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

vention of European powers in the affairs of the North
American continent do not think that that principle is
involved in this question We are at war with Mexico
Yucatan is recognised part of Mexico; standing
NEUTRAL 1t is true, through the greater part OF the war
but one occasion throwing off her neutrality, and
the United States. Beng thus part Of Mexico, The
Mexican war covers Yucaan. The President requires
no than sufficient force to enable him to prosecute
his military operations IN Yucaan elsewhere, to
hum from the necessity of applying to Congress for any
action at all Ii is well known that response to his APP
pcalion for an increase of the army has been long de-
ayed The measure has been long discussed in this
body, and il remains to be how long action upon it
may be deferred in the other branch of Congress In
these circumstances urgent demand for the presence
OF American troops lucaan arises and the President
calls upon Congress to give him the means to carry out
what was his plain duty the chief officer of the execu
tive government portion of that country against
which we made war; and rendered especially helpless BY
our act oil invasion, calls to in of deep suffer
ing for aid That is the ground upon which put this
question. This measure is incident of the Mexican
war; which past legislation has ratified
The President only asks for troops to enable him to
carry out an object entirely consistent with the prosecu
ton OF the war against Mexico 1t is that he al
ludes to the present condition of Yucaan in connection
with Great Britain. This is announcement We
have Great Britain after year extending her
val stations until BY line OF circmv valuation she almost
graphic distances from the banks of the Bahamas the
Belize And certainly we may be jealous of any attempt
on her part to seize cape which actually commands the
man OF the Committee on Foreign Relations has appro-
praey connected with this the question of the posses
sion OF Cuba Yucatan and Cuba are the salient points
commanding the gulf OF Mexico which | hold to be a
basin of water belonging to the United States When
ever the question arises whether the United States shall
seize these gates OF entrance from the south and east
allow them to pass into the possession of any maritime
power am ready for one, to declare that my step will be
forward and that the cape of Yucatan and the island OF
Mr.. CLAYTON. Suppose there shosd be negro in
surrection Cuba and that from motives of humanity
Great Britain should interfere and take military posses
sion OF that island, IL which about to
make precedent would The honorable senator hesitate
to go to war?
Mr.. DAVIS Not moment!
Mr.. CLAYTON. 1t is the answer that | expected.
Mr.. DAVIS. have no confidence in the humanity of
Great Brain-the great slave-trader of the world. If
she should Interfere, on any preext, in the affairs OF
as proper occasion to interfere Great Britain has al
ready attempted, under pretext of establishing hospi
tai on the island of Cuba in connection with her slave
ships, to build up Gibraltar overlook the Spanish
Moro Castle and if the government of Cuba had yielded
to that demand, the weak of Spain not denying it,
would have considere. it demanding the immediate
interference of the United States The very necessity of
defending the United States requires that should take
whatever steps should be necessary always to secure
the freedom OF the great point of exit and entrance
large portion of the American coast But understand
the question of the senator making the interference
OF Great Britain in the affairs OF Cuba parallel case with
Mr. CLAYTON put that case to show the senator
the effect of his own declaration.
MIR. DAVIS. saw the conclusion, and was prepared
Mr.. CLAYTON. 1t is foregone conclusion
MIR. DAVIS. II we were not at with Mexico and
war OF castles had sprung up in Yucaan, in which
had right belligerent power to interiors; however
might have been panied in beholdng the spectacle
should have viewed as did the Of Guatemala in
which the Indian race rumphed, and established,
Guatemala had before If such were the case at
present. would stand quietly by and let the people de-
eide which race should rule them But place this
of Yucatan solely on the ground of the Mexican war
nave not yet seen any convincing proof that Great Brit
ain has interered She has been asked to send some
troops and believe has sent three companies of artl-
Mr. CLAYTON. Is there not an armistce now ex-
istng
Mr. DAVIS, That originally constituted difficulty
with me- which, by best calculated to construe it.
has been removed and does not nerpose any obsa-
Gle to my action. am not appriZed at what date that
amstice express butt think it will to end be-
lore we can possibly get troops to Yucatan Again that
armstice points directly to the fact, that posts
to be taken in Mexico, except on account of move
m nas on the part OF Msxeo Here is movement the
OF factions all Mexico 1t may be for the purpose
OF interfering with the progress of the American army
the conclusion of the treaty Is the senator from Della
ware prepared to say il is not
DO not rely upon the argument of the honorable SEN
tor-the chairman OF the Committee on Foreign Rela-
onsbased upon the fact that these Indians have been
furnished with arms bearing the Tower mask 1t does
not follow, from that fact that these arms were furnish.
ed by Great Britain Caesar. Frederick and Napoleon
the three greatest generalshave demonstrated that ce
lerity of movement is the great groundwork of military
success Great britain, aware of the value of the
I'M has been constantly reducing the weight of her arms
The Tower muskets have been condemned and sold as
unfit for service. However, they found all over the
South American States
Mr. HANNEGAN. Has not Great Britain established
a great depot OF arms at the Belize
Mr. DAVIS. Certainly, am aware of that fact If
she was sending muskets there, however, she would
send them from her own amories, and of the present
standard Those Tower muskets were also found in the
hands OF the Mexlcans having been purchased by those
who could obtain only cheap arms, or had less skill in
the OF them. Great Britain may be interfering in the
affairs OF iucatan, but am not prepared TO jump to that
CONCLUSION Like ourselves, she might only be answering
the call of humanity; she may be nsdiously amng
the Indians But whether it be the the other it is
to my argument take the ground, that as
we are at war with Mexico, we have right to establish
posts any part of Mexico if it be necessary to the prose
cution of that war; and if Great Britain steps in when
we have Frustrated the Mexican government to take ad
vantage OF the condition of affairs and seize Yucatan we
We may take up positions within that territory; and
with the highest motives of humanity and policy, assert
right to exclude any other power from Mexico, or
any portion OF her territory, in the present PROSTATE con-
diton to which she has been reduced by u.s. In nv
Judgment therefore, the President has placed the ques
ton on the true ground
rise to offer an amendment to the BILL upon The ground
simply OF the urgent demand which exists for the imme
date increase OF the army, and give power to the Pres
dent to call troops to supply the place of those with
drawn from the army for the purpose of holding posts in
Yucatan With these Introductory remarks beg to offer
my amendment.
The amendment, which is as follows, and is a subs-
tute for the whole bill, was then read
Be ii enacted, &c, That the President be- and he is
hereby authorized and empowered to accept the services
OF an equal number OF troops supply the place
OF such be frnn, duty.