The daily union., 1846-06-30

"2. Every individual, Of whatever condition,
VINO may eontrayene provisions Of the preceding ar
tice, shall be regarded traitor and shall receive
The punishment prescribed in article as tide TO-
Use B, OF the articles Of war.
u. Every individual who may be found at the
distance Of one league from the let bank of the Rio
Bravo, viii be regarded a fayorer and accomplice
of the usurpers ofthat part the national territory
and traitor TO his country; and AFTER summary
military trial, shall receive the said punishment
~. Every Individual who may be comprehended
within the provisions ofthe preceding article, and
may be rash enough 70 fly at The sight Of any force
belonging to the supreme government shall be pur-
sued until taken, or put TO death.
% In consideration OF the situation OF the towns
OF Laredo and Santa Rita de Ampuda as we'll as Of all
the arm-houses beyond the Rio Bravo, in which re-
main Al The interests OF the inhabitants of the line
leommiiied 70 my charge, have this day received,
from the supreme government ordersto deterins the
nsIsusf by which those interests are to be proeeed
but, until the determination Of the sapreme govern
ment be received, warn all those whoar beyond
the limits here prescribed TO bring them within the
line, or 10 abandon them as those who disobey this
order will infallibly suffer the punishment hsrs
tablished.
| ADRIAN woLL."
As "a question for negotiation, the case would be
different from one Of defence from invasion. The
President was bound TO protect whatever was claimed
as American ground, In 1874, General Wayus,
by President Washington's orders, rayagod the 10
dian possessions on our western frontier, (now
Ohio,) and burnt the residence Of Colonel Mckee
the British agent When the commander Of the
British fort, on disputed territory, complained Of
Wsyne's violence, his answer was that II necessary
he would subdue the British- troops and fort, In
1873 General Wilkinson, by order of President
Madison pursuant 10 a resolution Of Congress, for
chilly seized the Spanish fort where the city Of
Mobile now stands, then disputed territory, claimed
lby the United States az louisiana, but held by
Spain Florida President Polk had no consttu-
honai right to stop short OF the Bravoi and, in
truth, the province Of Texas extended thai river
by territorial confgurauon, which nature herself
has rendered the hmitary demarcation Of that re.
gon.
The published correspondence between the War
Department and General Taylor is all proof that,
like the President, his prudent lieutenant at the head
Of the small army Of occupation was earnestly re-
solved against any aggression.
| On the 18th Of May, l845, the Secretary of War
addressed a communication to General Taylor, then
at Fort JesuP, Louisiana, directing him to place
the forces under his command, and such might
subsequently be assigned To him, in a position
where they could most promptly and efficiently act
in defence ofTexas in case il should become neces-
sary or proper TO employ them for that purpose.
AS soon as the Texan Congress shall have given
its consent TO annexation, and convention shall
assemble and accept the offered in the resolu
tons of Congress, Texas will then be regarded by
the executive government here far part of the
United States 10 be entitled from this government
10 defence and protection from foreign INVASION and
|
will be placed and kept in readiness TO perform this
duty" Until such should be formally given
General Taylor instructed not to enter Texas
except in pursuit Of Indians nyadug that republic |
from the territory ofthe United States, and with the
appreciation Of the Texan authorities.
! On the 18th of June. lS45, communication was |
addressed, To General Taylor by Mr.. Bancroft, then
acting Secretary Of War, informing him that the
4th Of July then ensuing, or very soon after, the
convention Of the psople Of Texas would probably
Congress Of the United States, and nstructng him,
General Taylor in anticipation of this event,
advance to the mouth Of the Sabine, or to such |
other point on the. Gulf Of Mexico he might |
Judge most cony enient tor embarcation at the
proper time for the western frontier of Texas" In
this despatch the secretary uses the following Ian
guage; "The point of your ultimate destination is
the western frontier Of Texas, whore you will Sc
lect and occupy, on or near the Rio Grands del
Norte such a site as will consist with the health of
the troops, and will be best adapted TO repeI inva-
sion, and to protect what, the event of annexa-
ton, will be our western border. You will limit |
yourself to the defence of the territory of Texas |
unless Mexico shall declare against the United |
States" |
As was anticipated, the convention of Texas, on |
the 4th Of July, 1s45, by unanimous vote, accept
ed the terms Of annexation offered by the Congress
of the United States. |
On the 9th Of the same month, the Secretary of |
War addressed to General Taylor the following or
der
"This department is informed that Mexico has |
some military establishments the east side of the
| Rio Grande, which are, and for some time have |
been, in the actual occupancy of her troops. In |
carrying out the instructions heretofore received, |
you will be careful to avoid any of aggression,
unless actual state of should exist. The |
Mexican forces at the posts in their possession and
which have been SO, will not be disturbed long as
the relations of peace between the United States and
Mexico continue" |
On the Goth of the month, General Taylor |
replied, ackno Wledging the receipt of the above in
sructons, and adding: |
"Those instructions will be closely obeyed, and the
department may rest assured that will take no
step TO interrupt the friendly relations between the
United States and Mexico | gratifed at re.
ceiving these Instructions, as they confirm my
views, previously communicated, in regard to the
proper line 10 be occupied at present by troops"
This despatch dated at New Orleans. About
the same time, General T. received a letter from
Mr.. Doneson, minister in Texas, informing him
Of the unanimous act Of the Texan convention, ac-
cepting the terms Of annexation proffered by Con-
gress On the next day after receiving this nforma.
tion he left New Orleans by steamboat, with por-
ton Of his troops, for western Texas, agreeably TO
previous instructions, and arrived at st. Joseph's
island (Aransas inlet) July 25th and after es-
tabshed his quarters at Corpus Christi, on the psst
side Of the river Nuetes, near it, mouth.
| On the 30th of the month, the Secretary of
War addressed him follows
"He (the Presdent) has not the requisite informa-
ton in regard to the country to enable him to give
any positive directions as to the position you ought
to take, or the movements which it may be expe-
dent TO make. These must be governed b = cir
cums,ances While avoding-as you have been
instructed to do-all aggressive measures towards
Mexico, as long as the relations of peace exist be-
tween that republic and the United States, you are
expected occupy, protect and defend the territory
of Texas to the extent that it has been occupied by
the people Of Texas The Rio Grande is claimed
to be the boundary between the two countries, and
up to this boundary you are to extend your protec
ton, only excepting any posts on the eastern side
thereof which are in the actual occupancy of Mex
lean forces, Mexican settlements over which the
republic Of Texas did not exercise Jurisdiction at
the period Of annexation, or shortly before that
event 1t is expected that, in selecting the esab-
lishment for your troops, you will approach near
the boundary lne-the Rio Grande-as prudence