Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-03-29

excite them. Our naval force, feebiy manned and
far scattered is in no sort OF condition TO meet any
sudden hostility, such we have wantonly pro-
voked. Our merchantmen, covering all the seas,
offer an unresistng prey to the paest cruisers.
Our army is shrunk to numbers even much less
than those with which it encountered the Semi
noles. Did ever men, we solemnly ask, rush
into measures of such aggression under such posi-
bilities of fierce and wide hostlites, with such an
incredible, such criminal scorn Of all provision
against what they were provoking!
Already our readers viii have seen that the Rep
resentative of Mexico has promptly, upon the day
after the official publication of the Act of Annexa-
ton, taken the step long announced to us, and which
it has pleased the majority in Congress to believe
impossible. He has ended his mission, and is on
the point of departure from the country.
Should MEXICO at once las is altogether possible)
issue her commissions, and, lending her flag TO the
prvateers Of all countries let them loose upon our
trade, what is to be done! Is the President of the
United States to make war of his own authority
Can he do SO with no appropriations except those
for state of peace!
We must obviously, then, stand as if with our
hands tied and man beating us in the face, until
Congress can be assembled. This is step which
the President will not take until he hears of Mexi-
can captures. Even then-many of the States hav-
ing yetther elections to make-an interval of more
than two months of helpless inaction must be sub
mtted to. Such is the position in which the war
like Democratic House of Representatives, with
whom the Texas Resolution originated, has left
the land
Is there any example of like case! There is
one of a case somewhat like, but of very different
measures 1t is that Of the act passed by Congress
at the close of the Session of Congress in the spring
of 1880, when the Governor of the State of Maine
was levying forces and marching them to the
Northeastern frontier, and there was some reason
to apprehend an actual collision with the British
forces the other side of the line, as the conse-
quence of the then existing irritation on both sides
Of it. Under these circumstances Congress, with
foresight and precaution which contrast admirably
with the reckless and improvident course of the
Congress which has just broken up, passed the
following act:
AN ACT giving to the President of the United States adj
dtonal powers for the defence of the United States,
certain cases. against invasion, and for other purposes.
Be eaacted By the Senate and House Of Representatives. o.
The United STATES Of Anerica Congress assembled That
the President of the United States be and he hereby auho
rzed resist any attempt the part of Great Britain to
force by arms her claim exclusive jurisdiction that
part the State of Maine which in dispute between the
United States and Great Britain and for that purpose
employ the naval and military forces of the United States and
such portions the militia he may deem advisable
into service
Sec. 3 And be farther enacted That the militia when
called the service Of the United States by virtue of this
act the entitled An provide for calling forth
the militia the laws Of the Union, suppress
econs repel invasion, and to repeal the act in force
for those purposes may if in the opinion Of the President
Of the United States the public interest require it be compel
led for exceeding six months after the
rival their place Of rendezvous in any year. unless
sooner discharged
Sec. 8. Aad be further enacted That in the event Of
actual invasion Of the Territory Of the United States by any
foreign Power, of imminent danger of such invasion dis
covered his opinion exist before Congress be
vened upon the subject the President be and he here
by authorized if he deem the expecnt accept the
services of any number Of volunteers not exceeding fifty thou
sand, in the provided for in entitled An
authorizing the President of the United States accept the
services of volunteers and additional regiment of
Dragons mounted niemcn" approved May %, 1886.
Sec a. And be further enacted, That, in the event of
either of the contingencies provided for in this act the Pres
dent Of the United States shall be authorized complete the
public armed vessels authorized by law, and equip,
and employ in actual service all the naval force of the
United States and to build, purchase charter equip
and such vessels and steamboats, the Northern lakes
and rivers whose waters communicate with the United
and Great Britain, he shall deem necessary protect the
United States from invasion from that quarter.
Sec S. And be further enacted, That the of ten
millions Of dollars is hereby appropriated and placed his
disposal for the purpose Of executing the provisions Of this
to provide for which the Secretary of the Treasury auto
rzed money the credit of the United States and
he issued certificates Of stock, signed by the Re-
gscr Of the Treasury for the to be borrowed any
part thereof and the to be sold upon the best that
may be offered after public notice for proposal for the same
Prorded That engagement contract shall be entered
which shall preclude the United States from reimbusng
any sum thus borrowed after the expiration of five
years the first Of January and that the rate Of in
shall exceed five per cent, payable semiannuay
Sec. g. And be further enacted That the of eigh
teen thousand dollars be and the hereby appropriated
Of any money the Treasury otherwise appropriated
for outfit and salary of special minister to Great Britain
Provided The President Of the United States shall deem
expedent to appoint the same.
Sec r. and be further enacted That in the event of
either Of the contingencies provided for the first and third
sections Of this act the President Of the Uncd States shall
DC authorized to apply part exceeding 900 of the
appropriation made in this act repairing armng ortca
IONS along the seaboard and frontier.
sec .. And De further enacted, That whenever militia
or volunteers are called into tho service of the United States
they shall have the or