Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-08-09
THE MILITARY OCCUPATION OF TEXAS,


THE MILITARY OCCUPATION OF TExAs
We have had occasion to intimate our opinion
that, after The formal invitation to the Government
and People of TEXAS TO annex themselves to and be-
come parof the United States the placing OF troops
the borders Of that territory protect it from APP
pretended invasion appeared to us to be an almost
necessary consequence Of the formal acceptance OF
that invitation by the other party. In coming to
this conclusion, did not very nicely examine the
constitutional authority of the Executive to take
this step, which is indeed not specifically author
lied by any law. But, remembering that Congress
and the People of the United States had acquiesced
in President TYLER's making, under a pending
treaty, and even after its rejection, effectively the
same use of the Army and the Navy as the Execu-
tive is now doing, we yielded perhaps too easily
our assent to this disposition of the public force
under compact now actually made and in pro.
gress Of execution
Nobody can be more thoroughly convinced than
we that, in passing the act of annexation, the Con-
gress of the United States exercised authority not
granted to by the Constitution, and which, there
FORE at least unless exercised by the treaty power,
is reserved to the People Up TO the last hour of
the discussion of the act of annexation we resisted
its passage with all our powers but, as in the case
of the violation Of the Constitution by the admis-
sion Of illegally elected members into the House of
Representatives, we resisted it in. vain. Overpow
cred by numbers, the act having passed, we consi-
der it, until it be repealed, annulled by the Su-
preme Court or bya Convention Of the People, as
the law of the land, which it is duty to submit
to, whilst it is the duty of the Executive TO take
care that it be faithfully executed"
This impression is avowed with sincere defer
ence for opposite opinions expressed in quarters en-
titled to our respects and we almost distrust our
own judgment when we find opposed to it those of
some Of our best friends. Not desiring our read
ers to be influenced by our single opinion on this
subject, we subjon some observations from the
New York Courier and Enquirer, whose views of
the subject do not entirely agree with ours, but
which we do not the less recommend to the read
er's candid consideration.
ENauIRER OF AUGUST 2.
TEXAS FOREIGN CoUNTRY.-It will be remem-
bered by those of readers who take interest in
the remarks we have occasionally made on what we
consider the iRegaHfy of the march of the troops
of the United States into Texas, TO make battle
with any Mexican troops that may be sent there,
that we founded our objection on the fact that as
yet Texas was NOT part and parcel of the United
States and therefore, that the plea Of the President
that he was only acting in defence Of what he con-
sidered virtually a portion Of this country was
invalid.
We have denied all along that Texas and the
United States could be amalgamated and made into
one people, vifhom some specific legislation ad
hoe, and have asked in vain for the proof that any
such legislation has been had, or that any authority
in law or constitution exists for the power assumed
by the Executive Of sending the troops of the Uni
ted States out of and beyond territory to make
war upon foreign nation.
Among our illustrations of the fact that Texas
and the United States are not yet one people, we
said that our revenue laws for instance, were not
force in or applicable to Texas; therefore, by analo
gy,no other laws; and consequently that Texas was
still in regard to the United States foreign State.
The late Circular from the Treasury of the Uni
ted States, with the subjoined comments of the Of
fetal paper-the Union-proceed, it will be seen,
entirely upon the hypothesis that Texas is foreign
State and that the notorious fact Of her being so
Union is a measure get 10 be consan,mafed is lead
ing to extensive combinations to make money out Of
the difference between the duties and drawbacks i'm
posed and allowed by our tariff, and those imposed
and allowed by the tariff Of Texas.
II is in this point of view we now call particular
attention to this document:
FROM THE WASHINGTON UNION or WEDNESDAY.
ImpoRTAsp CIRSULlRWl cell the attention Of the pub
lie the very important circular this day issued by the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury. Ii embraces the great question re-
CARDS the operation of the laws arising Of the an
nexaiion Of Texas. There modes in which il de
signed defraud the revenuethe FIRST by direct importation
from foreign ports Texas the second by expectation from
our ports into Texas with the privilege Of the drawback
Of the duty Should these pecuaons be carried into effect
the serious consequences might follow by diminish
ing the defeat impair the efforts Of this Ad
minsaton pay off the national debt Their success might
njurousy affect the contemplated reduction Of the duties by
leaving the Government without adequate to meet
the expenditures and. lastly. might overwhem with ruin
many Of our own manufacturers by the nundaton Of foreign
goods free of duty. Gpided by the acts Of jefferson and
Galatin in regard Louisana, md Of Monroe and Craw
ury has, by this circular applied the remedy defeat these
specuaons and protect the revenue Some days since we
warned capitalists in advance not 10 embark in the and
think every will perceive that nothing but loss Of
money and character can follow from all these efforts to evadc
the revenue laws Of the Union.
THE GREAT BRITAN.-Letters received by the |
Cambria say that number of passengers and con-