The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1848-05-19
Correspondence Of The N. o. Commercial Bull

tItVtJ
WASHINGTON, April 90, l848.
The Senate met to-day, only to receive the
Presidents message regarding Yucatan.
The message communicates the application
from the government of Yucatan, asking aid
the United States, for their defence
against the aggressions Of the Indians, and Of
in the event Of such aid being given, %
transfer the sovereignty of the country and its
incidents, to the United States. The President
presents the subject to the consideration Of
Congress, and states that the views of the true
policy of our Government were laid down by
Mr.. Monroe, in his message of 1923. While
we respect ALI present settlements Of foreign
powers, he insists that no new settlements
shall be made on the North American Cont
nent. He npprehends danger Of some such
settlement, in case we refuse to give our aid,
as it is probable that European nations will as
slst Yucatan, and thus establish u claim to
that country. While there will be great dan
ger in Withdrawing any of our troops from
Mexico, at this moment, he suggests that some
of the levies might be directed, SO as to give to
Yucatan the aid that she requires.
The President does not name the number o.
troops, nor present any detailed plan of opera
tons, in aid of Yucatan, but leaves it for
Congress to do what they deem proper in the
case. He does not ask for any authority, nor
does he state whether he has, in his opinion,
under the present laws, the authority to act, if
he had troops that he could employ for the pur-
pose. The message is accompanied by yolum-
inous documents, including all the letters of
Mr.. Sierra, The Yueatan commissioner, to Mr..
Buchanan, and which Mr.. B. has never an
swered, nor otherwise noticed, to this day.
Mr.. Hannegan moved to refer the message
and documents to the Committee Of Foreign
Affairs, and print the same. Pending this mo-
ton, MIR. Calhoun wished to say u few
words. ,
Mr.. Calhoun said he rose fer the purpose Of
expressing his deep regret that the President
should have thought to put this matter on any
other, than the high ground Of humanity. As
far as he had understood it, be argued that
under the principle laid down by Mr.. Monroe,
we we're not bound, whenever any part of
North America shout d be placed in such a sit
uation as Yucatan now is, to Interfere, and
send our troops for her protection. Where
this would lead US to, no one could tell. The
suggestion had so stunned him, that, before
the message was sent to the committee, he
thought it proper to strike it outat once, The
President proposed to occupy Yucatan with u
portion of our army destined for Mexico, I'M
der the apprehension that a foreign power
might take possession of the country. This
was a great question. Ir the present situation
Of Europe, neither England, nor any other ma
ton, was more likely to seize Yucatan, than
he himself was. These things were strange to
him. He had hoped that the Mexican war
that most precipate and rash measure--whlch
had cost the country above a hundred millions
of dollars, and the lives of thirty thousand
men, would have taught the administration
wisdom.
The condition Of the world ought to admon-
ish us all. Why was Europe at this moment
Keeling to its centre on account ofithe wanton
and monstrous extravaganza of its govern
ments! What were the complaints Of Eng
land? That her great war debt, instead ofbe-
ing diminished, had quadrupled. Have We la
bored to reduce our debt since l843? No, sir,
no. We have gone on IN our expenditures
with a recklessness, far, far beyond England,
France, or any other nation. During the eight
years. administration Of Mr.. Monroe, tho Gov-
eminent was administered at an average cost
Of less than ten millions, exclusive Of the pub
lie debt. During The last twenty-three years,
our population has doubled, and expenditures
are now equal to thirty millions a year. Our
Government costs us annually, nearly as much
as the whole war of 1912.
Yet we were about to venture into another
war. lie was willing to do much for humani-
ty; had il been put on that high broad ground
in the present calamitous condition Of Yuca'
tan, he would have been disposed to go far
very far. But it seemed to him as il this mes
sage was intended to drive off from the admin
~istration that portion Of this body which was
disposed to give it a liberal support. This af
fair Of Yucatan was an aw full lesson. The
government there had endeavorcd to elevate I
race which approaches to something like wha
we call slaves, and had given them equal right
and privileges with the white people. Thi
betrayed a great ignorance Of human nature
although it accorded well with the wild vaga