Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-12-17
/Coptiaued from first page. J

Christi, west OF the Nueces, as early as August,
1916 without complaint from any quarter Had
the Nueces been regarded as the true western
boundary Of Texas, that boundary had been passed
by our army many months before il advanced to
the eastern bank ofihe Rio Grande. In my annu-
al message Of December last, | informed Congress
that upon the invitation Of both the Congress aid
Convention Of Texas, Ibad deemed il proper 10 OF.
der strong squadron to the coast Of Mexico, and
to concentrate IN efficient military force on the
western frontier Of Texas, TO protect and defend
the inhabitants against the menaced invasion Of
Mexico, In the message informed Congress that
the moment the terms Of annexation offered by the
United States were accepted by Texas, the latter
became so FAR part of our own territory, as to
make il duty 10 afford such protection and de-
fence; and that for that purpose our squadron had
been ordered TO the Gulf, aud our army to take a
position bstween the Nucccs aud the Del Norie,
or the Rio Grande and to repel any invasion Of the
Texan territory which might te attempted by the
Mexican forces
1t was deemed proper 10 issue this order, be-
cause, soon after the President OF Texas, n April,
1916, had issued his proclamation, conyening the
Congress of that Republic for the purpose Of sub
hitting to that body the terms Of annexation pro.
posed by the United States, the Government Of
Mexico made serious threats Of invading the Texan
territory. 49, ..a
These threats became more imposing as j, be-
came more apparent. ~ tue progress OF lnc QucS-
ton that the people Of Texas would decide in favor
Of accepting the terms of annexation; and, finally,
they had assumed ssch formidable character, as
induced both the Congress and Convention of Tex
as TO request that military force should be sent by
the United States into her territory for the purpose
Of protecting and defending her against the threat
ened invasion. II world have been violation Of
good faith towards the people Of Texas to have re.
fused 10 afford the aid which they desired against
threatened invasion, to which they had been ex-
posed by their free determination TO annex them
selves to our Union in compliance with the over
iure made to them by the joint resolution of our
Congress. flW ttftfnE
Accordingly, portion of the army was ordered
10 advance into Texas Corpus Christi was the
position selected by General Taylor. He encamp.
ed at that place in August, 1915, and the army re-
manned in that position until the lth Of March,
1896 when it moved westward. aud on the 2sth
day of that month reached the east bank ofthe Rio
Grande opposite TO Maiamoros. This movement
was made in pursuance Of orders from the War
Department. issued on the thirteenth of January,
1876 Before these orders were issued. the des-
patch Of cur minister in Mexico, transmitting the
decision Of the Council Of Government Of Mexico,
advising that he sheuld not be received and also
the despatch OF our consul residing in the city OF
Mexico--ihe former bearing date OH the seven.
teenth, and the latter on the eighteenth oil Decem-
Der, lS45, copies Of both Of which accompanied my
message 10 Congress Of the eleventh of May last
were received at the Department Of State. These
communications rendered il highly probable. If not
absolutely certain, that minister would not be
received by the Government OF General Herrera
II was also well known that but little hope could be
entertained Of a different result from General Pare
des, in case the revolutionary movement which he
was prosecuting should prove successful.
highly probable. The pariisans of Paredes, as our
minister in the despatch referred to, states, breath
ed the ercest hostility against the United States
denounced the proposed negotiation as treason.
aud openly called upon the troops and the people
to put down the government Of Herrera by force
The reconquest OF Texas, and war With the United
States, were openly threatened. These were the
circumstances existing, when il was deemed proper
TO order the army under the command Of General
Taylor to advance TO the western frontier Of Tex
as, and occupy aposiiion on or near the Rio
Grandc.
The apprehension of contemplated Mexican in.
vason have been since fully justified by the event
The determination Of Mexico TO rush into hostili.
dies with the United States was afterwards mani.
tested from the whole tenor ofthe note OF the Mex
lean Minister Of Foreign Affairs TO our Minister,
bearing date on the twelfth Of March, 1916. Par.
edes had then reyolulionzcd the Government, and
his minister after referring TO the resolution for the
annexation of Texas, which had been adopted by
our Congress in March, 1915. proceeds to declare
that "a fact such as this, or, TO speak with greater
exactness, so notable on Of usurpaion, created
an imperious necessity that Mexico. for her own
honor should repe il with proper hrmness aud dig
nifty The Supreme Government had beforehand
declared that il would look upon such act as
easus bell and, as consequences ofthis declara
tion negotiation was, by its very nature, at an end
and war was the only resource Of the Mexican gov.
eminent. r arr 81,
n. 4. eI.osO al. r. Of Ans.l fl