The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-11

or from Delaware that should that some few days
sjncewhn the last three four or five days-the sena
Tor from Delaware Mr. CLAYroNl told that there
such paper, and proposed TO show 10 me went with
him at his sugges,onor the suggestion came from hun
10 look at it, and did look al il. did not inquire. accord
ing 10 my recollection where i came from, but learned
only from the senator from Delaware and from the ap
pearance OF the paper ITSELF that document pnt
ed IN Mexico. That all the information according
to py recollection that obtained from the senator from
Delaware; and, according 10 my recollection no further
remark was made by upon the subject, substantially,
rs immaieral that should this excepting so far as
TO s1ree any mlsSSggIehension that have arisen
This was naudibe to the reporterl
MIR. WESTCOTT. 1t is, perhaps, proper that should
state, in addition TO what has been said and in Justice TO
the senator from Delaware, [Mr CLAYTON that several
days since going 10 that senator's converse
with him respecting bill, the senator showed me a
pamphlet in English and Spanish, printed in Mexico.
the protocol" appended to the treaty. 1t was
muncated confdentialy in secret, but, the
ary, several others were present. and it was the sub
ject of conversation. understood il had been given TO
the senator short time previously, though, az the
pamphlet was manifes'y authentic, did not ask how.
or from whom obtained, regarding of any
consequence. have heard about it, but nothing that
regard censurabe in any way whatever the part OF
anybody then expressed the opinion which still enter
of the very singular character of the paper and that
it should have been laid before the Senate in July last;
and asked the senator for copy, which he allowed
me to have taken, without restraint as to its That
copyl gave 10 the senator from Indiana, the chairman
of the Committee on Foreign Relations, and learn he
gave it to the senator from Georgia, mir BERRIESl
Mr.. BERRlEN Probably copy of that copy.
Mr. WESTCOTT | allowed gentlemen connected
with the press TO take copies of that copy, and did
my responsibility, and because regarded il 5 a
matter the public should know all about at once There
were several other copies in circulation, and day
two afterwards the Protocol reced in resolutions in
the other House found fault with any body senator
not for bringing the thing out, but the contrary. 1t
was right and proper that the country should know all
about it.
Mr. CLAYTON l was not the first to whom the
Al cd otI,o. Ill. ia
and had read it, before it shown me- think the
honorable senator will find that he entirely mis-
taken and that many gentlemen on his own side of the
chamber knew OF the whole affair before | knew any
thing OF it. When heard of it, it was subject of con-
versaon in the Senate, and by OF all parties There
secresy about it. Everybody saw it who chose
to look at it. Now, sir, | leave the subject, and hope
shall print the number moved, that the whole subject
may be placed before the country
Mr. FOOTE. | tell the honorable senator from Del
aware that he is mistaken on this point II is not true in
point of fact that democratic members of this body were
generally or to any considerable extent, informed by
any to the movement spoken of anterior 10 the
Protocol being handed 10 him II is not possible for
gentlemen on this side Of the chamber to keep such fact
secret Concealment of such facfwould involve high
moral considerations, which such gentlemen those
around me could never be tempted to disregard It'll
impossible as it would be for of ordinary
to stand upon some lofty mountain summit free from all
excitement and trepidation, whilst an earthquake below
shaking it to lis centre. know the democratic
members of this body well; and if my association with
them here has not been in all respects profitable to
myself as it might have been, have at least derived
advantage from that association which am sure shall
never either lose or enquish in learning to appreciate
their merits, and in asceraining their exalted claims
my confidence and regard.
Mr.. MANGUM rose, but gave way to
Mr. RUSK. Mr. President, there has been good
deal Of conversation this subject perhaps may
be improper for to say that presume about the
time the senator from Delaware was shown the PROTOCOL
was shown to also. The pamphlet which saw
contained treaty with Mexico in Spanish and English
Whether understood it them or whether have under
stood it since, the impression upon my mind. from,
or 9TH 70 hat hnra
copies of them obtained from the Mexican minister
do not imagine there was any secret about it at all
the whom u p he saSee
1t doubtless well remembered by senators that when
the treaty under discussion here, opposed the adop
ton of the tenth article the treaty. and stated amongst
other things, that believed it had been inserted at the
instance of agent Of British bondholders and in
tended to stupendous fraud attempted to be prac
breaking out of the revolution in Texas. The transact
ton to which aude was this Mexico being largely in
debed to British subjects, Santa Anna authorized
understood, the Mexican minister in London pledge to
the bondholders a large amount of the public domain.
This step taken by him in view Of the Texan
luton and for the purpose of enstng these creditors in
favor of Mexico and against Texas in our struggle It
will also be well remembered that another attempt
somewhat similar in its character made about the
regard to the vacant lands in California, in which
Padre Mcnamara figured as the Ostensble head The
provisions of the tenth article of the treaty. seemed
to me, intended 10 and sancy these frauds
So far the matter re- ated to grants in Texas, the gov
eminent OF the United States had no power whatever
under the provisions OF the joint resolutions OF
tion to interfere with grants in Texas not compe-
tent for this government either to sanction annul
claims TO land in the State of Texas If this tenth arti
Gle had been sanctioned, it would have given validity to
the Mcnamara fraud, and by that means would have
deprived the United States of title to nearly all the most
valuable lands in California. But sir, this tenth article
stricken out by an almost unanimous vote OF the
Senate.
The pamphlet which saw purpertsd to be an official
following the treaty the Protocol 1t was very nat
ura that the Protocol appearing attached to the treaty. it
should suggest the inquiry, how far it would be consid
cred bearing upon the provisions of the treaty
amended by the Senate! The State which have the
question, presume was the reason why shown TO
me. consulted with several senators; and think with
the honorable sena'o from Delware as the question
how far, if at ALL this Protocol would bear upon the
treaty! | put myself Immediately upon an inquiry
into this business | saw and conversed with the
President, and. from an examination of the docu-
ments, find this to be about the substance OF the
facts in the case The commissioners Were sent to
Mexico instructed to insist upon the ratification of
the treaty amended here they were directed not to
enter into negotiations at all Upon their arrival at the
city of Mexico, the government al Querearo; the
commissioners detained some days in the city of
Mexico, and sent the treaty to the President Pena
of Congress- with message urging its immediate rati
cation amended by the Senate OF the United States.
One house promptly ratified it, and the other house rat
fed the day the commissioners arrived at Queretaro;
and understand before any conference whatever be-
tween our commissioners and the officers of the Mexican
government.
This Protocol understand simply to be Protocol or
memorandum OF the conversations which occurred after
wards between commissioners and the officers of the
Mexican government, and as having force effect