Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-06-03


and has furnished quantity Of arms and ammunition 10 these
people pursuant To their request What will she expect in
return Does she demand the sovereignty She has COM
peu WIN he request made to her, and her good offices and
acts OF interference have been very acceptable TO these people
But yesterday speak the authority the Senator from
Michigan who seems TO have credited i there was rumor
that no less than four companies British troops have been
marched to aid these Yucaanese Now sir suppose we send
body OF men there Span England, and the United States
will be there and the sovereignty Of the country Is promised
to each Power that renders aid How will the question of
sovereignty be settled each Power have uflment
OF the promise Mr. President if my apprehensions are
rect II such supposed Of things should come to pass
all these Powers should in Yucatan each with mill
ary naval force, both, my opinion would find our
selves IN position from which exrcate us without rup
ure of peaceful relations would demand more wisdom and
moderation than am prepared TO concede to the present Ad
ministraon There must be imminent danger of conflict
when three such Powers in pursuit Of an object which
but one can obtain. When we shall meet two of the old
Powers OF Europe under such circumstances If the same am
bilious desire OF acquisition which influences stimulates
them can the question which will be discussed or the
plumber be disposed Of without rupture among the-paries
II the doctrines OF Mr. Monroe expounded by the Pres
dent to be enforced the established policy Of the
y we shall be fortunate If do find ourselves arayed
IN war against Mexico, England, and Spain. Why should
we rush into such folly, and disregard the manifold blessings
which an ndulgen Providence has in store for us The
Senator from Michigan would saw perhaps in his seat that
ths arrival oil Spanish and British aid Yucatan the re-
suit OF the action OF the colonies of Cuba and jamaica and
not direct assistance from those great Powers themselves
But suppose Great Britain and Spain-as they will do
think action Of their colonies as thew have an
undoubed right do because these troops furnished on
the assumption that their Governments will approve of the
measure II this should occur then it behooyes the Senate
OF the United States to consider what it does when it popo
ses 10 send troops into Yucaan, and reflect upon weigh
well the consequences that may probably result from such
course of policy II is hined and pretty broadly asserted
without proof however, that the English furnish these
Indians with arms and ammunition, and that they thus
encouraging the rebellion Now this same commissioner
who brings this before for consideration makes very
singular declaration in of his dispatches He says that
they he Yucatane could easily and cheapy have bought
The arms they wanted OF the English at Belize but they pre-
ferred TO obtain them from the United States According to
this statement then these very people who are said 10 be
encouraging this rebellion by placing in the hands Of the
Indians TO prosecute this the time willing to
sell arms cheapy freely the other party Could there
be more striking proof of the fact that all these statements
about arms nothing than that either of these par
ties who choose to purchase Belize do they have
the means Ii there any such sinister purpose has
been suggested if the English anxious strengthen and
arm these Indians In order to overthrow exeminate the
whites, surely they would be found selling and am
mun'ion to the very whom they wished put down.
The President of the United States his message to us
advengJo the doctrine advanced in 1923 by Mr. Monroe
then the President Of the United States has taken occasion
twice three times in the of that message to say that
he considered this doctrine recognised by him his annual
message the year before last be the established policy Of the
United States He has condescended shadow forth
the Interpretation which in practice would give to that
hey, nor 10 state by what opinions this Government
expressed IN the forms of the constitution has received such
sanction as to authorize the declaration that is establish
ed Poicy The Senator from Michigan, who very apt
things through the Executive medium while he approves
OF the declaration OF Mr. Monroe does consider to be
he established policy OF the count but his whole argument
but commentary carrying out this text Mr.. President,
should be glad TO notice in suitable way this declaration and
the construction given it, but have the power left
which requisite for that purpose It suffice for to
remark that has become the minds such adopt il an
authority Justyng any and all schemes Of aggression
nIa a..
FAR 10 regulate the affairs Of this continent as 10 determine
who shall hold sovereignty here and under what form GO
venren This declaration arrayed against the settle
ment of the Oregon question. II Is 10 be maintained
against any European Power which may attempt acquire
territory any where in this world. Yucatan has
offered her sovereignty England the terms upon
which she has proered suppose England avas her
self OF IT. and becomes the purchaser Of the country sup
Yucaan any other State voluntarily delivers itself over
England TO be governed by her authority them according
to the views of the President only have the right but
are bound BY established policy, interfere and expel
England, because deny her right to coonze upon this
continent We who traffic in nations, and when we cannot
buy conquer them to make acquisitions, have monopoly
patent night to this peculiar ade and hold the right TO re-
strain others from engaging in IT, Yucaan may sell herself
bot we alone have the right purchase II England enters
fucatan under the invitation Of its Government upon the
assumption that she too has right trade soyeregnes
and We denying this right meet her there, how rupture
TO be avoided If stay away may he content with a
war OF words, but armed forces meet and is il
must be, under the command Of the President how can he
avoid carrying out what he ayows to be established
policy
Mr. President any reasoning illustrate satisfaco
rly not only the folly but the peril of assuming toward
others such posture the President assigns us No
Administration, down the present. thought Of giving
such construction to this declaration We have in no in
stance nerered with objected the arrangements Of other
nations.
Mr. President feel confident that there must be some
mappehenson about the opinions OF the President now or
his sentiments have undergone change. He took part
member Of the House Of Representatives in great de-
bate upon the Panama mission, twenty years ago
10 that debate, gentlemen will find by consulting the
speeches then delivered this declaration Of Mr. Monroe occu
pied large share Of the attention Of the members who cr
ced it very freely and rocolec very well listening to the
President among others various times upon that subject
But shall not hust my memory in this respect What
wish to draw the attention OF the Senate Is this that h Se
nators give fair Interpretation 10 the declaration Of Mr.
Monroe, and do not strain the principle which he is said
have avowed and The President in these sentiments
be has very much changed his opinion the period
OF that debate do not that he has changed bis op-
ions, but leave for every gentleman who hears me to com
the views he then put forth with those now before u.s.
and judge for himself little explanation may be useful 10
make the then existing state Of things understood What,
then, was the cause OF that discussion will briefly
that according to my recollection it this some seven
eight republics had suddenly sprung existence having
thrown oil the colonial bondage OF Span and established free
popular sovereigntes for themselves There was strong
sympathy, kindly feeling for these States by us we were
anxious to and them far was
consistent with our own safety, and the rights of others
They believing u TO be important 10 them have harmo-
nious understanding, only among themeeycs but with