The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-23

no longer then, he may conquer he may govern
he may impose laws; he may lay taxes he may as
sess duties. The King OF England has done II IN the
various OF conquest, from the conquest OF Wales
and Ireland, down 10 the conquest OF The West India
Islands IN the war OF So and IN the wars growing out oil
Inc French revolution. The King OF Eng land has done II
done 1t by royal prerogatve done il in the government
OF his own subjects, existing in or nhabtng territories
not under the protection of English law, bugoverned by
hun until Parliament puts them under protection Of
English law. Now sir, there was laid before us at the
commencement OF the session, system OF legislation for
Mexico, as Tor conquered country. Let us not
found Ideas that are In themselves separabe and
sarIly distinct This is not the question whether he
who is in enemys country, at the head of an army
may not supply his daily wants whether he may not
seize the granares and the herdsif he choose SO to
conduct the waroi the enemy in whose country he is
that is one hing; but the question is here, whether sit
ing in the presidential house, b. act OF authority
when the country Is conquered and subdued the Presi-
dent of the United States may, by, and Of and through
his own power, establish IN Mexico system of civil
law
We have read sir and some OF us have not forgotten
IT, in all books of authority treating of the law of nations
that when country conquered ceded its existing
laws not changed till the competent authority OF the
universal doctrine of public law. Well here is system
OF levylng taxes-repealIng old laws-and making
ones; system behind that, of which ! read with pain
and notification for find in this communication of the
Secretary, sanctioned by the President, that brave
troops las they always called, ten times in every
page) were directed to lay hold on all the little munich
poses, that carried on the INTERIOR the municipal what
we should call the parish concerns of Mexico! They
were directed TO seize them all The War Department
issued orders to chase the government of Mexico like
partridge the mountain, from city city-to give
rest for the sole OF its oot-to extermnate and
other order issued from the Treasury Department at the
time, directed this seizure of all these small and
petty sums OF public money am obliged, therefore, to
The gentleman from South Carolina for having brought
this subject to the attention of the Senate.
am happy IN having an opportunity of expressing my
will it lead to- What does the President do with this
money! Why, ne supports the army But this money
never passes under any appropriation OF law The con-
s,ituon of the United States says that the Executive
power shall have appropriations Tor military purposes
for than two years But here there is standing
appropriations put the disposition and discretion of the
President OF the United States, of all the money he can
collect by this system of PERSONAL executive legislation
millions of peopleand thai under the consi-
tuition of the United States If the statement of this case
does not attract the attention of the community-in short
if the question is argued before American Senate
when stated, it is beyond my power illustrate it
by any further argument
Sir, while rejoice that the honorable member from
South Carolina has done important service put
this question in proper and clear light before the com
munty and the Senate; and while | agree, as ] have
said, all that he has uttered the topics which he
has treated; that topic which was upon my mind and my
conscience than all the rest, topic which he
did not treat and in regard to which fear may not ex
pect-would TO God that could expect!-his concur
renee, and the strength of his IL mean the object
plain and manifest, original in the inception of this war,
ec-he creation OF new States on the southern border
of the United States, to be formed of the territory of
Mexico. and the people nhabng the territory OF MeXi-
could have taken lead--i his convictions of Duty
to say, could have allowed him to take lead and
make stand for the integrity OF the United Sateseven
with these large recent accesslons which am willing TO
consider brohery acces~ions, that have DISPOSE
ton to reject, discourage discountenaDce IN the exist
ing circumstances OF the case say sir, that at The
end of service, for thirty years, the
honorable member could have his line of duty lie
in such direction that he could have taken stand for
the integrity of the United States-hese United States
and equally warm patriotic afections-he love Of
known country defined country, an American
f he had found it consistent with his duty to have
such stand, and had persisted in supporting him
in it, should feel that had persisted in service
nenty connected with the prosperity and true honor of
the county.
for having taken that view OF some topics in this case
with his usual clearness and ability, which will relieve
me from the necessity OF discussing those subjects which
he has taken up. feel sir, the great embarrassment
which surrounds me, brought about by those events
which have taken place and been advcrted to in the
Senate. 1t has been stated by the gentleman TO whom
treaty has hither from Mexico-lhst has been
acted upon here, and is sent back-that member OF
this body occupying an eminent position in its debera
tons and conduct, has been sent out minister with
full powers make expanaons-of courseenot eXpla-
nations of what done in Mexico, but explanations of
what has been done here. There has been such paper
ing the example OF the honorable member from MIchl-
gan, who says that all the world knows there treaty,
might say all the world knows, too, exactly what the
treaty u.s. for the details well known the princ
pal fact. feel, sir, | said, embarrassment.
On the events that have occurred here within three
weeks political friends to some extent, differ and that
goes nearer to my heart than any dart that political ad
versaries could direct
The odous. Generally speaking, taking the
whole country together, the is odous in high de-
gree The country is distressed treaty has been offer
ed il has been here, and has been sent back Now,
feel sir, that there has been manifested throughout the
country very strong desire, for the sake of peace that
ness of the country dsoganzed and dstressed men
know not what to calculate upon the occupations OF lie
embarrassed the finances of Individuals as well as
of the country much deranged the circumstances OF
individuals placing them IN great exgency, and necessity
of Immediate relief; and there has up strong
preston in favor OF any treaty on any terms, II II Will
bring peace Now sir, am not for any treaty on any
terms, though it bring In my Judgment with entire
ddence therein and entire Difference to the better judg
ment of Others think that this indlscrmnate demand OF
peace any circumstances and on any TERMS is either
euson of ecstac delight at the prospect of getting rid OF
abOminaed war; else il Is the result OF feeling
for which | have not much respect-that to
take this, whatever it may be or will rather say thai
to take whatever may be offered, lest our masters
should give harder terms. Ii is either the euson oil
at the prospect OF putting an end to the else
that mems resolution coos.
believe sir, that the press all sides, with very few
xceptions-perhaps uniting for oncehave for the las
three weeks pressed the Senate by their daily counse
and advice, TO take the treaty whatever it may be. AL
these considerations, which to spring from the
first impulse and not from the sober second thought OF
the people, appear to be designed will not say design
ed but calculated they have been Calculated press
forward the councils of the Senae and to induce these