Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-04
IN sENATE-FrBRuARY 2, ls4s.

publish below the explanatory rematks made by Messs
CAss and DAVIS IN the of Mr. Bells late speech IL
the Senate which were crowded four paper or Saurda,
i 18th ultimo
When Mr. BELL had the close Of the first day, reached
that point in his speech where he expressed his purpose to
ce the proered indulgence Of the Senate and defer the
conclusion Of his speech to the following day
Mr. cASS. For myself, as individual member of the
Senate can say it will give great pleasure to extend IA
the Senator the indulgence which DESIRES in the state
his health, TO adjourn this debate till tomorrow, IN order TO
AFFORD INN an opportunity to finish his remarks The honor
able Senator has made two three illusions IN the course Of
his speech which but regard personal to myself
and u Is In reference TO them desire to say few words,
The Senator repeatedly challenged contradiction pausng
though ne wished and expected reply Assuming certain
as The basis OF his argument he minated we knew they
true but when to put the matter right at the
moment the error committed found the honorable Sena-
tor wished to continue his argument with his facts he
assumed them, till he had terminated his part of the debate
With good dead OF emphasis the Senator repeatedly asked
hat do want " Addressing Senators this side OF
the chamber, he asked What do you demand from Mexco
And really seemed as he expected would rise and say
that he wanted this and another that he wanted that and that
the whole Senaeboth sides Of it, suppoewas to be polled
in this kind Of canvass and give their opinion and
respecting the specific terms ought to demand from Mexico
We engaged in with foreign nation. Its
SO lar has been prosperous and glorious but no human being
predict It's consequences, when how will terminate
In this state of things would be most extraordinary
stance Of legislative mpudence if each member Of this body
projects Ct every other But sir all that prudent sena
ought do would be down certain general principles
such for example, indemnity and security, simplifying his
views of them he pleased, without undertaking to specify
precisely what ought ought not to be accepted And the
honorable gentleman had referred to of remarks pre-
vousy made in the session, he would have discovered my
views of this matter 1dsncty stated that the ncipent
steps Of the negotiation given President by the con-
sution and that though could expect the gentlemen
the other side to have the confidence in the Executive
myself and my friends this side have for
satisfied to leave them there, and to content myself with
vesigang the matter when came before the Senate, and
with voting aye upon the treaty II my then,
and entertain the same sentiments now
The Senator has made many illusions to the principle laid
down by the President and has emphatcay repeated the
terms, indemnify and securty-secuny and indemnity
though they announced discovery in diplomacy,
and asks, in triumphant tone, what they mean The hon
oabe Senator fom Delaware (Mr CLAYToS) had previous
ly made the inquiry and he also seemed startled
though doctrine and practice to mark
go,iaiions in Mexico. will not take that honorable gentle
mans witty definition, that indemnity half and
rty the other half but will say that indemnity half
whatever else it less security
tainty and safety for its protection.
Mr.. President In the modern diplomacy Of Europe for
the last three centuries the principle Of indemnity and
rity is well known and enforced any other principle OF
national nercommuncaon There objects for which
security may be demanded, depending upon existing ccum-
stances One has reference unstable and
the other 10 inractabe hostile peoples which Of these
curties this Government may think demand
whether both, and of what and extent for
determine. These questions with the Executive
There the constitution has placed them, and there am will
ling TO leave them Does the gentleman suppose that this
Government will make treaty without reasonable
pect Of its Observance without adopting the necessary pre-
cautions for fidelity and good faith the part Of Mexico
When the allies entered Paris after the fall Of Napoleon the
restored dynasty found the feelings of the French nation against
them, and their political condition uncertain and toer
ing The great Powers therefore, kept military possession
of Paris and of other portions of France, security till
the new Government could gain strength and evnce power
and disposition comply with their engagements merely
refer the fact illustration of the general principle, and
because have the slightest knowledge Of the of the
security which the Executive 10 demand Many other
cases. sir have happened and many more be imagined
IN which temporary possession OF important positions IN
country may have been may be where feeble
Government holds the power in order to provide against its
fall, it should fall before its engagements fulfilled
Again, with regard hostile and intractable people, il
may be necessary obtain security against their unfendy
disposition. An open ndeiensible country river which
may be crossed any where almost from its It's mouth
may not be regarded aordug proper security against bo
der incursons of mounans-a natural barrier may
be necessary. And in connexon with this topic will re-
mark that the resolutions of the honorable Senator from Indiana
(Mr. HASNEGASl have led investigate this subject
narrowly than had done before, and am perfectly satisfied
he right and that the Sierra Made would make the proper
boundary between and Mexico that frontier and
member Of the Senate hope this boundary will be OBJ
tanned That ridge of mountains extraordinary one,
mencng The Gulf Of Mexico and running five bun
bred miles the Paso del Norte, and with than
five six passes through which penetrate it, The
rest is an eternal impcneabe impossible barrer-a natural
wall which laughs that Of China and beyond is the
great desert destitute of water and which hostile expe
dons he pushed only with great difficulty very small
force would Theoretically close these passes through the RIDGE
and give full security for indemnity that side
The honorable Senator said he would astonsh US with some
Of his remarks He has fully redeemed his promise, and
confess myself very much astonished indeed He to
fact and to deduce a conclusion, and calls
upon contradict if il that the Administration
does desire peace with the Government Of Mexico.
Mr., BELL did not say that | said that this Admin
sration had confidence in the security which any treaty
with the existing Government OF Mexico could give for future
peace and therefore did desire peace with any existing
Government unless with security, which they did not believe
the Government could afford.
Mr.. CASS. The gentleman seems to assume a given
fact and beyond dispute and bases upon il bis agumeni
that the does not desire peace Apd he stated
expressly tina, il the fact fails his argument fails with it. Now
sir heard word Of this before. II such be the
case the gentleman has penetrated far deeper the
Of Executive secrets than have DONE believe that the Ad
mina,on not only willing but DESTROYS make a treaty
With any Government in Mexico whose authority recognised
there and run the risk OF proper security for the maiDe
Of it.
Mr. BELL. What security can any Government which
exists in Mexico give
Mr. CASS We have not yet got to that point No Gov
eminent in Mexico has yet made treaty our difficulty is
in the observance Of the spuatons treaty, but in
formation They have utterly refused to enter into any
negotiation with II is not that there unstable Gov
ernmen but that the Government rejects offers That