Congressional

The Senators at Washington are usually older men than the Representatives, have had exporience in public iir.iirs, and boing further removed from he iiifluence of the people, there is less disposition to tolk and et for "Buncornbo" than in the oiher House. The discussion of the $3,000,000 bill thus far has brought out in the speeches of the members mucli extent of research and rlepth ofihoughl. Mr. Berrien proposed an amendmont insubstance that wewiil notdespoil Mexico of her territory, bnt that peace ought to be concluded whenever she will consent to a proper boundary between her and Texas, and pny the amuunt she owes our citizens. It is said the whigs of the Senate will unanimously support this proposal. Mr. Berrien is a Georgia Whig, a slaveholder, is accounted very religious, is a metnber of long standing, mild and gontlemanly in manners nnd intercouráe. Mr. B. deprecaied thecourse of tho Administralion thus far. What have we gained ? Who can teil how much nearer we are to the termination of this war than we were when we entered it 1 The eflect of our operalions has beon to unite and animale n distracled people. They are more resolute and determined than ever. Their determination is that of despair, produced by a beiief that our demanda are exorbitant. - Take away this motive to ïesistance, adopt the amendrnent he proposed, and peace could bc efFected. He was propared to aid in prosecuting the war with vigor, if Mexico madly refused to terminate it on trms consistent with the honor of the country. Upon this principie he had acted and was still ready to act. He entered into a lengthy consideration of the principie advanced, that Congress had no right to interfere with the conducting the war, but was bound to vote such supplies of men and money ns the President should require. He denounced this doctrine as at var with the principies of our government, and that for one he never would submit to it. We have been told that our object was to " conquer peace," and ardent spirits among us have been excited with the idea ot'rsvelling in the "halls of the Montezumas." Do we doubt our ability to conquer a peace now with 3,000,000 of money and 50,000 men ? Must we now resoit to nego'.iaüon, and must money be appropriaied with which to deal with the public men of Mexico ? He did not approvc of this manner ofbuying a peace. Thö Senator from Arkansas was mistaken when he said thnt no one on that floor would bs will ing to demand less of Mexico than New Mexico and California. These territories embraced one ihird of the Repuulic. Ho spokeof the danger that would accrue to this country in view of her existing insiiluiions, from this acquisition of territory. He dwelt at much kngth on this subject. He spoke of the impropriety and wrong of forcing from a sister Republio so largea portion of her territory, and appoalea to mombers whether as American Statesmon or Christians they thought il consistent with national honor or justice, or wiih the interests of the people of the United States, to adopt such a course. Mr. Calhoun's speech on the bill abounds wiih thoughts and positions, and presents bis abilitios in rather a favorable light. We give a brief abstract of it. It wnslisíenedto by a numero us audience with great attention. He said that never since our country has been upon the stage of action have we been placed in a more critical position. We were in tho midstofa war, and there was also a question of great domestic itiquietude. Ho hoped there would be the fullest discussion upon both topics beforo the close of the session, short as it was. The important question was, how should this war be prosecuted ? There were two wnys - the one to push on in the hostile conntry, and the oiher to take a defonsive position. Which was best? Mr. C. said it was a grave quetion, and to which he had given bis most delibérate attention. Mis judgment was that the defensive posit'on was the best; the best to bring ihe war to a certain and successful end. This would result in most economy, and most honor. If he rightfully understood the objects of the war, this was consistent. The causes for which this war was commenced tvere three : - To repol invasión. To establish the Rio Grande as a boundary. To secure indemnity duo to our citizens. Tbe two fïrst wore first considerei. The President did not ask Congressto declare war. He asked Congress to recognize the existence of the war, and he assumed that there was invasión because the Mexicans had crossed the Rio del Norte. The Prosident and Congress had regardcd the primary objects of the war th establishment of boundary. Congress has avowed no other object than this. - Being in the war,howerer, it wasmended that it be prosecuted for the paymentof our claims, The two objects of ihe war had been mainiained - invasión repelled, the Rio Grande secured, and vve could safely set upon the defensive. Mr. Cftlhoun went on to Mate wbat the charactor of this defence should be. lt ought lo henear our supplies - in proximity to our country, convenient, &c. - Towards Mexico we ought to be most liberal, not on!y because shc was our ueighborand a sistor republie, but n great [)ower upon our Continent. Moreihan this, Mexico was oneofthe jreatest problema connected with our Coríign relations. Tliere was a mysterious jonnection bet ween her and us. She was s forbidden fruit. The day of her death vould bo almost the end of our politica] ixisience. Her independence, her caadty, her greatness, should bo festeemcd y us as next in importance to our own. Mr. Calhoun defined what he thought t good boundary defence. Beginning at hemouth of Del Norle, continue to Pnss lel Norle, and thervdue west lo the Gu!f )f Califomia,and it would strike the head )f the Gu!f. This he would defend. It would give is the Rio Grande from i3 mouth to its ;ource, and he had consulted military nen, who said that three forls and foür egiments would be sufficient for all purloses, r.s foüows : One forf at the mouth of the Del Sforte. One nrar Comargo. One at Pas3 Del Norte, From the waters which separate the Del Norte from those entering the Gul f jf California one more might be placed. Henee five regunents and a small Naval force, one consistent wilh our Naval Peace establishment, could succe sfully defend the boundary. This country was of little importance 10 Mexico, but of grent impoitance to us. It had only 100,000 peoplc, and ihese werespread over 600,000 square miles. An open uninhauiicd country was ihe besl for us ; we wanted space for our popuiation which doubled once in twenty-three years. Il would be eigl)ty millions in forty-six yoars. This country ('New Mexico) was remote from Mexico; fufther from her than from Washington. - For the first time the savnges were making their great inronds upon the Europcans. This was not becuuse Spaniards were not brave, but bccause they were disarmed hy the Federal futhorities of Mexico. This country he would recommend to be held not as absolute, but as subject to negotiation : nnd so he would say to Mexico. He would deal with her liberolly and do so from the first. Until such Peace should be made, he would hold til the ports in Mexico which could be held without too great a sacrifice of men and money. He would impose a low rate oí duty, not exceeding ten per cent, and this would yield sufficient Revenue to insure the payment of ihe defence which would not cost more than between two and three millions of dollars. The effect ofthis policy would be no more taxe.s,a reduction oC fifteen millions, and the great measures which he and his frienos (Tree trade) held so much at heart, saved. He did not think that Mexico would hold out under such a state of fact. She would sec that we were resolute and vet meaning her no harm. Sho was now madded, excited, bold and determined. - Under a different policy she would see nn honorable peace ahead. Supposing ihis not to be the case we should not suffer. We should have war without thecost,and without hazard of any kind. Mr. Cal ftou n went on to show his opposition to an offensive war. He was opposed to it becaus1? there was no certainty that it would end the war, and if it did il would lose us men, monpy, an-J nalional roputation. The real and true object of carrying on such a war, we nre told, was not conques?, and we might so presume because in the defenive line he had marked out it was not avowed. To conquer peace wns to mnke war, and Iiow could peace be obtained but by trejty 1 A treaty was our object, not a treaty thnt would suit Mexico, but one that would suit us. The object, said Mr. C, would be to compel Mexico to say that was ours which we claimed. A most vigorous war could do no more than this, nnd if we could reach the city of Mexico this very campaign, would it be worth while 1 It would take 70,000 men, and forty millions of dollars, and what then should we gain by compelling Mexico totnake peace in her home ? It would cost 15,000 men, and all this money, and all to make Mexico acknowledge that to be ours which we already held to be ours. Mr. C. appcaled to the humanüy of men if such a sacrifice could be made. - But (his only touched the shell of ihe case. There was no certainty that we could reach the city of Mexico,and going there the presumption was that we meant to despoil the country, or a portion of it, larger than all the land between the Alleganies and ihe Ilocky Mountains. And how could we hold this country in an offensive war ? It would take still moremen and still greater sacrifica of life. Mr. C. said the natural obsiacles were many. There was the hot country very extended, ajd eight manths, and not unfrequrntly ten months, were most unhealthy. March was a doubtful month. April an unhealihv month. Had wenow force enough to march ta Mexico, encountering the vomito? lf wo could no', Mexicj would be encauraged ; nndifwe got to Mexico who had we todeal witli ? A proud and obstinate peoplc - full ofdelay, renowned fortheir disposiiion to hold out. Mr. C. said if we failed, there would be a third campaign, and f we had a third campaign, could we raise the men and money ? and if we went on we should have a guerilln war like ihal between Frnnce and Algeria - be'.ween Russia and the Caucassus. The spirit of volunieering was now gonc - men were retuniing sickly and diseosej. It would be neceser}' to recruit 20,000 rnen. Could we raise thcm, and f we could, whence would come the money to pay them 1 Many of the States were oppressed with onerous dbt?, and could not bear additional tnxaiion. And if the taxes could be raised, was there nnything like zeal and unanimity in carrying on the war ? These were many who believed the wnr could have been avoided. Many believed it unconstitutional and unjust - Vlany believed it ought to be onded, nnd not lo be prosecuted further. He would like to give his opinión upon all those topics, bul could nol consisient'y now. BiU there was anotlier tremendous queestion remaining, to whom should this territory belong, if we ob'.ained it ? The North had come to tl.e conclusión that there should be no slavery there. If this wás the feeling in the Free State.", with how much forco did t corne home to ihe people of ihe Slave States. Sternness would be met with siernness, and he could assure gentlemen of that. But he would not go into this subject, further. Mr. C. said he only alluded to it to show that there could be no unanimity in such a war, and if the South should see the subject in this light, there would no be one man here in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the war. There had been sixteen campaigns in Africn, many in Russia - but the war cont-nued with us, and would be with us if we were not wise. Mr. C. askcd how many campaïgns should we be compelled to have with a powerful Priesthood in Mexico, and great natural obstaclcs ? All ourefïbrts wouli be tocarry on a war to get tliat whicl we now hold. Go on, and you will sac rifice a hundred thousand valunble lives and spend ihree hundred millionsof mon ey. Freo trade wou!d also be destroyed Nor could the psople of Mexico be annex ed to us. They were not homogeneous Thoy were unlike us, and men wouk hereafter regret it to the longest day o their lives. He should vote ngainst the amendmen of the Senator from Michigan, and re serve himself for othcr questions here after. MONDAY, FEB. 15. Mr. Websier oíFercd t"'o resol utions Firi.1, that the war with Mexico ought no to be prosecuted for the acquisition o territory, to Ibrm new States to be addec tothe Union. Second, that our govern mfir:t ought to signify lo Mexico, that tbc United S ates does not desire to dismem ber that republic, and is ready to trent for peace, for a liberal aojust inent ofboundarv, and for a jtist indemnity for claims di:e by either Government to the citizens of the other. On Mr. Webster's own motion, the resolutions were laid on the table to bc called up hcreafier, when he will speak on them. Tbc bill to proviJe for the consiructionoffour steam ingntes was passed. Tlie bill to extend Naval Pensions fj? five yenrs was passed. The 3,000,000 bill was then taken up. Mr. 3agby defended the Administration, and nliedged ihat the annexation ol Texas was the immediate cause of the war. Mr. Badger has the floor for to morrow. After an E.recutïve session, the Senate adjourned. In the House -The 3,000,000 bill was tuken up, and Mr. Pendleton addrecsed the committed briefly. At 12o'clock, the committee proceeded to vote on sundry amendments which have been proposed, and which were rejected. Mr. Hamlin proposed an amendment to the Wilmot Proviso, providing for surrendering fugitive slaves, which was adopted 110 to 89. Mr. Dromgoole ofTered a substitute for the whole bill, and this Mr. Ashmun moved to amend by adding the Wilmot Proviso. The motion prevailed, 105 to 77. The substitute asamended was rejectod. The committee rose and reported the original bill to the House, with Mr. Hamlin's amendment for the Wilmot Proviso. The previous question was demanded, and the amendment agreed to, 106 to 105. - Of the nays, 104 ore from free, and one frorri a slave state. Of ihe yeas, 18 are from free, and 88 from slave states.Mr. Dromgoole moved to lay the bilí and the amendmeui on he table. Negatived. 98 to 122. The bil!, as amended, was then read a third time, and passed, 116 to 105.