The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-14

the most magnanimous and patriotic feelings, sub
mitted an informal application to Mexico to reas-
sumo amicable RELATIONSHIP offered TO send a spe-
cal envoy to her own capital to adjust, on fair,
honorable, and liberal terms, every matter in con-
troyersy between the two powers. The offer was
made, and was accepted. To coneiliate the
offended pride of Mexico, the American squad
ron was Withdrawn from her coast-an envoy
extraordinary, clothed with full powers was appoint
ed, commissioned, and sent These pacific advances
only furnished the occasion for new and aggravated
insults. The minister thus despatched to carry the
olive branch to Mexico was ignominously treated
and scornfully rejected. The emblems of peace, of
which he was the messenger were spurned and
trampled under foot and he compelled TO return TO
his government bearing with him the intelligence of
this insulting outrage.
Ii was manifest that the crisis was now reached.
Warke preparations were announced, and Texas,
now an integral part Of Union, was threatened with
an immediate and powerful invading force. War,
in its most aggravated forms, was threatened armies
embodied, and an actual revolution in the domestic
government of Mexico effected under a pledge to
their determined measure.
Until this state of affairs had oecurred-until
this menace was thus promulged, and forces
collected to carry it into sxecution-untll the
new administration, called into existence for the
avowed purpose of fulfilling these high designs,
was firmly seated in Power-unul the fact was
ascertained that no minister from this country
would be received, and no negotiations entered
into, the American government declined sending il.
troops to the banks Of the Rio del Norte. The
district lying between the river Nueces and the
Rio Del Norte was dsputable ground claimed by
both parties. Into the merits Of that controversy
is not present purpose to enter Each claimed
the exclusive right to it. Such opposing claims
were the proper subjects of negot lation They can
be adjusted only by negotiation or the sword. We
had rendered the former, it was contemptuousIy re-
iected. We were told 1t must be settled by an APP
peal to arms.
When the determination OF Mexico was an
nounced that no amicable settlement could be made
no advance towards such an arrangement would
be receved-that no arblter could be agreed upon
but the sword it was not the business Of the govern
ment of the United States to withdraw the assertion
VI VI
ace. We offered to submit the grounds upon which
we rested to the deliberate consideration of the ad-
versary. We rendered ourselves willing to receive
TO hear, to consider the opposing claims. This
proffer nsultingy rejected Then, and not till
then, was General Taylor ordered to advance
Even under these circumstances his orders were
not to act Extensively against any organized
stituted authority-to occupy only what was vacant
To resist attack, but to make none.
Our limited space and time forbid us to 60 on
this occasion more fully into a detail of our views
Our object has been briefly, and we have done it
hastily, to sketch the history of our difficulties with
Mexico. We know not whether the government
will issue manifesto, proclaiming in its own
form and manner the grounds upon which it has
acted, and upon which it means TO stand. We
feel assured that if such document be issued, it
will assume none other than lofty position, and
one which can be honorably and fully sustained
Already we perceive that intimations given that
heavy responsibility has been incurred by the Ex-
ecutve-hatthe time will come when an inquiry must
be instituted as to the causes of our present posi-
ton, and the authors of the movements which have
led 10 H. 4 MS inquiry whence, OF WhefeVer, anu
by whomsoever propounded, we are prepared to
meet; This responsibility we are prepared to en-
couater. Far be it from us to evade or postpone
the investigation. We throw down the gauntlet to
no one but we with all the confidence Of the belted
knight in the loftiest days of chivalry, accept the
challenge which has been profered. In the same
feeling we shall exclaim when the contest begins,
"God defend the right"
Texas is ours. 1t is ours to the banks Of the Rio
del Norte As such we claim it. As such we have
occupied it. 1t is our own soil. And now that
Mexico has invaded it, and that she has shed the
blood of our people upon it, owe it to own rep
uaton, and to our rights to chastise her troops
to punish her government, and to force her, upon
her own territory, to do us justice. For this pur-
pose Our country is now rushing to arms, and dis
playing all the energies Of a free people Let US
never lay down our arms until we have obtained
justice, and settled rghfuy all our differences by a
permanent peace.