The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-04-13


sirable, in order to maintain and preserve
those amicable relations which ought always
to exist between neighboring republics, that
the boundary of the State of Texas should
be definitely settled, and that provision be
made by the republic of Mexico for the
prompt and equitable adjustment OF the just
claims of our citizens on that republic
On the question, "shall this amendment
be adopted ?" it was determined in the mega
tive, by vote Of yeas, twenty tour-nays,
twenty-nine-every Senator on this side OF
the cham0er, with the exception Of Mr. John
son, of Louisiana, voting in the affirmative.
Here, sir, is the recorded opinion of the
Wings of the Senate, that this war ought not
to be prosecuted with view to acqu stion,
by conquest, Of any portion of Mexican ter
ritory
And here, too, is the recorded opinion Of
the democracy Of the Senate, in direct oppo-
sition to that expressed by the wings The
issue is fairly joincd-and to the country l
am perfectly willing 10 submit the declsioh OF
the question. / have shown, l think, Sir, by
evidence which Senators on the other side OF
the chamber are not at liberty to dispute:
that IN to the close of the last session OF Con-
gress, the acquisition, by conquest, OF Mexican
territory, was disavowed by the Executive.
What, sir. is the character of the war now
For what purpose is it to be prosecuted
with increased energy and power IN the
more vital parts Of the enemy's country r
1t is, sir to compel Mexico to cede TO the
United States nearly one half Of her republic
more thar 100000 square miles of her ter
ritory, and more than three hundred thou
sand of her people. This cerrion OF terrific
nv is demanded, it is said, because Mexico
has protracted the war by obstlnately retus-
nr to receive the olive branch when offered
by our Government. Mexico, it is true,
agreed to receive Commissioner, to adjust
the question of boundary between the two
Governments, but the President sent Min
lister Plenipotentiary, and she rejected nm;
expressing, however, at the same time, her
willingness to receive him in the character
of Commissioner. But, sir, did she reject the
olive-branch when offered by Commissioner
Trist at the gates of her capital? No, sir,
she received it crimsoned as it was with the
blood of her slaughtered women and children.
And what were the terms of peace Offered by
our Government? They were first, the Rio
Grade for our western boundary; second,
the cession of the United States, of New
ripht of way across the Isthmus Of Tehuan-
tcpec. And, in consideration Of these de-
mands, if conceded, we proposed, first, to
renounce all claims for the expenses Of the
war; second, to assume and pay the claims
of our citizens on the Mexican Government,
(supposed to be about s. 600, O00,) and third,
% pay Mexico such additional sum in money
as the territory ceded might be worth oVcr
and above our claims upon her Government
The sum offered by Mr.. Trist is stated to
have been from fifteen to twenty millions Of
that 700, after our demand had
been reduced to the ultmaIum Of the Prcsi-
dent Well, sir, what was the reply of the
Mexican Government to our demands? 1t
was in the language of the Mexican Com
missioner to Mr.. Trist, that
"The existing war was undertaken solely
on account Of the territory OF the State OF
Texas, respecting which, the North Amerl-
can republic presents as its title to the act OF
the said State by which it was annexed to the
North American confederation, after having
proclaimed its independence of Mexico
The Mexican republic offering Gas we have
informed your excelency) to consent, for Il
proper indemnitication, TO the pretensionS OF
tory of Texas the cause of the war has dis
appeared, and the war itself ought to cease,
since there is no warrant for its continuance
To the other territories mentioned IN the
fourth article of your cxcclency's draught,
no right has heretofore been asserted by the
republic of North America, nor do we be-
icve it possible for it to assert any; conse-
1uently, it could not acquire them except by
the right of conquest, or by the title which
will result from the cesSion or sale which
Mexico might now make. But as we are
persuaded, that the republic of Washington
will not only absolutely repc, but will hold
in adherence the first of these titles, and as,
On the other hand it would be a new thing
and contrary to every idea Of justice, to
make war upon people for no other reason
han because it refuses to sell territory which
is neighbors sought 10 buy, we expect from
he Justice of the government and people OF
North America, that the ample modification
which we have to propose to the cession OF
erritory, contemplated in the fourth article,
will not be motive to persist in war which
he worthy General of the North American
troops has Justly styled mnai,uGl."
In regard to the Rio Grande as the western
of the State of Texas, and the
,cssion Of Lower California, the Commission
rs say:
" That Mexico cannot cede the belt which
les between the left bank of the Bravo
Rio Grande) and the right of the Nneces'
The reason entertained for this is not alone
he full certainty that such territory never be.
onged to the State Of Texas, nor is it founded
lpon the great value of the abstract which is
rlared upon it. 1t is because that tract, to-
yether with the Bravo, (Rio Grande) forms
he natural frontier of eXico, both in a mil
tary and commercial sense; and the frontier
If no state ought to he sought, and no State
should consent to abandon its frontier. But
n order to remove all causes of trouble here
lftcr, the Government of Mexico engages not
o found new settlements nor establish colo
Mes in the space between the two rivers; sol
hat remaining in its present unnhabited
it may serve as an equal security
% both republics. The Lower California,