American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-12
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annlhllated. 1t was formerly highly benef-
clal to both nations; but our merchants have
been deferred from prosecuting it by the sys-
tenn of outrage and extorton which the Mexi-
can authorities have pursued against them,
whilst their appeals through their own gov
eminent for indemnity have been made in
vain. Our forbearance has gone to such an
extreme as to be mistaken in its Character
Had we acted with vigor ia repelling the in
suits and redressng the injuries inflicted by
Mexico at the commencement, we should
doubtless have escaped all the difficulties in
which we are now involved.
Instead of this, however, we have been ex-
ertlng our best efforts to proptiate her good
will. Upon the pretext that Texas, a nation
as independent as herself, thought proper to
unite its destinies with our own, she has affee-
ted to believe that we have severed her right
full territory, and, in official proclarnat;ons and
manltestoes, has repeatedly threatened to make
war upon us for the purpose of reconquering
Texas. In the mean time, we have tried eve
ry effort at reconciliation. The cup of for
bearance had been exhausted, even before the
recent information from the frontier OF the Del
Norte. But now, after reiterated menaces,
Mexico has passed the boundary of the United
States, has invaded our territory, and shed A
merlcaa blood upon the American soil She
has proclaimed that hostilities have commence
ed, and that the two nations are now at war.
AS war exists, and, Notwithstanding all our
efforts 10 avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico
herself, we are called upon, by every consider
alton of duty and patriotism, TO vindicate, with
decision, the honor, the rights, and the inter-
ests OF our country.
Anticipating the possibility of a crisis like
that which has arrived, instructions were given
in August last, las precautionary MEASURE"
against invasion, or threatened invasion, au-
thorizing Gen. Taylor, if the emergency re-
quired, to accept volunteers, not from Texas
only, but from the States of Louisiana, Alaba-
ma, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky; and
corresponding letters were addressed to the re-
spectve governors of those States. These in
structions were repeated; and in January last,
soon after the incorporation of"Texas into our
union of States" Gen. Taylor was further eau
thorized by the President to make requistion
upon the executive Of that State for such of its
militia force as may be needed to repel invasion
or to secure the country against apprehended
INVASION" On the I'd day Of March, he was
again reminded, Sin the event of the approach
of any considerable Mexican force, promptly
and efficiently to use the authority with which
he was clothed to call to him such auxiliary
force as he might need" War actually exist
ing, and our territory having been invaded,
Gen. Taylor, pursuant to authority vested in
him by my direction, has called on the Cover
nor of Texas for four regiments of State troops
two to be mounted, and two to serve on foot;
and on the Governor of Louisiana for four re-
giments of infantry, to be sent to him as soon
as practicable
In further vndcaton of our rights and de-
fence of our territory, invoke the prompt ac-
1; of To of
the war, and TO place at the disposition of the
Executive the means of prosecuting the war
with vigor, and thus fastening the restoration
of peace. To this end recommend that au-
thority should be given to call into the public
service large body of volunteers to serve for
not less than six or twelve months unless sooner
discharged. A volunteer force is, beyond ques-
ton, more efficient than any other description
of citizen soldiers; and il is not to be doubted
that number far beyond that required would
readily rush to the field upon the call of their
country. further recommend that a liberia
provision be made for sustaining our entirel
military force, and furnishing with supplies
munitions of war.
The most energetic and prompt measures,
and the immediate appearance in arms of a
large aud overpowering force, are recommend
ed to Congress as the most certain and eff
Gent means OF bringing the existing collision
with Mexico TO speedy and successful tefmi-
nation
In making these recommendations, deem
it proper to declare that it is my anxious de-
sire not only to terminate hostilities speedily,
but to bring all matters in dispute between this
government and Mexico to an early and ami
cable adjustment; and, in this view, shall be
prepared to renew negotiations, whenever
Mexico shall be ready to receive propositions,
or to make propositions of her own.
transmit herewith copy of the correspon-
dence between our envoy to Mexico and the
Mexican minister for foreign affairs; and so
much of the correspondence between that en-
voy and the Secretary of State, and between
the Secretary of War and the general in COM
mand on the Del Norte, as are necessary to
full understanding the subject.
JAMES h. POLK.
WASHINGTON, May 18th, 1916.
CHAPPoRAL. The word Chapporal, says the
u. S. Gazette, occurs in the news from Texas