Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-18
CONGRESSIONAL.
In sHsArE-THrRsDAv, MAncn ls, ls4s.
THE TEN REGIMENT BILL

In SENArE-THURsDAy, March l6, ls4S.
THE TEN REGIMENT BILL.
The Senate having resumed the consideration Of the bill
making provision for addition the Army of ten regiment
Of Regular
Mr.. CALHOUN said: After very careful examination,
have not been able 10 find single argument which, in M
opinion, would justify the passage of this bill at this time, and
under existing circumstances but feel that those
who have come to different conclusion have overlooked The
actual condition Of the Mexican Government and OF the
people OF Mexico, in supposng that this bill necessary
either TO ntmidae 10 that Government into ra
fcaon Of the treaty recently acted upon here II that Gov
eminent were strong and vigorous if the people OF Mexico
united In resistance 10 and capable OF sustaining
war In the event that the treaty shall not be ratified there
might be strong for passing this BILL But such Is
not the On the contrary, the very opposite Is The
Government itself is little than shadow, without an
army and without the people In state OF dstrac-
lion, with large and powerful party in opposition the
Government, and for continuance Of the war-not in
hostility TO us but in hostility to their Government
which they desire should be overthrown. The Govern
men itself exists by fobearance and under coun-
tenance; they have been induced to with from
the dread of their annihaton and to treat with them
from the consideration For, strange ii may appear,
the very motive that induced Mexico with induced
TO treat with her. She dreaded her annihaon and
did II difficult to say which would be subjected to the
greatest evil in consequence Of such humiliation The dan
ger that the Mexican Government in tho of the
rejection of the treaty, would be able resist but it that
perish before she ra,iy it. But, if mistaken
in all this, thing is clear without these ten additional
regiments have the Of nmdaing coecing that
Government TO any extent we please; single brigade may
annhlate it, But even if we should chose 10 avoid this
hold another power in hands that ample induce her
aty the treaty, provided there any hesitation on her
part. We would in that have but TO tell her that
will adopt the boundary agreed upon in the treaty. and thus
ourselves the vast Of twenty millions Of dollars,
which states that to give for the coded territory
This consideration alone is sufficient, provided the Mexican
upon this treaty. with the amendments that may have been
made to it by this body.
In this yiewo the subject regard the passage this BILL
it be intended either for the purpose of intimidation OF
coercion TO be entirely useesan unmeanng bavado But
it merely useless, much may be it.
my aversion would not be great is II is
than useless il mischievo and will prove mschev
both here and there. Mscbevou here, for if this body,
conversant with all the secret proceedings in reference the
treaty, and supposed by the county be fully informed of
every thing in relation the subject should pass the bill
before it, will be received by the public apprehension
part that there great danger that the treaty will
be ratified and the effect upon and upon the
money interest OF the country will be highly injurious II will
be mischevous there for the real danger that the Mexican
Government has to fear this there large party Mex
leo called Puros, which is unwilling peace concluded
between the Mexican Government and this country unwi-
ling because they friends enemies but simply
for the that they wish that Government annh
lated and the power placed in their hands Now, if the i'm
preston produced there by the passage Of this bill should be
and animate that party double exeon in order
fulfil their object.
But consider only useless only mschievous in
the light which have indicated, but ID will be a costly bra
vado take it for granted that the honorable chairman of
the Committee Military Affairs does intend simply that
this bill shall pass this body that would be unworthy of bis
character He then expects that will also pass the other
branch Of Congress and become law, and that the force will
be raised and be employed, if the treaty should fall in carry
ing on the with Mexico Well If the bill passcs-and
must consider in that ghtn that case what will be the
result There will be difficulty in getting officers and
they will have approximations Of going to Mexico
fighting future battles the enlistment will turn out 10 be
money speculation; each recruit viii receive for his enlistment
his bounty laud amounting to hundred and sixty
his bounty moRey equal to twelve dollars the usual issue
Of clothing, amounting the present price about twenty
dollars Estimating the bounty in land at dollar and
quarter acre. it would make the whole 50, 600, 0O0
These items alone would be equal 10 two millions three
four hundred thousand dollars. Add this the pay and
emoumens Of the officers the pay to the soldiers the
pense subsistence and that for recruiting and the whole
will be found bs less than three millions Of dollars
TO which The passage Of this bill would subject the Govern
To this be added the patronage which the
appointment OF five hundred officers and this additional
expenditure would confer the President and that too
the very Of Presidential election, when the patronage of
the Government brought into the highest degree Of activity
Such increase of patronage is great evil every man OF
every party will readily acknowledge if be would candidy
express bis sentiments for if there is any thing which all
agreed is that Executive patronage already enormous
and ought not to be increased
Now submit my friends this side Of the chamber
who have indicated disposition pass this BILL whether they
willing this heavy and subject the country
this great evil by passing this bill which have shown be
useless bravado unbecomng great and hagnanlnous
people,
But not only object to the passage Of the bill at this time,
and under existing circumstances, but take higher ground
am opposed TO the bill under all circumstances. would
have voted against il treaty had not been made, and for
that myself conclusive, and which will
proceed TO state.
Sir we all know the origin Of this bill. Il reported
early the session. and originated in the message Of the Pre-
sdent recommending vigorous prosecution of the and
its leading and object carry that recommendation
into effect. IT. then, pass this bill, we give, according
my humble conception, pledge TO the Executive and to the
country that if the treaty fails will resort to vigorous
prosecution OF the for one, unwilling to give this
pledges unwilling, because think ought not u be given,
and unwilling, because if given, of the impression
never will be redeemed
ought not TO be gven for which have assigned
fully former occasion, and which shall only briefly
peat this. vigorous prosecution Of the would be
the annihlaon Of the Mexican Government, leaving Go
with whom TO treat The effect Of that would be
the entire subjuga,ion Of the country throwing upon
Of two alternatives either Government by
authority with which to cat-and this, trust who
duly appreciates the prnSpes Of system Of govern
ment will adoptor hold under subugation
conquered country be governed PROVINCES, TO be in
corporaed into the Union.
Now, as am utterly opposed 10 this, for reasons which
stated at large the occasion referred TO, and which Is
not necessary here 10 repeat, J. for one, cannot give this
pledge Nor give because have not the least expcc
aon that il would ever I've redeemed The sentiment Of the
whole country Is remarkably changed in reference the