Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-05-13

liant countrmen persisted the banks Of that presidential
river take it that the tropical climate Of Yucatan is still
destructive While fully disposed ocary out the prn
cples Of humanity in reference to these Yucaiecos desire
the Senate Of the United States to have some regard for the
health and lives of our own counirymen. understand that
there about fifty thousand Of the white in Yucaan
and that nine nhs Of the population consist OF Mexican In
dams. How many lives have been saciced In this conflict
know not and have means OF asceraning. II has
been said and believe credible authority that the Spanish
is unable raise army Of more than two thousand
men. suppose, then, that called upon to send
equal number and that with that force, to encounter
many assants these iour hundred and fifty thousand
Mexican Indians muster. do not know what may be
the result of that conflict should engage in it. desire
little more light before engage IN such conflict know
very well that we fought with whole army few thousand
Indians in Florida for many years, at cost OF about forty
millions of dollars and know also, that we have another
fight with forty thousand Camanche warriors hands, if
the Mexican treaty be ratified. Now, do not desire too
many fights hands time. Aware Of the dispo-
ston and determination of my countrymen, that once they
enter into fight with these people, any other they never
will cease until they have conquered, at whatever cost o.
blood and treasure Of the Senators OF the United
States desire enter upon this business with great caution
depecate precpiate action; desire Information to guide
my action. The principle of Intervention in the affairs OF
other nations carried in this BILL is inconsistent with
the farewell admonons Of the Father Of his County, and
with the whole policy Of the Government under our ear
er Presidents If we adopt now it will react upon us at
some future day.
lido think that this appropriate time for discussing
the question of the with Mexico That subject has been
already exhausted that such issue that OF further
Of territory will be brought into the coming Pes
DENTAL election trust that such issue that shall ever
agaln be presented to the American people, We have got
into war which my friends the other side well as my
self regard having terminated gloousy, far the
of our arms is concerned How much it has cost us
do not know, and probably shall ascertain for
We have acquired by that that which many
regard absolute curse and others blessing Which
Of these opinions is the true remains be decided But
think il is most unfortunate thing agate the country
the other side do intend any thing Of the kind ICON
tent myself with adding to what have already said that
think this in direct conflict with the treaty between
this country and Mexico, and that from all that Of
it If adopted, will be disastrous in its consequences
II we do any thing for the relief of Yucatan should be done
with the of the Mexican Government IF
upon crusade against these Indians ought TO be with the
consent and cooperation Of Mexico. IT. without obtaining
that consent and cooperation, embark in this movement
in judgment the negotiation Of the treaty will be broken
and Mexico will charge with having acted in bad faith
For these reasons, sir, must vote against the bill.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi. have disposition to fol-
low the Senator from Delaware into any discussion of the
treaty the probabilities Of future annexation On the treaty
consider my lips yet sealed The subject Of future
ton leave the future The Presidents message distinctly
that he seeks annexation OF Yucatan Ii is
the acquisition of territory which he directs his attention
He merely points the sole motive which has prompted him
this occasion to invoke the action of the legislative branch
OF the Government Nor do conceive necessary at pre-
sent to assert that principle, which, when the time arrives
like others, shall be ready mainanthe intervention
Of European Powers in the affairs of the North American
continent do not think that that principle is involved in
this question. We are at with Mexico. Yucatan is
cognlsed part OF Mexico, standing neutral 1t Is true
through the greater part of the war; but occasion
throwing off her neutrality and Identifying herself with Mexico
in her against the United States. Being thus part Of
Mexico the Mexican Yucatan. The President
qulres than sufficient force to enable him to prose
cute his military operations in Yucaan elsewhere to
him from the necessity Of applying Congress for action
at ALL II is well known that response to bis application for
increase Of the army has long been delayed The
been long discussed in this body be
how long action upon may deferred in the other branch Of
Congress- In these circumstances urgent demand for the
presence OF American troops in Yucaan arises and the Pre-
dent calls upon Congress give him the carry
what his plain duty the chief officer Of the Executive
Government portion of that country against which
made and rendered especially helpless by of in
vason, calls in voice of deep suffering for aid That
Is the ground upon which put this question. This
is incident of the Mexican war, which past Legislation has
ratified.
The President only asks for troops enable him carry
out object entirely consistent with the prosecution Of the
against Mexico. 1t is that he alludes the present
condition of Yucaan in connexion with Great Britain. This
is announcements We have seen Great Britain year
after extending her naval stations, until by line Of cir
cumvalaion she almost surrounds the Gulf OF Mexico We
her posts telegrsphc distances from the banks Of the
Bahamas the Belize And certainly may be jealous Of
any attempt her part to seize cape which actually
mands the entrance into the gulf of the Caribbean The
chairman Of the Committee Foreign Relations has appro
patey connected with this the question Of the possession of
Cuba Yucatan and Cuba the salient points commanding
the Gulf Of Mexico, which hold be basin Of be-
longing the United States Whenever the question arises
whether the United States shall these gates Of entrance
from the South and East allow them pass into the pos
session any maritime Power ready for declare
that my step will be forward and that the Cape Of Yucaan
and the Island Of Cuba must be
Mr.. CLAYTON. Will the honorable gentleman allow
me to ask him question
Mr.. DAVIS. Certainly.
Mr.. CLAYTON. Suppose there should be negro in
suecon 10 Cuba, and that from motives Of humanity Great
Britain should interfere and take military possession Of that
island, for which about make precedent
would the honorable Senator hesitate TO 60 to war
Mr.. DAVIS. Not moment.
Mr.. CLAYTON. II is the answer that expected.
Mr.. DAVIS. I have confidence in the humanity Of
Great Britain the great savetradcr of the world If she
should interfere, any pretext in the affairs Of Cuba, In
order obtain footing there, would regard proper
occasion interfere Great Britain has already attempted
under pretext Of establishing hospital the island Of
Cuba in connexon with her save-shps, build up Gbral
overlook the Spanish Moro Castle and If the Govern
of Cuba had yielded that demand the weak Court Of
Spain not denying H. would have considered demand
ing the immediate interference Of the United States. The
very necessity Of defending the United States requires that
should take whatever steps should be necessary always TO
large portion Of the American coast But understand the
question Of the Senator making the interference Of Great
Britain in the affairs Of Cuba parallel case with the
present.
Mr.. CLAYTON pu, that case show the senator the