The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-30

dressed by
the ener topics introduced in the speech OF the honora
bic gentleman. Ga point only, wish TO say a few
words and that with regard TO the remarks which he
made ulon the speech OF the honorable member from
Smith Carolina and some observations OF my own, upon
,bs assumed authority by the Executive OF the United
States to levy and collect taxes IN Mexico. Now, SIR,
when gentlemen OF experience and character debate
these grave questions, the first thing is 10 ascertain
what these questions are, and TO present them truly,
corng their character, Tor discussion The honora-
bic member frcc Michigan supposes that this levyng OF
taxes and imposs in he-tenores of Mexico, by the
authority of tue President OF the United States, act
OF war. Ii Is no such thing.
Mr CASS Gin his seat) II is right OF war.
Mr. WEBSTER. 1t is no such thing. 1t is neither
an act nor right OF war; according 10 the law OF nations
He calls il contribution. Ii is no contribution. 1t is
legislative act; and when the honorable member quoted
those portions OF the United States constitution which he
thought applicable 10 The case, he might without mpro-
pey, have quoted another passage which says, that
all legislative power Is vested IN the Senate and House Of
Representatives Now, il exactly comes TO thsi is the
establishment OF code of customs in Mexico OF
war derived from war; or an act OF legislation Why
clearly it is the latter. want TO know how the Pres
dent of the United States the revenue law of
Mexico, and establish in its stead any more
than he the law of the descent of property,
the law OF Inheritance the criminal code, any other
portion OF Mexican law contribution levied upon
Mexico 1t is such thing. What is it, 1t is a code
Of customary duties framed here, in the Treasury Depart
and upon whose propery' Upon the Mexicans? Why
no, Very little OF il upon MexicaRs, because it
law OF mposts 1t is law upon those who import goods
and merchandise into Mexico-upon all the neutrals of
the wordupon all non-combatants; and not only that.
but it law levying duty of imposts upon goods and
merchandise carried thilher by citizens OF the United
States; and that the honorable gentleman calls " contr
button"
! Mr. CASS. do
Mr. WEBSTER. Well then, think he calls things
by names which have no more relation to them than
that black has 10 white 1t is not contribution at all
Mr.. FOOTE. would ask the honorable gentleman
whether he concelves 1t to be the dut OF the government
OF he United States to protect the officers of
Mexico IN the collection OF duties should their pro-
ceednss have been superseded by proceedings of SINH
lar kind on the part OF the United States! What would
he have done IN the case
Mr.. WEBSTER. Jus, exactly what Congress- in its dis
cretion, should think fit to do What say is that is an
exercise OF legislative power and no exercise of military
case mentioned by the honorable gentleman of the
shals OF the French army levyng contributions they
march from city TO city, fagrante beo the head Of
their forces do not understand the logicI do not nm
deand that train of legal mind which can perceive anal
oges IN cases which, as appears TO me, entirely
diSsimllar When an army marches through enemys
country 1T is supposed to have the right of supporting it.
sell by the strong hand it has the absolute right of war,
whether 1t choose TO exercise il not, to make pllage
no seize private property. And what is contribution
Why, substitute Tor the law of plage the practice
Of plumber When an army approaches city, the
mander OF that army asks so much support--so many
thousand crowns-such and such provisions he says he
Will take them by the strong hand unless the authorities
compound by giving SO much money in consideration of
which, he will orbear the exercise OF that military right
Let me ask The honorable gentleman another question
part oil this system, sanctioned by the President was,
that the moneys collected by these evies should be paid
over 10 the military and naval officers Could they not
well have been ordered to be brought here and put
INTO our treasury Does it make particle of difference,
ana not system OF revenue established under
1--WE authority in Mexcos and will any call that mill
lary contribution! Let it be shown by any authentic
Work on national law-by any decided case-by any
course of reasoning argument-that the levying of
permanent system OF revenue conquered territory is
rAacy the Same thing as temporary or occasional mill
lary contribution OF marching army, and then the
chage brought against the administration cannot be
maintained.
Mr. CALHOUN. rise to make very few remarks.
When addressed the Senate yesterday in reply to the
question, what shall we do if the treaty is not ratifed2
answeredIake possession of the country which is coded
70 US oy thal instrument, occupy it, and defend it, The
worthy senator from Michigan says he is at loss
qeIsland what mean by that Well, there is not much
alieIence between us am at a loss to understand why
ne cannot understand it Ii appears to TO be one Of
& Inc painest propositions in the world He has hunted
up thousand imaginary difficulties that never did exist
ana never can exist. in order to make good his
ue0 ne w TO know how my plan can be carried ont
poim 70 Tue case OF Texas. The whole of the eastern
frontier IN the line coded to us. supposed by the
treaty was the boundary which Texas claimed as against
ieAuo Now does not every man know that, for seven
og years. Texas held possession OF that frontier without
single INVASION on the part of Mexico and that at a
une when Texas had not more than three or four COM
a a So, OF regulars altogether Now, sir if Texas could
M 'a' line then, Is there any difficulty with Texas
loS now that she has doubled her populations and is
backed by The whole of the United Staes And yet the
o,lhy senator from Michigan cannot understand it, II
- Impossible that he can understand it Again, as to
California he Is if possible, more at loss with regard
10 mat tbs first great difficulty is our occupying the
Euii OF california. Ii the senator will remember, the
ne hat proposed passed through the whole extent Of
ms gai OF California; and if he will look at the map he
SI , una II IS very broad eypanse of water He will
,h u .lal II covers very large portion of Californa-a
IN e.u ' ana inhabited portion OF California If he will
h al lhe statistics OF Mexico he will find that she has
NO. o single armed vessel. Now, what proposed was
ia a. d Jew armed vessels-one steamers among
% occupying that expanse of water, would secure us
All attacks OF Mexico that portion of the line
me senator could not understand it. It is as IN
to e,SS'no' WIN hum, sort of metaphysical idea Now as
me residue OF that line The whole length of If is about
p or hve hundred miles from the head of the gulf TO
I $50 1e Noie that is all that remains to be defend
wen, the whole OF the country covered by that line
i n ny indian tribes powerful that there is no
' %, vi MeNco invading it, They invade Mexico; they
zoo powerful Tor her and il will not require single
yier us stationed IN the whole extent of that line in
otecuon necessary against the Indians No,y wo knn,
" Saoihlals so lar remote from Mexico the difficulty
Pioo Is so great, that the mere han Iful of ppopJe
Sanonla have been enabled in fac, 10 have almns, an
uepehuen government there venture 10 saw thai moi
single regiment will be needed there Tho, ~ 80?
ans now there together with the NATIVES ,h e r
leced towards us and DESTROYS of seeing onr an,bor
,aoi'shed' VIII be quite adequate TO defend il again,
forever, with the aud OF few vessels in tho ,,lf
h California 'o III uhe gun
Now venture 10 present what no doubt will ,,,o ,
nc s senator very bold proposition the cost would he
ne treaty than TO occupy il under the treaty 7 hoo nv
ss "Nnuoh OF the senator Under the treaty-I NAV
~ mna' every one knows perfectly well-a large
| VI ehs thrown on side of the line and iron,
neees Oh me case, we shall be compelled 10 defend
eY;co sSould has indians; or. il should not and