Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-01-22
CONGRESSIONAL.
In sENATE-TauRsDAy, JANUARY 20, ls4s.
INSTRUCTIONS TO GEN. SCOTT.

The Senate proceeded to consider the following resolution
submitted by Mr.. MAsGUm on the 10Th instant:
ResoI1ed That the President Of the United States
asesed to inform the Senate whether the general orders No.
37C issued by Gen. Scott Headquarters Mexico, bearing
the Secretary of War; and il lay said instructions be-
fore the Senate and so any opinion OF Gen. Scott in
gard the military means carry said instructions
into effect which may be on ile
Mr.. CASS inquired whether the usual clause referring the
disclosure to the Executive discretion contained in the
solutions and if not he suggested that il should be there
He also suggested that the addition made by the Senator from
South Carolina OF requiring the reports OF all the officers OF
the army extended the scope o this inquiry far beyond that
designed by the Senator from North Carolina He suggest
ed whether would be better TO let the resolution lie over
till Tomorrow till the effect of the addition 10 the resolution
should be asceriained
Mr.. MANGUM. am extremely unfortunate sir can
not please the gentleman any way The resolution which
presented the other day drawn as then stated, with
due RECORD that official decorum which has always been OBJ
served towards the Chief Magistrate OF the United States
proposed insert the usual qualification if in his opinion the
same may be communicated consistently with the public n
rests II objected TO. afterwards inserted amend
men that the resolution might be answered either conGden
tally otherwise That necessarily excluded the latter
clause because suppose the principle will not be affirmed
here particularly when sitting In another caaciy that thing
that necessary enghen in regard to matter pend
ing before which may be in the possession the Executive
which be taken by condentaly only if the Execu-
tive chooses give in that not part Of Ex
ecuye business which much entitled TO the Ex-
ecuve himself say, too that legislators, ought un-
less there is particular which makes improper
that should be communicable the public to be put
session of the fullest information However, in this respect
endeavored restrict the call for the communication which
might covered by the resolution and simply asked TO be in
formed order had been issued from the Executive o. War
Department the General commanding n-chef in Mexico
directing him to all Mexco it instructions TO that Ell
feet had emanaed from the War Department from the Ex
ecutvc department and if desire to those nstruc
tions simply to that poinand restricted to that point II
there are other of general character which may be
deemed improper give to the public let the information be
confined that point solely do not desire to have the in
formation in all the ramfcaons into which it may be pur
sued, but simply in regard TO this point.
The point thsdd order TO the Generan chief issue
from the Executive War Department. directing him to cover
the whole Of Mexico 10 take possession Of all the strong
points II this be the case then desire to know the opinion
of the Generan-che in regard TO the extent OF the military
.meas necessary to effect that object II is particularly, vast
Iy important regard u these thirty regiments that are asked
for in addition 10 the military force already authorized by law
And sir who the best judges of the extent OF the military
necessary in any of these military movements Gen.
Taycr And Gen Wool, line of our defences,
quetoasby much higher authority than can be derived from
any other source, either in this country out OF It, In re-
gard the other division OF forces sthose IN the city
Of Mexico and the line between that city and Vera Cruz
where is there authority to be found higher than that OF Gen.
Scott There none, sir; and believe the inclination OF
Gen. Scot i to ask ample for the accomplishment Of
the object which he seeks to attain Think that lie will
risk the safety of his amy will he risk his exalted
military reputation, in embaIkng upon an enterprise without
the which will enable him accomplish what he under
takes therefore take it for granted that he asks for the
pest means and the asked for by him will
to much the thirty regiments, think il will be an
answerabe argument against the application Of the Secretary
of War for these regiments.
Sir, desire extract nothing that ought to be withheld
desire ask for nothing that viii embarras the Executive,
in any way compcate relations with Mexico There
such purpose desire two objects, which must be ap
parent the honorable chairman of the Committee Militia
ry Affairs desire first to know the scope and extent of the
Executive purposes this subject have right TO know
Them and the country has right to know them and, after
having asceained the and scope Of the Executive pu
of
accomplish those purposes. Knowing these things, there
will not be much difficulty in forming decision to the
which ought take when to vote upon
the bills which presented 10 r increasing the forces
feel very that there oyer-sensbity-a sort Of
tender footedness if may such expression in regard
10 marching TO the point and conveying direct information
the part of the honorable chairman OF the Committee on
Military Aairs-I it in offensive scnse-a sort of
skiltshnes sir which is not think what we have right to
expect II the gentleman desires 10 make the resolution
tey decorous by adding the ordinary clause Of qualification
proposition Of that sort will be acceded to with great pleasure
on my part.
Sir have within the halls Of the other Of
these Houses of Congress for many years any thing ap
preaching to such degree of senbiy to be
felt by the honorable chairman Of the Military Committee,
il we to sit here with resolutions table asking only
for that which already belongs history and the commun
cation of which might be regarded very much matter Of
course without adopting them Is il intended that shall
not have the information which will enable under
standngy hope not, sir for the sake of the spirit Of
institutions for the sake of this Executives Of right
nope De Implied that no decent
shall be permitted, that no light shall be afforded us
Mr.. CASS. dsclaim entirely any tenderness on this
side Of the chamber with regard examination Of the
policy Of the Administration in the prosecution Of this
The tenderness which feel has reference the rights Of
the country. We do not wish any information TO go out
from the Departments which would be useful to the enemy
That is the only motive which influences We per-
fectly willing, and for oneam anxious that every proper
information should be spread before both Houses Of Congress
but said the other day, and beg repeat the ho
norable Senator must be himself that there many
things which wise and discreet will disclose
in the face Of the enemy.
Mr.. MANGUM, lin his seat.) We do not want that.
Mr. CASS. II we sstender-f fooled then il is for the
country But the honorable Senator says that he desires
this information for two purposes FIRST in order to ascertain
the objects Of the Executive and second, the opinions Of
the Generals in command. hope that the Executive will
communicate fully the Senate and the House the whole
objects has in view hope that the Executive will say in
many words that IFS object is in any circumstances, TO
conquer Mexico.
Mr.. MANGUM, Tin his seat) To conquer Mexico
Mr.. CASS. / repeat, TO conquer Mexico
SEVERAL Senator's. The whole J
Mr.. CASS. The whole, but not to hold il all. To con-
quer Mexican inus,ice-o conquer Mexico until she seek
fair and honorable peace and hope that the Executive will
carry its operations in every part Of the Mexican country
t that object be accomplished II know my counymen,
they will sustain the President in doing That take to
be his purpose and the OF obtaining that object must
be determined by the Executive in consultation with military
men who understand the country and the situation Of the
Mexican Government do profess myself to know the
country and do not speak cahedra the subject be-
L.