The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-22

OF letters 10 and from the United States all foreign
countries.
PRIVATE BILLS.
Mr.. WESTCOTT, from the Committee on Claims, TO
whom was referred the petition OF David Whepy, sub.
mtted an adverse report; which was ordered TO be
printed
Mr. DOWNS. from the Committee on Indian Affairs.
to whom was referred the memorial of Samuel w Bell
native of the Cherokee nation, submitted report ac-
companed by bill for his relief
The bill was read, and passed to a second reading
INSTRUCTIONS TO GENERAL SCOTT.
The Senate proceeded TO consider the following resou
ton submitted by Mr.. MANGuM, on the 10th instant:
Resotued That the President of the United be
qnestcd TO inform the Senate whether the general orders No
36 issued by Gen Scott headquarters Mexico bearing
date iolh December list were issued under instructions
tons before the Senate and also any opinion of General
Scott in regard the necessary military carry
said instructions into effect, which may be on file
Mr. CASS inquired whether the usual clause referring
the disclosure to the Executive discretion was contained
in the resolution and if not he suggested that it should
be there He also suggested that the addition made by
the senator from South Carolina of requiring the reports
OF all the officers of the army extended the scope OF this
inquiry far beyond that designed by the senator from
North Carolina. He suggested whether would not be
better to let the resolution lie till to morrow till the
effect of the addition to the resolution should be
tanned
Mr. MANGUM | am extremely unfortunate. sir
cannot please the gentleman in any way The reso-
luton which presented the other day drawn, as
then stated, with due regard to that Official deco
rum which has always been observed towards the Chief
Magistrate of the United States proposed to insert
the usual qualification, if in his opinion the may be
communicated consistently with the public interests 1t
was objected to- afterwards inserted an amendment,
that the resolution might be answered either confidential
" or otherwise That necessarily excluded the latter
clause because suppose the principle will not be Affirm
ed here, particularly when sitting in another capacity that
thing that necessary to enghen regard any
matter pending before us, which may be in the posses
sion OF the Executlve-which can be taken by conf
dentally, only If the Executive chooses give
IN that way, Is not part OF Executive business which
we are much entitled to as the Executive himself |
we Is
some particular reason which makes it improper that it
should be communicated to the public, to be put in pos
session OF the fullest information. However, in this
spect endeavored to restrict the call for the communca
ton which might be covered by the resolution, and sim
ply asked to be informed If an order had been issued
from the Executive War Department TO the general
commanding in chief in Mexico, directing him to over
run all Mexico, if instructions to that effect had cmanatea
from the War Department or iron the Executive depart
ment; and, II so, we desire TO see those instructions
simply as to that pointand restricted to that point If
there are other matters of general character which it
may be deemed improper to give to the public; let the
information be confined to that point solely. do not
desire TO have the information IN all the ramcations
into which i may be pursued but simply in regard to
this point The point is this did an order to the general
in-chief issue from the Executive War Department
directing him to cover the whole of Mexico to take
possession OF all the strong points If this be the
then desire to know the opinion of the general chief
in regard to the extent of the military necessary
effect that object 1t is particularly, vastly important, in
regard to these thirty regiments that asked for, in
addition to the military force already authorized by law
And, sir who the best Judges of the extent of the
military means necessary in any of these military
ments' General Taylor and General Wool, in one line
OF our deences, unquestonaby much higher author
lty than can be derived from any other source either
this country out OF It, In regard 10 the other division
line between that city and Vera Cruzwhere is there
horty to be found higher than that Gen Scott There is
none, and believe the inclination of Gen Scott to
ask ample means for the accomplishment OF the object
which he seeks to attain think, sir that he will not
risk the safety OF his army will he risk his exalted
military repuiaon in embarking upon enterprise with
out the means which will enable him to accomplish what
he undertakes therefore take it for granted that he
asks for the ampest means; AMI if the means asked for
by him will not amount to so much the thirty regi
ments | think it will be an unanswerabe argument
against the application OF the Secretary of War for these
regiments Sir desire extract nothing that ought to
be withheld desire to ask for nothing that will en-
barrass the Executive or In any way complcate
ations with Mexico. There is no such purpose de-
sire two Objects which must be apparent to the honora
BILE chairman OF the Committee Military Affairs
desire, FIRST to know the scope and extent OF the Execu-
tive purposes this subject have right TO know
them, and the country has right to know them and
after having asceraned the extent and scope of the Ex
ecutve purposes, desire to ascertain the extent of the
means necessary TO accomplish those purposes Know
ing these things, there will not be much difficulty in
forming decision as to the which ought to
take when come to vote upon the bills which are pre-
scented to for increasing the forces feel very
that there is sensibity-a fort of tenderooted-
ness, if ! may use such an expresson-in regard to
marching up to the point and conveying direct infoma
ton, the part OF the honorable chairman of the Com
mittee on Military AaairsI mean it in no offensive
sive-a ort~of skttishness, sir, which is not think
what we have right to expect. If the gentleman de-
sres to make the resolution entirely decorous, by adding
the ordinary clause of qualification, proposition of that
sort will be acceded to with great pleasure on my part
Sir have not within the halls of the other
of these houses of Congress- for many years, anything
approaching to such degree OF sensiby
now to be felt by the honorable chairman of the Military
Committee, if we to sit here with resolutions
our table asking only for that which already belongs TO
history, and the communication of which might be
garded very much matter OF course without adopt
ing them Is 1t intended that shall not have the in
formation which will enable to act understandngly
hope not sir, for the sake of the spirit Of insttu
ons-for the sake OF this Executives of right,
hope may not be even implied that decent nvestga
ton shall be permitted, that light shall be afforded
Mr. CASS. | dsclaim entirely any tenderness on this
side of the chamber with regard to examination of the
policy OF the administration in the prosecution OF this
The tenderness which feel has reference to the rights
of the country We do not wish any information to go
out from the departments which would be useful to the
enemy. That is the only motive which influences We
are perfectly wiling-and |, for one, anXiousthat
every proper information should be spread before both
houses of Congress but, as said the other day. and beg
aware that there many things which wise and dis
Greet government will not disclose in the face of the
enemy.
Mr. MANGUM, Gin his seat) We do not want that
Mr. CASS If we are "tender-footed" then, it is for
the country But the honorable senator says that he de-
sres this information for two purposes: first, order to
ascertain the objects of the Executives and second, the
opinions of the generals IN command. hope that the
Executive will communicate fully TO the Senate and 10
the House the whole objects has in view hope that
the Executive will say, IN so many words that ITS OBJ
iect is, in any circumstances, TO conquer Mexico.
Mr.. MANGUh, I'm his seat) 10 conquer Mexico
Mr. CASS. repeat--to conquer Mexico.