The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-02-15
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, FEB. 10, lS4S.


the Chihuahua expedition.
Mr.. Cass introduced joint resolution
authorizing the issue of silver medal of
large size to officers of the army, and one of
smaller size to the soldiers of the regular
force who have distinguished themselves in
any of the battles in Mexico. Also, honorary
certificates on parchment, board of officers
to be appointed to examine the merits and
report the names of those worthy of the pro-
posed honors. In the case of an officer or
private killed in battle, the medal shall be
given to his family or nearest relatives.
Referred and ordered printed.
A map of the operations in Mexico was
presented and ordered printed.
A hill granting register to the bark Will
lamette, was passed.
A bill! increasing the medical staff of the
army for limited time was passed.
The ten regiment bill was then taken up.
Mr.. Underwood spoke in opposition to the
bill.
He contended that the ground assumed by
the administration at the inception of the war
was untenable; and the annexation of Mexico
wholly impracticable. ..a#
The war was involving the finances of the
country in extricable difficulties. and the
probe ct which these difficulties, had suggested,
levying contributions upon Mexico, was wholly
impracticable. No indemnity could be OBJ
tanned from Mexico. He closed by recon-
mending the withdrawal of our troops and
holding sufficient quantity of land to in
demnify ourselves.
Mr.. Turner obtained the floor for to-mor
row, and the Senate adjourned.
HoUsE.-Mr. King, of Mass, moved that a
memorial from the Society of Friends, pray
ing the speedy termination of the War, he
received and printed.
Mr.. Cobb, of Georgia, objected. If the
memorial of the Society of Friends were re-
ceived on that subject it would open the door
for other memorials.
|, Mr.. Henley, OF Indiana, was also against
receiving the memorial ; for they charge the
members of the House with want of due re-
gard for peace.
Mr.. Palfrey, of Mass, followed on the
same side with Mr.. King.
He (Mr. Palfrey) had memorial on the
same subject, but could not have it presented.
The vote was taken on the printing of the
memorial, and it was rejected-ayes rs, noes
80.
The war-loan- sill was then taken up in
committee. ....
Mr.. Marsh, of vermont, addressed the House.
He said that the annexation of Texas was the
means of producing great evil to this country.
Gentleman of the North think so, and he
was sure many of the Southern people and
their representatives were beginning to en-
terrain the same opinion.
The great question now, is, how peace shall
be obtained. No peace could be honorable to
the United States that was not honorable to
! Mexico.
He had said over and over again that the
United States owed Mexico compensation for
the loss of Texas. Nothing could be gained
by the annexation of the territories of Cali
fornia and New Mexico.
These territories were of no use to the
United States, either in commercial or f.
nanical point of view. Wecould gain nothing
by annexing them, and he would have nothing
to do with them.
He next took up the war, and the means
proposed for sustaining it, The Secretary of
the Treasury proposed tax on tea and coffee.
Others proposed to tax bank stock and real
property. ...... .
In his opinion the government couli rot