposed might be consistent
with the armistice cannot conceivethough have not
lately copy Of that amsce having off
cia copy Of that il would be by any possibility
with to give to either party the privilege Of extending ITSELF
or making additional preparations for That not the
object Of an armsice Can IL be possibly supposed that
under the terms Of this amisce, could extend militia
ry occupation all Mexico, No. And can scarcely
conceive Of construction Of any astce which could allow
MS TO take military possession Of province OF the enemy not
in possession when the armslice made.
Mr. DAVIS, Of Mississippi beg to call the attention of
the Senator the fact that there express provision In
the armsce that in the Of any military be-
ing made had the right send troops to counteract
them.
Mr.. CRrTTENDEN. suppose il may be fairly inferred
that that provision had reference only to such military opera
tions supposed TO be hostile to US.
Mr.. DAVIS Of Mississippi, Tin his seat Yes, have
no doubt such the understanding OF the provision.
Mr. CRITTENDEN. Let be recollected that this civil