Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-01-13
Correspondence of the Indiana State Sentinel.

On the 10Th inst, Mr.. RICHARDSON, (democraD of
Illinois, offered in the u S. House of Representatives
the following resolutions:
ReSoiued That the existing war with Mexico vas
just and necessary part and has been prosecut
ed with the sole purpose Of indicating national
rights and honor, and of securing honorable peace.
Resolved That the rejection of our repeated
lures of peace leaves this government alternative
but the most vigorous prosecution OF the war IN such
manner, consistent with the law Of nations, as will
make the enemy feel all Its calamties and burdens
and until Mexico shall agree to Just and honorable
Deace, providing satisfactory indemnify in money
territory, for past INJURIES including the expenses of
the war.
Resolved That the amount of indemnity must ne
cessarily depend upon the obstinacy of the enemy,
and the duration of the war.
| Subsequently notice given that when it might
be in order 10 do so, the following would be offered,
as substitutes for these resolutions. viz:
BY Mr.. STEVENS, (whig) of Georgia
Whereas it is no less desirable that the interests
and honor of country should be cordially sustained
and defended SO long the present with Mexico
continues exist than that the conflict should not
be unnecessarily prolonged, but should be terminated
as soon as an honorable peace be obtained; and
whereas it is believed that diversity of opinion pre-
walls to considerable extent to the ultimate aims
and objects for which the war should be prosecuted;
and being proper that this matter should be settled
by the clear expression of the Legislative will, SOL
| EMMY proclaimed TO the world:
Be ii therefore resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives. of the United States an Congress
| Sembled, That the present war with Mexico should
not be waged prosecuted "with view 10 conquest"
either by the subjugation ACKNOWLEDGMENT of that
Republic
Be al therefore resolved By the authority aforesaid
That it is the desire Of the United States that HOSTILE
ties should be terminated upon terms honorable to
both parties, embracing mutual settlement OF the
questions growing out of the proper and rightfu
boundary of Texas, and full recognition and proper
provision her part TO be made for all the just claims
of citizens against that countryside whole to be
adjusted by negotiation, to be instituted and effected
according TO the constitutional forms Of each govern
ment respectively.
BY Mr.. BoTTs, (whig) of Virginia:
l. Resolred, That among the highest duties that
can devove upon the Representatives of the people is
the preservation of the national integrity strict OBJ
seryance of the limitations of the constitution and
firm resistance to Executive encroachment.
q RESOLVED, That any war which has for Its object
the acquisition of territory by conquest brings into
question the national character is violation of the
constitution Of the United States, in conflict with the
genius and spirit of Institutions and dangerous
to the perpetuity of the Union
3. ReSOlUed, That the in which we are now
engaged was not brought on by the act of Mexico.
A. Resolved, That the war with Mexico was brought
on by the unauthorized act of the President of the
United States in ordering the army under the COM
mand of General Taylor into territory then in posses
sion of the Mexican Republic.
3. ResolUed, That we have no right to claim indem-
nifty for the expenses of brought on by the ILL
advised and unprovoked act of our own public func-
tionaries.
g. ReS0lred That the honor of this nation does not
consist in exacting territory from Mexico, to which
have claim, and yielding to Great Britain terri
tory the title to which asserted to be "clear and
unquestonabe" and that TO evade the strong and pur-
the weak does not present the honor, courage or
greatness of our people in their true light
Z. RESOLVED, That to exact indemnity from Mexico
would devolve upon the necessity of making a
similar demand in all future wars, which would in
vOve us in intermnable conflict, or of surrenderng
a principle now insisted indispensable to the
} preservation Of our national HONOR
g. ReS0lred, That no new territory can be annexed
the United States by virtue of the war, without
involving the agitation of domestic difficulties, beget
ting sectional annosities, and weakening the ties
that connect together.
9. Resolred That if the conquest of territory be
not the object of the war; we perceive no good
reason for continuing troops the heart of the
enemys country, by which their lives are unnecessa-
rily exposed and our resources uselessly expended
TO- ReSOlred, That u conquering nation has nothing
to apprehend from exhibition of magnanimity and
generosity to a defeated foe; and that victorious
army may retire from the pursuit OF carnage and
slaughter without mourning the imputatlon OF retreat
ing from the scattered and discomftted forces of the
enemy.
: H. RESOLVED, That the most efficient if not only
means of restoring a speedy and honorable peace
e would be, under proper preliminary arrangements
to withdraw troops, already covered with glory
and sureited with success, to the true and Legitimate
boundary of Texasat the time of its annexation to
the United States.
u Resolusd That our institutions, founded on the
rights of man, repudate the doctrine that " might
makes right the freebooters plea and the pirates
law; and so long as we offer an asylum to the
suit of happiness among the inalienable rights Of
men, we cannot insist upon the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF an
y empire as the price of peace.
ID. ReSored That IT, upon the restoration OF peace
the necessities of our shall require harbo
in any part of the Mexican territory in California
we are able and should be willing to pay therefor, al
b would become a great and an honest people.
IA. ReSored, That if it shall be determined by the
people, through their Representatives, that this wal
shall be further prosecuted in Mexico it then becomes
the duty Of all parties protect national flag ant
brave army by furnishing all needful supplies OF mer
It and money to carry it on with vigor and effect
e By Mr.. RICHARD W. THOMPSON, of Indiana:
u BE At resolved by the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentaires of the United States an Congress assem-
bled That in the opinion of Congress- the Presiden
n of the United States should forthwith cause TO b
communicated to the Government of Mexico tina
3 peace may be Immediately established between thu
two countries upon the following terms, to-wit
u FIRST That the boundary line between the United
States and Mexico shall be follows, to-wit begin
e ming at the Gulf of Mexico, near the mouth of tn
Rio Nueces, and running thence northwest, with IN
course of said Rio Nueces, to include all thu
Texan settlements south and west OF said river, made