Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-02-05
CONGRESSIONAL.

INCREASE OF THE ARMY,

lNGhEAcG VI lie AhM1.
The Senate having resumed the consideration ON its third
reading of the bill 10 raise for mited time additional
military force
Mr. CLARKE said It is due to myself and to the cons
tuency whom have the honor in part to represent this
floor that should assign, plainly and briefly may be-
the which will govern my on the bill before
for discussion consider il second in importance no
that demand attention the present session.
not only from the principles and consequences involved but
also being the first OF series of designed
large the means extended offensive warfare against Mexico
had hoped that before Congress urged the passage
any important act particular expression of its views might
have been made defining what extent, and what ends
the war with Mexico should be further prosecuted We are
informed by the President in his last message Congress that
the destruction Of the nationality OF Mexico is not conempat
ed by himha he designs not TO blot her from existence
among the nations Of the EARTH We had also from the hon
orable chairman of the Committee Military Affairs who
speaks by authority, the assurance The object
empated the ACKNOWLEDGMENT not the subugaon Of Mex
leo. Other things, however, cast their shadows before
The veil has partially lifted, and the future opened
cautiously Enthusiastically to view. And first in the
CORY Of these Indications s there certain resolutions
offered by the honorable Senator from New York. (Mr DICK
ISsos which propose that form territorial governments
for territories in Mexico although right the
territories possession is but the right of conquest In
the next place, there were resolutions submitted by the
distinguished Senator from Indiana M HASNEeAs decar-
ing the consutonality of territorial acquisitions Next,
sir letter from Major Gen. Scott Dated believe the
18th of September last in which he tells the Secretary of
War that if the Government intend to occupy with its troops
all the principal towns in Mexico and keep the Central Gov
eminent in motion and ALARM would be necessary to
ment his forces to fifty thousand men, The fourth indication
which has struck my mind the avowa of the honorable
chairman Of the Committee Military Affairs thathe entire
conquest of Mexico intended The fifth sir is the gene
raj order Of the Major General commanding in Mexico dated
18th December, lS47 which general order, if understand
it. covers the whole ground Of the conquest and occupancy
the territories of that republic To the first article Of that
der desire TO call the attention of the Senate
This army about spread itself and occupy
republic Mexico until the latter shall for peace
acceptable to the Government Of the United Staes.'
Thus has dismembermen been transformed into subugaton
To the succeeding portions of this general ode emanatng
from the Government at home is necessary call aten
ton They principally apply to the sequestraion of the
of Mexico, and make her emphaicay conquered
province.
When the Emperor Napoleon, in the pride and pentude
of his power mpeed by his lust for conquest and glory, had
trodden down with his iron heel the dynases Of Eu
rope Holland subjugaed and in his memorable decree
OF annexation, remarkable for its force well its breviy
he says, Holland annexed to France The decree of
Commanding General Short but quite sgnif
cant and comprehensive. The plan for entire conquest of
Mexico is foreshadowed Dsmembermen is transformed into
subjugaton. One step and shall have annexation
In few brief years where this mighty conquero Strip
ped of his power prisoner in the hands of his Oldest and
strongest foe doomed exile for life upon rock in the
sea- surrounded by desoaon and France, his beautiful
France, at the mercy of her allied foes ccumscrbed
within her ancient limits Of sovereignty, resting her great
and reposng her glory yielding up the spos she had
hidden In her BOSOM May this lesson not be lost upon us
and may our fate be than hers. entering
this discussion with capous of opposing any
sues whence they may do not propose to discuss
the controvered of the The first and primary
the admission of Texas for extension of slave pow
er but that longer question for practical use for the
lone star Of that republic has become merged glorious
constellation and rghuly wrongfully one amongst
and forever.
The immediate to be found the ILL advs
ed march Of Gen. Taylor the Rio Gandc whether pro-
voking hoses repelng them whether invading terrific
ry In possession of Mexico, driving Mexican forces from
Texas and her SOIL has been ably and ncontroyerby dis
cussed by the honorable Senators from Delaware Maryland
and North Carolina. II is in able hands than my
own, and there leave it. 1t is sufficient say that the
has been sanctioned by the legally constituted authorities of
the naton and must be prosecuted to just and honorable
peace such peace humanity dictates and the interests Of
the country require just peace, surenderng right and
inaictng no wrong therefore approach this discussion
fttered and free My duty here requires Judge of
sures for the interests Of my country alone and whatever
vote may giye shall be from the best convictions Of duty,
and earnest desire 10 promote the general welfare.
The two bills reported to the Senate by the Committee
Military affairs propose augment the regular army TO- 900
men and the volunteer force 20 regiments equal to 10000
is asked, and ask It in sincerity and soberness
why and for what end is this additional force TO be embodied
and sent forth into a conquered country, at moment when
the advces from Mexico lead to believe that peace
may be had upon Of dicaton-when commis
sioner from the yet remnant Of government at Querearo,
existing only by the obearance of the commanding general
have sought your ambassador but found, unfortunately his
power whdawnwhen, to avert utter subjugaon, il
fdenty said that Mexico invites you other negotiations
leading TO treaty, if not Of amy, of pence and desires
rescue her national existence from ruin Why is it necessary
TO increase our military force Why send to
force greater humiliation
From the able report Of the Secretary OF War-and sir,
take great pleasure in subscribing its aby- appears that
we have now in the army 43, 536 OF whom there
Regulars. ....................... 81, 500
foiuneeB ....................... .Z2,O2I
With Scott at Tampico Vera Cruz and Mexico 49, l56
With Taylor (now Woo) on the Rio Grande. 6,727
In Santa Fe and Oregon and Santa Fe route. 1854
In California .......................... l,0l9
80 u.s.ieo. no ooo
Add Michigan and other volunteers. ........ 1000
as 53e
To this should be added the whole naval force in the Gulf
Of Mexico, and the whole force the Pacific These forces
have been efficient in their sphere Of action any por
ton Of force engaged in the brilliant and gallant exploits
redounding 10 the honor Of their country.
May not fairly add the actual efficient naval force,
4464 men And IL So have at present force in and
around Mexico amounting in the aggregate So 600 men,
In addition to this the existing laws authorize the recruiting
and cmbodyng Of 5000 for the regular army and the
President has authority to accept I2 600 volunteers All this
making 10000, added to the preceding estimate Of so 0O0
gives the present force authorized by law 10 900 men,
Pass this BILL and the bill for twenty regiments Of volunteers
and you cannot have less than 900 engaged in seek
ing indemnity and security from Mexico, already PROSTATE
before you.
These things being So the first question to my mind is
why and for what these additional forces wanted And
secondly where to get the maintain them