The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-18
THE DAILY UNION.


gentleman 10 the conclusion that the Rio Grande
fought TO be the line" Then, surely, the gentle
nan will excuse the President for coming to the
same conclusion with himself Surely, the Pres-
Dent, who is placed in situation where he is bound
10 know the western BOUNDARY Of the United States,
does know the line. IL is a part Of his official
duty.
Mr. STEPHENS interposed, and said those
not the reasons which brought him TO that con-
clusion. He thought the Rio Grande ought to be
the boundary because it was large river and nat
aral boundary.
Mr. JONES (contnung) said the gentleman was
too good lawyer to believe that that was a legal
reason.
Mr. STEPHENS lin his seat)-I did not say it
as a lawyer.
Mr.. J. (continuing) What sought to be the
line" is the line which justice demands not because
II Is a large river or a small ohe-because il is an
arid deser. or fertile plain, and therefore it may be
considered a RaturGi boundary-but what justice
and right require To be the line is what il sought to
be-" Perhaps We ought TO have the Frozen ocean
for our northern line; but does that furnish US a
good excuse for sezing all the intervening country,
IN violation Of the rights OF other natOnsl Perhaps
we ought TO 20 south to the slhmus Of Panama, be-
cause the whole continent ought to he ours; but is
that Justification for our going forward, and taking
possession Of thI whole territory, without regard To
the rights Of other natonsl | say the gentleman
Ought to be- tic line, speaking in his capacity
legislator and that he ought TO excuse the President
for coming to thesame conclusion with himself
But will coHider IL an unsettled line; and
until the line is ettled the President as the PTes-
dent OF the Untei States, was bound to protect the
whole territory isimed by the United States, and
no man can question that we claim the Rio
Grande as the western boundary Of Texas, and now
OF the United SIDES. The honorable gentleman from
Texas Mt PnAsBUKrl ably and successfully vim
dieated the claim Of Texas in the remarks he sub
mitted to the committee a few days since, and Mr..
J. would noi go over the ground which he had
taken. ThNtclaim was purchased by the blood Of
her sons, and sealed by their victory; and better
title has any haton to her territory than that which
was acquired by Texas To the Rio Gnnde. But
the gentleman for himself doubted not but the
co1d have been settled by negotiation;
and he went On further TO say that II il could not
be settled by regotiaton, sit ought 70 be fixed by
The sword" Well, when he thinks the boundary
could have bon settled and the Rio Grande obtain
ed, by negotSion, he stands in fearful minority
There Is not one man, | think, in one hundred in
Ihis country Who believes II; have doubt there
are some The gentleman has presented himself
rs one.
But what ire the facts in regard to our attempts
At negotiation Upon our inquiry whether min
ster would be received to settle our difficulties with
Mexico, we were informed by her that he would
me eve OF evolution, the acceptance or acknowl.
edgment OF aim a minister is declined upon u
mere quIbbh. lie remains; the revolution took
place; and alter time had elapsed for quoting a lit
tie the EXCITEMENT consequent upon il, application
was made TO the new government, aud he
was reechd-rejected with insult Now
when we couple that with the fact Mexico had
previous to hat entered into negotiation and &c
knowedged ne Ist demands of our citizens, and
then refused he payment of their debts that she
had Withdrawn her minister from this city on the
ground OF the annexation of Texas and had de-
rlared that annexation would be considered an act
oil war; that she sent our minister away also who
was resident IN Mexico on the same pretence. Add
all these facts TO the crownIng act Of insult and out.
rage, and taking these in connection with the decla
ration that she intended 10 reanneX Texas to Mex
leo, and that Paredes was placed on the throne
or rather IN the presidential char-for that express
purpose, and where is the prospect Of negotiation
liking that line! And if the President did not come
10 that concusion-if the President did not believe
that negotiation could fix that line according to the
SentIeman's proposition, it was his duty to fix it by
The sword For, the gentleman says, alt ought to
nave been settled by negotiation and IL IL could not
De, 1t ought to he fixed by the sword" The gen.
sman believed il could have been settled by nego-
ationI but from the facts, say the President was
authorized to believe it could not be, and being au-
.horIzed to believe So it became his duty by the
sword
Mr.. STEPHENS Gin his sea,.p Does the gentle
nan mean to say he had the right TO fix it by the
sword'
| do not mean (said Mr.. j. to be drawn
INTO the trap laid for me, that am sus-
aiming the right of the President to declare war
have too good knowledge of the restrictions
IF the constitution to take this ground, but |
'ay this; 1t was the Presidents duty to place our
roops where they were placed. War was threaten
%; Paredes was placed in command of Mexico, for
he purpose of retaking Texas from the United
states, and reannexng it to Mexico. He had de-
ared his intention TO carry that purpose; troops
we're assembling on the western frontier of the Uni
ca states; and after our minister withdrew himself
rom Jalapa, the President ordered General Taylor
o make an advance upon the eastern bank of the
tlo Grande. He had d right to believe from the
history OF the times, what the gentleman from
Georgia did believe-that that was the line. 1t was
lis right, then-nay, it was his imperative duty, to
'lace the troops in that position where they could
pest defend the territory Of the United States; he
would have been recreant to duty, unfaihfl to his
rust, and disgrace to the country, if he had
ailed to carry 1t out. II adds another feather
o the plume that decks the brow of James
Polk. The prudence which has marked his
COUNCILS, and the vigor of his measures, prove
nat while he Is peace President, he is competent
o carry on war. And hope | shall not be mis-
understood, Gas was in some quarters, in remarks
which made before upon the subject.) | do not
wish to be understood as having the 'tact" to in
luce the people to believe that James X. Polk, in
'erson, leads the armies of this republic. | say
low, what said then, that the armies Of James X.
olk and all the armies Of the United States are the
rmIes OLA X. Polk, who, by the constitution,
) made commander-in-chief ofall the military and
avail forces of the United States) will fight the
attles Of the United States; and would to God that
hey may be as successful as the armies led on by
,esar, Cromwell, and Bonaparte, while Bonaparte
ought the battles of his counry--not of his ambi-
on. All men will say that the forbearance which
he United States have extended to Mexico has
cen such as no administration would have been
'lerated IN exercising towards braver-I will not
ay drawer, for the Mexicsns are brave-but tow. !
rds more powerful foe
l was drawn off, Mr.. Chairman, from the con-
Iteration of the question Immediately before the
ommlttee by taking some notice Of the remarks Of
~ colleague. now return to the subject imme-
lately before the committee. This Is n 6ill-or will
e, with the amendments which the Committee of
Ways and Means propose to ofTer-for the purpose
carrying on vigorously, and to a speedy and sue
'ssful result, the war with Mexico. Owing to the !
ct that the estimates have not been placed before
'e Committee of Ways and Means, our committee
re not DreDared In rnka N renort This ponrnino If