The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-12-19

Iuy ives, Of ths, river now constitutes par,
Of one Of the Congressional districts oiTex-
SO, end is represented IN The House oiRep-
resenlstives. The Senators from that Sise
we've chosen by q legislature in which the
country ives, OF that river was represented.
In view of all these facts, il is difficult TO
conceive upon what ground II can be main
famed that, in occupying the country west
Of The Nueces with our army, with view
solely 10 its security and defence, we inva>
ded The territory of Mexico. But it would
have been still more difficult to justify lbe
Executive whose duty iis TO see that the
laws be faithfully executed, if in the face Of
all The proceedings, both Of the Congress Of
Texas and of The United States, he had as
sumed The responsibility Of yielding up the
territory west Of the Nueces TO Mexico, or
refusing TO protect and defend this territory
and lis inhabitants, including CorpusChrsll
as well as the remainder of Texas, against
The threatened Mexican Invasion.
! But Mexico herself has never placed the
twar which she has wsgsd upon The ground
that our army occupied the intermediate
territory between the Nueces and the Rio
Grsnde Her refuted preleusion that Texss
was not in fact an independent Stale, but q
rebellous province, was obstina,ely presevep
ed in; and her avowed purposs in commenc-
ing war With heUnted States was TO re-
conquer Texas. and restore Mexican au-
thorily over the whole territory not TO the
Nueces only, but 10 the Sabine. In view
Of the proclaimed menaces of Mexico TO
This effect, deemed i, my duty. as a meas
| of precaution and Defence 10 older our army
TO occupy position On our frontiers as a
military post from which our troops could
best resist and repel any attempted invasion
which Mexico mgh, make.
[The President here goes to detail the move
ment of our troops in Western Texas in ls45 and
the early part of 1916, with the reasons therefor :;
and refers to Mr.. Slidels mission to Mexico and
MS CdusCltSS IeJVCtlOH w tHdt oNSI, ~ W
are sorry that want of compels us to omit
these interesting details. He goes then to speak
of the compaign and the conduct Of our troops in
the following handsome manner.l
Upon the commencement of hosiiiies BY
Mexico against the United States, The in
Idgnan, spirit Of the nation was at once a
reused. Congress promptly responded TO
the expectations Of The country, and, by the
act of The thirteenth Of May last, recognis-
ed the fact that war existed, by The act of
Mexico, between the UGiled States and
that republic, and granted the means neces-
sary for its rigorous prosecution. Being
involved in war thus commenced BY Mex
ico, and fof the justice Of which on our
pat we may confidently appeal TO the
whole world, | resolved 10 prosecute il with
the utmost vigor. Accordingly, the ports
of Mexico on the Gulf and on The Pacific
have been placed under blockade, and her
ltelri'ory invaded at several important points
The reports from the Departments oI
Var aud The Navy will inform you more
IN detail of The measures adopted in the e.
mergency IN which our country was placed
and OF the gratifying results which have
been accomplished
The various columns ofSth army have
performed their duty under grea. dsadvan-
tages, with the most distinguished skill and
courage. The victories of Palo Alto and
Resaca de la Palma, and of Monterey won
against greatly superior numbers, and az
ganst most decided advantages in other re.
s2ects on the par, Of 1be enemy, were bril-
liant in their execution, and enlile our
brave officers and soldiers to the grateful
thanks of their country. The nation de-
plores the loss OF the brave officers and men
who have gallanlly fallen while vindicatine
and defending their coun,ry's rights and
honor.
Ii is a subject Of pride and satisfaction
thai our volunteer citizen-sOldiers, who sol
promptly responded 10 lSeir counlry's cali
with an experience Of the discipline of a
carp Of only few weeks, have borne their
part in the hard fought battle OF Monterey
with constancy and courage equal 10 thai,
of veteran troops, and worthy of the high
last admiration, pha r.;,ot;,s. n