LESTER BURRELL SHIPPER

88

Before news from England could be received, however, the

Mexican else

situation

Two

aside.

came

to the

and swept everything had fitted in most opportunely

crisis

of the measures

for defence, which

proceeded through the first stages, with the new conditions. The House

bill authorizing the use of the military and naval forces of the United States and such portion of the militia as should be necessary was taken up

Mexican Message was received (11

the day the President's

May) and were

filled

passed by an overwhelming majority. The blanks to allow a call for 50,000 volunteers and the use

of $10,000,000. while the preamble was amended to state that a condition of war existed between Mexico and the United 5

It was passed by two dissenting votes.

States.

the Senate the next day with but

Two days later the bill for mounted riflemen with the House amendments, which had been reposing in committee, was hastilv brought to light, the House amendments rejected and The House receded from its amendments and the passed. President signed the

Men

bill.

8

wonder and

to relate various apparently disthev found themselves wholly at a Witness loss to explain the course of the Administration.

began

to

connected circumstances

C. C. Cambreling. writing from Washington Mexican Message reached Congress: 7

"I

just after the

am

utterly astonished at the little judgment and which has distinguished the course of this administration. First as it regards England when some three or four months ago she was making war-like preparations McLane was instructed to inouire of Aberdeen whether those oreparations were intended for us and now it appears that before the enquiry was made, Bancroft was 'confidentially' recommending ten war steamers the Bureaus fortv war steamers and March fiftv thousand volunteers with the knowlWhat explanation edge and approbation of the President! could McLane make to Aberdeen of these secret preparations .

less integrity

5 Globe, XV, 791. 795, 804. 6 Polk records (Diary, al, 407-24 passim") that he was besieged by hundreds of applicants for the thirty-odd commissions which the act created. 7 To Van Buren, 16 May, Van Buren Papers, Vol. 53.