The daily union. [volume], December 21, 1847, Image 2

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B unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee or
n Public Lands.
[I v COMrENSATION TO JOHN M. MOORE.
Iff Agreeably to notice, Mr. BREESE asked and obtained
Iff leave to bring in a bill to compensate John M. Moore ;
Iff which was read the first and second times by unaninioun
II consent, and relerred to the Committee on Public Lands.
Iff INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
Iff Agreeably to notice, Mr. BREESE asked and obtained
I leave to bring in a bill authorizing persons to whom res
I ervations of land have been made under certain Indian
3 treaties to alienate the same in fee; which was read the
S first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred
J to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
I UNITED STATES COURTS IN VIRGINIA.
f Agreeably to notice, Mr. MASON asked and obtained
leave to bring in a bill to change the times for holding the
If district courts of the United States lor the western distil
trict of Virginia, and for other purposes; which was
p read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and
r referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
| RIGHT 0r WA* ILD'NOIS.
I Agreeably to notice, Mr. BREESE asked and obtained
leave to bring in a bill to grant to the State of Illinois a
right of way through the public lands, and for other purposes
; which was read the first and second times by
unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee 011
Public Lands.
BOUNTY LAND CLAIMS.
Aoraaahlv to notice. Mr. UNDERWOOD asked and
i obtained leave to brine in a bill to allow further time
/or satisfying claims for bounty lands for military services
in tne late war with Great "Britain, and for other
purposes; which was read the first and second times, by
unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on
Public Lands.
i grant or land to louisiana.
I Agreeably to notice, Mr. JOHNSON, of Louisiana, asked
and obtained leave to brine in a bill to grunt to the
, State of Louisiana certain lands for internal improve.
ments; which was read the firsthand second times, by
unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee 011
Public Lands.
overflowed lands
Mr. ASHLEY submitted the following resolutions;
which were considered by unanimous consent, and
agreed to:
Rttolvtd, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed
to inform the Senate of the reasons which have prevented
his compliance with a resolution adopted by the Senate
the 11th February, l&iti, at the first session of the 29th Congress.
in the following words, to wit:
Rualvtd, That the Secretary of the Troasury be directed
to cause to be made an examination of the public lamb
subject to overflow in the State of Arkansas, bv the MissisIsippi.
Arkansas, White, Black, lied, and St. Francis riven
in said State; the quantity overflowed by the Mississippi
and Arkansas rivers, lying between and included within
the boundaries formed by those rivers, the Louisiana line
and the Highlands westward of the lands so overflowed:
and that he report the amount necessary to protect those
lands from overflow, together with a plan for that object,
at the present stssion of Congress.
[to be continued ]
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1817.
HOUSE or KBPRBBENTATIVES.
The journal of yesterday having having been readMr.
G. W. HOUSTON inquired whether his name wai
recorded'upon the journal in the affirmative on the mo
tion to adjourn made yesterday during the consideratior
of the resolutions in relation to the war with Mexico
submitted by Mr. Richardson. He had been so recordei
I in the Union; whereas he voted in the negative on botl
the motions for adjournment..
The SPEAKER replied that he was recorded in tin
negative.
[The name of the honorable gentleman was substitute*
for that of J. W. Houston.]
petitions.
The SPEAKER proceeded to call the States for peti
. lions, when they were presented and acted upon as follows,
viz.:
By Mr. CABELL: Of Win. B. Ross and others, citi
zens of Columbia county, Florida, praying that the gran
tees of a certain grant may be located ution other publii
lands, so as not to interfere with the land sold to them bj
the government, and improved by them: referred to th<
Committee on Public Lands. Also of Philip J. Fontaine
praying the payment of balance due him on a contrac
to repair the light-house of Lone Key, near Key West
Florida: referred to the Uommittee on Commerce. Ais<
of Bennett McDell, praying remuneration for propertj
^ taken for the use of the United States by troops: referrer
to the Committee on Military Affairs.
By Mr. JAMIESON: A letter from Colonel Ralls
commanding 3d regiment Missouri volunteers at Santa
Ft, relation to volunteer's clothing: referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
By Mr. W. P. HALL: Of the legislature of Missouri,
in favor of internal improvements: referred to the Committee
on Public Lands.
By Mr. JAMIESON: Of general assembly of Missouri,
remonstrating against a change of the appropriation
to improve the navigation of the river Des Moines :
referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals, and ordered
to be printed. Also, of the same, on the subject
of the unsettled French and Spanish grants of lands in
Missouri: referred to the Committee on Private Land
Claims.
By Mr. KAUFMAN: Of Jeremiah Gray, for a pension:
referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions.
. By Mr. THOMAS: f Wm. Rawhton, for compensation
for services as chaplain to the army of the United
States: referred to the Committee on Claims.
By Mr. SAWYER: Of citizens of Ohio, for the reduction
of the price of the public lands on the Maumee
river, in the State of Ohio: referred to the Committee on
,, the Public Lands. Also for post route from Defiance, in
Defiance county, in the State of Ohio, to Panama, a
distance of thirty-five miles: referred to the Committee
on the Post Office and Post Roads.
By Mr. FARAN: Of Samuel Pool, for a pension : referred
to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions.
By Mr. DICKINSON : From citizens of Ohio, calling
attention of Congress to the provisions of the treaty ol
Brownstown of 1803, and the acts of Congress for the
. carrying into effect the same so far as relates to a road
southerly from Lower Sandusky: referred to the Committee
on Roads and Canals.
By Mr. HARMANSON : Of Elisha Thomason, to be
permitted to purchase the northeast quarter of section
10, township 15, range 5 east, in the land district north of
Red river: referred to the Committee on Private Land
Claims. Also, of James P. Sexton, to be permitted tn
purchase the east half of southwest quarter of section
10, township 15, range 5 east, in the land district north oi
Bed river: referred to the Committee on Private Land
Claims.
By Mr. FLOURNOY: Of the widow of Johp Tuck, foi
a pension: referred to the Committee on Revolutionary
Pensions.
By Mr. /)RD: Of William Paddy, for a pension : referred
to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. Also, ol
Widow Mary Cor win, for a pension : referred to the Committee
on Revolutionary Pensions. Also, of inhabitants
of Sou thai 1 and Riverhead, on Long Island, State of New
York, to have Greenport made a port of entry: referred
to the Committee on Commerce.
By Mr. LAWRENCE: Of 282 citizens of Orleans county,
New York, praying for the abolition of the franking
privilege, and allowing the circulation of newspaper;
within thirty mileH of the place of publication, free ol
postage: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and
Post Road*.
By Mr. N. K. HALL: Of K. 0. Spalding and others,
far an appropriation for the improvement of Buffalo harbor:
referred to the Committee on Commerce.
By Mr. ADAMS: Of James Little, for remuneration
for extra services rendered at the Congressional Buryingltround,
as keeper of the same: referred to the Committee
on Claims:
By Mr. BELCHER: Of James Chapman, of Starts, in
the county of Somerset, Me., for bounty land : referred.
By Mr. T. B. KINO: Of Wm. P. Oouge, for interest
on the value of certain cotton used by the United State?
in the Creek war.
RESOLUTIONS FROM STATE ASSEMBLIES.
By Mr. W. P. HALL: Of the State leeialatureof Missouri,
in favor of the application of ih * Missouri compromise
to any territory which may be annexed to the United
8tates. and instructing their senators and requesting their
representatives to vote therefor : laid on the table, and
ordered to be printer!.
Mr. BARRlNGER submitted the following resolution ;
which was agreed to:
RfolvtA, That tlin Committee on the Post Office and Hon
| ? , Roads be instructed to inquire into the expediency of in
creasing lite commissions end emoluments ol the postmns
ters in trie class of small offices in the United Stales.
By Mr. PHELPS: Joint resolution of the legislature
of Missouri, in relation to the tariff'of PS id and the inde
pendent treasury: referred to the Committee of Ways ant
Means.
By Mr. TUCK : Resolutions of the legislature of New
Hampshire on the sub|ect of slavery and the extensioi
of territory: laid on the table, and ordered to be printed
By Mr. J. H.JOHNSON: Resolutions of the legisla
ture of New Hampshire in relation to the removal fron
Exeter to Concord of the circuit ami district courts : re
ferred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
FURTHER PETITIONS.
By Mr. CLAPP: Of Ann (Jroffan, for a pension : referred
to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
By Mr. FRANKLIN CLARK; Of Caroline W. Cone
for ^tension: referred to the Committee on Revolution
X 'frCH APMAN t Of the heirs of Baron De Kalb
teferred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.
L_
I IILAVE TRADE IN THE DISTRICT Or COLUMBIA.
Mr. GIDDINGS, offering the memorial of Joseph Schol(ield,
and eighteen others, of the District of Columbia, on
the subject of the slave-trade, stated that he did not expect
the House to take action upon the |ia|ter, and de[
sired its reference to the Committee on the Judiciary, tc
inquire into the constitutionality of the acts of Congress
therein referred to as being now in force in this
District, and authorizing and upholding the slave-trade
The SPEAKER. Tne gentleman from Ohio will reduce
his instructions to writing.
Mr. G. W. JONES. I move to lay the memorial on
the table.
A voice. Read the |>etition.
The SPEAKER. Before the paper can be read, it
must be endorsed.
[The paper was here returned to Mr. G. to be endorsed.]
Mr. J. R. INGERSOLL thought, from the description
given of the petition by the honorable gentleman from
Ohio [Mr. Giddinus] that it was a thing somewhat abstract
in its character. *
The SPEAKER said debate was not now in order.
Mr. J. R. INGERSOLL. But I rise to a queston of order,
whether the reference of a mere abstract question ti
a committee of the House would be in order. It was hie
opinion, that the abstract inquiry into the constitutionality
of such a question could not go to a committee as the
address of the House.
Mr. CLINGMAN suggested that the gentleman from
Ohio withdraw his instructions, and allow the jiaper U
go to the committee without them.
Mr. JACOB THOMPSON asked for the reading of the
petition.
[The paper having been endorsed, and returned to the
clerk's table, it was read accordingly,
The CHAIR stated the question to be on the motior
by the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. G. W. Jones] t(
lay on tne table, and ujion this question the yeas ani
nays were demanded, and .ordered.
The vote was then taken and decided in the negative
by yeas 97, nays 97.
The SPEAKER stated that he bad always voted tt
give the most respectful consideration to all |ietitions, anc
lie should vote in the negative. Said vote was as fol
lows :
YEAS?Messrs. Barringer, Barrow, Bayly, Beule, Bed
inger. Birds ail, Black, Uncock, Bolts, Bowdon, Boyd, Boy
dun, Brodhead, William G. Brown, Charles Brown, Buck
ner, Burt, Cabell, Chapman, Chase,Clajip, Franklin Clark
Beverly L. Clark, Howell Cobb, Williamson It. W. Cobb
Cocke, Collins, Crozier, Daniel, Dickinson, Dounell, Alex
ander Evans, Featherston, Ficklin, Flournoy, French, Fu!
ton, Gayle, Gentry, Goggin, Green, Wiilard P. Hull, Hum
mons, Harmanson, Harris, Hill, Isaac E. llolincs, G. 8
II. l.xro I,,..,,,...,,,, A lnl?,.n? T It I,1.'
' W. Johnson, G. W. Jones, J W. Jones, Kaulmun, Kennon
Thomas BuilerKing, La Sere, Lutnnkin, MeCternaiul
i McDowell, McKay, McLane, Meaile, Miller, Morse, Mur
i phy.Nos, Outlaw, Pettit, Peyton, Phelps, Pillsbury, Pres
i ton, Rhett, Richardson, Richey, Robinson, Roman, Saw
i yer, Shepperd, Simpson, Sims, Robert Smith, Stanton
; Stephens, Thibodeaux, Thomas, Tompkins, Jacob Thomp
> son, Toombs, Venable, Wick, Williams, Wiley, and Wood
, ward?97.
NAYS?Messrs. Abbott, John Quincy Adams, Green Ad
ams, Belcher, Blanchard, Brady, Butler, Canby, Clingman
Gollamer, Conger, Cranston, Orowell, Cummins, Dickey
Dixon, Duer, Dmiel Duncan, Dunn, Kckert, Edwards, Km
hree, Nathan Evans, Furan, Farrelly, Fisher, Froedley
Fries, Giddings, Goit, Gregory, Grinnell, llulo, Nathan K
Hall, James G. Hampton, Moses Hampton, Henley, Elia
B. Holmes, John W. Houston, Hubbard, Hudson, Hunt
' Charles J. lmrersolL-sJoseph R. lugersoll, irvin, Jenkins
- Kellogg, Daniel P. RflT*, vV'illinm T. Lawrence, Sidne;
l Lawrence, Lincoln, Lord, McClelland, Mcllvaine, Mann
Marsh, Marvin, Morris, Mullin, Nelson, Newull, N'icoll
j Palfrey, Peaslee, Pock, Pollock, Putnam, Reynolds, Rock
hill, Julius Rookwell, John A Rockwell, Root, Rumsey
St. John, Schenck, Sherrill, Slingerland, Smart, Trumai
Smith, Starkweather, Andrew Stewart, Charles E. Stuart
5 Strolim, Strong, Silvester, Tallmadge, Taylor, Jnme
Thompson, Richard W. Thompson, William Thompson
1 Thurston, Tuck, Turner, Van Dyke, Warren, Woutwortli
and White?97.
So the motion to lay on the table was lost.
Mr. GIDDINGS now withdrew his instructions, am
pressed the motion to refer the memorial to the commit
tee.
Mr. CHAPMAN moved to refer the memorial to thi
Committee on the District of Columbia; and upon thii
; question?
! Mr. CROVVELL demanded the yeas and nays; hut
; The SPEAKER decided that debate having arisen oi
, the subject, and the previous question not having beet
t called, the paper must lie over under the rule.
BILLS.
; Mr. THIBODEAUX, pursuant to notice, asked am
1 obtained leave to introduce a bill relating to the custon
district of New Orleans; which was read twice, and re
, ferred to the Committee on Commerce.
1 CUMBERLAND ROAD.
Mr. R. SMITH, pursuant to notice, asked andobtainei
leave to introduce a bill to provide for completing thi
Cumberland road in the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois
and Missouri; which was read twice, and referred to tin
Committee on Roads and Canals.
APPROPRIATION FOR THE ARMY.
Mr. VINTON, from the Committee of Ways anc
Means, reported a bill making an appropriation to supply
in part the deficiency in the appropriation for subsistenct
in kind of the army and volunteers during the year ending
the 30th June, 1818 ; which was read twice.
Mr. V. moved its reference to the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union, with a view, he
said, to following up the same with a motion that the
House resolve itself at once into committee, for the purI>ose
of acting upon it immediately. A communication
from the Secretary of War, which he would send up tc
the Clerk to be read, would explain the necessity of thie
prompt action.
1 The SPEAKER reminded the gentleman from Ohic
that, by the rules, an appropriation bill could not be act1
cd upon on the day of its introduction.
Mr. VINTON moved to suspend the rules.
The SPEAKER stated that no motion to suspend the
rules would be in order except on Monday of every week
and the last ten days of the session,
i So the bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole
; on the State of the Union.
JOHN PAUL JONES.
Mr. J. A. ROCKWELL, from the Committee of Claims,
reported back the Senate bill for the relief of the heirs ol
John Paul Jones, deceased, with amendments, which bill
and amendments, together with the report, were ordered
to be printed, and referred to the Committee of the Whole
House.
* JUDICIARY.
| Mr. J. R. INGERSOLL, from the Committee on the
Judiciary, reported back a memorial of an annual meeting
of the Society of Friends of the State of Pennsylvania^
in relation to the abolition of slavery in the District ol
Columbia, &c., and asked that said committee be discharged
from its further consideration; which was agreed
to.
Also, a supplement to an act entitled "An act to regulate
the exercise of the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme
Court of the United States in certain cases; whict
1 was read twice, and committed.
CHARLES G. R IDG ELY.
Mr?C. J. INGERSOLL, from the Committee on Foreigr
Affairs, reported a bill direetiag the mode of settling th?
; claims of Chas. G. Ridgely; which was read twice, and
i committed.
On motion of Mr. VINTON, the letter from the Secretary
of War anil communication from the Commissary ol
' Subsistence, sent to the Clerk by him when rejK>rtinji
from the Committee of Ways and Means, was ordered tc
be printed. Mr. V. also gave notice of hi" intention tr
1 ask the House to go into committee to-morrow fqr the
purpose of acting upon the bill referred to.
NOTJFKS OF BILLS.
By Mr. R. W. JOHNSON: Bill to settle the boundaries
of the land districts which border on the boundary line
I between Arkansas and Missouri.
> By Mr. WKNTWORTH; An act granting lands to aid
in tne construction of (he Central railroad, the Terre
Haute and >St. Louis railroad, and the Northern Cross
railroad, in the State of Illinois.
Also, a bill to grant the right of way and of pre-emp|
tion to all railroads which may be constructed over the
. public lands.
I Also, a bill for an additional district of the United
States courts in the State of Illinois.
Also, a bill to establish a marine hospital at Chicago.
Also, bills for the improvement of certain harbors and
, rivers.
By Mr. McCLERNAND: An act to establish a national
army at Fort Massac, in the State of Illinois.
By Mr. VARAN : A lull to amend the act entitled "An
, act extending the jurisdiction of the district courts to cer.
tain cases upon the lakes and navigable waters connect|
nig the same, approved the tilth of Felirua;). istl."
By Mr. LA. BERK: A bill for the relief of William He
f Buys, late postmaster at New Orleans.
, By Mr. TURNER: A bill to amend an act -ttklled
"An act to appropriate the proceeds ffethc sales nT the
. .public lands, and to grant pre-einptiofTTighls.
, Also, a bill to establish a mail-route from Belvidere, in
the Slate of Illinois, to ShuiUhutg, in Wisconsin Terrilory.
Also, a bill for a^ mail-route from Elizabeth, in the
State of Illinois, to b reeport and Hock Run, in (lie same
State.
Also, a bill for a mail-route from Freeport, in the State
, of Illinois, to Monroe and Madison, in the Territory of
Wisconsin. " ...
By Mr. LA SERE: A bill for the relief of Wm
: De Buys, late oostmaster at New Orleans.
By Mr. BOWDON; A bill to increase the sale and pro
mote the settlement of the public lands in the State of i
. Alabama
, By Mr. W. II W. COBB: A bill to authori/.c soldier:
to locate then land warrants in forty-acre tracts. Also
a bill to reduce and graduate tile price of the public lauds
, to settlers and cultivators.
By Mr. MURPHY: A bill to establish the city of
, Brooklyn as a port of entry.
By Mr. HAMMONS: A bill t > extend the provisions
of the act of June 7, lsJJ, entitled "An act supplementary
to the act for the relief of certain surviving officers and
soldiers of the revolution," to every officer and soldier
who served, as sjiecified in said act, for the |>eriod of three
monfhe.
TI11C WAR WITH MEXICO.
The resolutions in relation to the Mexican war, which
were under consideration when the House adjourned on
yesterday, and 011 which the previous question had been
called, now coming up for consideration?
1 Mr. STEPHENS gave notice of a proposition which
he desired to offer as a substitute for the resolutions under
consideration, and which was read for information, as
follows: |
Whareas it is no less desirable that the interests and
) itonor of our country should be cordially sustained and de- '
1 fended, so long as the present war with Mexico continues 1
, to exist, than that the conflict should not be unnecessarily '
, prolonged, but should be terminated 11s soon as an honor- J
' able jieaee can be obtained ; arid whereas it is believed
that a diversity of opinion prevails, to a considerable extent, ,
1 as to the ultimate aims and ubiccts for which the war <
> should be prosecuted ; and it being proper that this matter
should be settled by the clear expression of the legislative
will solemnly proclaimed to the world :
Be it therefore rewired by the Senate and House of Rep- I
, retentatires of the United States of America in Congress <
assembled. That the present war with Mexico should not I
be waged or prosecuted "with a view to conquest," either
' by the subjugation or dismemberment oi that republic.
> Be it further resolved by the authority a foresaid, That it is |
1 the desire of the United States that hostilities should lie
terminated upon terms honorable to both parties, einbracing
a mutual settlement of the questions growing out
' of the "proper and rightful" boundary of Texas; and a 1
full recognition and proper provision on her part to be i
, made for all the just claims ol our citizens against that
country?the whole to be adjusted by negotiation, to be in- |
' stituted and elfected according to the constitutional forms
of each government respectively.
Mr. BOTTS appeared also with a substitute, which he
desired should he read for information. .
Mr. PETTIT rose to a point of order; but cries of
" read, read," prevented him ; and the Speaker said that,
by oourtesy, it was due to the gentleman from Virginia i
it should be read for information; and it was read ac- ,
cordingly, as follows:
1. Resolved, That among the highest duties that can de- ,
volve upon the representatives ol the people, is the preser- ,
vation of the national integrity, a striol observance ol'the '
limitations of the constitution, and n firm resistance to Ex- j
ecutive encroachment. '
Resolved, That any waf which lias lot its object the acquisition
of territory by conquest, brings into question the i
national chuructor, is in violation of the constitution of the I
United States, in conflict with the genius and spirit of our <
Institutions, and dangerous to the perpetuity of the Union. *
Resolved, That the war in which we are now engaged
was not brought on by the act of Mexico. i
4. Resolved, That the war with Mexico was brought on
by the unauthorized act of the President of the United i
States, in ordering the army, under the command of Gen. <
Taylor, into territory then in possession otthe Mexican re- t
public.
5 Resolved, That we have no right to claim indemnity
for the expenses of a war brought on by the ill-advised and <
unprovoked act of our own public functionaries.
b. Resolved, That the honor of this nation does not con- I
sist in exacting territory from Mexico, to which we have
no claim, and yielding to Great Britain territory, the title
to which was asserted to be "olear and unquestionable ;" I
and that to evade the strong and pursue the wouk, does I
nqt present the honor, courage, or greatness of our people
in their true light.
7. Resolved, Phut to exact indemnity from Mexico would :
devolve upon us the necessity of making a similar demand '
in all future wars, (which would involve us in iutermina- i
hie conflict,) or of surrendering a principle now insisted 1
on as indispensable to the preservation of our national '
honor.
(1 8. Resolved, That no new territory can be annexed to I
- the United States by virtue of the war, without involving t
the agitation of domestic difficulties, begetting sectional | I
B nnitnosiiies, und weakening the ties that connect us to- t
B gether. 1
9. Resolved, That if the conquest of territory is not the 1
object of the war, we can perceive no good reason for con- <
Uniting our troops in the heart of the enemy's country, by J
I which their lives are unnecoasardy exposed, and our re- !
II sources uselessly expended. ;
10. Resolved, Thai a conquering nation lias nothing to
apprehend from an exhibition Of magnanimity and generosity
to u defeated foe ; and that a victorious army may re1
tire from the pursuit of carnage and slaughter without in j
ourring the imputation of retreating from the scattered and '
discomfited forces of the enemy. '
11. Resolved, That the most efficient, if not only means of '
restoring a speedy nnd honorable peace, would be, under I
proper preliminary arrangement*, to withdraw our troops, 1
, already covered with glory, and surfeited with successes, 1
to the true and legitimate boutidary of Texas at the time '
1 of its annexation to the United States.
> 12. Resolved, That our institutions, founded on the rights
; of man, repudiate the doctrine that "might gives right as
the freebooter's plea and the pirate's law ; and so long as we
otfor an asylum to the oppressed, and recognise " hie, liber- !
ty, and tiie pursuit of happiness as among the "inaliena]
ble rights of man," wo cannot insjst upon the dismember- I
, mentofan empire as the price of peace.
13. Resolved, That if, upon the restoration of peace, the
' necessities of our commerce shall require a harbor in any
port of the Mexican territory in California, we are able, and
should be willing, to pay therefor us would become it great
and an honest people. ;
14. Resolved, That if it shall lie determined by the people,
through their representatives, that this war shall be \
further prosecuted in Mexico, it then becomes the duty of
! all parties to protect our national liag and brave army, by
, furnishing all needful supplies of men and money to carry
it on with vigor and olfect. I
Mr. TOQMH& also gave notice of a proposition which
, he desired to otter as a substitute, which he would have
read for information, expressing nis hone that the call
for the previous question would be voted down, that the
House might have opportunity to give full and fair con,
sideration to all these propositions. His proposition was
then read as follows:
Resolved, That neither the honor nor the interest of this
. (republic demands the dismemberment of Mexico,or the
annexation of any portu n of iter territory to the United
States, as an indispensable condition to die restoration of 1
peace. '
: Mr. R. W. THOMPSON alsq gave notice of a (imposition
which he desired to submit as a substitute for the J
I resolutions under consideration, and which was also read
' for iinformation, as follows :
! ' Be it resolved by the Senate ar}d House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That,
in the opinion of Congress, the President of the United
, States should forthwith cause to be communicated to the
[ government of Mexico that peace may lie immediately es'
tablished between the two couritrios upon tlio following
! terms, to wit:
First. That the boundaty line between the United Stntes
and Mexico shall be as follows, to wit: beginning at the
I Gulf of Mexico, near die mouth of the Rio Nueces, nnd run- i
ning thence northwest with the course of saltl Rio Nueces, (
so as to include all the Texan settlements south nnd west of
said river, made prior to the annexation of Texas to the
United States; thence up the said Rio Nueces until it
reaches the line wl|icl| separated the province of Texas he- '
fore her independence from the provinces ol New Mexico, !
Conhuila, and Tainanlipas, and thenoo along said line to '
the Kio Koxo or Red river.
I Stcond. That the government of the United States?din- '
! avowing tho intention ofucquiring or holding tlie same by !
conquest?wilt purchase from Mexico, with tho consent ol 5
the government of Mexico, the territory embraced within '
tljo Iqtlowin^ boundary, to wit: beginning at u point on the
Gulf of Mejleo, a* near as may be to the centre of the great 5
desert or pratrie which lies between the waters of the Rio
f Grande at d the llio Nueces | itience, following the course 1
, of the centre of the said desert or prnirle, north west, to the *
J range of mountains which divide the waters of the Rio 1
Grande front those that run eastward to the Gulf of Mextoo,
' and pursuing said range of mountains until it strikes the
line of north latitude 3d dog. 3d ruin.; thence by that parallel
of latitude, west, to the Pacific ocean, so a< to Include
within the United States the hay and city of Monterey, in
[.'peer t'alilmnia.
Third. That in consideration of the cession of the territory
embraced within tip) foregoing boundary, tlfo government
of tho United States shall pay to the government of
Mexico suoh sum ol money as may bo agreed upon by '
and between commissioners to bo appointedupon tho part
of each government i Frovidtd, That there shall bo de'
ducted out of tho sum so agreed on whatever amount may
have l>ooti due by Mexico to the United Htatea before the
commencement.of the war, il the sum so agreed on shall
exceed the amount so found to bo due to the United States.
Fourth. That the government of the United States shall
ask from the government of Mexiuo no indemnity what- |
soever lor the expenses of the war.
Fifth. That so soon as a treaty of peace shall have been
made and rutitiod by and between the two governments, the
army of the United States shall be withdrawn from every
|K>rtion of the territory of Mexico now or at that timo in its
possession.
Sixth. That the government of the United Slates will fl
guaranty to the government ol Mexico that all persons, now
citizens of Mexico, who possess property within the territory
thus ceded to the United Stales, shall continue to
hold and enjoy tho saino under the laws and institutions ol ^
the United States. I
Mr. VAN DVKK also g|ve notice of a substitute, and d
which w^s read for information, as follows:
Rttolvtd, That, it) the opinion of this House, the Older of
this government that (ten Taylor with tits nr.ny should
take position on the bank of the Kio Grand", which result- ,
d in die blockade of that river, and the |x.>inting of the J
guns of I lie Uni'ed Suites upon a Mexican town on the
other side, was unnecessary and unwise?was an act ol j
aggression in Itsalf and the immediate cause of conflict be- ,
tween the two nations.
Rttolvtd, That the invasion of Mexican territories south
, and west of the llio Grande, eitiier by sea or by land, and
the suirming nnd capturing of her towns, und the slay tug ]
of Ifr people within such territories, . ? of injusUM, |
orueity, anil wrong ; and ilmt llio requiring of Mexico, at (
the peril of her national existence, to enter into treaty slipu- a
iations with us while her country is surrounded by our c
navy, her capital and chief towns In our possession, her |
oiiiitry subjugated, ami her people crushed nnil prostrate
>eneuili our power, uiul with our resistless cannon frowning
Hkiii her, and our conquering sword gleaming above her,
s unreasonable and unfair towards Mexico, as one of the
(attracting parlies, unil UIllnaguaui(llou? uud uncliintian
11 us
lOmlutd, That the present war with Mexico should not
?e prosecuted any further, for any purpose whatever ; thai
he whole ol our forces in the .Mexican country should be
withdrawn us speedily as possible, and placed on territory
which belongs to this country ; urul that the administration
>e furnished with all the men and money necessary to proect
our troops now in Mexico, uiul to accomplish such
withdrawal in the most practicable way, without harm or
f anger.
Hctulvtil, That after the withdrawn! of our troops, as
(foresaid, cast of the Kio Grande, the President of the Uui:ed
States be requested to send a commissioner or commig(ioners
to Mexico to settle the question of boundary boween
this country and Mexico, together with such other
(uostiom as may properly come before them.
Mr. G. S. HOUSTON suggested the thought that it
night he possible, by unanimous consent, to have a vote
jn all these propositions. He was ready, and all those
alio acted with him, he believed, were also ready: and il
the other side of the House (the whigs) were willing to
illow the previous question to apply to the several propositions
which had been read, we might proceed to vote
on them all in order. [Cries of "order, order!" "I object,"
ire]
The SPEAKER said debate was out of order, and
stated the question to be: Is there a second to the demand
For the previous question ?
Mr. HILL1ARD desired to ask. if the House sustain
ihe previous question, whether we shall not be compelled
to vote on the resolutions; and if the previous
tuestion be not sustained, whether, as a matter of course,
:hey will not lie over, or take the usual course oi
reference to committee
The SPEAKER said there was but one proposition
lefore the House, and that would be now the subject of
he vote.
I'hc vote was then taken by tellers, and the House
cfused to sustain the call?89 voting in the affirmative,
ind 10-j in the negative.
Mr. STEPHENS gave notice of his intention to defate
the resolutions.
So they lie cer under the rule.
IMTKR NAT- IMPROVEMENTS, ETC.
Mr. WENTWORTH submitted the following resolu:ion:
Httolved, That the general government lias the power to
onstruct such harbors and improve such rivers as are
' necessary and proper" for the protection of our navy, and
jfour commerce, and also for the defences of the country.
Mr. W. demanded the previous question, which demand
was seconded; and the question, " Shall the resolution
he adopted!" being put, the vote was taken by
yeas and nays, and resulted?yeas 113, nays 51, as follows
:
YEAS?Messrs. Abbott, J. Q. Adams, G. Adams, Ash
nun, tmrringer, narrow, ueicner, ntngliam, liirdsull,
Blanohurd, llotts, Boydon, Brady, Buckner, Butler, Cabell]
Banby, Chiuiman, Clapp, F. Clark, Clingmnn, Cocko,
Bollamer, Collin", Conger, Cranston, Crowell, Crozier,
Dickey, Dickinson, Dixon, Donnell, Duer, Daniel Duncan]
Harnett Duncan, Dunn, Eckert, Edwards, Ernbree, A
Evans, N. Evans, Farrelly, Fisher; Freedley, French, Fallon,
Gayle, Gentry, Giddlngs, Goggin, Gott, Green, Greeny,
Grinnell, Hale, Willard P. Hall, Nathan K. Hall, Jas
G. Hampton, Moses Hampton, Henley, Henry, Hilliard,
Elias B. Holmes, John W. Houston, Hubbard, Hudson,
Hunt, Joseph R. tngcrsoll, Irvin, Jamiason, Jenkins, AnIrcw
Johnson, Robert W. Johnson, John W. Jones, Kellogg,
Thomas Butler King, Daniel P. King, William T.
Lawrence, Sidney Lawrence, Lincoln, McClelland, Mcllvaino,
Marsh, Marvin, Morehcad, Mullin, Nelson, Ncs,
Newall, Outlaw, Palfrey, Peck, Petrie, Peyton, Pillsbury,
rollock, Preston, Putniun, Reynold", Richer, Rockhill, Juius
Rockwell, John A. Rockwell, Roman, Root, Rumsey,
St. John, Schenck, Shepperd, Sherrill, Slingerland, Smart,
Truman Smith, Stanton, Starkweather, Stephens, Stewart,
Stuart, Strohm, Strong, Silvester, Tulltnadge, Thibodeaux,
ray lor, Tompkins, James Thompson, Richard W. Thorn pton,
William Thompson, Thurston, Tuck, Turner, Van
Dyke, Vinton, Warren, Wentworth, White, Williams, and
Wiley?113.
NAYS?Messrs. Bayly, Bealn. Bedinger, Black, Bocock,
Bowdon, llovd, Brodhead, William G. Brown, Burt, Bev rly
L. Clark, 11. Cobb, Williamson R. W. Cobb, Daniel,
Feathers! on, Fieklin, Flqurnoy, Fries, Hatnmons, Harinaniion,
Harris, Hill, Isaac E. Holmes, George S. Houston,
Inge, Charles J. Ingersoll, George W. Jones, Kaufman,
Kennon, La S6re, Ligon, Lord, Lumpkin, Maelay, Mc
Dlernand, McDowell, McKay, McLane, Mann, Meade,
Miller, Morse, Nicoll, Pensleo, Phelps, Rhett, Robinson,
Sawyer, Simpsou, Sims, Thomas, Jacob Thompson, Ventlile,
and Woodward?64.
So the resolution was adopted.
By Mr. Atlanta:
Resolved. That the Secretary of Slate report to this House
he state of the claims of Aaron Leggett on the government
if Mexico, decided under the convention of the 11th April,
1339, and such action as may have been had, and the
papers relating thereto in the Department of State, since
:he report upon them of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
u August, 1812, referring them for further consideration to
he executive branch of die government.
Agreed to.
president's message.
Afr. VINTON gave notice that he would to-morrow
rjove that the House resolve itself into Committee of the
Vhole on the state of the Union in order to take up the
['resident's message.
On motion, the House adjourned.
_ A'l'U h:, '
South Sixth street, near Coleman's Hotel.
VIr. Kii.mistk is most happy to announce to his friends and
the public that on
THURSDAY EVENING, December 23,
The first of those lovely and beautiful exhibitions of the
MODEL A HT1ST EH,
?rom New York, will mke place, illustrating Mythology,
Sacred and Modern History, and the Finjj Arts, by living
male and female artistes of the company. The inodel.will
revolve on Canova's Pedestal, brilliantly illuminated,
arranged with classical uccnracy, poetical beauty, and
refined elegance, fhese personifications have hoen pronounced
by the most eminent judges in Europe to be a
perfect living embodiment of the works of the great
masters in
PAINTING AND SCULPTURE.
Inconsequence of the enormous expense of this engagenent,
the prices of admittance must necessarily be, to tlie
I'urquette SI?Upper Tier 60 cents.
Mr. Kilmiste also begs leave to announce that the Model
Artistes will bo succeeded by a talented dramatic company,
including the popular and well-known
MRS. BURKE, of Philadelphia.
ftj-Doors ojicn at 7 o'clock-rciirtain rises at 7J precisely.
Dec 21? 3t
POSITIVELY TIIK LAST WEEK11
The thine** fu*eum Exhibition,
At ODD FELLOWS* HALL, 7th stree't,
(The only one in the United States,) WILL
POSITIVELY CLOSE ON SATURDAY NEXT, DEC. 25TH.
dpen from 10, a. tn., till 5, p. in.; nnd from 7 till 9| p. m
I.N addition to the collection of-several hundred beautiful
L Chinese paintings, life-like figures, embroidered articles
vory, shell, wood, and stono carvings, and othor splendid
ipecimens of Chinese arts, representations of different
;lassos of society in China will he given nt 4 anil 8 p. m
tach day. by the Chinese attached to the museum, one ol
.vhoin will sing a Ciiiiieso song, accompanied upon a two
itringoil Chinese violin ; ami, lor the first time in this city,
wine novel nnd curious feats of Chinese balancing will be
txhihited.
Adiniltauce 26 cents. Children under twelve years ol
ige, halfprice.
N. Jl. Friday Will he appropriated for the exclusive ad
liission of colored persons; and, for their better aooommolution,
throe entertainments will he given by the Chinese?
,-iz: at II a. in., and at 4 and 8 p. in.
Dec. 18?Iw
CONCERT HALL.
DROLL DOINGS AND DIVERSIONS,
Commencing Monday, Dec. 20, and every evening through
the week.
DH. VALENTINE,
lolineqtnr of Eccentricities, respectfully announces that he
will introduce his humorous entertainment, consitting of
QUEER, QUAINT, QUIZZICAL, AND COMIC CHARACTERS,
Embracing
FUN, FARCE, FREAK, FROLIC, AND FOIBLES,
Illustrated by Living Portrait* of celebrated
' KNOWN AND UNKNOWN PERSONS,
nterspersed with Musical Sketches?Country Court*?Old
Maid*?Cotnie Lectures?Stage Travel*?Learned Ignorant
Women?Steamboat Trip*?Long Island Music?
With imitation* of the
Ilungarinu Singer*?Country School*?Orations, dec.
Tickpt* admitting a gentleman, or gentleman and lady,
*1 cent*.
Performance to coiumenco at half-past 7 o'clock.
Dec 17?lw#
rtKM.IIVU Oir at Cost for Cash.?The subscriber, being
3 determined to close lu* present business, will, from thi
late, oiler hi* large stock ol dry good* at cost for cash?and
ash only. All persons wishing to buy cheap dry-gnodr
ind liett 'r call early, a* the store will not be kept open long
G. W. PHILLIPS.
VOTICH ?All persons indebted to the subscriber ate re
quested to call and settle their respective account.*
vitliou! delay, it being important that all his account*
lion Id he closed with a* little delay as |>ossible, pre para tor)
o the dual settlement of his business.
G. W. PHILLIPS.
Dec. 20? Iwif [Intel.]
ratJKVISIIKD HOOHR The sub- Tiber ha* furnished
U v Inch lie will . nt o'.t iiMx'-iote terin*. < insist
ng ol a parlor and several chambers. Ilis hou-o is pleas
nttly situated on Louisiana avenue, opposite the Unitarian
iburch, ami next to Copp't public baths
|Dec. 20?3teo<l* r J, P, MoKEAN,
CITY OF WASHINGTON. \z
uc
TUESDAY N1UUT, DEC. il, 1847. $
- _ ,(UI
Tlu Ncqncl to the Whig MeiUfeato. ^ ^
All too late to save its new character, and harJly soon
enough to .shield the leaders of its party from a crushing ^
weight of odium and public indignation, the National 1
Intelligencer begins to lind out that a traitorous advo- ^r.
cucy of the cause and the interests of our public enemy is
an unsafe basis of party organization ; and in its article ^o|
of Saturday last, written iu continuation of its previous j
malignant and foul-mouthed calumny of our country (^e
and government, it disavows the character of an organ ^
of the whig party and cluims to speak only for itself. ,j|.
Whether this disclaimer be compulsory or spontaneous? (
' whether it result from coercion without, or from caution
within the Intelligencer office?we yet rejoice to see U vul
It is bad enough for a single journal claiming to lie Amer- lwe
ican to defame and calumniate its government by whole- -n ^
sale ; but that this should be done in the name of a great ^
party, is too shameful to be. borne. We are glad to pre- (^ttl
suine, therefore, that the whig leaders in Congress have
found the language of their organ insufferable, and have ^
; compelled it to declare that it siieaks not for them, but
, ,, , sau
for itself alone. (o ^
As if in revenge for this rebuke from its own party, ;
and feeling perhaps that our first animadversion u|>on its t
slanders tuul some influence iu producing its mishap.it t
characterizes our article as " the poor ribaldry with HUsl
which some graduate of Billingsgate has been allowed (jegj
to soil the columns of a journal which ought to reflect, to ^
the extent of decency at least, the manners as well as the ,joe
sentiments of the gentlemen who control it." ?
If we arc, indeed, "graduates of Billingsgate," as the uf ,
Intelligencer alleges, that journal must at least confess i*n
. that we have taken only the lesser degrees in that de- [err
'aw;
partment of the Belles Lettres. We have yet much to riIA
learn before we can contest the " Senior Wranglership"
of the Intelligencer in the peculiar eloquence of that i)ar
school, and vie with it in describing the President of the 1,<>"
United States as a " Savage Ilully," and our national i
policy towards Mexico, adopted and sanctioned by Con- a))[
gress, as worse than the practices of the " Gouger and tofo
the Pickpocket!" We have put forth no such discaveries
in political science, and no such elegancies of rhetoric.
Till the Intelligencer can say as mujch, it may as (yon
well profit by the caution given in the nlav to Joseuh ine
Surface?(he was, as the Intelligencer will remember, a ,nu'
very demure and sanctimonious scoundrel, with a most ^
moral face, who cloaked the worst purposes and the most ^
unscrupulous passions under a marvellous affectation of
decorum,)?and leave " decency," as he was advised to ^
leave " honor," out of the question ! It is with a feeling f ^
of relief, therefore, that we turn from the consideration
of the Intelligencer^ maimers" to some examination of ^ ^
what, to escape a fitter name, it will probably call its ur- ^
guments.
Having first stigmatised the declarations of the President
in his Message, in relation to the causes and the commencement
of the war, as ."utterly false," the Intelligen- ^
cer now comes forward with the admission that the Pres- ^
ident himself, doubtless, believes them to be true. As the
Intelligencer's whole argument was to the effect that the
President, intentionally and of malice aforethought, went
abput in all his action towards Mexico to produce the j j
war, without any adequate cause on her part, this apology,
which the Intelligencer has doubtless brought for- ^
ward as a reluctant sacrifice to decency, is at best a self*
the
contradiction. After admitting that our Executive government
conscientiously believes that Mexico forced the
war upon us, as is alleged in the President's Messages,
surely it is alike idle and infamous for the Intelligencer to 1IT
assert, as it does, through some sixteen columns, that the ^er
President deliberately, and of set purpose, f weed the war stnl
upon Mexico! Vet the Intelligencer's apology is,doubt- teri
less, the best possible in its present plight, and so may be
accepted as far as it goes, Jj|)n
With regard to the policy proposed in the Message in ^
relation to a territorial indemnity, the Intelligencer ad- ^
mits that Mexico "cannot pay in money what she owes,"
but claims that the argument thus insisted on for a cession
of territory is ''deadly fatal to that other suggestion .
in the Message, that, by means of forced contributions
levied upon Mexico through our military commanders,
the future expenses of the war arc to be defrayed." regi
Admirably argued! Because the corrupt and wretched his
1 military anarchy of Mexico is too dishonest to collect oe|1
her public revenues in good faith for the public use* and '
too perfidious to pay them over in pursuance of treaty ^
stipulations, even if so collected, therefore we are to in- ten(
fer that a just and stringent system of forced military nat
contributions will furnish no supplies for our army in her terr
territory! And such feeble nonsense as this, utterly ^
irrelevant to the question at issue, is absolutely the Me
whole that the whig organ can allege against the pro- ani'
posed policy of acquiring indemnity in the form of a tor3
cession of territory?that is to say, in that form which is mU(
not only the only one practicable, but which at the same can
time is the least onerous to Mexico, and the most advantageous
to ourselves. t0 ^
the
With regard to the statement confirmed in the Message,
that Congress, in its legislation looking to the prosecu- ern
linn nf ftio urnr unit In I tin /-nnnlnainn n( a iranln nl na? dec
" "*- " "V* .I.v vwi.viu. il/ii W? < n V??J V/* J'UUV/t I
manifestly contemplated the acquisition of such territo- ,at11
rial indemnity, the Intelligencer can, after a fortnight's an<*
reflection, find nothing better to say than this: ,en'
" The only antwer that can ba made to such a proposi- "^el
lion, which the ' Union' expresses surprise that y/o have en'8
not said ' one word' to contradict, is, thit it it impnttiblt to this
find even ' one word' in any act or retolulmn of the Congress
.?/ the United Statei to tuitain it." '
In conclusive refutation of this allegation, we copy the
following paragraphs of the Message, which justice to >y|ef
the Intelligencer requires us to suppose it must have
failed to read or to understand :
" That Congress contemplated the acquisition of territorial
indemnity when that body made provision for the scat
prosecution of the wAr, is obvious. Congress could not have the
neant?when, in May, 1840, they appropriated tan millions jj8 (
>f dollars, and authorized the President to employ the militia
and naval and inilitnry forces of the United States, and ernr
to accept the services of fifty thousand volunteers, to enable autl
him to pr<*ecute the war ; and when, at their last session, rnov
tnd after our army had invaded Mexico, they made additional
appropriations and authorised the raising of addi- "
tional troops for the saitie purjiose?that no indemnity was "31?
to be obtained from Mexico at the conclusion of the war "1
and yet it was certain .that, if no Mexican territory wuA ac- bilit
[uired, no indemnity could ba obtained. Grai
It is further manifest that Congress contemplated terri- hi a
torial indemnity, from the fact, that, at thoir last session, *, IS
an act was passed iqion the executive recommendation,
appropriating three millions of dollars with thnt express war,
object. This appropriation was mado "to enabto the '
President to conclude a treaty of ponce, limits, nndbounda- ||,orj
ries, with the republic of Mexico, to be used by hiin in the
event that said treaty, when signed by the authorized ,n
agents of the two governments, and duly ratified by Mox- Grat
n, shall call for the expenditure ol the satne, or any part
thereof.'' The object of asking this appropriation was
distinctly stated in the several massages on the subject
which 1 communicated to Congrosi. Similar appropria- Notl
ions made in 1803 and 18(8, which wore referred to, were term
intended to be applied Iri part consideration for the cession
of Louisiana and the Floridas. In like manner it was anticipated
that, in settling the terms of a treaty of "Jimits trf>f>
ind boundaries" with Mexico, a cession of territory esti- eral
nntcd to be of gronter value than the amount of our Pre*
lernnnds against lior might be obtained; and, that the (
prompt payment of this sum?in part Consideration for
the territory ceded?on the conclusion of a treaty, and its tratii
ratification on her part, might bo an inducement with her ceiv
o male such a cession of territory ns would be satisfartory wfi ]
otlie United States. And although the failure to oonclude
ouch a treaty has rendered it unnecessary to use any part on
of the three millions of dollars appropriated by that act, he r
I the entire sum remain* in the treasury, it UntiUau.
sable to thut object, should tlte contingency occur inakii g
h application proper.
urely this settles the question as to the view and
|H?se of Congress in directing the prosecution ef the
r, and providing for the negotiation of a treaty of
ce. But if this be not sufficient, how will the Intellicer
explain the long-continued discussion of thp Wi|.
t Proviso as an amendment to the three million bill >
II it pretend that its whig friends came up in such solid
limit to vote for the exclusion of slavery, by act of
igress, from the territory that might be acquired by
ue of the provisions of that bill, when, in passing it,
y did not contemplate the acquisition of any territory
ilit Was it for such a purpose of manifest self-stul:ation?to
make a Proviso with nothing even in coaptation
or expectancy for it to operate upon?that this
brand was thrown into the halls of legislation to conse,
not Congress only, but the whole country for a
lvemonth ? Yet, if thisabsurdity was not perpetrate,!
he last Congress, then a cession of Mexican territory
the purpose of indemnity was surely contemplated by
t body, as an object and result of the war, when the
:c million bill was debated and passed.
.pparently little pleased with the success of its as.
It, eren upon the few points which it has thought fit
ouch at all, of our future policy towards Mexico,
iroposed by the Executive, the Intelligencer returns
Is old topic of the true boundary of Texas;, and, as ii
satisfied with its folly in quoting Mr. Donelson to
lain its positions, now comes forward with the more
[terute absurdity of citing the following passage from
President's Message to show that the State of Texas
s not extend to the Rio Grande :
Mew Mexico is a frontier province, and lias never been
my considerable value t) Mexico. From its locality, it
aturally connected with our westerli settlements. Tm
it (trial limit! of the State of Texas, too, at defined by her
s, before her admiuion into oar Union, emhrack ali,
T PORTION OK NkW MkXIOO L.YINO BAST OK TUB ltio
lndk, while Mexico still claims to hild this territory as a
t of her dominions. The adjustment of this question of
ndary is important."
Jpon this the Intelligencer remarks:
One and the tame rule, it is perfectly clear, must be
ilicable to all the territory eait of the Rio Grande, herere
bt longing to Mexico. It it all either ttill Mexican,
t it Texan. But the President marches an army into
part of it, on tho plea of its being his duty to defend
r own soil"?territory of the United States, derived
i Texas?and invades and conquers the other, demanda
cession of it as a State of Mexico, and now recompiling
to Congress to establish a Territorial government
hin it!"
'he Mexicans?whose cause the Intelligencer is here
ocating?will, probably, not be thankful for such adacy.
The territory "east of the Rio Grande, and hereire
belonging to Mexico," happens to reach to the Sat,
and to include the whole of Texas. And it is,
eover, avowedly in vindication of her claim to this
ale territory up to the Sabine, that Mexico has broken
liplomatic relations with us, and for at least four years
: has been threatening, or levying, or making war
n us. Now if, as the Intelligencer alleges, "one and
tame rule" applies to all this territory "east of the Rio
intle"?if it be all of it either still Mexican or else
:an?then, forasmuch as that Texas has come into
Union under all the guaranties of our constitution,
incline to believe that the American people will be
y apt to sustain their government in rejecting the
m of Mexico, and regarding the territory as Texan!
.gain: if Mexico chooses to apply "one and the same
to the territory east of the upper Rio Grande and
territory between the mouth, of that river and the
eces, then we apprehend that the "adjustment of the
indary," very properly regarded by the President as
lportant," will not be found difficult; because Mexico
self, as late as the 20th of June, 1844, formally inicted
her commanding-general, Woll, to regard the
itory of the lower Rio Grande between that river and
Nueces as a part of Texas; to consider its populai
as co operating with Texas in what Mexico called
"revolt of that department, and the usurpation of
t part of the national territory," and as thus deserving
infliction of the "traitor's doom," denounced by her
inst all Texans! Here are the words of the order of
leral Woll, issued under that date in pursuance of his
ructions from the national palace:
"Every individual who may be found at the distance
>n? league from the left bank of the Rio Bravo, will bo
vrded as a favorer and accomplice of tiir usurpers or
t part ok the national territory, and as a traitor to
country ; and, after a summary military trial, shall rere
the said punishment."
'hus it appears that, in 1944, the Texan "usurpation"
, in the judgment of Mexico herself, indubitably exled
to the Rio Grande, and subjected "that part of the
ionttl territory " like the rest of Texas, tq a war of exni
nation.
fere, then, is " the one and the same rule" applied by
xico herself to the territory between the Rio Grande
the Nueces! And judged by this rule, is that terrir
to be considered as Mexican or Texan territory? But
:h has been said by the Intelligencer as to the Mexioccupation
and jurisdiction on the upper Rio Grande 1
s, however it may .have been, has, of course, nothing
0 with the present war. Let us test it, however, by
Intelligencer's " one anil the same rule/" The south- ,
mail of last evening bring us intelligence of thi j
tion to the State legislature of Texas of a rcpresen j
re from the Nueces county, lying between the Niiece- ]
the Rio Grande ! We know that the same county j
its delegates to the Texan convention. The Intel- ,
rrcer can judge how much it benefits its Mexican cli- ]
1 when it proclaims that the "same rule" applies tc j
county and to Santa Fe. It was a bad blunJer to ,
Mr. Donelson to prove the territorial right of Mexi- y
ip to the Nueces. But this was surely cxcdsable in
parison with the flat folly of citing the President'!
isoge to the same position.
rc come now, however, to the most extraordinary
, considering its purpose and character, the most
tdalous of all the misrepresentations resorted to bj
Intelligencer in its advocacy of our public enemy am
lenunciation of the cause and the policy of our govnent.
It avers, in the following terms, and upon the
lority of the following garbled quotation, that th? (
ement of our army to the Rio Grande was made
nst the judgment and a Ivice of General Taylor. I; ^
?
hit the General knew brt'er tat to incur t\e res/mnti .
y of such a movement, (the advance upoi the Hi'
ide;)and roqiectfully but positively dedinid doing *> <
letter to the War Deparlme nt, under date of Octobfi y
45: g
Moxico having as yet m4de no positive declaration c
Nor commutta tiny overt art nj hmtihttrn, |-im
sral,] I do not feel at liberty, under my instruction", t C
e a forward movement to the liiotirnnde without an ,
ty from the War Department.' " J
our opinion, the advance of our army to the Ri *
ide has been made in the discussions of the com U
cement and causes of the war by the whit? journal*
scupy a far more prominent place than it' deserve'
liinsr can he more certain than that Mexico had de e
ined upon war, and that her government had issue et
tive orders to its mm uan lint? t?eneral to attack ott G
ps before tha' movement took place, and while Cien- tl
Taylor wart yet at C irptis Christi. The letter rt tl
lident Herrent, rece ttly published by us in relation t< f
novement of Paredes, which overthrew his almini' (<
on on the sinyb pretence that he was willing to re h
e Mr. Slidell, is conclnsive on this* point; even i si
uui not the proclamation issued by President Pare le P
lie 18th of April, ls-lfl, informing us in terms tlij ^ >1
esolved upon war, and iiiued orders to make p
I