Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-04-20

Inc war had been carried into Mexico, to cripple
her power, and to compel her to make a honora
bic peace. Again, sir, The President in his
message of Aug. 9TH, 1916, saws:
Equally anxious to terminate, by poaco honorable to
both parties as was originally to avoid tho existing war;
Mexico Should the Government of that Republic accept the
Offer in the friendly spirit by which II was Dictated
treaty" -
"a peace honorable 10 both parties" was the
object desired. 1.-THE chief difficulty to be an
ticipated in the negotiation" says the President
Is the adjustment of tho bosnda7y between he parties
by line which shall BIO at once satisfactory convenient
70 both aud such neither will be hereafter inclined to dis
hb This tho best mode Of securing and perpetual
good noghborhood between the rel ubes Should the
Mexican Government, in order accomplish these objects
be willing to codc any portion of their toroy tho United
States, we ought TO pay them fair equivalent just and
honorable peace and not conquest being the
The boundary question was the matter in
dispute between the two countries-and should
the Mexican Government, for the purpose of es-
tablishng line convenient for both parties, be
uuiuing 10 cede portion of her territory 10 The
United States, zoe ought 10 pay her far eqltica-
lent for II. No cession of territory was 10 be re-
quired without the free consent Of the Mexican
Government But this is not all, sir; the Presi-
dent asked for an appropriation of S3,0O0,OOC, to
enable him to advance portion of the considera-
ton money, for any cession of territory the Mex
/ lean Government might be willing to make
The character and objects of the war having been
thus announced to Congress and the country, l.,
with most of the Senators on this side of the
chamber, at the last session of the Congress,
voted men and money for its prosecution. And,
sir, to show that our votes were given with no
view TO the acquisition Of Mexican territory by
conquest | refer TO the amendment offered by
the honorable Senator from Georgia., Mr.. Berri-
en,) to Senate bill, No. l05, "making further
appropriation to bring the existing war with
Mexico to a speedy and honorable conclusion"
commonly called the three million bill. The fol-
lowing are the words of the amendment:
provided always and is hereby declared to be the ruo
intent and meaning of Congress- in making this opproprin
ton that tho with Mexico ought to be prosecuted
by this Government with any view the Acknowledgement
of that ropubc the acquisition, by Conquest Of any
portion of her territory That this Government desir-
to maintain and preserve peaceful and friendly relations
with all nations and particularly with the noishborng Re
public of exico waways be ready to entor negoa
lions with view terminate tho present unhappy conflict
on terms which shall secure tho Just lights and preserve IN
violate the national honor of tho United States and OF Next
That it especially desirable, in order to maintain and
preserve those omcabe relation. which ought always TO
exist between noghborng Republics that the boundary OF
the State Of Toxl should be deinilyey setle and that
provision he made by the Republic of Moxico for the prompt
and equitable adjustment Of the Just Claims Of our citizens
on that republic"
On the question, "sha this amendment be
adopted ?" 1t was determined in the negative, by
a vote of yeas, twenty four-nays, twenty nine
every Senator on this side of the chamber,
with the exception of Mr.. Johnson, of Louisiana,
voting in the affirmative. Here. sir, is the re-
corded opinion of the Wings of the Senate, that
this war ought not to be prosecuted with view
to acquisition, by conquest, Of any portion of the
Mexican territory.
And here, too, is the recorded opinion of the
democracy of the Senate, in direct opposition
to that expressed by the Wings. The issue is
fairly joined and to the country am perfectly
willing to submit the decision of the question.
have shown, think, sir, by evidence which
Senators on the o'her side ofthe chamber are moi
at liberty to dispute, that up,to the close of the
last session of Congress, the acquisition by con
quest, of Mexican Territory, was aisavowed by
the Executive. What sir, is the character o
the war now? For what purpose is it TO BIZ
prosecuted "with increased energy and powe
in the more vital parts of the enemy's country 2
1t is, sir, to compel Mexico to cedo to the Unitet
States nearly one half OF her republic -inor,
than 100000 square miles. Of her territory, ant
more than three hundred thousand of her people
This cession of territory is demanded, it is said
because Mexico has protracted the war by obsti
nately refusing to receiVe'thc olive branch, wheI
offered by our Government Mexico, is is true
agreed to receive Commissioner, TO adjust TIN
question of boundary between the two Govern
ments; but the President sent q Minister Pleni
potentiary, and she rejected him; expressing
however, at the same time, her willingness t,
receive him in the character of COMMISSIONER
But sir, did she reject the olive branch whel
offered by Commissioner Trst at the gates O
her capital? No, sir, she received it crmsone,
as it was with the blood Of her slaughtered wo
men and children. And whit were the terms @
peace offered by our Government? They wer
first, the Rio Grande for our western boundary
second, the cession tothe United States, of Ne,
Mexico and the two CALIFORNIA;; and third,
right of way across the lsthmus of Tehnantepet
And, in consideration of these demands, if con
cd fret to- oil cloi in,
for the expenses of the war; second to assum
and pay the claims of our citizens on the Mex
can Government, (suppOsed to be about 5000
000,) and third, to pay Mexico such additions
sum in money as the territory ceded might b
worth over and above our claims upon her Gov
eminent. The sum offered by Mr.. Trist is state
to have been from GAeen to twenty millions {
of dollars--and that, too, afier our demand ha
been reduced to the ultimatuln Of the Presiden
Well, sir, what was the reply of the Mexioa
Government to our demands? 1t was, in III
language of the Mexican Commissioners TO NJ
'rrist, that
az The existing undertaken soteIy on account
the Territory OF the State Of Texas, respecting which, III
North American republic presents its title the act OF III
said State by which il annexed the North America
confederation, after having proclaimed its independence
Moxicn The Mexican republic Offering tas have Inform
ed your exccecy consent, 70, proper decentralization
preensons OF The Government of Washington tel
rtoy of Texas the Of tho hs Disappeared an
the itself ought To cease, since there is Il
To the other tl
fourth article Of your oxeelicncy's draught, right ha
heretofore been asserted by the republic Of North
nor do believe it will he possible for it any, con
sequont IL could not acquire them except by the right
conquest by the title which will result from the
or sale which Mexico might make. But as we ar
the republic OF Washington will not only al
solutey repe but will hold in adherence the first of hes
titles and as the other hand, il would be a new thing
and contrary to every idea OF justice, make upon
people for other than because il refused to Sc
territory which its negbor sough, to buy, expect
justice of Government and people North America
that ample modification which have propose to III
cesson of territory, contemplated in The fourth article
be motive to persist in war which the worthy GeneI
OF the North American troops has justly styled aRnaRr
al"
In regard to the Rio Grande as the western
boundary of the State of Texas and the cessioI
of Lower California the Commissioners say:
That Mexico cannot cede the belt which lies betwe e
the le bank the Rio Bravo Rio Grando) and right
the Nueces. The onteuinod for this is aon
the full certainty that such territory belonged to tn
of Texas, Is founded upon the gIeNt value tn
abstract which placed it, Ii is because that
together with tho Brave (Ro Grande) forms tho natura
frontier Of Mexico, both in military and commercial
the frontier of no Stale ought 10 be sought and Stat
should abandon its irontie But in order
move all OF trouble hereafter, tho Government o
Mexico engages not to found settlements nor establish
colonies space between tho rivers that re
naming its present uninhabited condition. may servo
equal security both republics That CaoTnla, whlc
would of little advantage the Republic Of North Amer
ca offers great to Mexico considering th
position of that ponaula opposite our coast ofsonoa IRON
which is separated by iha narrow gulf Of Cores You
we have been grafed that have yielded 10 them
II of California would be enough