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Tompkins, Patrick Watson : Speech of Patrick W. Tompkins, of Mississippi, on the President's Messages. Delivered in the House of Representatives, January 19 and March 14, 1848

Towers, printer, corner of D and 7th sts. opposite National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C.

Original publisher's beige paper wrappers. Text printed in black ink. No date, circa 1848. 5 3/4" x 9." Sixteen pages, complete. Pages are clean and intact except for light age toning throughout, small occasional spots of foxing or discoloration, and slight chipping and splitting along spine. A Very Good copy. This pamphlet contains two speeches that was originally delivered before the United States House of Representatives on January 19 and March 14, 1848 by Patrick Watson Tompkins (1804-1853), an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Representative from Mississippi from 1847-1849. He was a Whig. Each speech is about eight pages. Much of Tompkins's speech on January 19 is a sharp critique of President James K. Polk and his handling of the Mexican-American War. Tompkins is adamantly against the war and counters any suppositions that Polk had prosecuted the war to seek peace. In one part of the speech, Tompkins denounces Polk's concealment of documents, referring to the correspondence between Polk and U.S. Minister John Slidell. On this subject, Tompkins was interrupted by Congressman Houston of Alabama; the exchange between the two is reprinted herein. Tompkins then criticizes Polk's decision to allow Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna to return to Mexico. Tompkins states that the leader of Mexico, Jose Joaquin de Herrera, was more willing to negotiate peace terms with the U.S. and that Santa Anna's return led to Herrera being deposed. Included is reprinted correspondence by Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft in which he allowed passage of Santa Anna, the latter of whom was in exile in Havana. In his speech of March 14, Tompkins elaborates upon the points he had made in his January 19 speech. Much of the March 14 speech addresses the relations between the U.S. and Mexico from 1845-1846. Tompkins refers to past correspondence within the U.S. government and also publications and letters from Mexico. Several diplomatic figures are named in this speech including "Mr. Black" and Manuel de la Pena y Pena.. Book. Book Condition: Very Good. Binding: Soft cover

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