Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1846-12-09

governmeois ia my Judgement that has ever
existed upon the tace ct the earth But the
anneNa,ion was completed. The western
boundary Mas a matter about which disputes
must ARISE. There Was as between us aud
Mexico, as there had been between Texas and
Mexico, no ascertsined western boundary.
This was the state at things after the an
pcxation Of Texas. and when the President
bryan military movements in that direction.
Now, gentlemen, that ! may m~isrepre-ent
nobpdy, and Ssy uothing which has not been
clearly proved 10y official evidence, ! " III pro
oeed To state To yuu three propositions. " hich.
IN my opinion, ar isihy msintsinsble by ihe
correspondence of the Government in its va
rlous branches aud departments, as officially
communicated To Congress.
Three propositions may. / think, bc main
tanned on The evidence before the country ia
oiilchl documents:
Ist. That the President directed the occu-
patton oi a territory BY iorce ol arins, To
which the u. States had no s-certsined title;
a territory which. is claimed by the United
States, was also claimed by Mexico. aud WAS
OF the lime io ber actual occupation and poe
scssion.
The Texau Convention was 10 assemble
July u, 1870. to p3ss the snpcxation. Before
this date, tn wit. on The 18th of May, Genenl
Taylor was ordered 20 move toward Texas:
aud GA The 18th of June, ne was instructed
by a letter from Mr.. Bancroft 10 enter Texas.
aud concentrate his sorcs- on i,s ..weslesn
boundary" aud To select and occupy a posi-
non ION or near the Rio Gmnde.'' "fo protect
chat, IA The ersai Of aaReTatisa triu be oar
resfern border r
That the United States had no sscsrsiDed
title TO the territory. appears from Mr.. Nancy =
letter TO General Taylor. ct July Both, 1913.
General Tsyler is there informed that whsibe
= TO occupy. defend and protect is 9Th.
OF Texas, 10 the orient Haf II had
6ceA occupied by INC people Of Teras.- liam
pears ia the despatch last quoted, that this
territory had been occupied By MEXICO.
MIR. Marcy goes on to say-aTbe Rio Grauhe
Is claimed TO b. the boundary between the
two countries. and up 10 fhis boundary. YOU
arc 10 extend your protection, only ercepiiHg
any posts on the eastern side thereof. which
are IN The actual occupancy of Mexican for
ces, or Mexican scffIemeRts over which the
Republic oil Texas did not exercise jurisdiction
the period OF ANNEXATION, or shortly before
event"
This makes IL perfectly clear that the Uni.
ted States had no asceriained title land moan.
parent title) TO this territory: Tor il admits
that Texas only made a cioim Co IL. Mexico
an adverse claim, and having also ac-
tual possession.
~. That as early as July, 1915, the Prsi
lent knen a. we'll as oihers ACQUAINTED with
Ihe subject, that this TERRITORY was la the ac-
luai possession OF Mexico: that il coataincd
Mexican settlements, over which Texas had
'oi exercised jurisdiction. up to the time of
innrxasion.
On the 9Th Of July. the Secretary OF War
"so'e TO General Taylor that This Depart
nrnt - uniformed That Mexico has some Mill
sty embellishments ou the east side at the
40 urande' which are and for some time
roops."
On the 30th Of July, the Secretary wrote a.
mentioned, directing General TAYLOR
o except from his protection s.any porls ON
he eastern side the roof" (of the Rio Gmude)
ahich are IA The actual occupancy OF Mexi.
AL iorces, OF Mexicsn settlements over which
he Republic OF Texas did not eNercise jur,.
iciion al the period Of annexation, or shortly
'viore that event.
IL manitesily appears 10 have been the IN
euilon Of the President, from the 2SIh Of,
Hay, down To the consninn1afiou ct his puf-
'ose, 10 take possession of this territory by
ore OF arms however INV illing Mexico
night he Ia Yield IL, or whatever might turn
ut, on examination, 10 be her night TO claim
lie intendcd to cxiinguish the McSieen
,Tcei otherwise has acts aud Instructions are
ncxplioable.
The Government set up aud affirmed from !
FIRST, that the Riotirsnde MAS the wcs,ernl
BOUNDARY al Texas, az appears from the letters
o General TayioT. OF the 18th oi MAY, and
Ssh OF June, lSi5.
On the 18th June General Taylor was in
inUcted 10 take such a position .'on or near
he Rio Gmnie' as"wiil be best to repel in
rasion, aud 10 protect what, in the even, Of
innovation, will b. our Western boundary I"
Ia accordante with, there ars, also, lhe in
''rocIioDs OF July 30th, To- winch ! have al.
realty referred.
On the 6ih OF August, the Secretary wrote
10 General Taylor '-although a state of lrar
With Mexico, or sn invasion OF Texas by her
.orccs may not take plsce, IL is nevertheless
ieeped proper aud necessary that Your force
b. fully equal Co meet with certainty of
success, amy cnsis which may aise in Texas.
which would require yon by force Of arms
70 curry oHf TIC iHsirseiioHs Of nc GotcrH-
neHt. tie tlrn IN The same letter authorized
, procure volunteers iOr Texss, sc.
On the 23l o. August. the Secretary in
struried Grnersl TAYLOR thus: ''Should Mexico
lssemblc a lsg,c body uf troops on the Rio
. fsude, aud cross ii with . considerable force,
such a movement must be regarded o. an in-
Of the United States. and the com
meoeement Of hostilities. he is then ia
situcted how TO asscmble large force, SC.
ITO b. continued.