The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-12

reported 10 the commissioner for duty That escort ac
coidAg 10 my recollection, was composed OF some sew
enty-od men. The escort provided for the Mexican
commissioner numbered some hundred and sixty
one hundred and sevenybeing about one hundred more
o The escort attached 10 the Mexican commission than that
which was attached 10 the commission the part OF the
United States That part OF the treaty which has been
read provides that the governments will agree upon the
escorts 10 accompany these commissions The reason OF
that obvious. Ia running the boundary line 4 would
become necessary 10 run through country that was
occupied exclusively by Indians, bands OF which
| were exceedingly hostile Therefore il was important
that those civilians who thus engaged in the public
service should be protected by military escort No one
petends that the two did formally agree
the number OF persons which should constitute the
escort; but hold that it the duty OF the President OF
the United States, under the treaty. TO provide an eseo
or The boundary commission upon the part OF the United
States. There was, therefore, discretion in the Pres
dent except so lar as TO the number OF the escort IN the
absence OF any agreement between the two governments
There such agreement. There were some seventy
odd men reported to boundary commissioner, Tor
duty; They were accepted; although. n my Judgment
and expressed the opinion 10 the State Deparimenthe
force wholly insufficient enable TO advance be-
You'd the mouth Of the CHA river. "a
The point OF which complained Of the honorable sem
aof from Malyiand was, that he put in the cat
egory with MIR Coilyer.
| There was pure matter Of discretion The Presi-
dent might or might not have sent escort with Col.
Coilyer, who civil officer OF the government; but
aqpehend he was not at liberty to refuse an escort
when il was called for by the boundary commissioner
such escort being provided Tor n n the treaty com-
planned, therefore, Of the senator the other dayin p-
vae conversation tits true, for did not desire to engage
4 in this debae-o his putting me in the position OF one
having subjected the government TO unnecessary ex
pense--as one who was afraid TO peril my life in going
into California unless had military escort TO accom-.
| pany me.
in consequence OF the cholera raging al that time the
ishmus Of Panama. did not choose TO peril his life there,
and desired to go overand and IN order to so overland
military escort was Indispensable He made his requi-
sion Tor II, and obtained H. Notwithstanding the Tact
that the cholera was then raging on the slhmus, did
not feel myself at liberty TO call on the government for
/ n
but took The Panama rose, and got there as soon as
| | could,
propose, at not very distant day, TO speak the
subject OF that boundary commission at large 1t for
this that did not intend TO have participated in
this debate now. shall desire, however, al some day
during this session TO speak al length in regard to thai
boundary commission, iar al least. charges have
1 been made against me before the Senate.
Mr. PEARCE. | am very sure the senator will not
have to reply TO on that head, for have made no
charges against him
Mr. WELLER. intend 10 speak on that subject
! Mr. PEARCE. | think that the senator's explanation
unnecessary, though he, OF course, has right TO
think otherwise All have said is, that the treaty did
not require that an escort should be sent II is true il
in the discretion OF the President sead
with Mr.. Colyer and il may be said that the treaty
left it with the discretion of the President to grant
not to grant an escort 10 the boundary commission
admit that ii proper 10 send escort with the boun
Diary commission think il is proper 10 send escorts
with The civil employees OF the government, when
ever they are sent to distant positions, through hostile
errIorieshro territories occupied by hostile In
dams, or those whose attitude Is doubtiul | do
| not mean 10 speak on ihs point again because |
have already said to the Senate all that is necessary
in regard TO IL said then, aud only to reairm
now, that think i, is good policy, in order TO hold
IN saojection, In order to compel 10 peace the In
dlans who occupy these distant territories, and 10 whose
attacks emigants are liable, to keep bodies Of troops
marching occasionally through their lands think that
consideration j9slles the military escorts that were fur
escort was needed by the commission on their way 10
Panama or San Diego, but only when their duty called
them TO go among the Indians the boundary line
The alluipd barracks
in California and spoke OF !, as great abuse did not
justify that as the act OF the administration; undertook
TO show that they not liable for it, undertook TO
show that Geneial Persifer f. Smith had erected the
most expensive OF those budings that very few Of them
were authorized by The department hele that AIR Secre
tary Crawford bad authorized the building o soTe
house and certain other houses, for which he had
aeted in the State Of Maine, and which sent round
by sea, and pat mp at comparatively little expense; and
that the great expense at bencia occssoned By the
act of the MAJOR general commanding there, wiboat any
orders from the administration oil Gen. Taylor lufiber
undsiook TO show that end put 10 that expendi
iufe by MIR Secretary Conrad as es he was informed
| OF IT.
Then the senator, when commenting on what he was
fpleased my excuse for Mr. Conrad seems 10 think
1t extraordinary that should ask that be should be ex
cused for not having asceaned at all the abuses
which alleged to be practised IN bis department. but
had asked that he might be allowed reasonable tune for
their correction He houghtit extraordinary that should
have referred TO the fact OF The exciting condition OF things
heTe, which prevailed al the time when Mt Conrad came
nto office; and that when spoke OF the Executive par
icpalpg IN that, was lkening them 10 pilot at the
helm VINO quaiied at the etorm. Why not So sir' The
storm the very thing they watching mot With
shrinking dread, but with manly and patriotic determine
ton to make every effort 10 carry the shp OF State safely
through H. They endeayorng prevent the disas-
ous effects oil that storm upon all the interests and the
harmony OF the country. II Is very well known that
accordingly that question might have been decided
| this administration might have been called upon to take
part perilous 10 all he best interests OF the country
II that question had not been decided peaceaby il would
have been decided forciby II the measures which have
beee justly called compromise and peace measures had
not been passed who deny that there would have
been the fEoaiers Of Texas and New Mexico public
open violence amounting almost, II no; quite, 10 civil
war; Would il not have been the duty OF the admins
ration then to take 10 put stop TO il What
measures should they akei Should they join with
1 New Mexico and drive the forces of Texas Should
| they JOIN with Texas and put down by military power
| the resistance of New Mexico Were there no
questions like these-great practical quesiions-which
do not suppose that there is member OF the Senate who
doubts that the country was in imminent peril at that
time, and that, whatever might have been the proper
course Of the administration regard 10 toe difficulties
apprehended II very serious question for them and
for what il would have been their duty TO do in one
! event or another.
These questions that might well exercise the
sideraon and occupy the ine thoughts, and anxiees,
very large portion OF the thoughts and anxeiies OF
the administration al that period Sir i was no quailng
/ from the storm. II preparing 10 meet the storm
preparing to breast and encounter lis worst violence;
preparing 10 the ship and The from the dan
gers with which that storm threatened them-it that
which the administration were considering
The senator from Virginia spoke also OF the expendi-
lures OF the nariermasers department, and seemed TO
think that failed 10 make any reply 10 what he said