Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-17

marine to transport our produce. Ever
The oysters OF our creeks and the pine
woods which line their shores, are borne
in bottoms not our own, to cur sister States
This nntoward condition OF our navigation
interests is a source Of deep modification
Cannot those interests be improved
Much can be done by individual associa-
lion. The dawn Of a better day, ! trust
is at hand. But legislation may hasten
The day when we shall be free from de-
peudence upon other States for the means
Of Transporting our large productions 10
the markets of the world. Ia secure tins
important element Of wealth, indepen-
dence, and safety. | recommend a moder-
ate bounty upon the tonnage OF all vessels
over 900 tons burthen, bull within our
limits by mechanics resident therein. and
a moderate bounty per ton per annum on
all vessels ofIike dimension which shall be
built, owned and manned by our citizens.
The subject Of Convention for the re-
vision Of the State Constitution, continues
to be one Of absorbing interest in portions
Of our State. The abuses Of the right OF
suffrsge. and the powers OF the county
courts, would alone juttiiy this measure.
Blu, regarding other and scarcely less nm
portan, reforms, TO be indispensable, earn
estly recommend the passage ola law sub
hitting the question of a Convention TO
the people al their mex annual election.
1t is my duty to remind you of The ne
cessiiy Of providing, By law, for the erec-
ton Of suitable building for the preserva-
ton &C. the standard weights and measures
furnished BY the United States. under an
act of Congress. ioi the use OF Virginia.
Some time during the year a Citation
was served upon me, as the representa-
tive Of the Commonwealth, requiring heI
to appear on this day at the Supreme
Court of the United States, at the instance
Of one James Phalen. to shew cause why
judgment pronounced against him by the
General Court should not be Corrected
This preceding presents the question,
whether the law Of Virginia, suppressiDg
lotteries, is in violation of the Constitution
of the United States. have taken steps
in the premises.
| herewith communicate, for your lnfor-
nation, a letter from Harvard College Ii
brary. Deeming its suggestions valuable,
and lis requests altogether reasonable and
proper, | recommend The passage of a re-
solution 10 effect its objects.
During the past year Texas became a
member Of our Federal Union. Pending
the negotiation which led to this asupicious
result, Mexico protested against it in the
most formal manner, notifying our govern
ment that she would regard il as a cause
of war. Upon the passage OF our resolu-
tons for annexation, the Mexican Minis
ter, General Almonte, under the orders Of
his Government. abruptly terminated his
diplomatic relations, and left the country.
He did not wait for Texas TO adopt the
measures called for by our resolutions, and
to give her consent to the Union. The
consular agents of Mexico were also with
drawn. War 10 the Sabine was announ-
ced. And such were her various mani
fes,a,ions Of active hostility, that Texas
called upon the United States for pro,ec-
ton. This power having taken the steps
which justified our Intervention, our troops
advanced into the country and quartered
at Corpus Christi, West Of the Nueces.-
This post was then held by a body Of Tex
an Rangers, and had been for months, and
were ordered there for the protection Of
Texas againstthe inroads ofthe Camanches.
/. was a Taxan settlement. Texas had al
ways claimed the Rio Grande as her
Western boundary. Santa Anna had ad-
mitted it. Our most distinguished states
men had maintained it. Congress had ex-
tended the laws of the United States over
The whole country up TO this limit; and
then, and not until then did our troops
march upon the Rio Grande. When they
reached this boundary, and encamped OPP
posite Matamoras, General Taylor gave to
The Mexican General every assurance Of
a peaceful purpose. For some time no
belligerent act was done BY the Mexicans.
So thoroughly satisfied was our little army
that the peace of the two countries would
not be disturbed, hat the gallant Worth
gave up his command upon a point of rank,
and tended his commission to his Govern
ment. Up TO this moment no belligerent
act had been committed by either party.
But the hostile intentions Of Mexico were
not long TO remain concealed. Colonel
Cross, under the confidence Of our rela-
tons, having left our encampment, was
basely murdered. Porter and a small party
met a similar fate. Other acts Of aggres.
sion occurred and finally Mexico aban-
doned her disguise. marched her troops
across the Rio Grande, and commenced
the war. The gallant defence OF Fort
Brown, made immortal by the death of a
hero, and the battles Of Palo Alto and Re-
SAGA de la Palma, were the consequence.
These deeds Of arms are destined TO make
a glittering page in the history Of our
country. They filled the American heart
with gladness and with confidence, but
unmingled with a disposition 10 ,rample
upon our beaten and wanton foe. Peace
was again offered by us, and again reject
ed by Mexico, without an effort at negotia-
ton. And nothing is now left 10 us but
ingloriously to abandon those fields which
We have so gloriously won or, by a change
in our plan Of operations originally de-
signed, | suppose, merely TO secure a salts
factory frontier. to conquer a peace by
penetrating the heart of Mexico.