Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-04-20
VOL. XIII, NO. 2a.---wHOLE NO. 2l6s

ana perish by that the nationality Of the republic we viii
And as to the right Of way across the Isthmus
oil Iehuantepec, the Commissioners saw:
"a. some years since tho Government Of the Republic
this object which soon transferred with The s"nc,oo Of
tne Government, TO English subjects, Of whose rights Mexico
These are the reasons, sir, assigned by the
Mexican Government for rejecting the terms of
peace offered by Mr.. Trist and, in the present
posture off affairs, without word of comment, I
submit them to the Senate and the country.
But Mexico did not here throw away the
olive branch and sieze the sword. No, sir, she
offered her project of treaty, by which she
proposed first, to yield Texas.proper to the u
States; second, to maintain the desert country
between the Neuces and the Rio Grande in its
unlnha0lted state as O national frontier: and
third to cede to the United States more than one
half of Upper California, including the port and
bay OF San Francisco. The territory she propos-
ed to cede comprises about 100000 square miles,
or an area larger than all New England, New
York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware. and
Maryland This proposition was rejected by our
Commissioner, and hostilites renewed. sfThe
boundary of the Rio Grande," says the Presi.
DENT
And tho cesscn TO the United States New Mexico and
Upper California constituted ultimaum which our COM
missioner was, under no circumstance, TO yield.'
Mr.. Trist, therefore, was bound to reject the
term of peace offered by Mexico
Mexican
They negotiated as if Mexico the victorious and
not the vanqushed party II contained provision for tho
payment by Mexico of tho just claims of citizens
ls this, sir, JUST true, and impartial represent
tation of the terms Of peace proposed by Mexi.
&C.? Did she take the stand of victorious par
tory, and claim concessions from US? Did she
refuse to make provision for the payment of the
just claims of our citizens? What considera-
tion sir was she to receive for the two hundred
thousand square miles of territory she proposed
to cede to the United States, but discharge
from those claims am not prepared to esti.
mate the value of the territory Mexico proposed
to cede to the United States 1t may have been
insufficient to pay the just claims of our citizens
upon that Government but the port and bay of
San Francisco alone, | know, have been consid-
cred of great value TO the U. States.
1t does, however, appear from the message,
that the cession of territory demanded by our
Commissioner, was of greater value than fair
equivalent for our just demands; for he twas au-
thorized TO stipuate for the payment OF such adj
ditional pecuniary consideration as was deemed
reasonable"
Now, sir, PROFOUND 10 the gentlemen on the
other side of the chamber this question Was it
Just and honorable to demand of Mexico, with
a victorious army laundering at the gates of
her capital, cession OF territory of greater value
than fair equivalent for our just demands
This is an important question, and | hope, it will
| be answered before the debate closes.
| But! sir, the war IS now raging, and TO show
the purpose for which its more vigorous prosecu-
ton is recommended and desired, | refer 10 the
last ANIMAL message ofthe President. He says
that
thorzed to be made April last largo expenditures havo
been incurred and the precious blood OF many of patriotic
fellow citizens has loen shed in tho of the
This consideration and the obstinate perseverance of Mexico
in prorucng the war, influence the of peace
Nbi rnny lp mpdu FnD rpnfa IN
Our arms having been every where victorious, having
subjected to our military occupations large portion of tho
peace having nilod the important question h.
the ought 10 prosecuted and what should bo
future policy Icannot doubt that should
render available the conques which have already made;
and that with this view should hold and occupy by
naval and military forces an the ports, towns, cities
provinces now in our occupilion which may hereafter fall
tay operations and lopy such military contributions the
enomy may, as far as practicable defray the future
" Had the Government of Mexico ncccded the equitable
and liberal terms proposed that mode Of adjustment would
failed to offer any other which would be accepted by
the United States the national honor less than the public
interests requires that the war should be prosecuted with in
creased energy and power, until just and satisfactory peace
be obtained In the mean time, Mexico refuses all in
demnity, should adopt to indemnity ourselves
BY appopr3ns permanently, portion OF her territory
the CALIFORNIA; were taken possession OF by our forces Our
military andnava Commanders ordered to conquer and
hold tom, subject be disposed of by treaty Of peace
'sThess in undisputod occupation,
and haze been for many months all the ps
that they should be surrendered to lNexco' Should
Congress concur this opinion and tina >hoy should
be attained by the United States as indemnity perceive
good why the civil jurisdiction and Of tho u
States should at once DO extended them To wait
which relations towards them wouh changed can
not he good policy whilst interest and that of the
people nhabtng them, require that stable RESPONSE
bic ana free government under our authority, should
possible, DO established them Should Congress
therefore, determine to hold these provinces permanently,
and that tho shall hereafter he considered constituent
of country the early establishments Of territorial gov
he mara far
Of en property and recommend thu,
Glad the Mexican government accededt to the
equitable and liberal terms proposed last April
a cession of about one half other republic would
have satisfied the Presidents but her rejection u
our terms, and the large expenditures of bl9as
: and treasure, accustomed BY the renewal of ih0
tilites, "mus,ia he says, ."nfluence tho termt
peace which It nley be deemed proper hereJ
" to accept" How, much. he Intends hereatN
!, claim, he has nett conde5cended to lniorm /.
New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA;, he says. ,r
our possession, and ought never e,hsspF ea
E ed to Mexico,
. The other Aewicau provinces, n our pea
Q sion, are to bs,hed as means of ooercingt
+ leo TO accede. 10 our terms of peace. Well
+ what are our terms of peace ? What dRe' }
/, President desire to c0eroe Mexico TO doa w
4 sir to sell us fifteen or twenty millions. Al
T lars worth Of her territory. This is tho pl
, English OF thewhole matter, and, In N.Y. Jul
ment, it is proceeding dshonorabe to tho, col
: try, and will wash my hands of all particip 1t
in it. If we must take Mexican territory Ia P
, the claims Of Our citizens upon that Governn e
, let us be contentea with cesslon sufficient 4
that purpose. Mexico is under no obgatip !
, sell us her tertiary, and the war ought not 10
continued for single hour to compel her 10
it, But this measure has been recommended b
, tho administration, and the honorable Senate
from Arkansas, (Mr SEvIER,) says, that it is, Az
fcient for him. II is, not sufficient for me-,
must act on my OWN responsibility, and noL5 ol
the responsibility Of the Executive. l must b,
satisfied that the measure is necessary to vi ndi
cate the rights and sustainthe honor of the com
+ try, before, can support it.
Again, sir, it has been more than intimatedbw
honorable Senators On the other side of the
chamber. who have participated in this debate.
that the only test OF true patriotism and real Love
of country, is cordial support of all the meas
ures recomb ended by the administration, for The
further prosecution OF this war !; and that opposi.
ton to them is opposition TO thseountry, and TAX
ing sides with the enemy. Sir, claim to be as
patriotic, and AS ready 10 stand by tho country
in peace and in war, as Senators over the way.
But it is one thing TO stand by the country, and
quite different thing to stand by the admins
traton. In standing by the country, find my