Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-05-21

Jefler.on in 1905, rer.u. Polk in Isie.

In the year 1905 the relations existing between Spain
and the United States bore remarkable resemblance in
oil their leading features, those existing between Mex
co and the United States pror General Tayors march
the Rio Grande. question OF boundary in dispute
between Spain and the United States 1906 between
Mex the United States in 1876 and the first ell
the last complicated with long standing
vcrsy growing OF unssshed claims for indemnity
spolaons committed by persons acting under the auhor
OF Spain upon the OF the United States.
convention entered BY the Envoy of the United
States Madrid and the Minister Of that
Foreign Affairs by which Spain agreed pay spo-
hsons committed by her suhjecis-as similar agreement
years since entered into between Mexico and
United States for the like purpose But before the stpula.
OF the treaty with Spain could be fully complied WITH
the cesson Of Louisiana by France the United States had
taken psce-as before Mexico mad fulfilled the provisions
of her treaty. TEXAS had become by her act one OF
the States Of this Union From moment of the trans
fer Of Louisiana Mr.. Jefferson informs Congress in HI.
Confidential Message OF the 9th OF December $685. Spain
seemed to charge her conduct and disposition towards
us-as Mexico did after the annexation OF Texas Spain
first protested against tine night Of France TO ALLEVIATE
Louisiana TO u.s." Mexico denied the night Of Texas to
become a member OF the American COnederacy. Then.
tsays Mr. Jefeson) high offence manifested by the
Spanish Govetnment the act Congress establishing
collection di,tic the Mobile !" and she finally ieiu.
ssd rstfy the Convention signed by her Minister.
eye OF his Sovereign unless would consent to
alterations Of lie TERMS which would have affected our
claims against her for the sp)liaons by French subjects
carried her Porn this respect going much farther
her insulting and injurious policy than had ever been
done By Mexico, who faithfully complied, even though
compelled the money by forced leans with the st
PuaOns Of the treaty Of indemnity which she had en-
tered until the OF Texas disturbed the AMIGA
bic relations OF the countries led TO the cessation
OF all diplomatic intercourse between Them and IN fact 10
state # quasi hostiIiiies.
What course did Mr. Jefferson pursue under state e
facts similar those which existed between Mexico and
the United States when Mr. Polk ausee ndne the limits
OF his constitutional authority. msde upon Mexico by
ordering the invasion OF territory which, though claimed
by Texas tas san'a Fe has always been was never
for occupied by Texan citizens or subject to the
jurisdiction OF her laws but which, on Ihe contrary had
BEEN IS bold enough deny, but Mr. Donnel-
son our Minister - Texas during its separate existence
Mr. Marcy, Mr. Benton, and M c. j. Ingersoll admit
and as the whole volume Of testimony on the subject
ofcal and unofficial, proves, IN undisputsd and I'M
interrupted possession Of Mexican citizens and Mexican
grs'as, until they fled the approach Of Gen Tayior.
columns Did Mr. Jefferson unicriske TO settle the oues
non OF boundary by the military occupation OF the territory
dispute between Spain and the United States Did A.,
eam either IN express terms or by inference the power
usuped by Mr. Polk OF summary determining the con-
uoversy with Spain by grand military demonstration
which, but for the deluson under which he and his
Polk would have known have resulted as has done
in ptoiracted aud sanguuary conhet-a conAic, thus
brought by the Executive without previous sanction
OF the wamaking power No: Mr.. Jefrson did no such
thing lie had Juser appreciation both OF his constitu
tional and moral responsibility. He sent Minister Il
Span,-Jsmcs Monroe,-"to endeavor procure a Iatif
cHon Of the former Convention and come 10 an under
standing with Spain 10 the boundaries Of Louisiana
(MexcO, including Texas to the Sabine being then under
the dominion Of the Spanish Government) How did
Spain meet this pacific overture Very much as Mexco
met The made 10 her through Mr. Sdel She did
not, 1t True, refuse to receive Minister indeed she
could moi, diplomatic relations having been formally
suspended between the L. Sles and herself they had
BEEN previous to the appointment Of Mr. Slide between
the United States and Mexico. But although che received
she uaed with him. az appeared says Mr. JEFF
ieson) that her policy herself for events
and ~ the neon time keep differences in an unde-
termned slate" Thus matters remained for nee month,
dunng which period Mr. Monroe was engaged IN Cfuie.s
efforts bring them definite resultant At the end f
that time bo "ended the conference WITHOUT 6aras bee,
able 10 obtain indemnify for spOhaOHs Of any desepffog
any satstaetoH 10 The boundaries Of Lousiana -
MIR. Jeff-rson in his Confidential Message to Compress
before which he deemed his duty TO lay these fac for
ne judgment and ncnon, by which his was to be d.
Teeied aud controlled, said "Our injured citizens were
thus left pifhoHt prospect Of reiribufon from the
wrong-doer and TO boundary, each party wos to take m
own CouIte-hh IN the case OF Mexico and the United
States IN lo46. But there here essential difference
the restye attitude Of Mexico and Spain towards II,
for while Mexico threatened no aggressive movement ana
seemed content that the boundary and all other
IA dispute should remain for the present Spain
inmaied her intention, Mr. Jefferson informed Con-
go, 40 advance on our pOsisssOns until they shal be
TePressed by opposing force" Nevertheless with this
threat impending him, Mr. Jefferson did no, dare 10
nrogao 10 himself the right direct aggressive move
u nd he a F,,
snee, which commend to the special consideration OF
Mr. Folk and the defenders Of his unconstutonsl pro
eeedings IN regard to The Mexican War, under crcuD.
stances closely resembling those thst existed IN sos
Mt Jefferson took the OF bic powers as Cbisf
Magistrate, which the Wings insist that Mr.. Polk
should have taken and which, h,d they been adopted by
him. Tor his guidance, would unquesuonably have event
81 the which we are now Engaged or. If not.
would at least have gwen the sanction Of constitution,
authority, the want Of which the princip grounds
OF attack upon u usurpng authors What that te,s9nl
Considering (sad Mr. JehsrsOn) that CONGRESS
hboNb {" eoH'tfuiionahg iHossisd uih the potost o.,
changing condition from Peace 10 Var have bt,
AMY DUTY TO AWAIT THEIR AUTHORITY F1p
USING FORCE, In any destec which could be avoided
have barely instructed the officers stationed IN the
bothood 10 ptoicc; our citizens from violetce Ia ps
WnHs rvs BORDERS ACTUALLY DELIVERED To ur AND gor
TO 90 our ~ rnts but when u,cossay fepe on nfoad
iofo'eue e'uzen OF his properly" Such was tho tone
10y ''F',1 W '"' HP'eNe whose disciple Mr. Poi
P'os'es 70 be-and that, too although a. he stated
Iohe's the circumstance Then existing required prom,
aouon-the crss IN Europe being as he remarked favor,
be for ptsa'ing seulemon, boz ing which no, r
meni should 10 osi But yet, although speedy action ",
necessary, be properly declined usurpng power o1pr,
withheld from him by inc Constitution 10 which he b,
soiemny sworn ~ conform bis seton lie deelinsd +,
ciuse In bic words "hc course 10 be pursued will
qshe the command Of means which ~ rrtosos TO Co,
sHfts FxctusvfIv 10 Weld or 20 DENY r., tb.,, h. go
tp5esl 1oommuncate every fact material Tor their inform
uon and the documents enable them % iud
~ tbomselves To Asir pisdom, thon look for Z
AN pursue, and will pursue, with sincere 20
ftst Wk'eL fAsy shall oTprors"
How feires'iag 10 torn back to those times OF eEyr
RuuHLoASisN--to sosfeh oui the old pats" uod BY
fathers Of ne Consultation who're footsteps have been
Ltsfaicd bT TIE destructive march Of Moprsv PaooREaf
Dsscasesi What BE- more striking Than the co