The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-14


passed July 4th 1886, with amendment
read, and committed
Mr. FREEDLEY, from the same committee, submitted
Hampton the heirs of David Jewett Ruth LOOMS, Phile
ma Phelps, and Thankful Penly and John Sutherland
laid on The table, and ordered 10 be printed
Mr. PRESTON, from the Joint Committee on the LII
brary, reported the following resolutions which was
agreed to;
ResOtred. That 10000 copies each Of the three maps
drawn by Capt Mcclellan, from actual surveys by MIN
self others the typographical of the battles OF
Mexico and of Cero Godo and of the operations at era
Cruz be printed for the use OF this House. OF which 900
copies shall be on drawing paper and 5000 good thin
map paper; and that the Committee on Engraving De al
rected TO contract foc the
Mr. w. T. LAWRENCE, from the Committee on In
valid Pensions, reported bill for the relief OF Cad Ihack-
er read twice, and committed
COLLECTION DISTRICT NEW ORLEANS
On motion OF Mr. THIBoDEAUX, the House proceed
ed to the consideration of the special order OF the day,
being the bill relating to the collection district OF New
Orleans, and for other purposes"
Mr. L. said il his intention to discuss the mer-
its OF this bill at any length Its provisions were rather
of local than of general nature and more Immediate
affected the commercial interests OF New Orleans, than
those OF the country at large The Committee on Com
merce 10 whom the bill referred, had reported unan
mousy in its favor and the Legislature OF the State OF
Louisiana be considered good authority in this
matter by the members of this House, then here. there
would be opposition to It's provisions; Tor the House
OF Representatives of that State had recently passed. by
vote of 81 to 49, resolution recommending the extern
sion of the port Of New Oreans as to include La Fay
senng voices Sir (said Mr. T., the city OF New Or
leans has, within few years, filled her entire upper cor
porate limit and has united with La Fayee, the centre
OF street being the only boundary between them, though
they under different municipal authorizes but for all
purposes OF trade and commerce, New Orleans and La
Fayette and the same city
AS established by law, the port OF New Orleans
is limited the upper side by the city OF La Fayette
with its elbuilt streets and its population of 10000
souls while the lower part OF the port where the spread
of Improvement and population has been less includes
lumber-yards, mills, kitchen gardens and other
suburban establishments, and vessels are there but sell
dom seen; whereas, the wharves OF the upper part are
constantly crowded with craft of every description Thus
the actual port limited the one side, so az to eX
cude from the benefit of custom house regulations
very large portion of its inhabitants, who are among the
most deeply interested in its commercial prosperity The
eXigences OF commerce mperatively demand the extern
sion of the port of New Orleans proposed by the bill
under considerations and, far have been able to
ascertain the opposition to the is based more
upon merely local considerations than upon any crcum
stances affecting its expedency and necessity as matter
OF general interest and utility.
The bill then ordered to be engrossed was read
third time, and passed
sLIDELL's INSTRUCTIONS.
On motion of Mr. STEPHENS, the House proceeded
to the consideration of the business upon the Speaker
table; the first business being the message OF the Pres
dent Of the United States declining communicate the
instructions to Mr.. Sde in relation to his mission to
Mexico. The question pending being upon motion to
refer the said message to the Committee OF the Whole
the state of the Union
Mr. TOMPKINS spoke at length on the subject. His
former remarks, he said, had brought storm on his
den and Sydney, and Hancocks and HenIys-al who
had dared to advocate the rights of the peope-had in
their turn become the target of abuse and denunciaon
ness and fairness of the arguments brought for
ward in this House in support of the taken by the
President He had shown that no advantages could
into Mexico. He had shown that Herrera's government
in favor of peace, and he would maintain that the
embarrassments heaped upon Herreras government by
drain crafiA hra,l Io
produced documents in illustration and support of his
views He referred to Mr. Markss letter, upon which
Gen Taylor had acted, and which clearly showed tina,
Mexico was anxious to avoid collision. He entered
into view of Gen. Taylors various letters in regard 10
the policy OF taking position on the Rio Grandeshow
ing that collision could have been avoided. The let
ter oil Mr. Black, the American consul at the city OF
Mexico, OF 18th October, also showed, as he conended
that the Mexican government was anxious to settle all
existing differences with the United States 1t was
ready to open negotiations, and advised that great
obstacle to the adjustment of difficulties would be
nterposed by the appointment of any person against
whom the popular pejudces might be excited None OF
these suggestions attended to by the United States
government and everything was done that could embar-
rass the Mexican government They disposed to re-
voy was sent contrary to their wishes man by the
OF Parrot who was exceedingly Objectionable to the
Mexicans, sent there Mr.. Black had informed this
government that if that sent 10 Mexico, it would
put an end to any hope of adjustment But notwth
standing that advice, MIR. Parrot nominated az
secretary OF legation and the objections to him were
Wltnnelu from the Oenate. AN artlCe In the lead
ing official paper of Mexico, denouncing Mr.. Parrot
as a fraudulent claimant on the Mexican government
was communicated by Mr.. Black to our government
together with the urgent request from the Mexican
government that such Objectionable person be sent But
administration told Mexico that she should receive
an envoy, and insisted also that she should receive
person who was extremely objectionable to her Her.
rera thus prevented from adjusting the pending diff.
cutes, and the government of Paroles overthrown
by the plot between the President and Santa Anna
The consequence was that the best blood of our country
had been poured out in an unnecessary war.
Mr. T. commented on aprinted speech of member from
Indiana, (r Henley which, he said gave evidence OF
the speech of the gentleman from Virginia, (Mr BEDIN
GER,) and others, who had spoken on this subject.
Mr.. STANTON now obtaining the floor, and speaking
from the Clerks DESK remarked opening, that twould
from the range Of this debate that every subject and
event connected with the history of the present admins
aton was under consideration 1t was not his purpose
to reply particularly to the arguments OF the gentleman
preceding him. He proposed rather to advance some
general views touching the responsibility belonging to
the two parties which divide the country upon the sub
ect of the Mexican war and in doing so, it would come
within the scope of his remarks to defend the
the President and TO vindcate the principle asserted in
the message under discussion.
The treaty of peace with Mexico which has been sub
mitted to the Senate and ratified by that body, had no
yet been ratified the part of Mexico, and we could
not be that would be- Peace yet by no means
certain; and, therefore, every question which would
have been legitimate subject of discussion without the
treaty. may still be very properly brought forward and
considered.
In discussing the Presidents refusal to communicate
the Sldei instructions, the gentleman from Mississippi
had branded him with an unjusti6able usurpation of
power. to which Mr.. s. would reply There was
nothing In the constitution requiring the President
pond to the call OF the House of the 4th of January fol
m oIz~ -