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Augusta, oa.:
MONDAY MORNING, JAN'Y 11, 1847.
Indemniflcation for the Expenses of War.
Iv the conclusion of our article of yesterday
upon this subject, we said:
“There are questions of great importance involved
in this idea of seizing upon the territory of Mexico
which cannot be overlooked :
“ Ist.—Will the United States, having overpower
ed Mexico, hive the right, according to the laws of
nations, to seize and permanently hold such territory ?
“ 2d.—lf not, would she not be bound by the same
laws to make amends for wrongs she committed
against that nation?
“3d.—Will the territory be valuable, and ought it
to be acquired now V*
According lo the Laws of Nations, the United
States would not have the right alluded to in
question Ist, unless her cause was just, and her
part in the war was justified by necessity and
right.
By the same international law, they would be
bound to conform to the implied requisitions of
the 2d question if they had not a just cause, or
if the war, on their part, is one of aggression
and wrong.
So far as these two questions are concerned,
we put them merely to state the points of Inter
national Law, and to show that the question of
seizing upon the territory ol another nation to
pay for the expenses of war, is one of great
delicacy and importance.
In order, still further, to show how far a na
tion may, and by what motives it should act, we
will quote the following from Vattel’s Laws
of Nations, page 1564 :
“ A nation that has with upright intentions support
ed a bad cause, and observed numeration in the pro
mrtcutum of it, in entitled rather to compassion than re
sentment from a g«n ,miK conqueror : ami in a «I«»ubr
fill cause we are to suppose tbit the enemv «iiM*«>r*>tv
think } himself in the right (Prelim. § 2
§ 40.) The only circumstance, ther
gives an enemy the right to punish his at
their evident injustice unsupported even vi t
sible pretext, or some heinous outrage i
ceedings: and, on every occasion, he ou :
the punishment to what his own security
ty of nations require. As far as consist**
deuce, it is glorious to obey the voice »
that amiable virtue seldom fails of being
to the party who ejeerts it, than tlA ui.
Now it !»»»»•»♦ **r«CT vv in 'be obvious to the whole
wor |d thattbu Mexicans believed that the valley
on file east of the Rio Grande was apart of
their territory, for they were in possession of it
and never had been dispossessed of it at any
time, or by any power. Then, even upon the
supposition that it belonged to the United States,
we see grounds to believe in the “ upright in
tentions” of Mexico, that she “sincerely thinks
himself (herself) in the right,’' that she is not
“ unsupported even by any plausible pretext”
—that we see sufficient grounds, we say, to au
thorise a noble aud magnanimous clemency
towards her by the United States.
We introduced testimony to our readers yes
terday, ami now lay still more before them,
from the Laws of Nations, not to decide the
question of justice in this war between our
country ami Mexico, but to show that all na
tions should he just, and ought to be merciful to
a prostrate foe.
We are anxious for'the honor and the unsul
lied glory of this great We would
preserve them pure, not alone in the eyes of
our ow n citizens, hut those also of the whole
world. It is true that there is no tribunal es
tablished among the nations of the earth to de
cide questions of this character between nation
and nation. Every sovereign State has the
power to judge for itself. But the other na
tions have eyes and ears. They are looking on.
and they will deride between tho parties at is
sue. We want our country so to act that the
voice of the civilized world will decide in its
favor.
If the people of the United States want the
Territory of New Mexico and California, and
justice will give it to them, let us take it, un
less clemency dictates to us to forbear.
But we proceed to the third and last proposi
tion.
Will the territory he valuahle/and ought it to
he acquired now f
We ask tliis question upon the supposition
that all doubts of the justice of our cause, of our
right to seize and hold it, are dissipated ami
overthrown.
Do not ir readers recollect the resolution
which passed the House of
i as an amendment to Mr
-v » lion bill f Did not the Repre
the free States shows by passing
lat they were opposed to any
further annexation of new territory, unless
slavery should hi* prohibited within its limits ’
Our readers saw*, in our paper of Friday, the
substance of resolutions which were introduced
into the House, on the 4th instant, having the
same object in view—the rejection of any more
new territory for the extension of slavery.
Mr. Kino, of New York, moved that the
special order of the day he postponed to take
up his resolutions, aud his motion was lost hv
only a single vote, yeas Btf, nays 811. Is not
this indicative that they will certainly pass when
called up in regular order.
There are many now living who recollect
how the stormy passions of sectional interests
were aroused to fury in 1819, on the question
of the admission of Missouri into the Union.
The Union then rocked to its centre. But the
earthquake violence of this new disco**.!, ii'
the question of annexation *•* pressed and
urged, will more th**** rock it—it will rend it
into frs**Mcnts.
This Union was founded upon compromise.
The Constitution was the w ork of compromise
and patriotic forbearance. God grant that all
tho States of the Union, and their respective
people, may ever he prepared to listen to each
other’s w ants, arguments ami w ishes. No one
section can disregard another section, aud treat
its views with contempt, without the danger of
internal convulsions, and perhaps civil war.
Is there not reason to believe that all of the
free States, that an overwhelming majority of
the people there, are utterly ami irreconcileahlv
opposed to the acquisition of New Mexico an 1
California, lor the purpose of enlarging the
area of slavery ? Can the South ever consent
to their annexation as free States ' What then
shall he done ? If the justice of our cause, if the
wrongs of Mexico authorize us to dismember
her territory, and seize and occupy it. will good
policy, ami the safety of the I'nion justify it ’
Will yve act \xiscly to acquire it at an expense
of from fifty to one hundred millions of dol
lars * \\ ill that not he an extravagant price to
pay for a political tire-brand to light up the
tl&uies of furious discord, and perhaps dissolve
the I’nion. which all should love and cherish as
the great ark of our security and freedom '
Would a gracious and priceless offer of it all
from Mexico, make it cheap to us at stick a
sacrifice * Oh ' that the people of this country j
would leant from the lessons of history the !
dangers of extended dominion ? Would to f
Heaven, that they would reason together,
hearken to each others words, mutually respect !
the feelings of one another, and harmonize ;
upon the great principles of the Constitution,
reason and justice, before they shall he deprived
of the opportunity by the vortex of National
dissolution and rum.
\\ ho doubts that the war could he closed in
a few weeks, if our 1 Government would give
up the known and avowed purpose of seizing
and keeping possession of New Mexico and
California * With that tdtjrcf in riett and per
sistfrf in. the Mexicans will not lay down their
arms, till exhausted for want of means to \\ ield
them upon the field of battle We will be
waging a war. spending millions of treasure,
and sacrificing thousands of lives—for w hat. I
in the name of reason f For a fiery serpent to <
sting us to death * For an apple of discord to '
create sectional hate at home, and a violent dis- j
rupnon of aH the sacred bonds of our happy
I’nion
le! that fata! idea be m&inJomed. and in a |
tew weeks peace yvould be restored between j
the two belligerent Republics, and harmony, so j
desirable and essential, could be preserved be
tween the already agitated and contending sec
tions of our ow n
t haiirr elections.
Cot mars—Wn *y Wilma** has been elec
ltd Mayor.
Macon—John J (inißui was elected May
or.
TSe leHuuit nf Kentucky me: at Frank fen oo
*•** ■»!•* ■* IV-taiei (*#e laritCoißts was rn'i+rx
•d o U>® H.'um
City Officer*.
The City Council, on Saturday evening, pro
ceeded to elect the city officers fer the present
vear, which resulted in the election of the fol
lowing persons:
Collector and Treasurer.— John Hill.
Clerk of Council— W. Milo Olin.
City Marshall.— Foster Blodget.
City Constables. —Jacob Sistrunk, L. L. Antony.
Hridge Keeper.— ll. B. Frazer.
Watchmen. —Samuel Lindsay. J. B. Wilson, John
C. Caldwell, Edward Murphy, W. R. Hadley, Den
nis Collins, Thos. L. Williams, Win. Keener, Jr.
Superintendent of Streets, Pumps and Water
Works. —John Reiley.
Keeper of Jail. —W. D. Broome.
Clerk of Loirer Market. —H. R. Philpot.
Clerk (Jpper Market.—-Win. Keener, Sen.
Keeper Magazine. —W in. M. Pickering.
Keeper City Hall. —Mrs. O. Hargroves.
Keeper City Clock. —Charles Gatlin.
Keeper Hospital. —Peter Me Mahon.
City Surveyor. —Wm. Phillips.
City Sexton.— B. Abrahams.
Vendue Masters. —W. E. Jackson & Co.
Clerk Court Common Pleas.— H. Robert.
City Sheriff. —A. C. Cold well.
Defences ofSaltillo.
The Baltimore Sun publishes a letter from
its correspondent at Matamoros, which con
tains the following extract of a letter from an
officer ofthe army, which is not without inte
rest at this time:
“Santa Anna’s AnnV is cantoned on the road from
Sakilk> to San Luis de Potosi, advanced about fifty
miles from the latter place. Ido not believe he will
advance upon us. Should he, however, we must
abandon Saltillo and fall back upon the pass ‘de los
MuertoSy or as far as Monterey. Saltillo we cannot
retain with less than 50r6,000 men and plenty,ofartil
lery, as we should have to fortify several heights
which overlook the town, anil which, in possession of
an enemv, \%*e would he driven out in an hour’s firing.
The place itself is not defensible being commanded by
eminences on all sides. The ‘Muertos,’ or Deaths
Passage, wecould defend with our present force fora sea
son against a host inarms; and Monterey with a much
smaller force than we could Saltillo, and much more
fir -lively. TIM-r*? i* no need«.f Saltillo; all we want
... I-- • -a '*,*! *•#*' V .>.«*. jM
)■ utifaefif- *t iUjiUhi'.x, > . r ■ tn
M ,«*«»«».
yesieruay says:
“We have seen an agreement signed by some of
our most substantial citizens, pledging the subscribers
to subscribe for stock to tin* several amounts attached
to their names, when the books shall I*** opened for
subscription t*» a Colton Manufacturing Company, to
lx? established in Augusta. The amount already sub
scribed exceeds one hundred thousand dollars. It is de
signed to raise the amount to two hundred thousand
dollars. Ah comparatively a few* have already sub
scribed so much, the list being about twenty in num
ber, and as we hear of considerable capital from a dis
tance coming here to be invested in like manner, we
have no doubt of the early organization ofthe compa
ny. It will go into operation under the most favora
ble auspices, and be the pioneer to many others. It
is a business yielding a better profit on the investment
than any other in the Southern States.”
Better late than never, say we. This “ ball”
should have been set in motion a year or more
ago. Now, that it is in motion, however, we
trn>t that it will daily acquire additional impetus
until it has fully accomplished the great objects
ofthe enterprise. Ens. Chro.v. & Sent.
S\sr \ Fk. —A letter written at Santa Fe on
the 19th of November states that Col. Price’s
Regiment is stationed at that place for the win
ter, and that great sickness prevailed among the
troops. There had been as many as seven
deaths a day.
The Legislature of Ohio have taken measures
for the removalofthe remains ofGen. Thomas
L Hamer from Mexico to the soil of Ohio, at
the expense of the State.
The North River is oj»en to Albany—a stc.unboa
arrived at that place ou Tuesday from New York.
The Delaware legislature commenced its session at
Dovei on Tuesday last. Dr. Wm. Morris, Whig,
was elected Speaker of the Senate, and Lewis Thomp
son, Esq., Speaker of the House.
From t/ir Xew Orleans Picayune. 3rd inst.
FROM MEXICO.
Prospects of a Protracted War.
We are indebted to a commercial friend for
the use of the following letter, which is con
firmatory of the intelligence which has reached
us hv various ways, of the disposition of the
Mexican Congress in regard to the w ar. It is
l>v no means surprising that we have not had
news direct from the city of Mexico, since the
meeting of Congress, as there are no American
vessels trading to Vera Cru/.. The letters of
Santa Anna to lieu. Taylor prepared us for
such a line of conduct as is now ascribed to the
Mexican Congress. It was scarcely probable
that he would have spoken so positively of the
utter fruitlessness of all attempts to make peace,
till the American forces were w ithdrawn from
Mexico ami our vessels from her coast, unless
lit* had good grounds for judging the temper of
the members of Congress. Oil both occasions
of writing to Hen. Taylor he distinctly an*
iioutices what now appears to have been adopt
ed by Congress; and we rather suspect that
this course has been dictated by Santa Anna
ami Almonte, and that his declarations in his let
ters to (Jen. Taylor were designed to forestall
Congress with the people. Before Almonte
left the United States he pointed out tins as the
only course for Mexico to pursue, and since his
return he has often stated that it w ould he pre
ferable to light the United States, rather than
even give up Texas, as the only means of cre
ating a wholesome national feeling.
Had there been any indication of pacific
affairs, our squadron would, m all likelihood,
have heard of it. and the Government of the
United States been made acquainted with the
fact, through that channel. Apart from the ru
mors, heretofore prevalent upon the subject,
and such confirmation as is now had of them,
it seems to us that all indications are averse to
(»eace. If the Mexican people are a tithe as
lellicose as th® Mexican press, there is much
for the sword to do before the pen of the diplo
matist i** called in requisition.
Tampico, December 23, 1846.
Gentlemen -The unexpected detention of the pack
et till this late hour enables me to give the following
important information, just receive*! by me from a re
liable source. The information is contained in a lei
ter to a commercial house here, and is
the lfitli inst.
The substance of it is, that the Mexican Congress
have decided that the war shall n*t erase, nor will
they receive commissioners to treat for p-ace until
every hostile foot lias left the soil of Mexico and every
shtp that lines the coast is withdrawn. They have
further resolved that they will accept tA’no foreign in
tervention whatever to firing about a j»eace.
The letter further states that tho s>oo,ooo loan guar
antied by the clergy is exhausted, ami no new loan
is vet authorized, nor does the writer know w here i;
is to come from.
This action on the part ol'Mexieo'will at once deter
mine the public action of our Government, anti we
may now l.*ok out f.r a protracted and perhaps M.vvlv
war. I predict it will end in the conquest of ail
Mexico north of the base of this . ity - the line exteiul
ing west ol the Pacific—-and that this will become an
American town. If so, this will !*«• a great place for
business, ami a safe one for investments of property.
The resources of the country north of this an* inex
haustible. \\ hen more at leisure I will refer t * what
these resources are. N ours, verv truly, Jfcc.
Steam Communication between (Great
Britain \ni» New Orleans. —The London
Morning Chronicle states that a proposition has
been submitted to the British (iovernmeiit. hav
ing for its object the establishment of a direct
steam rommuiiicaiioii yvith New Orleans. On
this project the Chronicle remarks as follows:
“The importance of such a plan must bo oh
vious at first sight, when it considered that
; the only method of forwarding letters to that
non at the present time is bv wav of Halifax.
! Boston, and New \ ork. the period occupied be-
I tween Boston and New Orleans being not less
| than nine to ten days The rapid increase of
1 our trade yvith New Orleans, which is. and
| must continue to be the shipping port for the
| whole of the rich and exten-ivo States watered
| by the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Ohio, and
the other streams which are contributarv to
them, renders it in the highest degree desirable
that a direct communication should b ■ estab
lished yvith that important outlet for American *
produce; equally important too to us. as the
key to those vast markets for our manufactures j
which cannot fail to rise up in the Western
States of America.
’’The great difficulty which had hitherto pre
sented itself to the project of large steamers go- ;
j ing direct to that port was. that the w ater on
i the bar. at the mouth of the Mississippi, is usu
ally too shallow to admit of any large ships
i deeply sunk, except such as are built expressly
| for the cottontrade with flatter bottoms This
, difficulty has. however, been remedied bv the
| discovery of a fine and safe harbor on the coast.
well protected in every state of the weather.
| and which, yvheu a railway, which is now in
the course of construction, shall l»o completed,
j w ill be only about sixty miles from New Or
j lean*, with railway communication, which will
1 enable cargoes and passengers to reach New
| Orleans at a much cheaper rate than it now
S costs to tow vessels up the Mississippi from the
Ibar to New Orleans, advance of one hundred
and ten miles.
I The present project is. that the West India
stefßier, which goes to Havana and Mexico. I
should touch at the point, taking a New Or
leans mad and passengers outward and hoine
ward. it being less than forty hours' sail from
Havana The great number of passengers
constantly proceeding to and from Europe to
tins j*art of the l' listed States would make it a
profitable part of die business of the West In
dia steamers, and they could, besides, lay in
provisions much cheaper than at Havana.—
The tioxernmenr ba> so far approved of this
plan as to leave it to the decision of the Kovai
Steam Packet Company to adopt it, if it ium:
tb«ir approval '
From the New -
Approach to tu«.
If a march to the Mexican capital, u wu . .
Cruz as a starting point, is determined on hv the
great military sages at Washington, we all have
an interest in knowing what is to he encounter
ed on the road. The following itinerary, as it
may be called, has been made up from authen
tic sources, and is believed to be accurate.
Vera Cruz. —The city of Vera Cruz is walled
round, with a fort at each extremity ofthe wa
ter front; the walls on the land are loopholed
for musketry. Parapet guns have been recently
mounted on the walls. The city walls are ve
ry thick, of coral rock; the walls ofthe houses
are usually 2$ feet thick, and the roofs are flat.
Each house has a cistern or cisterns of rain wa
ter. The city is well paved.
From Vera Cruz to Mexico. —About ten miles
from Vera Cruz is a stream 200 yards wide,
crossed at a ferry in scows, or by swimming
horses over. The next stream, about 30 miles
from Vera Cruz, is fordable, and is also span
ned hv a wooden bridge called Puente del Rey
(the King’s bridge) and also the national bridge.
Near it on the right is an eminence of about 60
feet, on which is a fort, completely commanding
the approach and bridge.
Between these bridges and Jalapa, the road
passes near several heights, from which the na
tives can annoy invaders ou the road.
City of Jalapa. —This city stand.-, on very ele
vated ground, yet for many miles the ascentis
gradual. From the city Vera Cruz is visible as
is also the sea, 90 miles distant. The city itself
is upon a high hill—highest in the centre, so
that the streets incline considerably ; so much
so that no wheeled vehicle can pass along any
of them except the main street, or road, which
has a considerable rise and descent. The city
-issurrounded by a wall, and hasa strongly built
church near the western gate, which could be
converted into a citadel. The streets are paved.
The houses, as in other Mexican towns, are of
stone, with flat roofs and iron barred windows.
Opposite the city on the left of the road is a
hill from which the road might be annoyed and
shells thrown into the town. For the distance
of six or seven miles before reaching the town,
tl>»» rorwl ie •» ’tn<l ui,hu*n«tinl
; * c ry < imy
f rate -A* th» of a high -.ou* * •:•'**
| the ■»*.:•••! i ' • UC L i f J :■
' ♦ *«:•.. * - . d
( - -
fiat sandy plain, strongly built of stone and
encircled by a deep fosse or ditch.—
The main entrance is by going over a che
veaux de frieze by a stile, descending some
twenty-five or thirty stone steps to the bottom
of the fosse and crossing it to the gates, which
are on a level with the bottom.
City of Puebla. —This city is walled and for
t lied. It is built of stone and the streets are
well paved. Containsabout 100,000 inhabitants.
Here water is abundant, hut from the national
bridge to this city no water can he obtained—
th«* natives substituting pulque as a beverage.
From Jalapa to Puebla there are occasional
heights near the road, which, if fortified, might
annoy invaders. In fact from Vera Cruz to
Puebla this is the case—the travel being alter
nately over broad unobstructed roads and nar
row passes, commanded by heights. The road
passes through Puebla. ’The Piihlanoes have
a peculiar character; they are cunning and
courageous, and the most expert robbers and
assassins throughout Mexico, where there is no
lack of such. If an offender is brought before
an alcalde, any where else, and is known or
ascertained to be a Puehlano, his condemnation
is sure.
Cordova. —A small wall and garrisoned town,
through which the road passes. Beyond
Puebla the road is good till it reaches the moun
tain of Cordova. about midway between the
former and the city of Mexico, where the as
cent is very rugged and steep, though without
defile . Near the road at tin* foot of this moun
tain. passes the Rio Frio, or cold river, which
litis its rise in the neighboring mountain of Po
pocatapetle, 17,000 feet above the level ofthe
sea. A work on some ofthe heights of Popo
catapetle would command tin* road.
After leaving tin* mountain of Cordova the
road is goad and unobstructed, with plenty of
water, to the city of Mexico. For several miles
before reaching that city the road is delightful,
passing between parallel canals and rows of
Lombardy poplars.
City of Mexico. —Like all other Mexican cities
this has walls and houses of stone, with flat
roofs, Ac. It is well paved; a gutter four feet
wide passes through the centre of each street,
covered by broad flag stones, removable at
pleasure. All the gutters are drained into the
c anal or lake. The city has many large and
strong churches and other great buildings, easi
ly converted into fortresses. If its walls were
repaired and mounted with cannon, and well
garrisoned, it could make a formidable res s
tance to besiegers.
During the festival days, which arc very nu
merous. the haciendas for twenty or thirty miles
around send into the city not less than 10,000
mounted peasantry of the better class, most ex
pert horsemen. They arc courageous and
skilful in the use of the lance, lasso and machete,
which is a large and heavy knife. Nothing
more would be necessary than for the padres
to go forth into the streets ofthe principal cities,
particularly Puebla and Mexico, elevate their
crosses and appeal to the bigotry ofthe popula
tion, to rally an immense force of hold and ac
tive and desperate men. who would make fierce
resistance to an invasion. And if invaders
should force their way in. assassinations by tin*
hands of so many expert murderers would soon
make fearful inroads on their numbers.
XV a y ucslioro’ Com e lit ion.
Waynesboro*. Jan. 5. IH-47.
Pursuant to adjournment of the meeting in
November last, the Rail-Road Convention as
sembled in this place to-day. and was organized
bv calling Alexander Lawson to tin* Chair, the
President being absent.
The Chairman of the Committee appointed
to report, among other things, as to the expedi
ency of constructing the proposed Rail-Road,
was. by severe illness, prevented from attend
ance. and from completing the report which
xv as in course of preparation for this meeting:
l»ut Col. Berrien, by request of the Chairman,
presented such facts as were necessary for the
present action of the Convention, among w hich.
was a statement prepared by the Chief engi
neer of the Central Rail-Road, of the probable
expense of constructing the work from the sev
enty-nine milepost on said Road to Waynes
boro, in which the amount was set down at one
hundred and seventy-one thousand and eighty
dollars.
The Kngineer. a delegate iti attendance from
Savannah, made some explanations of the esti
mate. and stated that th«* cost or distance of the
contemplated Road would not he materially af
fected by adopting any other point of junction
with the Central Road, between the point named
and the ninety-five mile post.
The Mayor of Savannah, also a delegate from
that city, addressed the Convention, alluding to
the proposition of the Central Rail-Road and
Banking Company, made at their annual Con
vention in December last. He assured the
Convention that Savannah felt a deep interest
in the object for which they were assembled,
and that nothin*: hut the want of ability preven
ted that corporation from doing even more than
she had offered as a large share holder in the
Central Rail-Road towards the building of the
contemplated Road. The following resolutions
were offered by Col. Berrien, and unanimous
ly adopted:
1 Risolml. That this meeting takes a deep
interest in the project of constructing a Rail-
Koad from the Centra! Rail-Road to the town
of Waynesboro*, and regards it as a measure
that would he productive of great benefit to the
State, and particularly to the County of Burke.
•J. Resolved. That iti the opinion of this
meeting, tliis w ork can he speedily constructed,
provided the necessary exertions are made to
effect t!ii< desirable object.
B. Rrsolred. That the proposition of the
Central Rail-Road and Banking Company,
made m their annual meeting in December last,
iu relation to said Rail-Road, should he accept
ed.
4. Resol mi. That the Commissioners named
in the charter of the Augusta and Waynesboro'
Rail-Road, or such number of them as are au
thorised by the same charter to act. he request
ed to advertise in terms of the said charter, for
the opening of books of subscription for Stock
in said Company, and take such «deps as may
be necessary to organize the Company yvith as
little delay as possible.
5. Re sol re tl. That the citizens of this county
will lend their aid and influence to the accom
plishment of the great object for xvhich this
meeting is com ened.
ti. Rc sol red. That as no formal response has
been received from the Cix Council of Augus
ta. or from the (Georgia Rail-Road and Banking
Company, that part of the subject be referred
to the Commissioners with power to act in the
premises. The Convention then adjourned.
Alter the adjournment, the Commissioners
named iu the charter of the Augusta and
Waynesborough Rail-Road, who were in atten
dance. assembled, and appointed the ‘doth of
the present month, to meet the Commissioners
risident in Savannah. :u that city, for the pur
pose of complying with the request in the fourth
of ihe foregoing resolutions.
(Signed.) ALEX. J LAWSON. Chn
J \mes B. Jones. Secretary.
Interesting from Campeachy. —An arrival
g s us n possession of accounts
to the £2d nit. A letter of that date states that
Campeachy has positively despatched a force
oftJ"x«k> men. which was joined by five hundred
| ou the road, xvith twelve pieces of artillery , all
i xvell equipped, with a view to compel ike gov
ernment at Merida to succumb to the pronun
esameato of Campeachy ofßth Deci tuber. The
object of the pro nunciameuto and of this move
men:. is declared to be to maintain the neutrali
ty of the peninsula as between the United States
and Mexico, and put down the government
is wed the country to Santa
Anna The people of Campeachy have elected
Don Domingo Barret Provisional governor.
He addressed, on ;he 11th u*:.. a long commu
nication to the government of Mer.da. setting
forth the cause of the insurrection at Cani
poary
TUESDAY MORNING, JAN. 13, 184 T.
Inconsistency' of the Constitutionalist.
In our paper of the 7th inst., we showed by
eirfracts from the Constitutionalist of Oct. 10
and 25th, that that paper justified General
Kearney in his acts in New Mexico. We then
made an extract from that paper, of Wednes
day last, in which the Editor declared that Gen.
Kearney and Commodore Stockton were cen
surable for having transcended their instruc
tions. The Constitutionalist replies by saying:
“ The Chronicle says ‘some weeks since we had a
controversy with that paper (the Constitutionalist)
about these very acts and doings of General Kearney.’
The Chronicle is mistaken. These acts and doings
which have been disavowed by the President, were
not then known either to the Chronicle or to the Con
stitutionalist. How then could there have been a con
troversy about them. They were not even known tc
the President; for in his message of December 2‘2d.
he states that the ‘form of government,’ ‘established
and organized by the military commander who con
quered with his forces the territory of New Mexico,’
was not brought to his notice by the Secretary of War
until after his annual message of the Bth Deceinbej
was communicated to Congress. We therefore com
mit no inconsistency—we exhibit no change of opin
ion in having, some weeks ago , to wit, on the 25t!
October last, contended that all General Keaniey hat*
then done, so far as we were apprized, was right anc
proper, according to the well established principles o
international law.”
The President in his message of the 22d tilt
said, alluding to a form of Government estab
lisbed by General Kearney : “It is declarei
on its face to be a temporary government of th<
said territory,” but there are portions of it whicl
purport “to establish and organize” a perma
tient territorial government* of the Unitec
States over the territory, and to impart to its in
habitants political rights which, under the constitu
tit " i X & ■
**•'- -■ •' o:itp by •* r 44r.* a- ;
i'i' •!->• •itd'hrCfcr '
- *i* t • **. x
-.: * li'f' - ‘ r < « «*?,
a, ..c has uaiiscenueu ms instructions, liow
does the Constitutionalist know that he has.
Has he seen the document referred to, the par
ticulars upon which to make up his opinion to
that effect ?
Now, from the above every one will see that
.Mr. Poi.k finds fault with General Kearney, be
cause he has done something more that estab
lish a “temporary government,” becauselie has
established and organized what purport.-, to be
“a permanent territorial government of the
United States, and to impart to its inhabitants”
rights which belong only to “citizens of the l uted
Stotts ,” (meaning unquestionably “rights” of
citizenship of the United States conferred »y
General Kearney, upon the Mexicans.)
Well, now let us look hack to the proclama
tion of General Kearney which was published
all over the United States in the month of Oc
tober, and every word of which the Constitu
tionalist now tells us he approved on the 25th
of October. In that proclamation the General
tells the people of New Mexico, “he now an
nounces his intention to hold the Department
(New Mexico) with its original boundaries (on
both sides of the Uio Grande) as a part of the
United States, Ac.” Again “It is the wish and
intention of the United States to provide for
New Mexico a free Government with the least
possible delay similar to those in the United
States, Ac.” General Kearney then goes on
to tell them that they will soon he called on to
elect members to a “territorial Legislature.”
Again he says, “the undersigned (meaning
himself) hereby absolves all persons residing
withing the boundary of New Mexico from
foreign allegiance to the Republic of Mexico,
and hereby claims them as citizens of the United
States.”
In a few days after issuing his proclamation,
he swore in citizens of Mexico as citizens of the
United States in the name of the Father, Son
and Holy Ghost! An account of those pro
ceedings were published all over the United
Stales in the month of September and early in
October. It appears then, that Gen. Kearney,
by his proclamation, declared New Mexico to
be a part of the United States, and therefore
annexed to them—that a territorial Government
should, as soon as possible, be established over
it, (this be did establish by appointing a Go'
nor, Secretary v»f the Treasury, Marshall, l
ted States District Attorney, Judges of the
perior Courts and other officers on the 23d dat
of September last:) that the people of New
Mexico were absolved from all allegiance to
Mexico and were claimed as citizens of the
United States.
Now Mr Poi.k finds fault with Gen. Kear
ney for establishing a permanent territorial go
vernment in New Mexico. The proclamation
said it was to be done : he finds fault for making
citizens of the Mexicans; the proclamation de
clared them to he such and they were made
such, a few days after, by solemn oaths. The
Message speaks of the possession of those por
tions of Mexico as a “temporary military pos
session;” the proclamation declares them to he
a part of the United States, and, of course an
nexed to this country.
Is it not clear, then, that by the proclamation
of Gen. Kearney and his acts a few days there
after. that he declared his determination to do
all that he subsequently did, and yet that pro
clamation and those acts referred to, the Con
stitutionalist says, lie approved in full an the
25/A day of October. Os course then, heap
proved of the annexation, (that was a very sum
mary process of annexation, there was no ust
for Congress in the matter !) he approved of the
oath of allegiance, and the nnc process of na
turalization for making citizens of the United
Suites, of Indians. Mestizoes, and some Span
iards of pure blood ! In doing these tilings we
arc told that Gen. Kursky transcended his in
structions. and yet they were approved of by
the Constitutionalist. That paper says:
•• H>- did not instruct General Kearney to establish
a civil government..”
Now Mr. Marcy. in his letter to Genera
Ke irney of June 3d said :
••Should you conquer and take possession of New
Mexico and California, or considerable places in either,
you will establish temporary civil governments there
in. abolishing all arbitrary restrictions that may exist,
so for us it may be done with safety.”
We think that we have established the incon
sistency of the Constitutionalist in its justifica
tion of the proceedings of Gen Kearney in
October, and its condemnation of them at the
present time.
Triumph or the Tki.egrxph.—The entire
message of Governor Young, of.S. York, to
the Legislature, containing about 5.000 words,
was communicated from Albany to Now-Y ork
by Telegraph. The reading of it was com
menced at ]fi minutes before 12. at which time
the transmission of it by telegraph was com
menced. and by three o’clock the work was ac
complished. This is the greatest triumph
which the telegraph has yet achieved. The
message was written from two instruments in
| the Albany office, bv Messrs. Catter. Buell and
Johnson, and read in the New-Y’ork office by
the Messrs. \Y uods, at the average rate of £3 let
ter per minute. or two and ahalf hours for each
instrument. Professor Morse’s original esti
mate to Congress for the despatch with which
communications could be sent by his telegraph,
was thirty letters per minute: here we see the
number almost trebled, in a long public docu
ment.
Remains of Capt. Holmes. —The remains
of this gallant officer, says the Macon Messen
ger. were to leave Monterey on the IHh inst.. in
the charge of a friend. It is impossible to say
when they will reach here, but we shall be duly
advised of the progress, and give timely notice.
It is contemplated to celebrate the funeral obse
quies by a military and civic procession, and our
citizens would be much gratified, could the se
veral Volvnteer Companies of the State make
| it convenient to unite with them on the occa
! sion.
Pennsylvania Legislature. —This body as-
I sembled oil Tuesday last at Harrisburg. The
; Hon Charles Gibbons was elected Speaker
| of the Senate, and J \mes Cooper Speaker of
} the House—both Whigs.
Maine. —Thus far the Lesislature stands—
House 74 Democrats to 70 Whigs and Aboli
tionists: Senate - Democrats and 3 Whigs. In
7 districts in which there were no choice for
representative-, there w ill be another trial on
the 21st inst. There are 2U vacancies in the
Senate, which wili be filled in convention of
the two bouses
.« —A Key West letter in
er states that fifty-four ves
r cargoes, at $1,414,800,
at Key West and on the
, . the past year. Many of
/recked in the hurricane
3 coast oil the 11th of Oc
every where destruction
*• irly destroying the town
tin*- ecking the wreckers thein
-i mount of property wreck-
A id in 1844 it was $725,700.
.* . i.tit of property annually
:*k last during a period ten
hk- y * hundred thousand dol
•
ifof black and green teas
' * . ed States, to the 30th of
1 Chinese year:—
Pounds. Chests.
20,762,888 259,511
, ' . lips, 19,502,243 228,782
,-K of Pennsylvania.—
, i .■ * iis institution states that
’ * e assignments of 4th and
'•?' !■* 1, have i>aiil off all the
A been obtained against
i te preeeiling dates, as re
- gninent.” In regard to
• ■ nk in Europe, for which
Is were pledged for their
•' • • V . been no material change
. , r, me Bank and the national
1 . ti i damage on a protested
. by the United States on
:>: tt, has been heard before
■ , - \ nowever have not yet
i sion.
-
- Cf \. • • •
:.J , ava
t ■ tile - jua.b ;•».
•• A N
, •«*• * vj villi • ru *' ‘ .
have reduced the place and itefurn within a day
or two.
On the evening of the 16th instant, the prize
schooner Fnion, hound from Tampico to
Anton Lizardu, under the command of Lieut.
John A. Winslow, was stranded on the reefs
near Greenlsland, and was driven high on the
rocks by a gilt which set in directly afterwards.
The boats l oin the John Adams succeeded in
getting offtae officers and crew—fifteen in all
—that night and have since taken out all her
stores,equipnenU, &c., preparatory to burn
ing the hull which would probably be destroy
ed in a day >r two by order of the Commodore.
Last night, hiwever, she was discovered to he on
fire, and theffames spread so rapidly as to leave
no doubt tint combustibles had been placed in
her, and firtd with a slow match. The work
was evidently that of a gallant enemy, who
saved the Adams's people the trouble of destroy
ing her. Our blockading vessels never molest
fishing and they pass to and fro in tleets
without even examination! It is astonishing
how that vessel could have been destroyed ’
The* steal* packet Dee arrived on the 14th.
hanging Gin. La Vega and suite as passen
gers, from Havana. I am informed that there
were several other Mexican passengers on
hoard, in direct violation of the blockade laws.
I hi.ve had occasion to complain of this before,
aiidnurticularly upon the arrival ofGen. Oana
liza. ii the Clyde, last mouth.
Th? Mississippi will leave the squadron lor the
North soon after returning from Laguna, in
order ‘o nmergo essential repairs.
The Primeton is said also to require large
repairs, and s expected soon to follow the Mis
sissippi. T# lose these two ships will In* th*‘
reduction of the efficiency of the squadron at
least one-hal*.
\V ire led by the newspapers to expect the |
Ohio here, aid I cannot Imt ask what in the
name ofcoiimon sense can he the object in
sending her ! We want sloops of war. or steam
ers of a corresponding class, not ships of the
line.
The Congress has commenced its session,
hut hits yet done little more than appoint the
Standing Committees.
Santa Anna still permits Salas to play the
President, and increases his political influence
at the capital, in a due ratio with the augmen
tion of the military force at San Luis Potosi.
Very respectfully, yours, Indicator.
P.S. 22d.—l reserve my letter for the Poto
mac. which ship is to sail to-day, and will proba
bly heat the brig, which sailed yesterday, by
some days. Nothing has occurred worthy of
notice since the 19th, but I find my specula
tions in a change in the command of the squad
ron are all out of the way.
Com. Perry goes home in the Mississippi.
*i— o*-’ ■ * Com. Conner’s liag
blockade matters is
ide on fishing boats,
V i/.anus have brought
i : ’onner has treated
...*dlv, until they have
endeavored to bite his hands. The poor will
find it difficult to live without Mesh.
Five or six of the Somers’ crew reached the
main land on a hen-coop and are now prison
ers. They will probably 1m? sent oil* to us in a
few days.
Naval Intelligence.—The two ships Fre
donia and Supply, recently filled as store ships
at Boston, for service in the tin If of Mexico,
have not yet sailed. The Ohio is ready for sea
at Boston. She has been detained a short time
to secure her full complement of men. ('up
turn Stringham. recently in command at New
York, sails in the Ohio with sealed orders. It
is supposed that her ultimate destination is the
Pacific.
The Navy Department has recently pur
chased at New York an iron steam propeller
called the Bangor, which is now fitting for sea
at the Navy Yard. She is a good vessel of her
class, —her speed about ten miles the hour. —
with a draft of water not exceeding eight and
a half feet. These qualities will render her
very useful for Gulf service, as she was built
for a sea boat. The Department is also in
treaty for the purchase of the superior steamer
Aurora, built for the West India trade. Lieut.
Ogden, it is expected, will be assigned to the
command of the Bangor.
Central Railroad
The following shows a very satisfactory busi
ness on this Hoad during the last three mouths
—the more so as the rates of freight have been
reduced oil per cent, from the corresponding
period of last year. The crop of cotton last
year was very deficient. Hence the comparison
cun better be made with the business of 1— 44.
when the crop was the best ever made in Geor
gia *•
Earnings for the last three months of the
year. I*4o. viz :
October $14.“46 3a
November 49,811 20
December 53.-24 1-
$148,411 73
For the same months bf the vear 1 *4-5:
October ' $12,049 01
N iveuiber • • 33.522 ‘3O
December 25,738 94
$101,301 25
For the same mouths of the year. 1*44 :
October $50,902 72
November 50,603 31
December 34.836 71
[ Savannah Republican.] $136,452 77
II van Money Progress.—Treasury drafts
are paid out to the troops in Mexico in this
wise:—Four volunteers have SIOO due to
them. The paymaster calls them up and gives
them a SIOO Treasury draft. The four owe
the sutler S4O. and hand him the draft—if he has
the change he gets hi* mono—if not. he
goes without. This has produced much dis
satisfaction among die men and sutlers, and the
paper was reluctantly received, ifat all. This
brought out from Gen. Pillow, of the volunteer
service, the following order to compel the re
fractory to receive the paper:—A* at. hit.
[Order No. 47.]
Head-Quarters 2d Brigade, '2d dirtsion. f
Volunteer Corps. Army of Occupation.
Camargo. Sortmber I*2. 1*43. \
1. Sutlers will receive Treasury notfs inpav
iiieut for goods purchased by the soldiers, or
any balances that shall or may he against them,
at their par value, and any attempt to extort
more than this value for them will I*.- punished,
when properly brought before the General
commanding the brigade, by -hutting up the
store and sending the goods or the offender
out of the country.
2. The General commanding the brigade can
scarcely find words to express the astonishment
he feels at the rapacity which is not content
with absorbing every copper of the soldier's
ead earned pittance, but it must turn to shaving
the money which he is bound to take when of
fered by Government, or none. He trusts
that none of the sutlers of his brigade have been
guilty of this outrage; but. if they have, he
warns them against its repetition in future, as
he is determined to carry out his measures to
the very letter.
3. Commanding officers of regiments are
held strictly responsible for the literal enforce
ment of the above order.
Bv order of Brigadier General Pillow
O. F. WIN-HIP. Ad'jt.
Appointments by thf. President —By and
with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Sam tel Bf G itrut, of S to be
Assistant Quartermaster, with the rank of Cap
tain.
James D BI an ding, of South Carolina, to
be Assistant Commissary, with the rank of
Captain.
James Davis, of South Carolina, to be S r
geo n.
Elbert Bland of South Carolina, to he Assist
ant Surgeon.
TWENTY - NINTH CONGRESS.
Second Session.
Correspondence of the Baltimore American.
Washington, January 2.
Senate not in session.
HOUSE.
The first business in order this morning was
the Resolution to amend the Rules so as to pre
vent members from making excuses for not vot
ing. Upon the main question being called, the
yeas and nays were ordered, and the new rule
was agreed to, 85 to 73.
Mr. Thompson of Ky. offered a Resolution,
calling upon the Committee on Territories to
report as to the expediency of establishing a ter
ritory West of the Rocky Mountains with such
metes and bounds as should secure a tract of
country for the protection of the Indians, and
that no white man be permitted to enter said
territory except for purposes of education, and
not then except by permission of the President
of the United States.
A Resolution was offered proposing that all
external taxes be reduced to the revenue stan
dard—another that gold and silver were to be tax
ed instead of tea and coffee ; a third proposing
that during the war with Mexico, members of
Congress and all persons employed in the
Civil Government submit to a reduction of
their pay, amounting to twenty five per
cent.
A Resolution was agreed to. calling for the
number of regiments employed near the Rio
Grande—the Volunteers who have died there,
and all the particulars in relation to the men.
losses, reductions, &c. &c.
Mr. Wentworth offered the following brief
Resolution, that “it was inexpedient to impose
a tax upon tea and coffee,” which acted like
the explosion of a bomb shell among the Dem
ocratic members. Mr. Wentworth demanded
the Previous Ciuestion, when
Mr. Payne of Ala. moved to lay upon the ta
ble. The yeas and nays were called, and the
Resolution was wot laid upon the tabic. Y eas
49, nays 106!
Mr. Houston of Ala., supposed if the pre
not seconded, the resolution
o the Committee of Ways
id it might.
vished to know if the Resolu
. |he re at once.
-No.
question was seconded, and the
b>» i>nL viz. Will the
House agree to the said resolution? •
The question was taken by yeas and nays, as
follows:
Yeas —Messrs. Abbot, Anderson. Arnold,
Barringer. Bell, Benton. James Black, Blan
chard. Brinkerhofi, Brodhead, Milton Brown,
Buffington, William W. Campbell, Carrol,
Cathcart, Cocke, Coll uner, Cranston, Cro/ier,
Garrett Davis, Delano, De Mott, Dillingham,
Dixon, Dockery, Dunlap, Ellsworth, Erdman,
John H. Ewing, Foster, Fries, Garvin, Gentry*
Giddiligs, Graham. Grider, Griiniell, Grover,
Hale, Hamlin, Harper. Hastings, Henley, Hil
liard. Huge. Hough, John W. Houston. Sam
uel 1). Hubbard. Hudson, Hungerford. Wash
ington Hunt, Joseph R. Ingersoll, Jenkins,
James 11. Johnson. Joseph Johnson, Andrew
Johnson, Seaborn Jones, Kennedy. Daniel P.
King, Preston King. Leib, Levin, Lewis. Long,
Lumpkin. McClelland, Joseph J. McDowell,
James McDowell. McGaughey, McHenry, Mc-
Ilvaine. Marsh. Moseley, Moulton. Niven, Nor
ris. Perrill, Perrv, Pollock Ramsey, Rathhiin,
Belle, Ripley, Julius Rockwell. Root. Kunk.
Sawtclle. Sawyer, Scammon, Schenck, Seve
rance. Truman Smith, Albert Smith, Thomas
Smith, Caleb B. Smith, Starkweather, St. John,
Strohm, Strong, Thibodeaux, Thomasson, Ben
jamin Thompson, Tibbatts, Tilden, Trumho,
Vance. Vinton, Wentworth, Wheaton, White,
Williams, Wilmot, Winthrop, Wright, Y ost—
-115.
Xays —Messrs. Stephen Adams, Bayly, Biggs,
BowJou, Bowlin, Boyd, William G. Brown,
Burt, Reuben Chapman, Chase, Clarke, < hd>b,
Collin, Cottrell. Culimu. Cunningham. D.argan,
Douglass, I’ieklm, Giles, Goodyear, Gordon,
Haralson, H.irmanson, I. E. Holmes, G. S.
Houston, Edmund W. Hubard. Hunter, George
W. Jones, Lawrence, Leake, La Sere. Ligon,
MeClernaiid. .MeKay, Barclay Martin. Morse,
Parish, Payne. Reid, Roberts. Leonard 11.
Sims, Simpson. Stanton. Jacob Thompson,
Toombs, 'Fredway, and Woodward.—H.
So the resolution was agreed to. and tl e
House of Representatives have declared “ it
inexpedient to levy a duty on tea and coffee.”
Mr. Tibbatts of Ky. proposed the increase of
the duties under the act of 1542 to a point as
high as the revenue standard will permit.
Also a duty on distilled spirits, or spirits ma
nufactured in the United States.
Also on licenses to retail liquors.
Also on gold and silver ware and pleasure
carriages, as a war measure, instead of a tax
on tea and coffee.
Mr. Sims of Mo. offered the following resolu
tion :
That the people of the United States are too
patriotic to refuse any necessary tax in time of
war! (Great laughter followed the introduc
tion of this resolution.)
Mr. Sims moved the Previous Ciuestion.
Mr. Rathhiin moved to lay the resolution
upon the table. A motion to adjourn was made
and lost.
The House refused to lay Mr. Sim’s abstrac
tions upon the table. Yeas 22, nays J 07.
The Previous Ciuestion was now seconded,
and the yeas and nays demanded upon the
Resolution. It was adopted unanimously by a
vote of yeas 126. nays none !
This Resolution excited much more merri
ment than seriousness among the members of
the House—and when read a second time was
received with almost a universal hurst of laugh
ter. The design of the mover was to counter
act “the tea and coffee resolution.” which has
created a more marked sensation than anything
that has transpired since the meeting of Con
gress, and is in the very teeth of Executive,
Treasury and official direction and dictation.
Some other immaterial matters closed the day.
The lowa members presented a good many
local bills in reference to the public lands, boun
daries, laws, iSlc.
During the day and under the rule oftlie
House. Mr. Giles of Md. presented the petition
of Lieut. James L. Donalson, praying that he
inn be allowed the sum of S4OO stolen from
tin- (’amp before Monterey in Mexico—refer
red to the Committee oil Military Affairs.
Also the memorial of Josias Pennington,
nilmr. ofJ. Clarke, of the city of Baltimore,
praying an indemnity for French spoliations
prior to 1800. Referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations.
IN SENATE January 4.
A Mess ige was received from the President of
tin* United States recommending the passage <>/’
the “ ten regiment hill,” and the appointment by
law of a Superior Officer to take the command
of all the forces. It was referred to the Military
Committee.
A Message was also received, in answer to a
resolution recommending legislation for the
transportation of the mail to the Army.
< )n motion of Mr. Johnson, of Lou., the Pre
sident was requested to communicate to the
Governor of Louisiana the fact of the death of
the late Hon. A. Barrow.
Mr. Cameron presented an abolition petition
from Bradford county. Pa. The question of
reception being raised, it was laid on the table.
Mr. Calhoun presented remonstrances of the
New York Marine Insurance Companies,
against the repeal of the Pilot Laws.
.Mr. Westrott offered a resolution calling on
the Secretary of the Navy for official reports of
the loss of tii«* brig Somers, with a view of
adopting some testimonial to the gallantry and
humanity of the English. French and Spanish
officers who o nobly perilled their lives in res
cuing our officers and seamen. The resolu
tion was adopted.
.Mr. \rcher introduced a joint resolution giv
ing the assent of Congress to the purchase of
additional ground for the use of the U. S. Ar
mory at Harper’s Ferry It was referred to
the Military Committee.
The hill to reduce and graduate theprice of
the public lands was made the special order for
Monday next.
After a short executive session, the Senate
adjourned.
HOUSE
Mr Preston King of N\ Y. asked permission
to offer n bill of which previous notice had been
given.
The Speaker. The day has been set apart
for a special order.
Mr King. 1 move to postpone the special
order
The reading of the bill was called for. and it
was found to embrace the following important
pro\ isjons:
Ist. That the President of the I*. S. receive
from any money in the Treasury not others i*e
appropriate d. $30,000 for trie purj ose of taking
measures for the procuring a p»- a< -e with Mexi
co whenever it i- deemed compatible to secure
such peace by an offer for renewed negotiations.
*M.—That in any territory which may be se
cured to the Cnited States from Mexico, slavery
; and invol mt try sen itude shall forever he pro
! hibited provided, however, that it -hall be law
i ful to deliver up any servants belonging to the
j people of the U. S . who may have escaped in
• to said territory.
3d.—That the slim of $2,000,000 be appro
priated towards securing the result of any set
tlement of boundary, and securing any terri
tory which may be the result of negotiations
between the two governments.
Objections were made to the motion to post
pone. when several of the members demanded
the yeas and nays. The vote was a close one.
yeas **. nay- *9.
Mr. Bayly asked leave to make a person til ex
planation. The appearance of Mr. B. created
a marked sensation in the Hail.
Voices—•• Down in front. ’
Mr Bavly.—Through the uterposition of
friends, ail correspondence between the gentle
man of Ky. Mr. Davis ) and myself has been
withdrawn, and in consequence of this he ask
- d leave to make a pers< nil explanation.
This was done by Mr B. by a brief recital of
the occurrence - v* aich took place in ftse House,
gr wing :it of Mr. B.‘- speech upon the Presi
dent's Me~>uge and the unpleasant remarks
between the two members. Mr. Bayly dis
claimed meaning anything personal or disre
spectlul in his invitations to the gentleman from
Kentucky to explain elsewhere.
He did not have the gentleman of Kv. in his
mind when he spoke of those “ affording aid to
Mexico.” He did not understand the gentle
man from Kentucky as pursuing an argument
warranting such a reference. He alluded rath
er to persons who had said that Mexico had
been altogether in the right and that we were
wrong.
Mr. Davis said in substance in reply, and as
had previously been arranged by friends, that
had he understood the gentleman as he now ex
plained himself he should not have intimated
that he had made a “false reference” to himself,
and therefore withdrew that remark.
Mr. Bavly continued, and said that it was in
allusion to this remark of the gentleman from
Kentucky that he had said, —“if the gentleman
says I made a false reference, it is a lief and he
now withdrew it and asked that it should he re
garded as if it had never been made. Here
ended, and very pleasantly, the explanations
between the two members.
The following message was then received
and read by the Clerk, the call for the reading
being very general:
To the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States: —ln order to prosecute the
war with Mexico with vigor and success, it is
necessary that authority should promptly be
given by Congress to increase the regular army,
and to remedy existing defects in its organiza
tion. With this view your favorable attention
is invited to the annexed report of the Secreta
ry of War, which accompanied my message of
the Bth inst. in which he recommends that ten
additional regiments of regular troops should
be raised to serve during the war.
Os the additional regiments of volunteers
which have been called for from several of the
States, some have been promptly raised, but
this has not been the case in regard to all. The
existing law requiring that they should he or
ganized by the independent action of the State
Governments has in some instances occasioned
considerable delay, and it is yet uncertain when
the troops required can be ready for service in
the field.
It is our settled policy to maintain, in time of
peace, as small a regular army as the exigencies
of the public service will permit. In a state of
war, notwithstanding the great advantage with
which our volunteer citizen soldiers can he
brought into the field, the small regular army
must he increased in its numbers in order to
render the whole force more efficient.
Additional officers as well as men then be
usable. Under the circumstances
a peculiar exists mr thu
officers, especially in the higher grades. The
number of such officers, who from age and oth
er circumstances. are rendered incapable of ac
tive service in the field, has seriously impaired
the efficiency of the Army.
From the Report of the Secretary of War, it
appears that about two-thirds of the whole num
ber of regimental Field officers are either per
manently disabled, or are necessarily detached
from their commands on other duties. The long
enjoyment of peace has prevented us from ex
periencing much embarrassment from this
cause ; Imt now in a state of war, conducted in
a foreign country, it has produced serious inju
ry to the public service.
An efficient organization of the Army, com
posed of regulars and volunteers, while prose
cuting the war in Mexico, it is believed, would
require the appointment of a General officer to
take command of all our military forces in the
field.
Upon the conclusion oftlie war the services
of such an officer would no longer be necessa
ry’, and should lu* dispeu ed with upon the re
duction of the Army to a peace establishment.
I recommended that provisions he made by
law for the appointment of such a general offi
cer to serve during the war.
It is respectfully recommended that early ac
tion should he had by Congress upon the sug
gestions submitted for their consideration as ne
cessary to secure active and efficient service in
prosecuting the war before the present favor
able season for military operations in the ene
my’s country shall have passed away.
JAMES K. FOLK.
Washington, Dec. 2!). 1846.
The message was referred to the Committee
of the Whole on ihe State oftlie Union as soon
as read.
Mr. Schenck made an unavailing motion to
bring the Bill before the Committee of the
Whole oil the state of the Union.
The House then went into Committee upon
the Bill for the Increase of the Army, by adding
ten regiments to the Regular Army (one of
Dragoons and nine of Infantry) to be enlisted
for five years or during the war, at their option.
Mr. Houston was called lo the Chair, and the
House for the day was occupied with an in
teresting debate upon the bill.
Mr. Tibbatts, of Ky.. proposed an addition to
the Bill by including his own measure for in
creasing the monthly pay of flu; rank and file of
tin* Army, and for allowing bounty lands.
Mr. Kathbmi, ofN. Y . moved to strike out
the following proviso from the Bill before the
Committee.
Provided, it shall be lawful for the President
oftlie United States in the recess of the Senate,
to appoint such oftlie commissioned officers au
thorized by this act as may not he appointed du
ring the present. session, which appointments
shall he submitted to the Senate at their next
session, for their advice and consent.
Mr. Haralson proposed verbal amendments
and Mr. Owen other amendments.
The debate was continued during the day in
a discussion of great interest by Messrs. Mc-
Gaughoy and Owen of la. and by Mr. Hamlin,
oi Me.
The first named member, Mr. McGaughey,
was opposed to the war in its inception and in
the m inner of its progress. It was an aggres
sive war, a Presidential war, and a war of con
quest. Mr. McGaughey contended that the
Executive had taken possession of the con
quered country in violation of the constitution.
The longer the war had progressed the worse
it had become. He was opposed to adding
another inch of territory to the Union, North
or South, and if tin* Union should ever be
dissolved it would be the fruits of this aggressive
policy. As for Texas, we had it and he was in
favor of making the best of a bad bargain.
Mr. Owen defended the right of Texas to
maintain her independence and the necessity of
the war.
Mr. Hamlin was in favor of increasing the
Army by adding to the Volunteer force of the
country, and not as proposed to the regular
regiments. He was al-o opposed to the en
ormous increase of power which gave to the
Executive the right to add four hundred officers
to the Army. He was for giving the .States the
power to choose their own officers.
Mr. Johnson, of Tenn., moved that the com
mittee rise, and without other important busi
ness, the House adjourned.
IN SENATE JAN. 5.
Mr. Johnson, of La. presented a petition
from James W. Schaumburg, praying the Sen
ate to take no action in regard to promotions
in the first regiment of Dragoons that will inter
fere with his rank as an officer of said regiment
which was referred to the Committee on the
J officiary.
A immher of petitions for indemnity for
French Spoliations prior to 1800, were pre
sented.
The Judiciary Committee was instructed, oil
the motion of Mr. Dayton, to inquire into the
expediency ofuniling the port of Jersey city
to the collection district of the port of New
York.
Oil motion by Air. Davis, tlie Judiciary Com
mittee was instructed to inquire into the expedi
ency of so modifying the laws ofthe United
States in regard to liens by attachments a- to
make them uniform with the laws of the States
where -uch liens are authorized.
A hill was reported from the Committee on
Pensions providing for the payment of a fixed
compensation to pension agents, in lieu ofthe
pre-ent mode of compensating them by the use
ofthe moneys in their hands.
Mr. Cameron submitted a resolution direct
ing the Secretary ofthe Treasury to report to
the Senate on what articles embraced in the
tariff act of 1 ~4G, the duties can be increased be
yond the present rates so as to augment the
revenue, and to what extent said duties can he
increased, and what additional revenue would
accrue therefrom.
The resolution was laid over until the day
after to-morrow.
The resolution of the late Mr. Barrow, call
ing upon the President for information in re
lation to the return of .Santa Anna to Mexico,
which was the special order for to-lay. was.
on motion of Air. Phelps, laid upon the ta
ble.
The bill granting a pen-ion to Mary Mac Rea,
widow ofLieut. Col. Macftea. late ofthe L. S.
Army, coining upon its engrossment, was op
posed by Mr. Calhoun upon the ground that,
however mertiorioiis might lie the claim in this
particular instance, it would be setting a dan
gerous precedent and would open the doors of
the Treasury to a host of applicants. The ap
plication was certainly a novel one for the ar
my, and bore no analogy to the case of the na
vy. where the pension fund was created by
the prize money to which the officers and sea
men were entitled.
Mr Benton had no fear of the passage of
this bill estabii-hing a precedent. He moved
to lay the bill upon the table, to be taken up
again when the Senate was more full.
The bill establishing a general pre-emption
-ystem was made the special order for next
Monday.
The bill to complete the national road and
cede it to the States through which it passes,
was made the special order for Tuesday
n»-xt.
The Senate then passed the bill granting al
ternate sections of public land to the State of
Mu lligan for the completion of works of im
provement. by a vote of 2d to IC.
After an Executive session, the Senate ad
journed.
HOUSE.
Mr. Haralson of Ga.. asked leave to make a
report from the Committee on Military Affair*.
Leave was granted, and to die surprise of many,
he stated that. he had been instructed to a*k
that the Gonuuittee be discharged from so much
oj the President's Message as relates to the ap
pointment of a General officer, and that it be laid
upon the table
The report was agreed to, and tints a quiet
us is put upon the President’s recommendation
for the a General officer or
Lieutenant General.
Mr. Preston King, of N. Y., asked leave
to make a personal explanation, and leave was
granted. Mr. K. commenced to read from se
veral leaves of manuscript his reasons for in
troducing the Bill which was yesterday present
ed by him to the House of Representatives. —
Something was said of Slavery, and as soon as
the words were uttered,
Mr. If ay lie of Ala. rose to a point of order
and asked if a member could read a speech
when asking permission to make a personal
explanation !
The Speaker said he could not assume to
know what the gentleman designed to gay.—
The House had given him leave to speak and
he could not control him. There was no rule
operating in the case.
Mr. Payne.—Does not the hour rule operate
to limit the gentlemen ? (an allusion to the long
speech which excited much laughter.)
The Speaker.—The hour rule will oper
ate.
Mr. King now went on to read his argument in
favor of the Bill introduced hy him, and par
ticularly in favor of that feature of the bill which
looks to the prohibition of slavery in the Mexi
can territory to be annexed by this Government
to the Union. The non-existence of slavery
should be a sine qua non with him, and he
should ask, as he had before, and should ask
that slavery should be prohibited by law
from the territory.
He desired that the Wilmot proviso should
be enacted into a law. The time had come
when Congress should set its face against the
extension of slavery upon this continent. The
tstrength ofthe country, it was said, rested with
the free States, and it was the policy ofthe coun
try to have as much free territory as possible.—
No State voluntarily would consent to make
slaves a part of its population. Many States
having slaves had abolished slavery, and thus,
we were hound to presume that the institution
of slavery was not in harmony with our institu
tions.
Mr. King sat down after reading his explana
tion. It imparted a great deal of indignation
to many of the Administration members. Mr.
Houston, of Ala. moved at once that hereafter
no member should be allowed to make a per
sonal explanation if 25 members objected !
The Speaker declared this Resolution not to be
in order. There had been three special orders
for this day.
Mr. Houston gave notice that he should of
fer his resolution hereafter.
MfT PHrtwiU fOhio n.iltod la&y e to offer the
following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on Elections he
instructed to inquire and report to this House
whether Edward 1). Baker, a member of
this House, and who has received a commis
sion in the General Government, has been en
titled to a seat upon this floor.
Mr. Schenck argued that the acceptance of a
commission from the Government invalidated
the election of Mr. Baker to a seat in Congress.
He ditl not present the question as one of an
abstract or a personal character, but as an im
portant one which might be raised hereafter.—
The constitutional question was commented
upon and the right denied of a member of Con
gress to hold any other office. There were
great and vita! questions involved in this matter,
and we owed it to the country and to one an
other to inquire whether such things could be
done.
The question in reference to another person
was likely to come before the House in a few
days. The Legislature of Arkanasas had de
clared the seat of Gov. Yell vacant, and the
election of a successor had taken place. He
supposed he would be here in a few days, and
he did not think the House would do otherwise
than to declare the seat of Governor Yell va
cant and his successor entitled to the floor.
The resolution was then referred to the Com
mittee oil Elections by unanimous consent.
The House then went into Committee ofthe
Whole.
Mr. Johnson of Tenn. talked his hour and
charged the Whigs for the second time with giv
ing aid and comfort to the enemy. This speech
was in reply to Messrs. Gentry, Hudson and
McGaughey, and towards these gentlemen it
was better and personal.
Mr. Hilliard of Ala. continued the debate,
and spoke in defence of a vigorous prosecution
of the war and iu favor of voting all supplies
and men necessary to carry it on. Mr. 11.
commented upon the Civil Governments es
tablished in the conquered provinces, and claim
ed that the laws of nations should be observed.
The memory of General Harrison was vin
dicated from a violation of power correspond
ing with that of Commodore Stockton, which
has been charged upon him by the declaration
that tllC acts of the two wore of a similar ciiar
arter. Mr. 11. asaerted that there was no par
allel between the two acts. But what had been
done in Mexico was in violation of that law of
nations upon which rested tin* bonds of ail in
ternational union, and for the preservation of
which all ought to he most anxious.
Mr. 11. in the course of his argument made
j allusion to the continued assaults in the House
J upon Slavery and the South, and spoke with
some feelinginreply to Mr. GordonofN T . Y. who
: had declared that ail the conquered provinces of
! Mexico should belong to the United States, and
I that all of them should he free. A similar sen
timent had been advanced to-day, and to all
such sentiments he would say, keep aloof. The
South will bear much, hut it will not submit to
a violation of its rights.
Mr. 11. said that a time will come, when this
interference will lead to that dissolution o'fthe
Union which all of us ought to he anxious to
avert The South asked to he allowed to do
what it liked with its own. Slavery was a
State Institution, and ought never to be discuss
ed upon this floor. For one he has ready to
adhere to the Missouri Compromise, had as it
was for the South. He would abide by it, and
the South would abide by it in good faith if let
alone.
Mr. Ewing, of Fa. here asked leave to put
a (piestion to the member from Alabama.
Mr. 11. nodded assent.
Mr. Ewing. Did not the gentleman from
Alabama support tin* annexation of Texas, and
that with the existence of slavery there and
without any limitation to its extension ?
Mr. Hilliard. I did, but I took the bill asit
was presented to me, and as it came from the
Senate ; but I am now willing, in good faith,
to preserve this compromise.
Mr. Smith of la., made a motion that the
Committee rise, which was at lirst refused, and
afterwards carried upon the motion of Mr. Rath
bun of N. Y.
Mr. Haralson, in the House, offered a Reso
lution to close the debate upon the Bill to in
crease the Army to-morrow at two o’,
clock.
Mr. Root moved to lay the resolution upon
the table, but before the question could be put
a motion to adjourn was carried, 71 to 07.
IN SENATE... Jan. 0.
A number of petitions for indemnity for
French spoliations prior to 1800, were present
ed and referred to the Select Committee.
Mr. T. Clayton presented a petition from a
large number of citizen* of Wilmington, Del.
praying the adoption of measures for bringing
the war with Mexico to a speedy close.
Mr. Benton presented a petition from citi
zens of St. Louis. Mo. asking that one of the
vacant panels in the rotunda may be filled by a
painting illustrative of lie* early history of the
western country, to be painted by a western
artist.
A bill was reported from the Judiciary Com
mittee to amend the act of ‘hi March, 1813, for
the regulation of seamen on board the public
and private vessels of the United States.
The Committee on Private Land Claims re
ported a bill to amend the act of 1-44 for the
adjustment of land claims in the States of
Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana, and parts of
Mississippi and Alabama, south of 31 deg. of
north latitude.
Mr. Johnson of La. introduced a bill for the
relief of the Mexican Railroad Company.
The hill to apply certain alternate sections of
the public domain to the completion of works
of internal improvement in the State of Michi
gan, which was yesterday ordered to he en
grossed, was read a third time and passed.
The bill to provide for the sale of the mineral
lands of the U. S. in Michigan and Wisconsin,
(the Lake Superior Copper mines) came up in
it» order.
Several amendments were proposed by
Messrs. Corwin and Phelps, which were order
ed to he printed, and tin* bill was made the
special order for Friday.
The bill declaring the assent of Congress to
certain States to impose a tax upon all lands here
after sold by the U. S. therein, from and after
the day of such sale, was ordered to be en
grossed for a third reading.
The Senate then, on motion of Mr. Sevier,
went into Executive session, and after some
time *peut therein, (in the consideration of a
German treaty) the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr. Hamlin of Me. moved to reconsider the
vote of yesterday by which the House put so
summary a quietus upon the Lt. General, and
the recommendation ofthe Executive to secure
such an officer to take control of the military
forces ofthe country.
Tin* yeas and nays were ordered and the
vote stood, after many changes, much dodging
and some drumming up of voters, yeas 85 !
nays !!
This vote created quite a sensation in the
Hall, as the result was brought about by a
change of votes on the part of Mr. PilUbury of
Texas, and Preston King of New York.
Mr. Hamlin of Me. was disposed to get rid
ofthe report ofthe Military Committee by re
ferring it to the Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Houston w:i< anxious that Mr. Haral
son of Ga. should change his motion, which
had been to lay upon the table, but the re
sponse from Mr. Haralson was that he was
acting under the instructions from the Com
mittee.
Mr. Winthrop of Mass, said that the ques
tion must now he : Shall the report he laid up
on the table } and upon this he demanded the
yeas and nays. This question excited a good
d* :! of iutere*!the yeas and nays were call
ed. and lb*.- vote *: ,od yeas l>2, navs IJ7
This is a day. or rather a night lias
brought forth in the House Repre»entave«.
The Report of th
then referred to thP* • mini *:< • of i * ?■
The resolution to
Bill adding ten regi ;tie j \ ; no;
was the next busine /. u:u
Mr. Haralson ino ■* to n.'dr , i.,. r« s-vinti ’
so as to read half-pa tv,- ;, \ _* ! r, josiea- *
two. Such cleinen
derision. , , ,
The Previous Ci» ? ’* f '
the j cas and nays d
tion. L was lost— '*• ,
This was the thin dn;.
Mr. Pillsbury of
intention to bring i ' r f« ' the erection
Light Houses upon -t ' T< •*'
Mr. Payne of Ala. gu -notice ofl *»te;
tion to bring in a bill to amend the charier ok
the city of Washington.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole upon the hill to raise ten regiments as \
an addition to the Army.
Mr. C. Smith of la. addressed the committee J
in an able and independent speech, and one of
marked ability. It was in opposition to the
beeile manner in which the Administration h a/fa
t arried 011 the war, and in opposition to the j
cries of treason raised against those who dared
to speak with the independence becoming the
Representatives of the People. With what
justice could the President complain of free
discussion here, when in his message to this
body he had made war upon free discussion,
and had charged treason upon those who had
dared to canvass his measures.
The test of Patriotism with the Executive
was those who would unquestioned obey his
behests. But as he judged, that man was the
best patriot who endeavored to help his country
—who labored to preserve the Constitution,
who raised his voice against those who usurped
power. a time when even the cry
of treason forth against such a man as
Patrick Henry, and it was when he was making
war upon tyranny, and tyrants. The Whigs of
our day ado time were denounced as traitors •
when araigning this Administration for its
tyranny.
Mr. Smith made a very interesting review of
the campaigns against Mexico, and the manner
in which the Administration had conducted the
war. It had gone on doggedly in wrong, instead
of asking the good advice of brave, tried *
veteran and patriotic men. Worse than this.
The Administration had been engaged in a pet
ty and wicked intrigue with our worst foreign
enemy, Santa Anna. What man who had cast
more dishonor upon Americans—more injury
upon their rights, more outrages upon the
whole country, than the bloody and cruel mail,
Santa Anna !
Mr. Smith said that if was this wicked and
treacherous man with whom the
taken secret council. He was now in Mexico, *
the life and soul of the Army there, and he had
been put there by the Executive. Now who
had given the most “aid and comfort to the
enemy,” the Executive who admitted Santa An
na hack to Mexico, or the Whigs who de
nounced him for it ?
Mr. S. was against any acquisition of terri
tory, whether for conquest or for indemnity, or
for any other purpose. He was opposed to the
annexation of Texas, and he believed that the
measure was fraught with immense mischief to
the country. This war was but the beginning
of the end. We were now engaged in a war
of conquest, and many years would not pass
away before a proposition would be introduced
on this floor for the annexation of California to •
the Union.
Mr. Smith asked what were we to do with
these provinces when they were annexed, and
what with the People ? We were told that it
should be free territory, and we were intimida
ted, if it should he made free territory. Thus
early was this great question thrown in here to
endanger this Union. The question of Slaver)
was involved in more combustible materials
than any other question. It was one which
unquestionably must he met, and uo man could
see the end of the difliculties if we were to go
on conquering territory and then quarrelling
among ourselves as to whether it should he free.
Keep out of the Union all territory 011 which
this question of Slavery can he raised, and you
not only preserve the compactness of the Union,
but the Union itself.
.Mr. Bedinger, of Va.,addressed the Commit
tee in continuation of the discussion in a zeal
ous speech lor the war, and against such Whig
members as opposed the Administration which
had it in charge. Mr. IL joined in the cry of
treason, blit seemed delighted that the YVhigs
were laying up wrath against the day of wrath.
They would be doomed and notorious to the
end of all time.
Mr. Bedinger said he was not afraid to avow
that this was a war of conquest. He regarded
it as such, and would defend it as such. More
than this, lie would carry it on without mercy
to the foe, and woui.i impart all vigor and pow
er to it that could he given. War without
mercy until the foe sued for peace. This was
his determination and creed.
Mr. Bedinger closed with some allusions to
slavery. He regretted that the subject was A
brought forward, and regretted that the North
was all the time harping upon this question.
Mr. B said that it was a perpetual annoyance. ;
He could not love a sister that was always
taring him upon a subject of which she knew
nothing, nor would he love even his own wife
who was talking to him perpetually like a Mrs.
Caudle about what did not concern her
(Laughter.) Let those Northern Mistress Cau
dles leave us alone.
Mr. Rathbun followed and moved a substitute
to the whole bill, embracing all the important
features in the Bill before the Committee, and
adding several important features—the most im
portant of which was the employment of volun
teers. He wished to have blows struck quick
and fast, and with 47,000 men falling upon the
strong points, peace would soon he produced,
or if it were that peace was not to he obtained,
and the war was to he interminable, then let the
Government define its boundary and defend it
hy a line of coast.
The floor was given to Mr. Dargin of Ala.
The Committee then rose.
Mr. Haralson of Ga. offered the resolution to
close the debate to-morrow at half-past two
o’clock.
Without taking the question the House ad
journed, 70 to GO.
IN SENATE Jan. 7.
The resolution of Mr. Cameron, directing the
Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Se
nate upon what articles in the Tariff of 1846
the duties can he increased beyond the existing
rates, so as to augment the revenue, and to what
extent the said duties can he increased, and
what additional revenue would accrue there
from, came up for consideration.
Mr. Cameron made some remarks in sup
port of the resolution, and quoted the articles
of coal, iron, copper and sugar, among others,
as those upon which he thought a large increase
of revenue would arise from ail increase of
duty.
The resolution having been amended so as
to ask also upon what articles in the free list, du
ties shall be laid for revenue—upon what ar
cles duties can be reduced, to produce revenue,
and whether the imposition of duties upon ar
ticles now free, will increase their cost to the
consumer, and how much ? was adopted.
Mr. Benton, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported a hill to encourage enlistments
in the regular army.
q’j lt . I, ,q| provide* that tha term of the enlist
ment should be for the war, or for five years, at
the option of the recruit, and also that he shall
receive a bounty of $12 —one-half on enlisting
and the other half upon joining his regiment.
Mr. Benton stated that these provisions
would, he thought, have the invaluable effect of
filling up the ranks of the army which was so
much needed at this time. The actual force
now in service was 11,500, and 5,000 more
were required to fill up the ranks.
Mr. Crittenden said that as at present ad
vised he should vote for the hill. But he de
si red to ask the Chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Relations what was the prospect of the
continuance ofthe war? and whether any in
formation had been received from the Mexican
government or Congress in reply to the pro
position of this Government for a negotiation.
Mr. Benton observed that the Chairman of
the Committee on Foreign Relations (Mr. Se
vier) was not in his seat.
Mr. Archer said that no information had been
given to the Committee on Foreign Relations
of any answer of the Mexican Congress to our
offers to negotiate, and he believed there were
110 advices from Mexico on the subject.
Aftrr some further remarks from Messrs.
Archer and Crittenden, the hill was passed
through all its stages and sent to the House,
from which it was afterwards returned with a
slight amendment which was concurred in. It
therefore only wants the President’s signature
to become a law'.
The rest ofthe day was consumed in debating
a report from the Committee on Printing against
printing a memorial from sugar planters in
Louisiana for a repeal of the tariff of 46.
The Senate adjourned to Monday.
HOUSE.
Mr. Haralson of Ga., consented to such a
modification ofhis resolution, to close the de
bate upon the hill to increase the army, as should
put an end to it on Saturday at two o’clock.—
The Resolution was agreed to.
Mr. Seaman, of N. Y., gave notice of a Bill
(to he reported to-morrow if possible) to pre
vent the importation of foreign paupers and
criminals into the U. States.
The House w ent into Committee of the
Whole, at an early hour, by a vote of 69 to 64,
on the Army Bill.
The floor belonged to Mr. Dargin, of Ala.,
who yielded it for a moment to Mr- Barringer,
of N. ( .. who said that the Union had reported
him as making a speech in defence of the Ad
ministration. [Laughter ] lie had eerta'nljr
done no such thing, and he trusted his consti
tuents would suspect him of no such thing.
Mr. Dargin. The gentleman is known too
w ell for his Whigism at home.
Mr. D. now' went on to make a speech that
commanded much attention. It was mainly
upon the great question of Slavery, find took
high ground in reference to it. Slavery, be
said, was now the question that threatened this
? 11:011. Slavery, which was brought to us from
England and from the North. The North had
thou" I ** r to -id of the Institution,and
the c r and slave yet retained