Whereas, in the judgment of this House, the people of the United States, by the terms of the constitution and the genius of our government, are Sovereign, and that with them through their representatives in congress, rests the question of war, one of the highest attributes of sovereignty.

And whereas, the people as sovereign and as payers of the expenses in money and in blood, have a right at all times and under all circumstances, to know what specific object, is proposed to be accomplished by a war prosecuted in their name and at their cost.

And whereas, the people have not in due constitutional form, through their representatives in congress, declared war against the Republic of Mexico, nor declared for what specific object the same shall be prosecuted.

And whereas, millions of the peoples money, have been expended, an onerous debt incurred and thousands of valuable lives sacrificed in the prose[cu?]tion of the said existing war with

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mexico, it is therefore incumbent on those public functionaries, who ^unconstitutionally^ projected and are directing the said war, to communicate to this House, for the information of the true sovereign, the people, the specific objects to be accomplished by the prosecution of the war with Mexico and specifically the means by which the object is to be accomplished. Therefore

Resolved, That the President of the United States, be respectfully requested, if in his opinion it will not conflict with the public interests, to inform this House, what specific object he proposes to accomplish by the prosecution of the war with Mexico and specifically, by what means he proposes the accomplishment of the object. And

First, whether or not it is his object and design, to subjugate the whole of the Mexican people and to conquer and hold the whole of the Mexican territory, or any portion of the said people, or any part of the said territory, and what portion and what part?

Secondly, In the event of subjugation and conquest, partial or entire, what does he propose to do with the people subjugated and the territory conquered and held? Is it his object and design, to organize governments there? If so what kind and character of government shall be vouchsafed to the subjugated Mexicans, civil or military, republican or otherwise, territorial merely, or as free states to be admitted into this Union?

Thirdly, what rights civil and political are to be extended to the subjugated Mexicans; is it intended to guaranty to them the right of suffrage and representation in the congress of the U.S.?

Fourthly, Is it intended to despoil the Mexican churches, or churchmen of their property or estates ^or to levy contributions on either, ^ to aid in paying the expenses of subjugating the Mexican people?

Fifthly, Is it intended in the event of conquest, that the titles of individuals, to land in the conquered territory, shall be respected?