Democratic banner., 1847-09-13

SANS1 oAN AA s"N SASAA
newspapers that wal and nothing less than
war, was designed by that government in
the event that the Texan Congress should
agree to the terms of annexation. There
fore in a letter from the department to Gen.
Taylor dated the 18th June, 1S45, MI. Mar
cy says: "On the 9th July next or very soon
thereafter, the convention of the people of
Texas will probably accept the proposition
of annexation under the irint resolution of
the late Congress of the United States
That acceptance will constitute Texas an
integral portion of our country. In a%ntici-
patton of that event you will make a for
ward movement with the troops under your
command and advance to the mouth of the
Sabine or to such other point on the Gulf
of Mexico or its ~navigable waters, as in
your judgment may be most convenient for
an e%mbsrkation at the proper time to The
mestern frontier Of Teras."
No one can fail to notice the words,
cat the proper time" in the above des-
patch. They are very significant of the
great wish which the administration has
manifested on every occasion, to avoid a
resort to arms to settle our difficulties with
that nation. In fact I am not sure but our
government has too often condescended to
stay its victorious hand and offer terms of
peace to an obstinate enemy, who are too
Ignorant to appreciate our motives or too
stubborn and naughty to yield until resis-
lance shall be completely suppressed by
the active and vigorous measures Of our
government, and the repeated blows of our
armies in the field. But to continue: The
President was DESTROYS that Gen. Taylor
should occupy one of the places above sPe-
cited, in order that he 'might act promptly
and effectually in the defence Of Texas in
the event it might become necessary"
hoping in the meantime that the Mexicaus
might cease their hostile demonstrations,
and that the time for his em~barkation, even
"to the western frontier Of Texas might
never come. But on the 23d August Mr..
Marcy writes TO Gen. Taylor as follows
"There is reason to believe that Mexico is
making efforts to assemble a large army on
the frontier of Texas for the purpose Of en-
tering its territory and holding forcible
possession of it."
1t will be recollected that the despatch
Of Mr.. Donelson of June 4th and various
other evidence of the hostile designs OF
Mexico had reached the department after
the date of the letter of the Secretary Of
War to Gen. Taylor of the 10Th of June.
and before the writing of the one last men-
toned, dated 23d August. The administra-
ton believed, and justly too, that the time
had come when the threatened invasion
would have to be repeled. Every man in
our country can recollect, if he will, that
during the spring and simmer Of lS45, he
almost daily conversed with his friends and
neighbors in every group and assembly, Of
the ignorance and maddened phrenzy Of
the Mexican people in their war-like pre-
parations for u contest with tho United
States. 1t is therefore the more strange
that when the contest had commenced, and
that too by the act of Mexico, as must ap-
pear to every impartial man, who will ex-
anime the commencement of this war, there
should be found so many %viulent partizans
in our country, ready to charge upon our
present Executive the vast responsibility
of forcing us into it "without cause OF
provocation."
They say forsooth, that Gen. Taylor in
carrying out the orders of the Department
and taking his position on the western bank
of the Nueccs, actually marched his army
upon Mexican soil, and therefore virtually
committed an act of war. / deem it un-
necessary to renew the discussion here with
regard to the western boundary of Texas.
l will speak more fully of that when | come
to notice the march of Gen. Taylor on the
next year from Corpus Christi, his present
position, to the east bank of the Rio Grande.
These individuals affect to believe too, that