The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-07

q - ~ ltNShlss u the F6liSAl .
sss i s:s,s:s n. s.s: a. III. s ss ~
-, MISUNDERSTANDING SssSts,
N Mr. JoHSsox-Doss tho Senator charge h upon ths
Mr.. HASSreAS--Yes, England England, through
her agents She has placed her agents along that
coast-we nnd the Indians armed with muskets bear
ing the stamp Of the Tower of London Where did
the Indians get them from Mr.. Sierra says this is
courage, and sagacity Of England. and on the
almost mperceptibe nature Of her first encroachments
where she intends to plant her iron feet. MIR n
contended that the only way by which she could
be kept out Of Yucatan and Cuba promptly to
take strong position of remonstrance in that quarter
as proposed by thiss bill MIR. Hannegan did not
consider there any danger of being driven into
national debt like that of Great Britain or France
Nor could there be any possible cause for appre-
hension of annexation of Yucatan from this act
Of humanity, except in contingency where, at
all events, such alternative will be required
for our own protection against foreign cncroach-
ments. MIR. H. next exportiated upon the new inter-
vention doctrine Of Mr. Monroe, and argned that in
its declaration solemn doctrine of practical policy
was intended, and not mere abstraction.
Some conversation here took place between Mr.. Cal
houn and Mr.. flanagan, pending which
Mr. CLAYTON rose to the examination Of the subject,
and said that the bill transcribed the recomme nda
tions of the Executive.
MIR. HANsEcAN proposed to read from the message
and with the assent of Mr.. Clayton read extract
suggesting the temporary military occupation of Yucca
tam as being directly consonsnt and equivalent to the
provisions of the bin.
Mr.. CLAYTON took different view of the bill 1t
proposed more decided and more permanent occupa-
ton in form than the ndations of the
tive He also objected to the BILL because it conflicts
with the Mexican armistice-it calculated to ope
rate against the treaty; and moreover there
telling what military force would require to subdue
450,0O0 Indians. The Florida with few ScminOles
had cost us something. He wanted more light, more
information Besides he did not wish to q
question Of annexation spring up upon the eve Of a
presidential campaign IL act ut all for the relief
Of Yucatan ought to be with the assent and co-ope
ration Of Mexico considering our present relations
with that republic
Mr.. JEFFERSON DAVIS, in a forcble and pointed
view of the argued the necessity Of the BILL upon
the broad ground of the rights of the United States
bellgercnt with Mexico II the necessity should
arise he ready promptly to nterpose against any
foreign designs upon Yucatan or Cuba. But it was
not necessary to anticipate either the hazards Of
nexaon or Of foreign for the possession
of Yucatan The immediate question the despatch
Of military force sufficient for the occupation Of Yu
catan az a part of MexicO and this could be done
under the authority which We hold belgerent
under the laws recognising the war with Mexico Mr..
Davis frequently crossq uestioncd by Mr. Clayton
in the course of his remarks but the former did not
abandon hair of the positions assumed in defence of
the object Of the bill and the strictly authorised
tommepdatioqs Of the message of the President Mr..
Davis said in reply to an observation of Mr.. Han
negan, that he did not believe the British govern
ment could be held responsible for the furnishing of
the Tower muskets to the Indians Of Yucatan,
He thought the difficulty could be easily
planned The three great captains of the world were
Alexander, Cesar, and Napoleon The great secret of
their celebrity Of movement Great Britain
had proed from the results Of their experience and
the the
heavy tower muskcts had been condemned many years
ago by the British government, and sold at auction.
They were bought by SPECTATORS taken out by Bril-
fish vessels and those old tower muskes be
found all Central and South America and in this
way they have doubtless found their way among the
MIR. HANSEeAN said there British depot Of these
arms at the Baiize
Mr.. JEFFERSON DAYs-Yos sir, but they are not fur
nished by the British government they would bear
the imprint Of the present arsenal They old arms
the old tower muskets, and those used by the Mexi
int fho nf
tower. In conclusion, MI, Davis moved to strike out
the substance Of the original bill and to substitute
simple provision, authorizing the President to take mi
tary occupation of Yucatan and to replace by volun
teers If necessary the troops required for the said
occupation.
MIR HANNEoAN asked under what authority the Pre-.
sdapt would act according to this amendment
Mr.. DAVIS said it would be under authority of the
powers connected with the existing war Yucatan was
part Of Mexico and under the laws of war we could
extend posts of military occupation all Mexico
Mr. UrHAM asked If there was not already existing
authority to the President for Il. 900 volunteers
Mr.. DAVIS explained that there perhaps,
ces In the volunteer regiments, which would amount
sibe recruit volunteers to fill vacancies in existing
regime The object too Of the bill and the amend
ment was apparent twas to take the seasoned troops,
who have become acclimated to the exposures and
hardshps of soldiers life in the tropics and transfer
them to Ypcatan filing their vacancies. if required
it was authorized by the conditions in the armistice
existing between Mexico and the United States.
Mr.. CRIrTESDEs thought that all that was really de-
signed by this bill increase of the military force
for which object this particular bill not necessary
The Chairman Military Affairs had been aborously
SLOWLY to be sure but laborously marching forward
his new force of 10000 volunteers.
Gen. CAss-( Shaking his ead)-very slowly. laugh
ter.
Mr.. CRIrrrSDrS-very slowly, to be sure, but stin
they tho forward march, Qaughter) and If the
regular bills any Of Them for the increase Of the
military force in Mexico should be passed. there will
Mississippi had placed the ground of his support Of this
measure upon the existing war. and authorized
movement in a state Of war !; but how could this be
done. pending the armistce with Mexico!
Mr. JEFFERSON DAVIS said that the proposed military
occupation could be vincatcd aud would be found to
be authorized by the of the armistce itself and
cited one Of the terms Of the armistice in proof.
Mr.. CRIrrrSpES thought that clause was intended
to apply to another state of contingencies to which
Mr. DAVIS assented but claimed its applicability In
this case under q full construction
Mr.. CRIrTENDES, in his usual strong and forcibe
manner, argued against the bill. We wanted
light. more informant How would this movement
effect the treaty which believed now to be in pro-
cess of ratifcaton-what would be its effect if the
treaty ratified how would it affect the armistce?
Nor did he believe the plea Of humanity sufficient
for this act. The precedent Of interfering in the af
fairs of other nations by avowcd occupation the
plea Of humanity might be made the justification Of
the most atrocious aggressive ourselves and by
other nations, if admit the plea and the exam
pie One Of safest doctrines was, the doctrine of
non-intcrference in the domestic affairs Of foreign
nations. That doctrine alone will be competent to
in our turn from foreign invasion In case
Of domestic difficulties Besides we had only heard
one side Of the question. We without any
information at all the other side He would
act now we acted in the case of the insur-
rection in Guatemala some twenty years ago. lie
would stand aoof and let these people settle their
quarrel Carera arose at the head Of the Indians of
Guatemala, put down the existing government of the
Spanish race established one of his own, and under
which he is still the head and it is good or bet
ter government than that which displaced. This
destructive war in Yucatan IL was natural that
1t should be 40 between two races, Of which had
the CALLING yoke of bondage of the other for three
hundred years. After three hundred years of oppres
son 1t natural that the vengeance Of the abort
gines of Yucatan, should be bloody and merciess in
the extreme against the which had been long
their opprcssors. But if should resolve upon
this armed occupation, what force would il
require, and how long should have to keep
1t up! The Indians will fly to the bushes
on our approach How long shall have to
wait for them to out? And II we wait till they
entirely withdraw how long shall have stay viii
not an armed occupation DO inevitable, We may rc-
store peace and maintain 1t while occupy the coun-
try; but will not the trouble between the two
races be renewed tn. moment withdraw our troops,