The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-05-02
CONGRESSIONAL

MONDAY, MARCH 20, In the House of Rep.
rese nia,ives, Mr.. Sawyer by unanimous Gun.
ent)inroduced the following bill, Of which
previous notice had been given, which was
read twice wit:
A Bill 10 provide for bringing home 10 the
United Slate the remains Of the deceased
officers and soldiers Of odt country, who
were killed in battle, or who died in
Mexico during the presen, war.
Whereas, by a re cent treaty Of peace ag-
reed upon between this country and Mexico
by the United States Senate, it is, among 9th
er things, stipulated and agreed that the
United States are to vacate all the territory
south of the RiU Gtandej and whereas many
Of our gallant officers and soldiers, (volunteer
and regulars in the hour Of danger, rushed
10 the thickesi Of the battle-strife, and fought
and fell id defence Of their couniry's rights
and honor: And whereas the voice Of human.
ity, ever alive 10 human suffering, and ever
active in COMMUNICATING the deeds Of our
couniry's defenders makes solemn appeal
10 US as representatives of that peop'e for
whom they offered up their lives, 10 see their
remains rescued from their present inhospi-
table graves, and suitably honored with
Christian burial, so that their remains may
be protected by that flag fot which they so
uobly fought and died, and that their dust
may repose ir their own land and country:
SEC. /. Therefore be it enacted, &c.,
Tuai the President of the United Stat es be,
and is hereby, authorized and required TO
appoint some suitable persons, not exceed
ing thee, to proceed to Mexico as soon as
he shall deem expedient, and cause the re-
mans Of the deceased officers and soldiers Of
the American army to be removed to some
appropriate spo, within the United States,
aud there INFERRED in a manner cOfiimensur-
ate with their high deserts as American pat
riots, and in way appropriate TO the nation.
SEC. 2. Be il further enacted, That the
sum of Fifty thousand dollars be, and the
same is hereby appropriated, out of any mon
ey in the treasury not otherwise appropria-
ted, to carry into full effect the provisions Of
Ibis act.
Mr.. Sawyer said, II was known that most
of our officers who had fallen in battle. or by
sickness, in Mexico, had wealthy friends at
home who provided for bringing home their
remains. Some Of the States had provided
for bringing home the remains Of their off
GERS. He proposed to provide by law for
bringing home the remains of all OUT de-
ceased officers and soldiers. Hundreds Of
private soldiers had fallen there, and he pro-
posed 10 bring hume teit remains, under
Ihe protection of our flag, before the with
drawal Of our troops. IL we did not do il,
their remains might be desecrated by the
Mexicans. He had no confidence in them.
They were entitled to our respect and con-
and we daily spend large sums Of
money for less important objects.
Where would we find a common grave for
lhemi They might be brought to the bat
lie fields Of New Orleans, and there inferred
NJ the vicinity of Gen. Tsylor's residence,
On the Mississippi, who, he would BE- bound,
would find them grave; or they might be
,aken to biz own district, or TO this federal
c ", and here inferred, and national mon
iment erected to their memory. They
might be taken TO Bunker Hill, and there
ind resting.place.
He thought it proper to bring forward the
subject, and let those, he said, who are op-
posed to il vote agains, il. II might cost
fifiy thousand dollars. We were moi slack
about the cost Of The bonors paid to the re-
mains of late distinguished member Of
this House. All that was done on this sub
iecs was very proper. But the same marks