The southern press., 1850-10-01

thai considered the obligations assumed by the
United States in the treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo
PAS implying on their part solemn engagement SO
10 deal with Mexico as 70 allow her fairly 10 de-
rive all The advantages she could from the indem-
nifty due her. l am next reminded that there was
something narrow IN the view which had taken
/ Of the preference which thought our American
bankers were entitled TO obtain foreign bank
ers; and the senator has brought forth before Sen
ate the consideration that England the great
steward Of the moneyed interest of the world
| There is nothing new in the assertion of the
honorable senator, but ] had supposed that he
would be the last to acknowledge that such state
of things could continue muchIonger, as, it Ameri-
ca were to recede from the position which she
now occupies among civilized nations, and TO sur
render the influence which her daring industry
and enterprise has secured her over the moneyed
interests Of the world. We certainly have ample
means OF complying with our obligations, with
out throwing ourselves on the skill, resources,
and honesty Of foreign agents to do our business
| in our place.
| Then am told that it matters not what profits
are to be realzed by these bankers out Of the
tract which this bill is intended to cover and to
carry out. Why, If that be the case, we have, |
suppose, as little to trouble ourselves about the
profits to be realized by Mr.. Marks, who actually
proposes to discharge the very obligations as
sumed by the British bankers, with still better
| curity TO our Government than that which they
cRn furnish, and at IA premium higher by one per
lseent. than that rendered by them.
Sir, it is easy for us to conceive how the British
bankers may be enabled to realize profits far
| above those alluded to In the letter read To the
Senate. Az they are vested with the
credit which this bill will open TO them, it will be
in their power-and, depend upon it, that power
they will exert--to make gradual advances ac-
cording the scanty state of the market IN Mex-
co and the excited exgencies of the Mexican
Government shall open the way through which
they may reach the uttermost receoes of the
Mexican exchequer, and bring it to their feet, to
bide their diclaton and grasping lust OF gain
Yes, sir; that very advance which we so unkndiy
deny TO Mexico will De made by England at pro-
fits extravagant, that hardly dare to glve4hem
a name. We have here before US the unquaIifled
assertion that the Mexican Government is willing
to receive our money at one Of our ports, without
the Intervention of any agency. The Mexican
Government is suing America to let her draw her
money gradually, and as her necessities may de-
mand and tenders premium of A. per cent. And
will it be said, when we offered the very re-
ceipts Of Mexico, that any British banker, be he
whoever he may, can give us better security I
No, sir; no banker can give US better security
than the acquittance Of the creditor himself
We are also told that the money which this bill
places Nv der the control Of British bankers could
not be arrested in England, because, forsooth, it
will not be the money of Mexico until it is paid
into the hands Of the Mexican government !
KNOW wen tildt IL Hut, but, 10 ~ co
difficult to conceive the possibility of contingent
ces that might afford, not reason--a good rea-
son, mean--but pretence to the issuing OF such
! legal process in England as would afford Seem
ing justification for withholding these funds from
the Mexican government, perhaps when most
wanted, and for creating that crisis to which
| have alluded, and which might be the means of
Inducing man like Santa Anna, for instance,
| into power? Sir, name the individual, because
| his known connexion with those who have dwelt
in Mexican stocks and Mexican bonds has made
| him peculiarly desirable as the man most likely
to interest himself in their concerns and to favor
their views And this, if there were no other, is
sufficient consideration to induce me to resist
the passage Of this bill. would never consens
to assist in enabling such man to relnstaie HIM
self into power, and again to shame the world by
his dissolute rule and ruthless tyranny. Lean
well imagine how read he would consent to
! sanction whatever had been done under such cir
cumstances by tie British bankers; he might even
enable them TO apply portion of the money IN
their hands to the partial redemption of such bonds
as might be in the hands Of his friends MIR,
Marks the individual on the occasion OF whose
memorial this debate has arisen, is an intelligent,
able, honest citizen of New Orleans and so far ms
strict integrity SKILL and ability are concerned,
know Of few men who could clam any superior
! iiy over him. He presents himself TO this Gov
ernment in no attitude that should make him OBJ
noxious to the sneers of the senator from New
| York. He never presumed to thrust himself upon
/ the American Government. lie assumes no pre-
tension to be their agent--not at all-but presents
] himself on behalf Of the Mexican government fol
j the purpose of transmitting their propositions 10
this Government Sir, if the object of the sena-
tor from New York be to leave this matter under
the control OF the Government, he will accomplish
| his end through the amendment which have
proposed. That amendment can easily be under
stood. 1t throws upon the Government the whole
responsibility of the transaction, at the same time
that it contains an implied Recommendation so to
use the discretion allowed them as to make the
best arrangement they can, both for the interest OF
! the treasury and the accommodation of Mexico
Such is the object which had in view when
| proposed it, and, notwithstanding the forebodings
that warned me Of the little favor it likely to
meet with, cannot surrender all hope that it may
be agreed to.
MIR. FREMONT. do not like to interrupt
business but the hour has arrived which was sci
apart for California business.
Mr.. DICKINSON. think ii is important to
dispose Of this bill think we can get vote
very soon, and then will go with the senator
from California in calling up the other business.
Mr. DAVIS, Of Massachusetts. shall be very
brief in what I'say upon this subject. We are
required, sir, by treaty between this Govern.
ment and Mexico, to pay instaments on 81 ,000,-
600 at certain periods, in the city of Mexico, and
those nstalments to be paid in gold or silver
at that place. Now, sir, we have heard two OF
three arguments upon this subject. The senator
from New York tells you how they work it. !,
is of little Importance that we should understand
how the last instalment was paid. There was
some little scramble for the preference in the pay
ment of that instament, and the Government, as
understand it, believing it possible that they
could negotiate better terms in the city of Mexico
than could be done here, authorized the minister
there to make the best arrangement which he could
for the payment, and intrusted him with the credit
of the Government for that purpose, authorizing
him to draw upon the Government Of the United
States for the purpose of carrying into effect this
object Now, what is the result? What is the
result when the credit Of your own Government
is at stake in the matteri Why, sir, they real
ize something less than 81 per cent. premium,
which is now proposed to be given That was
the result Of the operation there. The result OF
the operation Of drawing bills upon the Govern
ment is, that you realize less than 81 per cent.
premium upon them.
| Now, the question arises, will you repeat that
| operation in Mexico, The minister, as under
stand, advises that it should not be done, if you
| can get the terms proposed here--that is g. per
| VNoH ,,pL ifoc