Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-06-08


Southwest.
To THE senate OF THE UNIrED SrArEs:
In answer to the resolution Of the Senate
to the 18th instant, requesting to be in
formed "whether, since the commencement
Of the negotiations which resulted in the
treaty now before the Senate for the annex
alton Of Texas to the United States, any
military preparation has been made or or
dered by the President, for or in anticipa-
ton Of war; and, if so, for what cause, and
with whom was such war apprehended,
and what are the preparations that have
been made OF crderedp Has any move
ment or assemblage or disposition Of any Of
the military or naval forces Of the United
States been made or ordered with view
to such hostilities? And to communicate
to the Senate copies Of all orders or direc-
lions given for any such preparation, or for
any such movement or disposition or for
the future conduct of such military or ma
val forces:' l 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 open
ing Of its present session, announcing the
determination Of Mexico to regard as dec
laration of war against her BY the United
States the defnitive ratification Of any treaty
with Texas annexing the territory of that
Republic to the United States, and the
hope and belief entertained by the Execu-
tive that the treaty with Texas for that pur-
pose would be speedily approved and rat
flied by the Senate, it was regarded by the
Executive to have become emphatically its
duty to concentrate in the Gulf of Mexico
and its vicinity, as precautionary meas
ure, as large a portion Of the home squad.
ron under the command Of Captain Connor
as could well be drawn together; and, at
the same time, to assemble al Fort Jcsup,
on the borders of Texas, as large a militia
~ force as the demands Of the service at
other cncampments would authorize to be
detached. For the number Of ships already
in the Gulf and the waters contiguous
thereto, and such as are placed under or
ders for that destination, and Of troops now
assembled upon the frontier, refer you to
the accompanying reports from the Sccrc-
taries Of the War and Navy Departments
II will also be perceived BY the Senate,
by referring to the orders Of the Navy De-
partmcnt. which are herewith transmitted
that the naval officer in command Of the
fleet is directed to cause his ships to per.
form all the duties OF fleet Of observation
and to apprize the Executive Of any indi-
cation Of hostile design upon Texas, on
the part Of any nation, pending the deliber-
atoms Of the Senate upon the treaty, with
view that the same should promptly bc
submitted to Congress for its mature de-
liberation. At the same time, it is due to
myself that should declare it as my opin-
ion, that the U. States having BY the treaty
OF annexation acquired a title to Texas,
which requires only the action Of the Sem
ate, 70 perfect il, no other Power could be
permitted. to invade, and by force Of arms "a
possess itself Of, any portion Of the terrific
ry Of Texas, pending your deliberations
upon the treaty, without placing itself in
a hostile attitude to the United States, and
justiiying the employment Of any military
means at our disposal to drive back the in
vasion. AT the same time, it is my opinion
that Mexico or any other Power Of will
find in your approval the treaty no Just
cause Of war against the United States; nor
do believe that there is any serious haz-
ard Of war to hc found in the fact. Of such
approval. Nevertheless, every proper
measure will be restored to BY the Execu-
tiy = 10 preserve upon an honorable and Just
basis the public peace, by reconciling Mex
leo, thro ugh a liberal course Of policy, TO
the treaty.. JOHN TYLER.
WAsnrsero.v, May Is, 1874.
The documents accompanying the Pres
ident's Message are li;rst, letter from the
Secretary Of War to the President stating
that the military force at Fort Jusup has
been increased to % companies, amounting
to about 1850 mcn---next Gene, al Orders
No. Ia, dated April llth, 1874, directing
the rendezvous Of the troops at Fort } Gs'p
then General Orders No. Is, also in r.. :
lation to movement Of U. S. Troops-next
the appointment Of Brevet Brig. Gen. z.
Taylor to the command Of the forces con-
centrated at Fort Jusup-then commune
cation from the War Department to Gen.
Taylor dated Washington April ~, 1914,
CONFIDENTIAL" from which we give an cx-
tract as follows:
You will take prompt measures in the
first instance BY confidential officer, and
subsequently by the ordinary mail or spe-
cial expresses, as you may deem necessary
to put yourself in communication with the
President of Texas, in order to inform him
Of your present position and force, and to
learn and to transmit to this Office Gall con-
fidentially) whether any and what exter-
nal dangers may threaten that Govern
ment or its people. Should such danger
be found to exist, and appear to be immi-
nent, you will collect and march the
forces above indicated to the Sabine river,
but not proceed beyond the frontier with
out further instructions, keeping in readi-
ness in the case supposed, all necessary
means Of transportation, as well as ample
stores of subsistence and ammunition.
BY these instructions it is r 1t meant to
impress upon your mind the belief that the
Government apprehends hostility with any
foreign Power.
| write under the instructions Of the
War Department, in consultation with the
General-in-C Chief.
Then follows confidential letter from