The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-01-27

Withholding light from Congress lest the
enemy should be benefited by it. All that
was here asked for was only information ne
cessary to enable the Senate to form correct
Judgment on matters submitted to them Tor
legislation.
Mr.. Allen said the secret desires and opln-
ions Of the President were of no consequence.
Congress alone would determine the policy to
be pursued. But as the Senator from North
Carolina might learn the opinion OF the Sen
ate by this resolution he would not oppose.
The resolution was then modified by Mr..
Mangum so as to leave it discretionary with
the President to omit any disclosure which,
in his opinion, would be detrimental to the
public interest, and in this form it was agreed
to-
The Senate then proceeded to the conside-
ration of the Ten Regiment bill, and Mir.
Foote resumed his remarks. He rebuked
the charge of fasehood made, he said, not dl-
rectly but by inuendo against the President,
by Mr.. Pierce and others. He expressed
pain at being put in conflict with Mr.. Cal
houn, for whom he entertained the most pro-
found respect, and who, he believed, posses
sed the entire confidence of the people OF
Mississippi.
He then examined the proposition Of Mr.
Calhoun, and contended that the tendency OF
our policy is to re-naturalize Mexico, and
showed that his (Calhoun's) predictions, made
at the last session of Congress, in regard to
the practicability of taking Vera Cruz, the
city of Mexico, ct cetera, had not been yeri-
| fed.
| Mr.. Calhoun explained, and said that in
an interview sought by the Executive, he had
expressed the opinion that if Vera Cruz and
the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa were attack
ed and our forces defeated, the inevitable
consequence must be our withdrawal to a
defensive line. This he repeated. In his
speech last session, he had never doubted our
ability to take Vera Cruz, and had said that
if successful in taking the Castle, the City OF
Mexico, &c, very well, but if not, bad conse-
qucnccs would flow therefrom.
Mr. Foote continued reviewing Mr..
CaIhouns speech, he laid down his own plan
which was to annex Mexico by provinces,
and admit her to the benefits of our territorial
system. He would establish depots at the
principal points, introduce our import and
export SYSTEM our land Office system, gene
raj education and trial by jury. He looked
forward to long series of years of prosperity
| if we adopted this course. He trusted that
supplies would be voted for, if we do not
avail ourselves of our present power to sub
due Mexico, but be content with a defensive
line, we may ultimately find ourselv en-
gagged in double war, with Mexico and
Great Britain.
Mr.. Crittenden referred 10 an allusion
made by Mr. Foote, to Mr.. Clay as n mag
netiser, using curious arts to obtain the Pre-
sidency. He regretted the remark, as Mr..
Clay was now, at an advanced age, in pri-
waite condition oflife, seeking nothing farther
from the public favor, and could derive no
new ustre from the Presidency. His (Clay's)
name would adorn the highest page Of his
country's history. What he (Crittcnden)
now said was due to a private friend and an
ilustrious citizen.
Mr. Foote disclaimed any idea of giving Of
fence. Adj.
In the House Mr. Brodhead announced the
death of his colleague, Mr.. Hornbeck, when
the customary resolutions were adopted, and
the House adjourned.