character to strengthen our republican institutions, or in any respect to elevate our national character.
But whatever may be the riches of these mines, and whatever may be the consequences resulting from them, it should be remembered that they formed no part of the motives which prompted the war—no part of the estim- ated value of the territories we have seized. The true question to be solved nn this discussion is, did we pay, in blood, and treasure, and in the moral and pohtical evils resulting from the war, a higher price than the territories were at the time supposed to be worth to us ?
We had temtory enough, as has already been shown, for unborn generations ; and, With the exception of the extension of slavery, no plausible motive could be urged for the acquisition. No president would have dared to negotiate a treaty of cession at the price of one hundred milHons, nor would any Senate have had the hardihood to ratify so preposterous a treaty, had it been made. Nor is it conceivable that Mexico would have refused so mag- nificent and prodigal an offer, had it been made. We have seen that Mr. Polk offered through Slidell $25,000,- 000 for the very territory for which the country has paid at least five times that amount in money, in addition to blood, misery, and crime.
The Port of Saint Francisco was the only portion of the acquired territory which we needed, as being conven- ient to our commerce in the Pacific ; and that might doubtless have been acquired by friendly negotiation at a moderate price ; or a right of deposit secured by treaty, without cost.