The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-17
CoNGR ssIoNAL.
OF MR.. YANCEY,
OF ALABAMA,


On the Mexican war, and in reply to MIR.
STEPHENS, Of Georgia.
Mr. YANCEY said: The very brief time now
remaining Of that allotted for this debate, "a half
hOur) and the desire Of his friend from Mississippi
the chairman OF the committee who has reported
this bill Mr.. JACOB TBosrsosl to say a few words
upon il, would necessarily compel him 10 eondense
what he had 70 say, and to state propositions RAJ
ther than to argue them. He would not indeed have
troubled the committee with any remarks al tins
time, had il not been for what had fallen from The
gentleman from Georgia, Mr.. SrEPHEssI In
much that gentleman had said in his exordlum, MI
Y. fully eoneurred. Our institutions, so wei oaicu-
lated tothriye in peace are i'll hed TO endure the
shocks Of war Our mission IA, indeed, one OF
peaee-of love and goodwill 10 all men. Our gov
eminent holds out reasonable tempting Inducements
to the oppressed Of every nation to seek repose be-
meath It's protecting care. Our Union, by the strong
example OF Justice, and pure administration Of It's
affairs, will gradually and quietly enfold within as
bonds the neighboring States that shall desire self
government When we shall become discontentei /
with the slow but wholesome process by which
this shall be accomplished and shall seek TO extend
our boundaries by conquest, we shall have reached
point in our history at which what we now have
will itself be endangered and liberties be liable
10 become aprey TO our own violence and icenIIous-
Whatever may be the result Of this war with
Mexico, agree CONTINUED Mr.. Y J with the gen.
war of conquest. We have wrongs to be redTessed
Mexico must redress them. Our boundary, which
they refuse TO settle by negotiation must be sus-
tanned by the sword, to which that nation has ap.
pealed The indemnities they owe To US must be
paid And II unable to pay them in money, Mexico
must secure them to US by giving possession OF
California. In taking that province | trust II will
be as equivalent, and not as a conquest In our
controversy with her, trust our government viii
deal by her with magnanimity well with JUS
ftrf he al nFila Of.
nation which had just lost Its finest province by
oluion, and which had the spirit TO cope with US
singe-handed, though, as we conceive, upon false
principle.
| agree, too, with the gentleman from Georgia,
that the annexation of Texas was not Just cause
of war; and | further agree with him, that "the
Rio Grande ought TO be our boundary" The gen
tleman indeed, does not deny that It Is bOunda.
ry.l | entirely dissent, however, from his conclu-
sion, that a recognition Of It such could have
been obtained Of Mexico by continuation ofpeace.
Fhe Spanish character - distinguished for its Oh
5tinaey. A well-known instance Of their adherence
10 claims, long after they had lost all power and
right TO substantlate them, the refusal Of the
government Of Spain 10 recognise the independence
of Mexico for twenty years after 1t had separated
itself from that monarchy.
The Mexicans inherit all the obstinacy Of the old
Spanish race with but few Of the elevated characte
TiStcs which disting uished it.
The main proposition of the gentleman from
Georgia was, that this war was produced by the
Executiye-by the removal of the army from the
Neuces to the Rio Grande, which move was sun
necessary-improper-no right" | will examine
this position.
The annexation of Texas to the United States
declared by the government of Mexico 10 be
act Of war, and would be so treated. The Mex
lean minister here (Almontel at once suspended all
official intercourse with our government, soemnly
protesting against annexation. At the same time
the government OF Mexico notified our minister
there that diplomatic relations could no longer be
continued between the two republics These acts
were emlnently unfriendly and taken in connexion
with the declaration that annexation would be view
cd as an act Of war, they were hostile. In this
state of hostile relations between the two countries
Gen Taylor was ordered, upon the earnest appeal
both of the congress and Of the convention of Tex
as, TO move forward into Texas soon as Texas
had accepted the terms of annexation. Why, it
may be asked, was he not ordered to the Rio
Grande, If that is now boundary For the
good reason, reply that in annexing Texas we
voluntarily agreed to keep her western boundary
open, subject to be settled on liberal terms
by negotiation between the United States and
Mexico. Learning that Mexico was making
extensive military preparations, las we are in.
formed by the President in his message,) in July
Gen. Taylor was ordered to Corpus Christi on the
west bank of the Nueces, in the disputed territory
Affairs continuing to remain in this hostile attitude
government, actuated by the liberal spirit which
animated it in annexing Texas, prepared to make
advances to our sulky neighbor for a negotiation
upon matters of difference between US.
As this point is a much disputed one in the pub
lie mind at this time, and upon it hinges much OF
the morale of this contest, will make quotation,
from official papers communicated to this House. to
show that the government Of the United States pro-
posed to the Mexican government to ''rectue an en-.
uoytr0m the United States ;nrs,ed Nth fuH porer 10
adjust all The questions in dispute bstoeen the co gor
ernments"
On the 18th September, Is45, Mr.. Buchanan
wrote to Mr.. Black, our consul at Mexico, "to as
certain from the Mexican government whether they |
would receive an envoy from the United States in
trusted with full powers to adjust all the questions
In dispute between the two governments" |
On the 18th October, ls45, Mr.. Black communi. |
Gated to MIR. Peha PefIa, minister of foreign af- |
fairs of Mexico the above, in the very words of the
despatch as quoted. On the 18th Of October, lS45
that minister replied: ".My government is dposedto
receive THE COMMISSIONER of the United States ,oho
may come 10 this capital 10Th full po,oers from his gop
ernmentto settle the present dispute IN peace reason
Gblc and honorable manner; thus giving ne proof
that, even in the midst of its injuries and ofts firm
decision to exact adequate PREPARATION for them il
does not repei with contumey the measure of rea- |
son ana peace to which 1t Is invited by its adver-
sary;" and the minister desires the consul to make
known to the United States that Mexico desires
"as indispensable the previous recall of the whole
naval force now lying in sight of our port of Vera
Cruz" The minister further said he 'tbelieved
inns ihvhnuoh TO receive SUCH an envoy to be made
In good faith" &c.
In accordance with the above explicitly-defned |
arrangements, reduced to writing and not suscept-
BILE therefore of any but wilful MISUNDERSTANDING /
our naval force was withdrawn from before Vera
Cruz, and our envoy, 'with full powers" was sent
to Mexico. How was he received As we had |
right to expect As great and proud nation, which
had used unusual means to propitiate the good will |
OF peevish neighbor wrongfully incensed against
t. had Just ground to hope its Representative would
be received No, sir. The government of Mexico,
engaged IN quellng intestine broils, said it ''was
not prepared to receive him." as 'hs appearance in
the capital at this time 18th December, 1916, |
might prove destructive to the government" that
at would endangor its existencen &c. Mr. Slidel
at that time wrote to Mr.. Buchanan that the OPP
position to Herrera's government denounced The
as treason and 'openy calls upon the
people to put down the government by forcen
On the 10th December, the Mexican minister
wrote to Mr.. Sidoll that the reason of the DELAY in
his reception was "ihe nature Of those (hs) creden
iias as compared rih he proposition made by the Uni