Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-05-31
NUMBER 22.
TreasOnable Proceedings Of the E1ecu

constitutional dehnltl0n OF TREASON against the U.
s. &c leyying war against them or adhering to their
enemies, giving them aid or comfort"-but we
do know that it is gross violation of his consttu-
tonal powers, and if tolerated, reduces our gov
eminent to as mere an oligarchy ever existed.
If the President and Senate can, by treaty, place
the nation in state of war, what can they not do
by treaty?
We grudge the space it occupies; but must put
on record the extraordinary message.--.Noraing
Chronicle.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIT
ED STATES,
To The Senate Of The United Slates:-Tn answer
to the resolution of the Senate of the 18th inst, re-
guessing to be informed &c whether, since the com
mencement of the negotiations which resulted in
the treaty now before the Senate for the annexa-
ton of Texas to the United States, any military
preparation has been made or ordered by the
President for, or in anticipation Of war;.and if
so, for what cause and with whom was such war
apprehended, and wha: are the preparations that
have been made or ordered9 Has any movement
or assembIage or disposition of any of the military
or naval forces of the United States been made or
ordered with a view TO such hostilities? And to
communicate to the Senate copies of all orders or
directions given for any such preparation, or for
any such movement disposition, or for the flu
ture conduct of such military or naval forces:' !
have to inform the Senate that, in consequence Of
the declaration of Mexico, communicated to this
government, and by me laid before Congress at
the opening Of its present session, announcing the
determination of Mexico to regard as declaration
of war against her by the Unitrd States the defni-
tive ratification of any treaty with Texas, annex
ing the territory of that republic to the United
States, and the hope and belief entertained by the
Executive, that the treaty with Texas for that
purpose would be speedily approved and ratified
by the Senate, it was regarded by the Executive
to have become .emphatcolly his duty to concen-
trate in the Gulf of Mexico and its vicinity, as a
precautionary measure as large portion of the
home squadron, under the command of Captain
Conner, as could well be drawn together; and, at
the same time, to assemble at Fort Jesup, on the
borders of Texas, as large military force as the
demands of the service at other epcampments
would authorize TO be detached
For the number of ships already in the Gulf and
waters contiguous thereto, and such as are placed
under orders for that destination, and of the troops
now assembled upon the frontier | refer you to
the accompanying reports from the secretaries of
the war and navy departments. 1t will also lie
perceived by the Senate, by referring to the or
ders Of the navy department, which herewith
transmitted, that the naval officer in command of
the feet is directed to cause his ships to perform
all the duties of feet of observation, and to APP
prise the executive of any indication Of hostile
designs upon Texas, on the part of any nation,
pending the deliberations of the Senate upon the
treaty, with view that the same should promptly
be submitted to Congress for its mature debora-
ton. At the same time, it is due to myself that /
should declare it rs my opinion that the U. S,
having by the treaty OF annexation, acquired title
to Texas, which only required the action of the
Senate to perfect it, no other power could be per-
United to invade, and by force of arms to possess
itself of, any portion of the territory of Texas,
pending your deliberations upon the treaty, with
outpIacing itself in hostile attitude TO the United
States, and iustifying the employment of any mill
flr OIIr Il 1n,v h. Al.
sion. AT the same time, it is my opinion that
Mexico, or any other power, will find in your ap-
Irrova OF the treaty no just cause Of war against
the United States; nor do believe that there is
any serious hazard of war to be found in the fact
of snch approval. Nevertheless, every proper
measure will he resorted to by the executive to
preserve upon an honorable and lust basis the
! public peace, by reconcng Mexico through a
liberal course of policy to the treaty.
JOHN Tyler,
Washington, May Is, 1914
1t will be seen that the president speaks of Texas
as already annexed. His language is, " the United
STATES having, BY The treaty of anneratton acquir-
ed a title 10 Teas, which requires only the action
OF the Senate to perfect t'-i. e., to record the
DEGREES already made effective by the action of the
executive. Where are we?
He then goes on to infer that during the deliber-
atoms Of the Senate, for Mexico to invade or at
tack Texas, would be an act of war against the
United States This, it will be observed is brot'
about by the mere act of the executive alone. Be-
r fore the treaty was signed, Mexico could invade
the revoed province and still be at peace with the
U. s.; but the act of Mr.. Calhoun, in signing the
treaty, has so taken away the rights and sovereign
ty of Mexico, and so far given force to the paper
treaty, that now, if Mexico shall do what she
might do before, it will be war against the United
States. And as she was before at war, with per-
feet right of invasion against that territory, and
that territory is now the United States, WAR
/ NOW EXISTS between us and Mexico; and any
American ship taken on the high seas by a Mex
lean cruiser would be good prize by the laws of
nations. Is it so2
This is the object for which q wing Senate bv
reclamation made John G. Calhoun secretary Of
State.
The accompanying documents consist of army
and navy orders, marked confidential" the first
dated April II, and the last, Nav lS-the very
date of the message, concentrating three regiments
at Fort Jessup, under the command Gen. TAYLOR
and nine vessels of war at or near Vera Cruz nm
der Commodore Conner. Gen TAYLOR is instruct
ed to correspond directly with the war department
and not with the commander of the army: and his
instructions purport to be given from the depart-
ment, not through, but sin consultation with tho
general-inchief." What would General Jackson
say to such an arrangement, if he were the gener-
al-ln-chiet? Gen, Taylor's instructions are
"You will take prompt measures in the first in
stance by confidential officer, and subsequently
! by the ordinary mail or special expresses, as Won
may deem necessary, to put yourself in comn1i1ni
cation with the President of Texas, in order to in
form him of your present position and force. and
learn, and transmit to this office Gall conidntially)