Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-04-01
CALIFORNIA CLAIMS.
IN sENATE-MAnca 30, ls4s.


Mr. DIX addressed the Senate as follows:
Mr. President The transactions out OF which the claims
provided for by the bill under consideration arose.
planned Yesterday the brief but very pertinent and lucid
marks of the honorable Senator from Michigan (Ar CAss
as chairman Of the Committee Military Affairs before whih
the testimony substaniatng the claims taken. hold
nv hand tho printed document containing this testimony, AMI
before sit down will read portions Of il 10 the Sei
ate though may perhaps but present what is familiar 10 al
do know that any explanation further than that which
has already been given by the honorable Senator fom Mich
gan necessary to vndcate the proprety Of passing the b
The pecunay Obligations for the discharge OF which pre-
vdes were contracted in good faith by the commander oil or
troops California for the purpose Of subduing the conntE
and of cxpeng from the military forces OF Mexico In Tn
execution OF these objects The young and accomplished oca
at the head OF our troops, Col Fremont, exhibited commune
ton Of energy, promptude, sagacty and prudence whcl
indicates the highest capacity for civil and military command;
and in connexion with what he has done Tor The cause
science, has given him reputation at home and abroad
which much older and experienced ihan hlmset
might well be proud That the country will 10 justice TO ms
valuable and distinguished services entertain not The sghte
doubt ..Eo
The objects ACCOMPLISHED by Col Fremont, subsequent
developments have shown were far more Important man mos
have referred There is doubt that his raplu anu &c
csve movements kept California out OF the bands OF B-
fish subjects, and perasps out OF the hands Of the bns
Government and il IN this point OF view that desire to
present the subject the Senate II these transactions sooc
alone they constituted isolated case might not deem II
necessary 70 call attention othen But part Of system 10
all deliberately entered upon and steadily pursued
that they justly claim more extended con-
sidera;ion than would otherwise be due 10 them.
While discussing the bill raise additional military
force in January last stated facts in illustration of the
cncroachmen Of Great Britain the southern portion OF the
North American continent alluded particularly 70 her
movements the Mosquito coast where she is establishing
herself under the preence of giving protection 10 an nslglh
cant Tribe Indians, but in reality to gain possession Of ter
toy not only ntincay valuable account OF It's natural
products doub her account OF It's advantages OF
position This occupation does upon the ground Of
an original establishment territory unrecaimed from It's
pmeva solitude, territory not reduced 10 actual
possession by its first discoveries. 1t is portion OF the old
Spanish dominion North America, constituting after the
dissolution OF the empire of Spain in the western hemisphere
part of the confederation Of Central America, and
integral part of the States of Honduras and Nicaragua and
the power Spain had continued unbroken, this unusabe
encroachment would have been heard Of. stated
former occasion that the territory occupied in the Of the
Mosquito patton by Great Britain contains about 10000
square miles, nearly large surface that OF the State OF
New York. and that she had recently sought to extend her
possession by orcbe the river San Juan de Mica
ragua near eleventh parallel Of latitude degree further
south than the territory actually claimed belonging TO the
Mosquitoes according TO her own geographical delneanons
Nearly century ago connexion existed between Ireat
Britain and the Mosquito Indians but the territory was aban-
doned by under treaty stpulations with Spain When
the connexion renewed am unable to say But be-
eye the first open and avowed attempt to exercise rights oil
sovereignty the territory through consular agents. was IN
ls43 when Mr.. Patrick Walker appointed Consul at
Buefeds and this appointment instantly the subject OF
protest by at least OF the South American States.
Before proceed give the details of this encroachmen
wish 10 call the attention OF the Senate TO the position taken
by the Executive Of the United States, nearly twenty-five
years ago. respect the future colonization OF this continent
by European Powers.
In the annual message of Mr.. Monroe Congress- in De-
cember 1923, he stated that in the discussion of the resPec
tive rights of Great Britain Russia and the United States
the Northwestern of America, the occasion had "been
judged proper for asserting principle, in which the nights
of the United States involved, that the American con'-
nents by the free and independent ccpdon which they have
har lerel
as subjects for future colonization by any European Powers
In the message declared that should regard
any attempt on the part European Powers to extend their
political sysem any portion Of this hemisphere as dan
arops q, onr peace and safety" sWh existing colonies
dependencies European Powers says the message
have not in,riered and shall nonieere But with the
Governments who have declared their Independence, and
maintained IT, and whose independence have, on great con-
sideraon and just principles, acknowledged, we could
any nieposon for the purpose OF depressing
them, controlling in any other manner their destiny by
any European Power, any other light than as The mani
iesaton Of unfendly disposition towards the United
States"
The two positions assumed BY the Executive of the United
States were
l. Thst there must be no further colonization either Of
the American continents by any European Power; and
. That there must be interference by European Powers
with the independent States in this hemisphere.
And these declarations were accompanied by the davowa
part of all intention TO interfere with existing colonies
dependencies of any European Power this continent
Ot the wisdom or policy OF these DECLARATIONS nave mo-
thing says though add that have always considered
that the publication of manesoes which he Government put
ting them forth prepared maintain at all hazards, Is
calculated TO deiract from its dignity and influence
Mr. Monroes declarations have not been mai1aned They
applied South well North America and during the
last five the Banda Oriental and the Argentine Cone-
Iteration have been the theatre Of armed Intervention the
part Of Great Britain FIRST and ultimately Of Great Britain
and France which is almost unprecedented IN the history OF
nations violation Of the night Of every community to
regulate It's domestic in Its way without exer
nal interference will not detan the Senate by entering into
the details Of these transactions Suffice II to say that IN
1885, in consequence Of internal dssensous in the Banda
Oriental the Oriental Republic Of Uruguay, fomened by
foreign officers and residents in Montevdeo, General Onbe
the President resigned, and fed to Bnenos Ayre his n'a
Gen Revca, succeeding his political post In lslg, Orbe
entered the Banda Jnena drove Reyers into Brazil and be-
siesed his General Paez in Monteydeu which subse-
siton Of Admiral purys commanding the British hee when
the Admiral Of the French fleet refused interfere, the
ground that such Interference would violate weesabllshed
principles OF international law has had the effect Of prolong
ing for five years which would otherwise have been
speedily decided and led violation Of every rule Of inter
national duty by the blockade Of Buenos Ayres by the com
bned fleets Of France aud Great Britain, under the sanction
Of their respective Governments Those who desire to know
Of these transactions will find interesting discus.
sion in the British House Of Lords in the Parliamentary Debates
Of 1885, vol s. page 1852 In reply 10 some inquiries
proposed by Lord Beaumont the Earl Of Aberdeen made the
defence Of toe Ministry He followed by Lord Colches-
ter who had been at the Rio La Plata, and who was tho
roughly acquainted with all that had taken place. He cor
rected many q The Earl Of Aber5esn statements and think
will be al Dted that he left TO the Ministry most