Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-01-15

ton Of Mexico a republic Yet the proposition i
augment the forces in Mexico the ground that such
increase necessary in order attain objects which are,
consider tantamoun 10 the entire subugaon of the country
has been stated by my friend from Kentucky-and think
he has fully sustained ha the force present under the
command Of Scott and Taylor Wool in the absence
Taylor and other commanders in Mexico 00C
men and called TO increase the army 70
80, 600 in order TO all Mexico, occupy the
capitals Of all the States of Mexico and seize upon the
tire of the country In other words understand
it. annhiale Mexico nation, and 10 destroy her gov
eminent does require large force honorable
chairman of the Committee Military Affairs asks the
Senate TO vote II you add thirty regiments twenty eg
Of volunteers and ten regiments OF reguaso the troops
already in the field you will have vastly greater force Than
the commanding general Of the army considers necessary for
all the purposes specified in the letter. II Is well known to
other Senators here that during the last session and the pre-
vious one, voted upon all occasions when bills pre-
scented this body TO increase the army Of the United States
furnish supplies for the army, in favor Of those bills
took the ground that whether the Administration of the
try right wrong in the inception of this war, should
troops and supplies for armies in order to
the honor and interests Of the country long
might be needed to sustain that honor and those interests
Nor shall in the which am about to take with
gard this BILL in the least change my purpose regard to
this NATTER originally formed II the issues
now before which presented at the last session,
should precisely voted them But totally different is
the question presented. On all former occasions the
President Of the United States and his friends this floor
disayowed any intention of conquest acquisition of territory
obtain Mexican territory by robbery conquest They
fought declared for fair and honorable peace and
for indemnity for the injuries which had received At the
hands of Mexico But what the ISSUE presented to the
American Senate, by the bill upon your table Allow
here read from the of the Presidents that there
may be ground for any allegation Of misstaement equ
vocation Let hear from the President himself the objects
which he has h vew and the purposes for the accomplish
ment of which he desires these additional troops The Pre
dent says:
ain the mean time, as Mexico refuses all indemnity,
should adopt indemnity ourelyesy appropratng
permanently portion of her territory Eary alter the com
mencement the New Mexico and tn CALIFORNIA;
taken possession of by forces Our military and naval
5-'anders ordered to conquer ard hold them, sub
ject to be disposed Of by treaty peace
sThese provinces are now in undispued occupations
Of Mexico having ceased within their limits am satisfied
that they should nerer be surrendered to Mexico"
And again he says the page
Besides New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA; thre other
by conquest These other Mexican provinces gov
erned by military and naval commanders uuler the
era authority which is conferred upon conqeror by the
laws OF They should continue be held Of
coe'cnig Mexico to accede to Just terms OF peace.
The question then arises what these "erns Of peace
which the President considers TO be us and which he
to insist BY turning the eighth pageo his
sage you will find to this inquiry y,u will there
discover the views of the Executive with regard TO ust
terms of peace 1t has been sad in the progress Of debate,
that the President attempted to negotiate after he battles of
with the Mexican Commissioners, having Hr Trist
Mexico for that purpose. In his message he communicates
the purpo Of the instructions given to Mr. Trsand his
g timatum:"
'The Commissioner of the United States authorized
agree to the establishment of the Rio Grsnde the boun
dary from its entrance into Gulf its intersection with
the southern boundary of New Mexico, in north latitude about
thrytwo degrees and obtain ceson the United States
Of the provinces of New Mexico and the Carnas and the
privilege Of the right of way the hmus Of Tehuane
pee The boundary of the Rio Grande and the esson the
United States of New Mexico and Upper California consttr
ted ultimatum which Commissioner under cir
cumsances to yield"
Here we have the Presidents Just terms Peace as be
calls them his " ultmatum" is definitely announced, and
longer left during the last seasons con-
lecture to guess at the objects and intentions OF the President
Of the United States in regard TO Mexico II is certain
that he has demanded and to demand hereafter his
slmatum, the cesson the United States Of California and
the whole of New Mexco-a territory embracing at least
$50 600 square miles Of landmore than twice the entire
territorial of the old thirteen States the time of
the American Revolution. And am called upon 10 give
which shall enable the President enforce these terms
Of peace am called upon to give vote that shall enable
him 10 compel Mexico cede the whole Of New Mexico and
the Cafomas to this country. have choice lift can
take up my position and say whether favor of
the acquisition and conquest of all this vast region watcher
! am opposed to it,
confess that DO not understand the argument of my
honorable friend from Maryland (Mr. JoHSsoS.) He con-
cuded understood, with expression of his resolution
10 vote for this BILL He told to-day, that If the people Of
the United States consulted he verify believed the great
Of them would decide against the acquisition any
territory the side of the Del Norte The Senator
thought that the people of the United States would % with
him r acquisition ofterory-not by robbery but payment
OF the debt which is justly due US by Mexico He thought
that the people would 60 wi him so far to defend the
country, between the Nueces and the Rio Bravo but he had
doubt that the people Of the United States clearly
opposed and would declare themselves whenever called
upon 70 the acquisition Of any territory the other sic of
the Rio Bravo. Now, cannot understand how my friend
having arrived at these conclusions being thus satisfied 70
IN
immense addition the army Of the United States when the
object Of this augmentation Of the military establishment
plainly avowed by the President to be the extension d his
conqus the whole Of this country the other side of
the Rio Bravo and the acquisition Of both the Caoas as
well New Mexico. II my honorable friend reconcile
that by the exercise Of his ingenuity should like hear him
do For my part, cannot comprehend it, Without re-
hectng his course, however, my business is point
my own.
Before proceed further in the argument this quctonI
desire 70 say, for one that have been and no,
now willing 10 acquire Of ground from Mexico or
any other nation under heaven, by conquest robbery
hold that all transactions with the other nations Of the
world the great principle ought be maintained by Us that
honesty the best policy, and that honorable reputation
Is Of more value to country than land money bold that
any attempt part merely because happen possess
superior strength TO compel weaker nation TO cede all
that choose to demand indemnity, whilst the same
time admthat ask for than she nothing else
but robbery If a a Of money, and meet
him the highway, and insist with pistol pointed 10 his
breast that he shall deliver deed Of his farm II The es-
innate which choose put upon IL think there could not
be much difference Of opinion 10 the nature of that transact
ton should like to know how my friend from Maryland