Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-02-19

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tive He answered precisely asI supposed he bourd
answer for the purpose of bringing these answers
hat submitted these inquiries, in which he regard
ed going beyond the due parliamentary license My object
indeed was to press gentlemen, and that gentleman pa
cua because he stood the head Of that committee and s
supposed to know the policy Of the Administration on ques-
non 50 important as the present He answered, then, in
substance as supposed he obliged answer that they
could not take treaty from any existing Government or any
faction which might arise if security for future peace was
conceded And when the question was further pressed the
distinguished gentleman, Wha do you mean by secuty
he replied that his attention had been directed by the reso
tons of the gentleman from Indiana to the Siene Madre as
proper boundary; but he did not limit his security that
line. He on speak of the right of the conoueror
when the Government OF the conquered nation was unset
edwhen anarchy took the place of ode and the people
urbulento hold possession of the conquered country
security for future peace and he referred the case Of
the Allied Powers who had kept military occupation France
for twevemonh security for the maintenance the peace
which they had concluded with the new Government. !
Well, these of the honorable gentleman are per-
fecty natural RATIONAL and consistent with the policy Of the
Administration, understand it. military occupation Of
the interior OF the country to extent contemplated
by the admission Of the Senator What portion Of the coun
try be occupied and how long the occupation is To con-
tnue are, the distinguished gentleman sad things which
he could not point out they to be governed
cessaly by contingencies. shall hereafter show that this is
policy from which they extrcae themselves but
by holding the country by right Of conquest unless they aba
don all that they have donepach the best treaty they
with the present Government and under the wings of it flee
the country. One word though Of place. answer to
the Of the honorable chairman of the Committee on
Military Affairs that Generol Scott estimates thousand
five hundred proper force to be stationed in the city Of
Mexico. have SEEM sir the letter of General Scott
which said contain these estimates but imagine
that such force that point would be all except
corps de army Of observation, employed,
in the support of other divisions Of the engaged hold
ing the neghbong States My estimate Of sufficient pars
rison for the city of Mexico founded upon the idea that
all the strongho and adjoining and populous States would
be first subdued and occupied by adequate force cannot
believe that General Scott under the circumstances had sup
posed would consider army Of thousand five hun
ded necessary TO hold city, large is which he captured
with force reduced to six thousand and when defended by
force three or four times that the enemy
had neither army resources
now propose to my argument at the point NJ
which had arrived when the Senate did me the favor to adj
ounhe policy of the Government exhibited in the orders of
General Scott In carrying out the plan Of raising revenue
in Mexico.
In further support of the views presented on Yesterday
might have alluded TO some parts of the argument Of the gal
liant and distinguished Senator from Mississippi Mr DAVIS
who spoke several times incidental points in this debate
remember-I do not him in his now but trus,
do not msrepreen himthat he pressed with earnest
ness and in all when he has addressed the Senate
addressing himself TO the feelings well the judgment Of
Senator'S the argument that the passage this bill was nece
ay to relieve brokendown remnants Of regiments that had
fought through several sangnnary actions with the
enemy; regiments which had been reduced from eight hum
dred or thousand men TO two three hundred But what
particularly remarked his argument favor of regulars
instead OF volunteers He said that however valuable vou
teers might be in action when army was in notion that
there comparison between their value in protracted
military occupation like this and regular soldiers And as
understood him. he considered that would be chiefly gan
duty which the army would hereafter be called in NeY
ico-the holding of the conquered towns and fortresses
noticed this and bring the attention of the Senate for the
purpose of showing that the of the generally
on the other side tends support the views which have a
vanced Not only II the policy of the Administration not
to make treaty with the existing Government because they
cannot obtain the security which they demand but it is
continue the military occupation of the country.
Mr. DAVIS, of Mississippi explained He said that his
upon the subject of military posts and the chaac
ter Of troops suited to the service Of permanent gasons
made with no such purpose the Senator suppose
he contended that reguas be preferred for the
then offered fix the limit Of territorial acquisi
lion, still less to interfere with the political institutions of Mex
lco The occupation of military lines recommended itself to
him, not mode of permanent possession but as means
to hasten peace He believed President Herrera sustained by
the new Congress- competent suppress the acous oppos
ton to negotiation and with such Government we ought
treat and he devouty prayed that might treat even be-
fore the honorable Senator shall have concluded his remarks
Mr. BELL unite heartily in the prayer Of the Senator
that have In regard his remarks have only
TO say that there may have been stated yesterday
dhed policy adopted and which would be consistent with
the line of the Sierra Madre security which thew
want But think this last new construction assumed
by the distinguished Senator from Mississippi one sasac
tory to him.
Mr. DAVIS Assumed last November a year ago.
Mr. BELL. He is consistent Can he answer for other
honorable Senatofor the Administration Of this Govern
ment For the power which has greater influence than he
the Senate unless choose the united voice of the
two Houses to control Can he answer that he has the
concurrence Of onethd Of this body of those on
his side Of the chamber What security will such line
give for peace The why they did retire line
twelve months that they had treaty, peace
They wanted to peace.
Mr. DOWNS. ask the Senator what line he would be
willing to accept
Mr. BELL. do not any discourtesy, but beg to
inform the Senator that before close my remarks will
my views upon that point My argument intended de-
monstrate that the Administration already carving out their
policy Of holding the country by military occupation until
Government may be formed matued and strengthened
such degree of consistency that il will be able give the
securities demanded Imay be wrong, however, Individual
Senators the other side Of the chamber very obvious,
are not united in sentiment upon this subject Some distin-
guhed Senators who have spoken differ with the Admins
aton look at what is said in the message and among
themselves And may say, looking at the immense magn-
ude OF the question, honorable gentlemen may well differ It
is fearful question in some Of its aspects.
Assuming do and think upon the strongest ground,
that the military occupation Of Mexico be continued until
such shall be established shall afford the de-
sired security, propose inquire whether the undertaking
be practicable. ask the attention Of the Senate the state
men OF few prominent facts in relation the character and
condition of the Mexican population, collected from the best
sources of information within my reach
know distinguished Senator Mr. BENToS) who is far
better informed than upon this subject and whose udg
ment would be entitled to far greater weight Il my for
tune, many years ago. listen argument Of that SEN
ator, before different tribunal in which his familiar and
ensve knowledge Of the Spanish character, their colonial
policy then laws and institutions, manifest He knows
well the materials which exist in Mexico for forming
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