The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-21

of our coast wish 10 yet this information before the
American people, to show the necessity oil having some
means OF defence there. against foreign enemies as well
as lawless expeditions.
Mr. BADGER Mr.. President, agree with the hon
orable senator from California. Mr. GwSl that there
ought To have been force upon the Pacific coast suf
have enabled the officers OF the United States 10
prevent The setting out of this awess expedition ex-
pedon, the successful prosecution OF which from one
OF The ports OF the United States is calculated 10 Dc
deep reproach upon national character But must
be permitted to say that think the honorable senator
from California is mistaken in altrrbung blame, ac
Of the omission have such force there, either to
The present TO the late administration That senator
and myself well know that the system oil cutting down
the estimates, which obtained during the last Congress
and the Congress before left both The late and the present
administration without the pecuniary means OF maintain
ing such force there should make the government al
all times prepared TO execute ITS laws and 10 yindica,e The
character OF the country against these awless depeda
tors upon peaceabie States adjoining to us.
Now, sir i is posslblenay il is probabe--tha il may
have been the power II the present Secretary Of the
Navy the late Secretary or his immediate predecessor in
office, TO have placed sufficient force upon the Pacific
coast; my friend from California knows that in order
to do that with the existing means OF the government
and the OF naval force at his command, be would
have been necessarily obliged to weaken The naval power
which the interest OF the country requires should be
maintained in other parts OF the world. Therefore,
think that so far as any blame upon this subject can be
attributed 10 The government, we OF the two houses OF
Congress u.ust assume 10 foot tae bill
The administration present and the administration
past. far see. both blameess upon this SUBJ
ject They have stated TO US in their messages and
Inmates what the necessities OF the country require They
have asked that it might be voted, and Congress has
fused. There by which the President of
the United States raise money but through the
strumen,aty of an act of Congress. He cannot levy
ship-money the kings of England once did He
not make involuntary contributions under the denomina
tion of g benevoences." He Only apply what you
place at his disposal to maintain the honor and to enforce
the laws OF the United States
| feel strongly persuaded that ii the senator from
California and myself who have always resisted, IN the
Naval Committee and this loor this capcious and
htt fhn
have been successful in views, this late transac
ton, which we all depore and which will be considered
abroad as great reproach upon our national characer
if we disposed TO look with toleratioD, if not
with favor, upon such awless adventures upon the do
minion OF peaceabe and deenceess neighborng Staes
would not have happened.
thought it rightto say thus much, because think
that when speaking, ~ just terms OF indignation, OF
such procedure it is right not to Dfct blame where
Ai M 'Ss sEIps sfi M,GpsPs Mp Ps.aen shall not porae
this debate. Wha! has been said bymy honorable friend
from Indiana Mr.. PErTTl and my distinguished friend
from North Carolina Mr.. BADoERl makes it unnecessary
that should say word Bal regretted exceedingly TO
the IRON California Mr.. GwIN] arise his
and CHARGE this the President OF the United
States with the neglect OF duty-ior II amounts 10 that
that he had not furnished sufficient force 10 prevent
MIR. GWlN The senator is mistaken. | made no
such charge, merely stated the fact,
Mr. SHIELDS II amounts 10 that.
Mr. GWlN. No, cir; II does not | did no, intend
it as charge.
IL
he charges the government with blame and censure Tor
not having naval orce there to prevent this unlawful
expedition. YET he as the chairman OF the Naval Com
mtiee, whose especial duty is 10 furnish that force has
either ecled been unable furnish TO lhe Presi
dent sancIent force TO enable him to prevent this
lawful expedition. The military iofce OF he country
also insufficient, and cannot blame President be-
he has furnished force that does not exist
Oar navy is insufficient 10 protect coast The sena-
tor also bames the President because lac has issued THIS
proclamation Sir, think that the President would be
unworthy OF the position that he now holds had he not
issued such proclamation. He must, far he can,
tie Executive head OF this nation, absolye The nation
IRON the disgrace oil these awless unprncpled, aad vag
abond expeditions. The senator 10 justify tins
piiiiul expedition of ioriy-hve men, as | understand
Mr.. GWlN Mr. President / do not want the senator
to sundetstand me at all did not begin TO justify,
or pretend to justify The expedition, and have not IRON
the hrst simply stated the fact that the expedition
sailed, and that there force there 10 resist them
Mr.. SHIELDS. am glad that he does moi.
glad that there IS not senator here to justify or defend
such an expedition that But should like that hon.
orable 10 rise in bIs place and tell where to
find vessels tha. could have been sent TO protect that
coast.
Mr. GWfN, lin his seat) will do ii when you get
through.
Mr. SHIELDS should like to ascertain that Iac,.
Now, sir, Tor this expedition that poor, helpless
dslenceless, uosuspecting population-bls Walker
pediton-i have more than contempt for such expe-
diton. And my opinion is that the who could 20
10 that place and ntude upon the poor deenceless in
habitans such the frontier Inhabitants OF Mexico
and BY surprise, were attack them this expedi.
on did would, when they met with resistance, do what
they have donefun TO their vessels again. think,
has been said BY the honorable senator from North Caro-
na that they bringing reproach upon the country
and the President would share that reproach he did
pursue course 10 arrest them
Mr. GWlN. Mr.. President, the sen ator from Illinois
might have withheld his repoaches upon these who
are IN their graves The last intelligence informs
that they have all been put TO death Ii uncalled
for reproach who have suffered for The crimes
which he alleges they have committed Sir, it is OF
the charges which bring against the efficiency OF this
government that II has not been able TO stop such expe-
dons and prevent such catastrophes
Mir SHIELDS. Will the honorable senator tell us
wherein The dereliction OF the government consists
Mr.. GWlN. II the gentleman had listened To the res
outioD he would have that II led the President
OF the United States 10 inlorm where the naval forces
OF the county arc, | can tell him where some OF our
ships-of-war are.
| do not pretend 10 cay that the expedition 10 Japan
has not lad beneheen useful and important purposes
accomplish do not pretend 10 that The naval force
in that expedition is properly and usefully employed
bot, sir, II the President Of the United States cannot
maintain our neutrality and keep large squadron in
that service, The question presents itself whether would
not be better TO order OF the steamships Of
companying and composing part Of that squadron to the
coast OF California
Sir, was IN favor OF the Japan expedition; but sim.
ply wish TO know whether II u not the duty OF the Chief
Magis OF this nation place the naval force OF The
United Satesinelcient az acknowledge il to be--so
TO that the laws faithfully executed, and that
our commerce, and our honor nation, are not in
funasd upon and il he has done 40, do not and have
no cause to- complain.
Again, sir, we have surveying expedition 10 geh.
ring- srais in which five vessels s-otswar are employ
ed was ~ favor oil that expedition, and 1t upon
my motion that II organized but il Of more i'm.