The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-07-16

given and under similar threat Is II probable
, would have been denounced as TINS mas peen or
= ould we not rather have been called upon 10 admire
and applaud the prudence, foresight, and vigilance
exhibited by the executive chief .-,.-.,.-
suppose, again sir, 10 view Of the indications Of
public opinion SO fully manifested favorable 10 The
acquisition Of Texas, our government mao "hhhea
all efforts TO that end and she had formed an alb
ance with England by which all hope oil ever sc-
curing il for US would be cut OH what theo 90 you
think, sir, would have been the Judgment oil ihe
country What blind and stupid fresiaebt "ouiu
ne the exclamation. Could he not see that England
hao designs upon Texas--that she would, for ia
yorabe iree-'rade treaty, greatly TO Our INJURY guar
aoty her Independence, and make her' III ''u'e, a
Jealous rival, and alien enemy to US, instead OF
member of this great sisterhood Of States! Would
reply from the executive that Mexico had threatened
TO declare war if he made treaty and ior That
cause although he was well assured II he dad not
negotiate for xation England would accomplish
her designs and which, MIR. President, wh DC con
summated in thirty days after this treaty rejected
that xico had threatened war, and he could not
move be satisfactory To the peopiet NO, Sir, no
The condemnation of the country would nave resed
upon him, and he would have been stgmauzed as
weak and tmid chief, wanting IN ssgac'y' ana oil
questionable patriotism
But il is insisted, SIR and very strenuously, that
by the fact Of negotiating the treaty, we are al war
with Mexco--for the reason, among others, u'at py
il we have become the owner OF much oil her Terri
tory never occupied by Texas, ard now ~ TOE &C
it, and, in so doing, we are at war.
| do not understand, sir, that this treaty mas any
force until ratified The constitution declar.s that
the President shall have power, by and WIN Tue
advice and consent of the Senate, TO make treaties
and this subject the condition that t~o-thirds oil
the senators present concur. Until this consent be
given it is treaty. II coners no rIghts' ana I'M
poses no obligations. IL ne Their involves US Ia war
nor does it afford Just ground for Mexico TO declare
war. -.
Suppose SIR under the administration OF Mr.
Adams in 1925 and 1897, Spain, then wagng actual
war against Mexico, with view to her suoJugation,
and in possession Of the strongest fortress IN Mexico
that of San Juan dUIloa Mr.. Clay had succeeded In
purcbas ing Texas of Mexico, to which power the
application was made by him, and million OF dol
lars offered for it would that have afforded TO Spain
any justifable grounds Tor war on Us anu wouia ue
purchase have been any violation Of our treaty spu-
iations with SPAIN Ii was not the Judgment OF the
country then that would.
Again, SIR: in the first year of General Jackson's
administration, effort was made by him also 70
purchase of Mexico all that part of the province oil
Texas which lies east of line beginning at the Gull
of Mexico, in the centre of the desert, or Grand
Prairie, which lies west of the Rio Nueces, when
Spain was marshang her forces and had actually
in Mexico army Of several Thousand men, and had
driven the Mexican feet from the War, actual
war, was raging and the King of Spain as much
bent then conquering the country as at any former
period of his reign. We offered Mexico, sir, four
millions of dollars for Texas; and minister was
instructed TO give five Millions if he could do bet
ter; and the argument was used, in the despatch
conveying these instructions to him. to induce Mexi-
co to sell, that the money she would receive would
the better enable her TO protect the balance Of her
territory from the power OF Spain
These were some of the arguments used by our
Secretary Of State to induce Mexico TO make the
cesson
"By yielding 10 the United States portion of Tex
as the Mexican government will not only be relieved
from the expense Of its several garrsons in that coun-
FRY hut W secur a
ry by inierposng the United States between the In
dams and their eastern frontier, which is their ex-
posed point
There is another consideration of much intrinsic
weight, which may be urged, if reference to Il would
moi, in your Judgment, give cause OF offence. The
ed Of the Mexican government is too ueH
knolcn be dis guised. The successive revolutions 10
which has already been exposed the fact and
The dan gers which threaten It from the iDtrigues, II
the open hos iiities Of Spain, of character
which cannot be regarded with ind fl Fence. This
consd ration, with many Others that mish be stated,
but which your knowledge Of circums ances will
readily suggest. exposes her extended contederacy to
the hazard OF Acknowledgement Ii will readily lie ad
mued by her ~el-informed men, that in such an
event. The hrs, successful blow would, most probably,
be struck in Texas.
| He (the Piesdeni) therefore authorizes you 10
offer TO the Mexican government, for a cession, ac-
cording To The frs, mentioned boundary, a not
exceeding four mill on. OF dollars; and strong
has CONNECTIONS Of is great paue 10 he United Safes that
he will not object, If you should find indispensably
necessary, TO 20 as high as fire millions -
He then says
al have already stated that the present moment j.
regarded by us as an au-pcious the
| sion.r
And proceeds:
The comparatively small value Of the territory in
question TO MEXICO; It's remote and discon necied
situation the unsettled condition Of her affairs the
depressed and angushng slate of her finances and,
The still and al tbs moment, PARTICULARLY THREATEN
ING ATTITUDE OF SPAN all Combine to p,int out and
recommend to Mexico the pol cy Of parting with
| portion OF her territory f very hunted and conn-
gem benefit to supply hers ,oiih the Of Jendfg
me residue wih tie better prospect of success and
with less onerous burdens 10 her ci,izens."
Spain did not acknowI dge the Independence Of
Mexico until the 2sih day Of December, 1886: and
then only 10 the term ia her possession time
ieaas, al That time, was not In POSSESSION OF Mexico
so that no additional validity is impaired to the title
OF Mexico 10 Texas by this &C, of Spain Texas then
beng sovereign State, governed BY her own laws
Upon the second resolution Of the senator from
Missouri, that The treaty making power does not ex-
tend to The power Of m king war, and tina, the Pre-
s'oen' and Senate have no right to make war,
ether oy declaration or adoption, have but little a.
say We cannot declare war by treaty. That power
Is conhded, very properly, TO the Congress. The
representatives of those who furnish the sinews cf
war must be consulted. But, apprebcpd, il will
not be denied tina, we may make a treaty with the
fullest assurance nation can possibly have that IL
we DO, war wih a rival power will be the certain
consequence So we may make treaty Of alliance
aid succor, and thus involve the country 10 a war
suppose, SIR, England should declare TO us, in the
most solemn and official form, il we make a CON-
merciai treaty with China, she will instantly de.
clare war against us. We have her firm resolve
communicated to MS and, as it is said 4" she Is 100
proud to be,' what shall do' II we ratify the
treaty, war Is the certain consequence. The treaty
making power, then in such case, would involve the
eounr ~ IN war; and man, having American blood In
his veins, or an American heart in his bosom, could
be iound to censure that power If such conse-
quenoes should h,w from the act Of rati6cat In
elect, then the mo uer .o,,Id a.. .