The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-24


the battle Of Reseca de la Palma fought, the
American forces being attacked by the Mexican ar
my. That was the commencement OF the Mexico
had thrown away the scabbard, and refused to treat for
peace. With all these lacswth these oven acts oiwar
staring the gentleman in the face, he got up in the Amer
lean Congress, before the world, and gTaVey asked,
"Who commenced the war-the President or the Con-
gress OF the United States " >Dd not the gentleman
knowor ought he not to have known-did not the world
know that there no disposition on the part OF the
United States 10 engage in with Mexico but that
every sacrifice but that OF honor itself had been made in
power was true that the President had anticipated an at
tack from Mexico. lie was tofwarned that such at
tack would be made, and the army Of Gen. TAYLOR
accordingly ordered 10 advance from Corpus Christi 20
the hank OF the river opposite Alatamoros within can
nOnadmg distance OF the enemys forces, that his
movements might be watched. The attack was made by
Mexico. She crossed the boundary OF Texas ana attack
ed the American forces upon soil not occupied by AleSl
can forces or Mexican settlements, but in the occupation
Of the American army. Up TO the time OF occupation OF
that territory by the American army that territory
claimed by Texas and was within her bounds But
farther 10 illustrate the point To who began the war;
necessary to 90 back and examine the grounds of
the war thus begun by Mexico herself From the battle
OF San JacntO down 10 the annexation of Texas to the
United States, Texas claimed to the Rio Grande and
the other hand, Mexico claimed To the Sabine. Texas
was acknowledged Ia be independent by the United
States and by several OF the governments OF Europe
and during these nine years she claimed to the banks
OF the Rio Gnnde her western bOundaTy-MeXco
insisting up to the Sabine as the boundary. Thus
stood the claim OF boundary on the part of Texas
and the claim OF Mexico 10 the territory as far the
was united to the United States While annexation was
in progress, Mexico declared that if Consummaed that
measure would be regarded caSs beii, and that war
would be waged. Mexico had never put the any
other ground than that of the annexation OF Texas She
had declared beforehand that il Texas annexed, she
would wage Tor the recovery of that province But
Texas was annexed That then They found the Min
lister of Foreign Affairs in Mexico declaring to the Uni
ted States minister, before the orders issued, that
annexation regarded of war; and that
would ensue. Then on the ith OF April 1916, in pur-
suance OF that declaration the orders ISSUED
tack the American forces by every means justified by
war TO these orders Immediately succeeded the attack
to which he had already alluded Now, the opposition
could not condemn the unjust and aggressive on
the part OF the United States, upon the ground that an
neNallOn was the cause OF war-because many of that
party-hc not sure but majority OF that party
voted for that very act OF annexation u they condemn
ed the aggressive the ground OF anne aOn
they condemned themselves. He believed that one
would stuy himself at that day by getting up and
serhng before any community out OF Mexico that annex
alton the cause OF Certainly they could not
do it without condemnng themselves What them did
they find in order to justify the charge that the
aggressive and unjust on the part OF the United States
Why, they sad that the territory between the Nueces
and the Rio Grande not part OF Texas proper-tha
II was Mexican terrOry-and that the President of the
United States, in sending the American forces 10 occupy
position beyond the NuccGs or at least the banks
of the Rio Grande, made hostile invasion into the ter
rtoy of Mexico and that that the OF the
Why Mexico must be under many obligations to the op-
position party in thus country for discovering OF
war that had never once occurred 10 herself But
at the time the American forces advanced to Fort Brown,
ana the Mexican government issued OrlcrS 10 attack the
American forces, Mexico could have known that the
United States army had advanced from Corpus Christi TO
the Rio Grandc but that territory was claimed by Texas
II was claimed by the United States Mexico never claim
ed the territory between the NueCes and the Rio Grandc
otherwise than through her claim up to the Sabine,
Guiding the whole OF Tevas But admitting that the ter
rtory dispute it then became neutral ground and
the United States had good right TO occupy Mex
ico had. But, he hal doubt in regard to the title TO
that territory and here he begged TO refer to the
what significant fact that the whg party were agreed
among themselves in regard 10 that boundary At the last
session OF that very Congress the venerable member from
Massachusetts not then in his seat Mr.. ADAMsl de-
cared that the Rio Grande opposite Naamoros was part
of the western boundary of Texas He (Mr g. believed
that that point there was discrepancy OF opinion
amongst the friends OF the administration. The utmost
that the opposition party could make out was that
debatabe territory, and such the American forces
had right to occupy it. What would have been thought
OF the British government the government of the Uni
ted States they had attacked each others forces in Ore
gon before the settlement of the boundary question there
The United States had had several questions of disputed
boundary with Great Britain all OF which they had
trved TO settle by peaceful negotiation without resort to
war; and when the forces OF the occupied what
claimed to be the territory OF the other they did not fly
arms to eXel each other but regarded the disputed terri
tory neutral ground which both could occupy pending
the negotiation. Mexico, was clear. had waged the
war-had declared and begun the against the United
Statesmen because the forces under General Taylor
cuPed the territory but because Texas with the consent
of the United States hal annexed herself TO the Union If
there had been dispute about the annexation of Texas
the occupation of that Mexican territory, they
claimed it to be the other side-TeXan territory,
| ne NHh' v, anu HIS hlehiS maintained IL 10 pe-here
never would have been any war between Mexico ana
the United States. The war; then, waged by Mex
leo on the grounl expressly OF the annexation OF
Texas and not account of the disputed title to that
strip OF territory Such being the fact, he asked what
was to be done ? What would they have the President
and the democratic party and the do in regard
| to the war? If Mexico refused to negotlae-if she
threw away the scabbard declaring that she would
resume until she hal reConquered Texas to the Sabine
what left for the government of the United
States Were they 10 surrender Texas to Mexico;
Were they to recall their forces Did gentlemen not
know that if the American forces had deslsted from pur
suing the enemy and furnishing him, in the heart of
his country, Mexico would have laughed at their
| armaments-would have sncereA at all their warlike
preparatons-would have overrun Texas with her ban
dttikeepng up the conflict till doomslay, and putting
the United States incaculable expense, and all for
nothing No. The only way to obtain peace 10
for all that Texas could be and never would be
resored-and go with vigor until Mexico were
obliged to to terms. The gentleman from Massa-
chuSes Mr. HUDsoN,1 the other day, asked what the
President intended TO do with these provinces which had
been conquered by the enemy. He (NIr g. would tell
the gentleman what the American people intended
to do As for the President he intended to do nothing
he could only prosecute the which the people had
directed him to undertake commander n-chef, and
for which they had voted the supplies. The gentleman
from Massachusetts, ought have known better than to
have asked such question that He must have
known that the President could dispose of these
quered territories at all However, he tNlr G. would
inform the gentleman what the people Of the Uni
ted States meant to do they meant to hold the
Californias-they meant to make them a permanent
acquisition to the United States As for the President he
could do nothing, and meant TO do nothing in the prem
ses but to prosecute the which they had commanded
nIipd with tn IL,