The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-05-20

sults: In communicating to Congress q
succinct statement of the injuries which
we had suffered from Mexico, and which
have been accumulating during period
OF more than twenty years, every ex-
preston that could tend to inflame the
people of Mexico, or defeat or delay
pacific result, was carefully avoided.
An Envoy of the United States repaired
to Mexico with full powers to adjust
every existing difference. But though
present on the Mexican soil by agree
ment between the two governments, in
vested with full powers, and bearing ev-
dence OF the most friendly dispositions,
MS mission has been unavailng. The
Mexican government not only refused
to receive him, or listen to his PROPOSE
tons, but, after long continued series
OF menaces, have at last invaded our ter
rltory and shed the blood of our fellow
citizens on our own soil.
The grievous wrongs perpetrated bv
Mexico upon our citizens throughout a
long period of years, remain unredres-
sed and solemn treaties, pledging her
public faith for this redress, have been
disregardesl. A government either un-
able or unwilling to enforce the execu-
ton of such treaties, fails to perform one
of its ploinest duties.
Our commerce with Mexico has been
almost annihiiated 1t was formally
highly beneficial to both nations but
our merchants have been deferred from
prosecuting it by the system of outrage
and extortion which the Mexican au
thorlties have pursued against them,
whilst their appeals throug gh their own
government. have been made in vain.
Our forbearance has gone to such an
extreme as to be mistaken in it's charac-
ter. Had we acted with vigor in repeI-
ling the injuries inflicted by Mexico at
the commencement, we should doubt
less have escaped all the difficulties in
which we are now involved.
Instead of this, however, we have
been exerting our best efforts to propiti-
ate her good will. Upon the pretext
that Texas, nation as independent as
herself, thought proper to unite its des-
tlnles with our own, she has affected to
believe that we have severed her right
ful territory, and. in official proclama-
tlons and manifestoes, has repeatedly
threatened to make war upon us for the
purpose of reconquering Texas. In the
mean time, we have tried every effort at
reconciliation. The cup Of forbearance
had been exhausted: even before the in
formation from the Del Norte. But
now, after reiterating menaces, Mexico
has passed the boundary of the United
States, has invaded our territory, and
shed American blood upon American
soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities
have commenced, and that the two ma
tlons are now at war.
AS war exists, and notwithstanding
all our efforts to avoid it, exists bv the
act OF Mexico herself, we are called upon,
by every consideration of duty and pa
trlotism, to vindicate with decision, the
honor, the rights, and the interests of
| our country.
Anticipating the possibility of crisis
like that which has arrived, Instructions
were given in August last, "as pre-
cautlonary measure," against invasion,
or threatened invasion, authorizing Gen.
Taylor, if the emergency required it, to
accept volunteers, not from Texas only,
but from the States of Louisiana, Ala
bama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Ken
lucky; and corresponding letters were
addressed to the respective governors of
those States. These instructions were
repeated; and in January last, soon af-
ter the incorporation of Texas into the
union Of states," Gen. Taylor was fur
ther authorized by the President to
make requisition upon the Executive
of that State for such of its militia force
as may be needed to repel the invasion
or to secure the country against appre-
hended invasion" On the I'd day of
March, he was again reminded, Gin the
event of the approach of any considera-
BILE Mexican force, promptly and eff
ciently to use the authority with which
he was clothed to call to him such auxi-
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