The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-10

States whether they prepared to take military posses
SION Of inls province, part OF Mexico and hold 10
ap Indefinite period after The war shall have ceased
| Mr.. HANNEGAN. The message says temporary
occupation"
Mr., CLAYTON. That is true. VIVA! does it mean
how long IS the occupation to last Why Just as long
as you please The gentleman does not propose any
limitation at all 10 the time during which this occupa
ton is 10 continue. The first question which meets me
and hlnk VIII meet others, is this how does this bill
consist with The treaty spnatons which we have recent
offered 10 Mexico desire to know from any of the gen.
eInen who support this BILL or who have minated de-
SIRE to support IT. how they do so consistently with
these treaty spulalions | suppose am at liberty to say
that we have offered boundary lire to Mexico and
pledged ourselves by treaty that il should be for
Now, iucatan is, the President says in his message
at this moment part of Mexico. We have never
recognised her independence. Like many OF the other
Mexican States, she has been occasionally state OF
revolution But there can be doubt that if treaty OF
peace should be finally made between this country and
Mexico Mexico would resume her empire that State
1t now Claimed by her. that she has relnqnlshed
her title to fuca,an and presume she never will relin
qush IT. Again. we have stipulated also, after declaring
that this shall be the boundary line between us and
MeXcO that after certain period shall withdraw
troops from every part of that republic Yet this bill pro.
poses without reference to the continuance of the war,
to take and hold military possession OF one of the most
Difference 10 the honorable chairman of the Committee
Foreign Relations that this bill violates the treaty in both
particuars-trs in reference to the line; and secondly,
in respect to our removal of the troops.
Again, it seems to me, that this is most unfortunate
time to make proposition for the military occupation OF
any portion OF Mexico fear the effect of it, 1t is said
that the Mexican Congress about to assemble at Que
rearo and we have strong hopes that that Congress will
ratfy the treaty between and Mexico Now, if at the
first moment after that Congress shall assemble, they
learn that there bill actually pending before the Con-
gress of the United States, which has passed one branch
of that Congress, whose provisions directly in conflict
with the solemn stpulations of the very treaty which
to take and hold one of their most important prov
incesl put 1t to honorable gentlemen, what will be the
opinion which that Congress will entertain of good
faith Will they not believe, notwithstanding all your
professions, that you are acting from principles of human
iy alone that your real object in making this whole
movement has been TO violate the treaty. to disregard its
provisions and that you now stand ready on the slight
est preext TO cast it to the winds, to acquire Mexi-
can territory?
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Maryland, Gin his seat) Then
there is the aruistce
Mr. CLAYTON Sir, as it is suggested, what are YOU
to do with the armisce' That is now in FORCE and, in
direct violation of it, you propose to send troops into
Mexico Why, this bill appears TO me to be SO plain a
violation OF the treaty, and the negotiations which have
been entered into between and Mexico, that trust ii
obtain the assent of the Senate of the United
States
Ia regard to those principles of humanity on which we
are called upon to act, am very willing to adopt the sug
gestion made by the President of the United Staes he
who ought to understand the subject and doubtless does
much better than dds OF opinion that by sending
portion of naval force, now in the Gulf, for
The relief OF these suffering people, their lives may
be saved without our being involved in war.
II.
What object to is, entering into with either the
Indians Creoles OF Yucaan, this any other time
we are to act on the great principles OF humanity de-
sire to know if we are not to have regard for the
health and lives of our own gallant soldiers, who after
having fought through of the most brilliant cam
pagns record in Mexico are now by this bill to be
sent away to Yucatan' apprehend that there is not
destructive climate in the world than that of Yucca
tan for our soldiers Our army is for the present. Mex
co Are we now, al the commencement of the summer
months to order the embarcaton OF any portion of that
army at Vera Cruz, any other point for Yucatan? or
are they TO be marched thther If you send them there
how many OF them destined to return to their native
Mr.. HANNEGAN. Tin his seat) The country around
Merida the capital OF Yucatan is represented being
MIR. CLAYTON. There are various representations
on that subject. 1t Is certainly said that the country
through which you approach Merida is extremely I'M
healthy Why before our army went to the Rio Grande
it was stated that the country there was very healthy
bur how many OF our most gallant counrymen persisted
on the banks of that pesental river. take it, that
The tropical climate OF Yucaan is still more destructive
While fully disposed to carry out the principles OF hui
manly IN reference to these Yucatecos desire the SEN
ate of the United States to have some regard for the
health and lives OF our own countrymen. Understand
that there are about fifty thousand of the white in
fucaan, and that nnetenths of the population consists
of Mexican Indians How many lives have been sacri-
heed IN this conflict know not, and have
OF ascertaning 1t has been said, and believe credi-
BILE authority that the Spanish is unable to raise an
army OF more than 1900 men. | suppose, then, that
we are Gale upon to send an equal NUMBER and that
these four hundred and fifty thousand Mexican Indians
can muster. do not know what may be the result of
that conflict should engage it, desire a little
more light before engage in such conflict. know
very well that we fought with whole army a few
thousand Indians in Florida for many years, at cost of
about forty millions of dollars And know, also, that
we have another fight with 10000 Cumanche warriors
on our hands, If the Mexican treaty be ratified Now,
do not desire too many fights hands at one time
Aware of the disposition and determination of my coun-
rymen, that If once they enter into fight with these
people, or any other, they never will until they
OF the senators of the United States desire to en-
ter upon this business with great caution. deprecate
preciptate action desire information to guide nv &C.
ton The principle OF Intervention in the affairs other
nations carried out in this bill, inconsistent with the
farewell admonons of the Father of his Country and
with the whole policy of the government under ear
er Presidents If we adopt now, it will react upon lis
at some future day.
do moi think that this is appropriate time for dis
cussng the question of the with Mexico That sub
ect has been already exhausted trust that no such
issue as that OF farther annexation of territory will be
brought INTO the coming presidential election trust that
such issue that shall ever again be presented TO the
American people. We have got into war, which my
friends on the other side well myself, regard as
having terminated gloriousy, far the success of
Our arms is concerned How much has cost u.s. we do
not know; and probably shall not ascertain for year
to come. We have acquired by that that which
many regard as absolute curse and others bless
ing Which of these opinions is the true one, rem aims
be decided But think, it is most unfortunate thing
to agate the country about annexation at this moments
and hope that my friends the other side do not in
tend anything of the kind. content myself with add
ing TO what have already said, that think this meas
in direct conflict with the treaty between this country
adopted, it will be most disastrous in its consequences
we do ANYTHING for the relief of Yucatan il shoud no