Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-25
THE DEAD IN MEXICO.
HOUSE OF Observation-Disclosures 20, 1874

Mr. SAWYER, by leave introduced bill, of which pre-
vious notice given, provide Tor bringing home TO the
United States the Of the deceased officers and soldiers
Of country who killed in BATTLE who died in Mex
leo during the present The bill is as follows:
Whereas, by recent treaty opeaee agreed upon between
this country and Mexico by the United States Senate it is
among other things stipulated agreed that the United States
all the territory south the Ro Grande: and
whereas many of gallant officers and soldiers volunteers
and regur in the hour danger rushed the ckest Of
the re and fought and Tell in defence OF their coun
try's rights aud honor
And whereas the voice Of humanity, alive to human
suffering and active in concentrating the deeds OF our
couuty defenders makes solemn appeal represen
taves Of that people whom they offered up their lives
their remains rescued from their present inhoitabe
and suitably honored with Christian burial that their
remains be protected by that flag for which they nob
fought and died. and that their dust may repoe in their own
land and country:
See l. Therefore be- enacted, &c That the Presd of
the United States be aud he hereby authorized and required
to appoint some suitable not exceeding three
coed Mexico lac shall deem expeden and
the remains OF the deceased officers and soldiers OF the Amer
to be removed TO appropriate spot within the
United States and there inferred commemorate
with their high deserts American patriots, and in way
.. Bel nrier enacted That the Of fifty thousand
dollars be and The same 10 hereby appropriated out OF any
the Treasury otherwise appropriated TO carry into
full effect the provisions Of this act.
Mr. SAWYER said he did think il necessary refer
this bill to any standing committee OF the House bot he
thought should go directly to the Committee OF the Whole
the state Of the Union, and that should be made the
This a subject Che proceeded TO remak) in which he
felt deep interest and be thought il understood by
the House, there would be but little objection TO the PROPOSE
ton which he made He proposed y this bill TO appropriate
900 for the purpose specified and he had asceaned by
calculation satisfactory himself that this would DO
ply sufficient TWAS known that the remains Of most Of
officers and many of soldiers who had fallen In Mexico,
and who had wealthy enes had been brought home at pr
expenses and Ohio and several other States approra
tons had been made OF the public funds the treasure Of
the people, to bring home the remains Of their deceased fell
lowczens who had surrendered up their lives fighting the
battles Of their country Now, Congress spending money
every day for purposes more laudable.
The bill explained upon its face Che sad the objects which
he had in view. In the first place, be had remarked,
Of officers had been brought home and Inferred,
Of them at the public expense Of the States IN which
they resided others at the expense Of ndvduas but there
hundreds Of poor soldiers who had died fighting the bat
ties Of the country, and protect that flag under which they
fell We had surrendered by the treaty large portion OF the
territory bad conquered, had given back to the Mexi
cans and he desired that this small pance should be be-
slowed for the purpose Of bringing home the balance Of
soldiers that they might rcpoe beneath the folds and UNI
der the stars and stripes Of flag which would DO
guaranty TO protect their dust from desecraion He had
little confidence the Mexican character to feel no surety
but army Withdrawn from that territory,
the bones Of brave soldiers would be dug up and sold to
the ampblack maker, IL they pleased.
What protection should provide for them Were they
not worthy Of the honos contemplated in this bill Let
send vessel and gather up the Wondering dust the naked
bones Of many waspossibe Wccoud not get them ALL
But lei show good disposition TO do 50 let the nations
Of the world know thai do and pay Tor from the pub
lie purse Let their mortal remains be brought home 10 Amc-
SOIL be protected by the flag under which they fought
and died Where would we find common grave for them
He would suggest appropriate might be selected
near the battle fed Of New Orleans and there they be
inferred with the bodies Of those brave who In former
years fell under Gen Jackson, defending their country against
the outrapes OF Great Britain II convenient could not
be found there them be taken the BANKS Of the Msss
sp near the residence Of Gen. Taylor, under whose
msnd they died That brave old soldier, be would warrant,
would give suitable place for their inerment where passers
by w and down the Mississippi should look their last
resting place or they might be taken 10 Boston, Bunkes
Hill TO this Federal city, his dstrct,o Fort De-
fancc where the and dust Of many brave lay and
there erect suitable monument TO commemorate their deeds
Of greatness and vaIor.
He had made these suggestions in order TO call the atep
ton Of the House to the proposition Let those gentlemen
who were disposed against it. II would take probably
fifty thousand dollars carry the objects Of the BILL Now,
what was that Il had probably 10 bury
one indviua-tle distinguished who had recently
died IN this hall That all right due his
racter as tribute respect that great man. The sppo
pration ~ proposed less due to those who had
fought aud did Mexico defence OF the rights and honor
Of their country He hoped the motion he had made would
be sustained.
Mr. HASKELL said the proposition Of the gentleman from
Ohio struck very singuary. Il might sprmg from the
purest and best mtves and he should be sorry 10 intimate
that the motives which had Influenced him in bringing in
were other than Of humane and generous character
But the proposition strange, imprsccsbe sin
guar that seemed him il must have had lis origin in no
other motive tina, Of desire make some Political ca
pa or influence portion Of the relatives OF the fallen
Soldiers and that the gentleman animated by those
lofty aud dsnterested motives which the bill on m lace would
seem to Indicate Now, he (Mr H) was opposed to any
Thing in the shape Of humbogsey, come from wherever