Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-18

retaining the ports safe transit being open tor imports into
the Interior and the rich and populous portion the
try including The mining region, very small would
be derived from this shown by past expeience-pro
badly exceeding million dollars per If how
ever ports al present occupied by retained
and all the seized bockaded prevent the carry
Ing OF imports into the interior through other ports than
those held by orces IL the roads then open into the
interior through the city OF Mexico and the mining region, and
the the sAmus rendered secure it my convic
ton that the from all these above specified
ought less the duties exports and imports
conserned than has heretofore been collected by the Cow
eminent OF Mexico
Alter all these " the Secretary has left entirely in
the dark the may expect from Mexican taxation
and after various statements winds up by telling
Under these circumstances il is impossible name any
precise that which probably woad be derived from mill
tary contributions M Mexico"
No could expect "precse sum" 10 be named by the
Secretary but should have been graed had he ventured
guess with his superior information But what We to
DO IN order get something than have heretofore
obtained from Mexico According to the secretays sugges
hons we to bold all conquess already made go with
other conques open roads and keep open communications
and them all this being done the Secretary only convinced
that we ought 10 receive no that woud not less than
Mexico has heretofore collected so far the duties
potts and imports concerned cannot give my vote for
this bill ms financial measure upon such uncertainties.
Well, sir have turned my attention to General Scott 5
ORDERS execution Of the plans of the President for collect
ing in Mexico. His total levy upon the
twenty States OF Mexico named by him. is 3d. 020 $40 ;and
he proceeds TO appoon among The several States in pro-
portion suppose, rule Of population wealth,
both combined He thus requires Mexico State and Federal
district pay $685. $780, the State Of Pueba pay 4a4 27
and SO Of the rest, making up the aggregate Gen. SCOTS
object be to seize the fourth of Mexican
mentioned by the Secretary. His upon the
several States take effect from the time they
rally occupied by the army In addition the
the General continues for the of his military chest the u
ties on the production netting assaying, and coming the
precious metals Now, the whole thus proposed
be levied by Gen Scott cannot greatly exceed, if it reaches
GOO ooo Suppose duties on imports and exports would
ST, 000 600 per annum about twelve times much,
believe as we have heretofore received and suppose could
by foraging the country, get S. 000 900 BY these
should collect total Of 000 900, about the
amount OF Mexican revenue, according to Mr.. Ponsett
her most prosperous days Can any expect greater
than this do not believe shall get one-h part of
II but suppose get the whole how then will the account
stand can from the laws upon your statuteb
You appropriated for the support Of your army for the fiscal
year ending the Both of June, ls45 49, S03 375 49,
This the last fiscal year peace, Immediately preceding
the commencement of hostiles You appropriated for the
support OF the army for the fiscal year ending the goth
june s4s S32 los, IS. Thus the difference between
peace appropriation for the support of the army and the
appropriation for the first entire fiscal year Of the is
S2S, 967 0S449 AT this rate you could get OF
annually from Mexico help sustain your army, you would
still have TO supply for that branch OF the service alone by
loans taxes S3 40 annually than
in time Of peace Does every body national bank
rupcy heavy taxation staring the face unless put
an end 10 this state of things
But sir, what machinery does Gen. Scott rely to collect
Let me read you what he says the subject:
The Governors and members of the Legislatures in the
different States and collecting officers in commission, and
charged with the collection OF the federal dues Of
any kind will be individually held responsible their persons
and property for the collection and full payment Of this
meht, one-twelfth monthly nc.
And again, he says
On the failure OF any State pay assessment its func
property seized registered reported and converted the
Of the occupation army strict accordance tohe general
office by any of the said Mexican shall excuse one
Of them from any OF the above obligations penalties
In what volume of the laws Of nations shall find any
thing to justify such orders these In what history of the
most renowned conqueors, savage civilized, shall find
presidents for proceedings like these We invade and
foreign country and then say its governors legsa
tors and officers you shall go and collect for us from
month month, and year year, and il you dare refuse
will send bodies dungeons and conscae pro-
perty. No resignation abdcation shall excuse In
own history this capital has been occupied by
MES Should it again, willing to have the laws
we prescribe to Mexico applied 10 ourselves Speak, Sc
majors and tell me- which among you, at The order Of an in
vader to save your property and escape jail would be IN
luced 10 the Office Of taxgaiherer for the enemy
Sir, there patriot there is who has spirit, who
would thus degrade and subject himself the and
empt Of his elow-czens. II is not the speeches
make here which induces the Mcxcans proclaim, Death
70 the Yankees, without mercy" Gen. Pierce may sup
pose, but the conduct Of this Administration Of ours II
hese principles nepolaod in the code of nations,
mere VIII De an WOrd OF tnoSe
rules of courtesy chvay, magnanmy, and mutual respect
which have heretofore greatly aevated the horrors of
md deadly hate plumber and determination will be the
suit Instead OF Wing speeches aggavatng the bitterness
and vengeance of Mexican hostility, they must have directly
he contrary effect because they will convince Mexico that all
of justice, and all respect for the rules OF civilized war
fare, have not yet entirely departed from among US.
think have proven that pecunary indemnity for the
expenses Of the impossbily. What security do we
want for the future We have that in strength, and
he capacity which the army has exhibited 10 achieve victories
and overcome obstacles The army has manifested capacity
which has aonshed In that there OF exuliatcn,
md in the prowess Of army and navy have security
Does the President wish Mexico bound TO keep
md to enter into bonds, with Great Britain or France
surety II that is his meaning by security for the future
shall leave il to the President TO take the preliminary OATH
As for myself and kentukans cannot swear that we are
lfraid.
few words, and have done. In prosecuting this
have lost about five thousand officers and soldiers IN
killed and wounded We have lost great many more by
he climate OF Mexico and other For this loss there
no indemnity. we continue this losses IN the death
IF officers and soldiers will continue.
believe the annexation of any considerable portion OF the
Mexican population 10 country would be lasting curse
What then, ought to do, in the difficulties which sur
ound US My opinion is that this Congress ought to de-
are, by resolution, what require of Mexico would
cher, You must pay every you justly our citizens
must and shall refrain from future sPoaons; you have
committed many faults, you must reform you may pay US
what you owe IN money, you can II not we will take the
Bay Of San Francisco and the country around it. and 10
Oregon line il you prefer 10 give it. Thatba viii be vaua
Die us naval power, and worthless TO you. would