The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-05-23

own soil. Nor can IL be ascrlbed 10 a want
Of sufficient powers; our envoy had full pow.
ers TO adjust every question Of difference
Nor was there room for complaint that our
propositions for settlement were unreasona
BILE, permission was not even given our en-
voy 10 make any proposition whatever. MOI
cac it be objected that ws,on our parbwould
not listen 10 any reasonable terms of their
suggestion. the Mexican government, refuso
ed all negotiation, and have made no pIopo
silion Of any kind.
la my message at the commencement oI
the present session, l informed you iha
upon the earnest appeal both Of the Con
gress ant convention o! Texas, | had or ier
cd an efficient military force 10 take posi-
lion between The Nueces and the De-
Norle. This had become necessary TO
meet threatened invasion OF Texas by the
Mexican forces, for which extensive militia
ry preparations aad been made. The inva-
sion was threatened solely because Texas
had determined, in accordance with q
solemn resolution of The United States to
annex herself TO our Union, and, under
these circumstances, i, was plainly our du-
" to extend our protection over her citizens
and soil
This force was concentrated al Cor
pus Christi, and remained there until af.
ter | had received such information from
Mexico as rendered 1t probable. if mol
certain, that tho Mexican governmen
would refuse to receive our envoy.
W alime, Texas, by The final action
II our Congress, had become an integral
,'rl of our Union. The Congress OF
Texas by its act OF December l9 1886
rad declared The Rio Del Norte to be
.he boundary of that republic. It's III.
rIsdlcuon had been extended and exsI
clsed beyond the Neuces. The coun-
~ between lhalRiver and the DeINorlt
had been represented in convention o.
Texas, had thus taken part in the sc'
ot annexation itself and is now inclu-
led within one Of our Congressional dis
'rlcts. Our own congress had, moreo
yer, with great unanmliy. by The act sp
,roved December 3lst, recognized the
country beyond the Nueces as q part OF
our territory by including il within Gu
own revenue system; and arsvenue ofli,
GER, 10 reside within tha: district, has
been appointed by and with tho advice
of tho Senate. Ii became, therefore, o.
urgent necessity 10 provide for the de-
fence OF that portion Of our country. AZ
cordingly. on The thirteenth oG Janusry
instructions were issued TO the general
IN command of these lroops 10 occupy
the lelt bank Of the Del Norle.
This river--which is the Southwes
tern boundary Of The State Of Texas-is
an exposed frontier. From this quarIer
INVASION was threatened; upon il and in
it's immediate vicinity, IN the Judge
ment of high military experience, are
the proper stations for the protecting
forces of the government. In addition TO
his important consideration, several
others occurred 10 induce THE movement.
Among these are ths facilities afforded
by the ports al Brazos Santiago and The
mouth Of The Del Norle for The receP
lion OF supplies by sea, the strong snd
more healthy military positions, lht
lconvenience for Obtaining a ready ant
more abundant supply OF provisions
waller, fuel and iorsge. and the advanta
ses which ore afforded by the Del Nori'
10 forwarding supplies 10 such posts OF
nav be established IN The interior ant
upon the Indian frontier.
The movement Of the troops to hi
IDel Norte was made by the command
ling Genslsl, under positive instruction
10 abstain from all aggressive act tow
ards Mexico, or Mexican citizens, an
10 regard the relations between that re
bubble and The United States as peace
Irul. unless she should declare war, Q
Icommit acts OF hostility indicative Of
|s,a,e Of war. He was specially dlrecIe