The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-11


ION the war would now have been at an end.
But Mr. President the question at present is, how We
are to terminate this most advangeousy Three plans
LIST. To withdraw our troops from Mexico altogether
I'd. To take defensive line, and concentrate our
troops upon it.
Sd. To prosecute the war with vigor, until Mexico
shall become convinced Of the necessity of rendering to
us JUSTICE and shall do so.
Aside from the disgrace which, think, we should in
by pursuing course which would be a tacit ac-
knowledge before the whole civilized world that the
been Sas Hsy wqq e
United States That it would be one Of the worst things
that could happen for Mexico is beyond all question II
NIT the truth Of the charge which has been made that
the war was commenced for the purpose OF land robbery
But apart from all this, il would be misfortune to the
10 the people Of Mexico themselves may perhaps. be
told that my fears idle but think otherwise. IN
such event, what would be the inevitable result It
would be that Mexico, in her present exhausted cond-
ton, would Immediately, in reality if not in name. fall
into the possession OF European power, Senator's
may suppose that this apprehension is mere creature of
ten or twelve years. Mexico has been practically under the
control, directly or indirectly, of the British government
is to this source that must trace the preudces which
have existed against the North Americans. 1t ia through
the instrumenality OF the military party of the coun-
try led by its chiefs, under the direction Of British in
auences that you have been excluded from their mar
their property conscated This is the true but secret.
reason why your trade with Mexico which was formerly
so iourshng-amoqnting to not less than eleven OF
twelve millions of dollars annuay-has been reduced to
perhaps less than million of dollars. The British agents,
SIR always work. they idle, nor are they
50 at this time am indebted to the gallant Lieut. Col
Fremont for some information acquired by him while
acting governor OF California which has an important
bearing upon this branch of my subject and which will
throw deal OF g wSa q
fold operation having is origin in the ey Of MeS;
The British government In the first place. there
have been transfers of land, not only from individuals,
but from churches through which transfer OF the SOW
eregnty of the country has been attempted unta as
is called or convention had been sanctioned by the gov
of the province to be called to deliberate on the
promety of declaring the inhabitants independent OF
Mexico, and seeking the protection of the British gov
eminent More than this In the city of Mexico itself,
stupendous scheme had been devised BY Roman
Catholic priest, named MacnamaIa, who, having OBJ
down procure agant of three thousand square leagues
of land in that province The eccesiastc was transport
ed TO Monterey in British national ship and the graz
forna. s
But sir, will not anticipate the account which Wi
be laid before the country at the proper time. pacingn
had it not been for timely and energetic aspn Califot
MIA would have belonged, at this moment to subjects
Great Britain and the British agwould have been yip
ished beyond all doubt in the Of avery few days
will not take the trouble to read any part OF this grant
but will append the precious document to the remark
which now Offer in order that the country may be I'd
vised OF what is going on in Mexico
These things and have been in progress in Mckee
ever tine o. our
would sanction and favor the taking possession OF that
whole country by her subjects When were the posses
% s %
leo in that condition.
There are various other reasons which induce me to
believe that something of this kind is in contemplation.
know something of and feel aasurad that
army has already captured more small arms In that coun
try than were in it at the commencement Of the war
The vessels of foreign nations constantly towering
off the coast and the observations of fifteen years have
taught TO anticipate the effect of the immediate with
drawa of army from that country 1t is known that
Paredes the avowed advocate of monarchcal institutions,
is now in Mexico, attempting to place some European
prince upon the throne, the kngly power him
self Should Santa Anna again get into power the estab
suit. He has sympahies with the people-none what
ever and revengefu and ambitious as he is he would not
hesitate make himself king He has not forgotten that
when he deprived of power the populace oek from
its resting place the limb he had lost in their service and
treated with the utmost indgnity If he cannot en-
slave the people By MS own WEI, hs will ssad JON
temper of the Mexican people, Mr. President that feel
convinced they will either establish monarchy with
native sovereign or place themselves under the dominion
of some European power
But if there such thing the establishment Of
monarchy to be apprehended, we willing, would
ask to abandon the prosecution q this Wsr under the
.
proceeded thus far. without having been in at the
commencement during the progress Of the war, asking
nothing but honorable peace with reasonable In
demnty which our enemies have refused to grant all
occasions to talk about, are we now to with
draw our troops without efecng our obecti Gen Tay-
or offered them peace; Gen. Scott has offered it and the
President has offered it, and over again, under cir
cumsances which have almost made them objects OF rd
Guile with the country And yet we are told that the
poor conding, mdgnanin0us Mexican nation are suffer-
ing at our hands, and ought to withdraw troops
What will the world say in such event They may
say we are magnanimotis people, but must think we
have very little Judgment We want peace, and Mexico
has utterly refused to make III and am unwilling to
make retogade movement until she is brought to her
senses, and offers of good behavior in future
thas been proposed that we shall adopta defensive
line In my opinion, sir, the adoption OF such line will
extend the duration of the TO indefinite time 1t
were to fall back and line which should in
clude what willing to accept as an indemnity Tor
the losses and injuries sustained by and garrison IT,
the presence of our army Mexico will acquire the
of operating against us She will get the mines and
revenues OF the country, and will invoke foregn aid and
thus the war will become intermnabe, and may even
tate in bringing into conflict with some foreign and
trans Atlantic power
NV opinion, then, Mr.. President, is, that we should
prosecute this war with vgor and that the necessary
show the Mexcans that resolved to bring them to
reason They should be made to understand that they
have nothing to expect from divisions at home; the
nature and extent of which they do not know and cannot
properly appreciate If they see forty or fifty thousand
men about 10 seize and occupy permanently their large
cities and mining districts, they would be convinced,
Notwithstanding the approach of presidential election,
of peace which shall be satisfactory to this country
They do II