Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-02-05

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in consistency with the fundamental law that republic
Mr. HANNEGAN. So far as the first branch Of the reso
luton Of the Senator Connecticut concerned do not
know, sir that have any objection to offer. presume the
TO it would necessarily be that the President has in
formation upon the subject IL amounts 10 nothing pass
then to the second branch Of the resolution The Senator in
the course Of his remarks, thought proper to certain
resolutions which had the honor to submit the Senate
short time since not in the Senate on Thursday last
the when the Senator introduced his resolution
and knew nothing Of its introduction Of its import till
heard read this morning at the Secrearys desk With
gard my resolutions do not feel myself called upon
say any thing them but with reference the Sc
cond branch of the resolution offered by the honorable Senator
from Connecticut, must make few remarks object to
that part of the resolution several grounds And, in the
first place. remark that that information which it calls upon
the President communicate to be fully
in the possession Of the members Of this body be in
that Of the President himself The resolution asks the Pres
dent to communicate information relative the fundamental
law Of foreign Government Well, sir, il is, believe
about the fundamental law OF foreign Government The
call s therefore, altogether unnecessary.
The question discussed at length by the Senator from
Connecticut one for us, but for Mexico determine
II for Mexico to say whether under her fundamental law
if fundamental law she hasthere power cede any
every foot Of territory which she possesses That power Mex
leo herself has already recognised She has already asserted
that power Pending the negotiations, the
alton of Texas Mexico every member of this Senate well
knows made the offer to Texas of recognition of her inde
pendence condition that she should refuse annexation to
dispose of any portion OF her territory her will she al!
ways claimed Texas hers till that period did catch
distinctly the whole of the remarks made by the Senator from
Connecticut, but if understood the purpo Of his argument,
he holds that the power of making ceson Of territory may
belong TO monarchy but does exist in republic The
Senator shakes his head Does he then deny the
that power in monaichy If he does he denies principle
old, wasabout to say, mecerainy co-exsten
with the monarchcal form Of government There
monarchy upon the face of the earth where the question could
be raised TO the right to dispose Of her territory domin
ions any part of themnever is quite enough TO refer
to the treaties of peace concluded at the termination OF
between great monachs order show that under that form
of government the power Of cedng territory always
csed That right has always been exercised in monarchca
Governments, and will briefly show that the majority has
serted the same power in this country But contend here
that Mexico, being neither monarchy, repnbc
arsocracy but anarchy must have the right somewhere
The Senator speaks of fundamental law in Mexico about
which he would call upon the President to deliver message
What is that fundamental law Whahas it been from 1892
till the present hour Why sir it has been nothing but the
arbitrary will ofeach successive military despot who has raised
himself to supreme power by his sword.
But with regard to the power Of making cesson Of terri
tory in republican Government know that the majority
have twice decided in this body that existed here First
the settlement Of the Northeastern boundary you nd by the
Of the Senate recorded upon your journals
was declared that the whole othat disputed territory the
property of the United Sae and by the Ashburton treaty
alarge portion Of the territory thus declared to be
rendered repeat, by unanimous vote of the SenatefI
in can be corrected, but believe am rghthe
whole of that territory declared be the property of the
United States and yet treaty ratified by the Senate
dercd large portion Of that sroy and the most valuable
in military point Of view Then again. the second instance
afforded IN that backe feature in hsorythe settle
men OF the Oregon questionin which, after almost every
department of the Government had declared that title
the whole of Oregon unquesonabe yielded large
part to England There exists hen in this Government
in monarchica Government, the power of cedng territory
and cannot why the exercise that power be denied
anarchica Government such that Of Mexico AT any
rate 10 what does the Senator's argument amount when
h.,
has for series of years urged upon She has
urged war upon by every act which has been held
just of nay by series of acts running through
period Of twelve thirteen years, from the hour which
Texas declared herself independent From the battle of San
Jacno down to the battle Of Pao Alto there has not been
hour in which Mexico resolved provoke with
the United States The whole history Of the intercourse be-
tween the nations proves clearly the sunshine that
that the studied and constant effort of Mexico On an
other OCCASION however, shall take opportunity of enter
ing at length upon that subject and of demonstrating think
rreagaby the soundness of the position which have thus
assumed Mexico them urges into this war; She forces
upon conflict involving immense sacrifice of life and
expenditure Of treasure and, at the close OF this conflict the
Senator from Connecticut according the doctrine this day
enuncated would suffer Mexico go scot free, insisting
only that she should say she sorry for her conduct
Sir, do not approve Of such Of policy. hold
that IN with all nations that have existed,
have right to make this offender pay the penalty Of her trans
greson She has gold wherewh to reimburse us, but
she has and and that land want and hope and trust
will get CALI be in order for division OF the question
Mr.. BALDWIN, The Senator from Indiana says that
the information sought by the resolution presumed TO be in
the possession of every department Of the Government I'm
doubtedly IL is 10 be presumed that acquainted with
the general historical facts regard the republic of Mexico
But when the President of the United States recommends
Congress specific when he recommends the acqus
ton of dominion by forced cesson Of that republic and when
knowledge Of the fundamental institutions Of that republic
does not lead the conclusion that she has the power
which the President asks demand Of her to exercise
then il appears to me that is proper and respectful to the
President himself to ask that he shall communicate to the
Senate the information which he and which has led
him to different conclusion. have endeavored to show
that upon our own knowledge Of the fundamental principles
upon which that Government is bascd we could not
principle recognised by ourselves, or to be found in
the law OF nations infer that such authority existed and
it is because have felt that could not, from
knowledge perceive that Mexico had the power which is
necessary she should possess enable her 10 make the ceson
require that deemed due the Executive to call upon
him for any information he may which has led him
different conclusion But sir, the Senator from Indiana
says that this is not question for for Mexico alone
TO decide whether she has the power TO cede not Is this
sir Ae we called upon expend millions of the public
money tor the acquisition Of territory without being permitted
to inquire into the nature Of the title may get LIS it
enough that the Mexican republic under the pressure Of
arms may be willing to vacae her jurisdiction Does
that satisfy the United States that they will thereby rghuly
acquire sovereignty over that people desire that the Pre-
dent may inform Us upon what principle recognised by our
selyesupon what principle recognised by the republic Of
Mexico the sovereignty OF the people Is transferable like pro-
pcry for the payment Of claims against that Government Is
that the doctrine Of the American people Do they hold that