The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-01-29

the honorable Chairman of the Committee says
that one OF them-Gen. Scott-did, sometime
during the last year, write a letter recommend
ing that In certain event, the military esiab-
lishment in Mexico should be increased to So
900 men! Will the honorable Senator tell me
the date Of the letter1
| Mr.. CAss.-It was written after the arrival Of
the writer in Mexico, but how long after,
do not know.
Mr.. CLAYToN.-Aftsr the capture Of the city
Mr.. CAss.-Certainly; he distinctly alludes "a
that event.
Mr.. CLAYroS.-Itw was written, then, AFTER the
capture Of the city Of Mexico. There Is no in
telligence, as / understand, from Gen. Taylor
that any additional forces were requisite. Am
| right in the conjecturel
Mr.. CAss-What did the honorable Senator
ask
Mr.. CLArToS.-Did Gen. Taylor on any oc-
casion recommend such an addition to the mill
tary forcel
Mr.. CAST understand the Senator Is in
curing whsther Gen. Taylor had made the
same Recommendation as Gen. Scott. have
told all know about the recommendation OF
Cen. Scott, and do not know whether Gen.
Taylor made similar Recommendation.
Mr.. CLAYTOs.-There is nothing, then, from
Gen. Taylor. He has made no recommended
t-oA " aao " tho uoops OF McxlcOs and as 10
Gen. scott, the honorable Chairman Is able 10
inform me, that some time last year, as he thinks
''after the capture Of the city Of Mexieo," Gen.
Scott wrote 10 the Department informing them,
that II certain things intended TO be done by the
Administration were attempts $4,000 men
would be required to be added 10 the army.
Mr.. CAST beg your pardon, sir-raiss the
forces to $4,000 men; not add that amount.
Mr.. CLAYToS.-That is the very understand
ing had, and was correct in II. Well, that in
crease of the army to $4,000 men, as | under
stand from the reading Of the letter from Gen.
Scott, was to be made in case the Administra-
ton should design to subjugate-tO REFUGE all
Mexico.
Mr.. CAss.-Oh! no.
Mr.. CLAYToN.-That is the amount Of il, as
understand. If in error, will be happy 10 be
corrected.
Mr.. CAss.-The Senator is at liberty to put
his own construction on the letter; but the OBJ
ject was stated TO be ''to keep the central Gov
eminent in motion" / will read the passage
again.
SEVERAL SESAroRs.-We shall be glad 10 hear
il again
Mr.. CAss then read the passage already given,
and added: The substance Of the letter has been
given in a ST. Louis paper, which came here
within the last few days.
Mr. CLAYroN.-Wsll, that is what call re-
ducing or subjugating the country. Others
will put their own construction on il This in
creased force, then, is not recommended by Gen.
Scott; but, he says 10 the Department, " II you
propose TO take all the capitals Of the States Of
MexicO-if you intend not only TO put down the
guerrilas and bandits, but to keep the central
Government Of Mexico constantly in motion.
allowing it no fixed place in which il can treat
with you'll You purpose also, to take possess
ion of the revenues Of the country, then you will
require such an addition 10 the army now here
rs will raise il to $4,000 men" Gen. Scott,
il will be perceived, does not recommend that
such an addition shall be made to the army; he
only says to the War Department, that if they
design TO adopt a certain course Of procedure,
that it will be necessary to increase the army to
that amount. Pray, sir, what do you call keep
ing the central Government in motiOn-Oceupy-
ing the State CaPitals-and seizing the revenues
of Mexicol i call it subjugation Of the country
and humiliation Of the Government Of Mexico.
Well, now, the President Of the u nited States
disavows that in his message. he declares thai
he is opposed 10 the humiliation Of Mexico as
republic. Yet the proposition now Is TO aug.
msnt the forces Of Mexico, on the ground thai
such an increase is necessary in order 10 attain
objects which, are as l consider, tanta mount tC
the entire subIugation Of the country.
Ii has been stated by my friend from Ken.
tueky-and think he has fully sustained it
that the force at present under the command d
Scott and Taylor, or Wool, in the absence Of
Taylor, amounts to IS, 900 men; and We are now
called on to increase the army TO $4,000 more
in order to oyerrun all Mexico, in order to occu-
py the capitals Of all the States Of Mexico, ana
| to seize upon the entire revenues Of the country
In other words, as | understand it, to annihIlafs
Mexico a nation, and to destroy her Govern
ment, does not require anything like the force
which the honorable Chairman Of the Commit
tee on Military Affairs now asks the Senate to
vote. If you add thirty regiments--twenty re-
giments of volunteers and ten regiments Of re-
gulars TO the troops already in the field, you will
have a vastly greater force than the Command
ing General Of the army considers necessary fol
all the purposes specified in the letter. IL j,
well known to my brother Senators here, tha
during the last session and the previous one,
voted upon all occasions, when bills were pre-
scented to this body to increase the army Of IN.
| United States, or TO furnish supplies for the
army, in favor Of those bills. | took the ground
that whether the Administration Of the country
was right or wrong in the inception of this war
l should vote more troops and more supplies TO
our armies in order to sustain the honor and in
terests Of the country so long as my vote nigh
| be needed 10 sustain that honor and those inter
ests. Nor shall |, in the course which | an
about to take with regard to this bill, in the leas
change purpose in regard to this matter, as Ori
| ginally formed. II the same issues were nov
before me which were presented at the last ses-
l sion, should vote precisely as / voted then
But totally different is the question now present
ed On all former occasions the President o
| the United States and his friends on this floor
disavowed any intention Of conquest, or acqui
sition Of territory by conquest. They invaria
| bly, declared that their object was not 10 ObtaiE
Mexican territory by robbery or conquest
They fought, it was declared, for fair and hon
orable peace, and for Indemnity for the injuries
which we had received at the hands Of Mexico
| But what now Is the issue, presented 10 th'
| American Senate. by the bill upon your table
Allos~ hs-s tn rod f-esa sA~ h~s--sa Nf IN.
President, so that there may be no ground fo
any allegation Of mistatement or equivOcation
Let Us hear from the President himself, the OBJ
jects which he has in view, and the purposes fo
the accomplishment of which he desires these
additional troops. The President saws;
"In the meantime, has Mexico refused all in
demnity, we should adopt measures TO indemni
~ ourselves, by aPProPriating permanently
portion Of her territory. Early Alter the com
/ mencement Of the war, New Mexico and tn
CALIFORNIA; were taken possession Of by on
forces. Our military and naval commander
were ordered TO conquer and hold them, subjec
to be disposed of by a treaty Of peace.
i These provinces are now IN our unoisPnte'
occupation, and have been 50 for many months
ali resistance on the part Of Mexico havin,
ceased within their limits | am satisfied tina
they should never be surrendered to Mexico"
And, again he says on the same page:
"Beside New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA;, Their
are other Mexican provinces which have oeeI