Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-17

with the enemy by Of his order the Nueces
submitted the whole Congress- who has the sole power
to make under constitution, this Mexican would
never have had an existence.
But the President did think proper TO take this course
He neglected to consult Congress until troops had been
brought into collision with the Mexican amy-un war had
actually been made. And then, the party in power
had given proper time for that deberaton which the import
of the occasion demanded this Executive war would
have ended with the victories of Pale Alto and Resacq de la
Palma and army would have crossed the Rio Granae
TO invade and conquer Mexico Whether the President is
sponsbe for having commenced this not question
which suppose will only be settled by history But all
have opinions beg leave express mine in
gle sentence.
If taking possession of territory claimed by and in the ac
ua possession of another with armed force competent
drive out its inhabitants and hold the country and then direct
ing that armed force to take hostile position within gunshot
OF city belonging to the adversary, is actual war; il
certainly doing that which the President ought have known
under the of feeling then existing between the parties,
would inevitably lead to war;
But though the President may be responsible for bringing
on the war at the time and in the manner in which it
brought on there others who equally responsible TO
the country for producing the of things of which
our difficulties with Mexico have arisen. These difficulties
We're produced by two hasty and, believe by
situional acts committed by Government The first
The annexation OF Texas 10 the UnSn by OF joint
resolution oil Congress The second the sending
my into Texas, before it part of the United States In
the s act this Senate participated We, this side of the
chamber opposed that measure both unconstitutional and
Vicious as measure that would not only lead to with
Mexico but also endange the peace and welfare the Union
at home. All that said that occasion has BEEN is
about 10 be- fuhed with Mexico lust for the acquisi
uon OF territory, extension OF slavery other Mexican
PROVINCES internal dissensions have all followed in quick sue;
cesSion that unlawful and reckless deed But my object
in referring to that is for another purpose 1t well
known that the Texas resolutions could have passed the
Senate without the amendment which gave the President
the discretion either to submit the resolutions of annexation to
Texas, or to proceed by negotiation and treaty.
ne OBJECT OF this amendment enable the President
to settle by treaty the boundary line between Texas and Mex
ico and TO prevent by liberal policy part, any difficult
ues mat might arise out of the annexation of Texas the
United States 1t this feature the resolution that
came the conscientious scrupes of the Senator from Aaba
ma, (Mr. BAGBY.) We assured that the Executive
would adopt the treaty mode and without that the
resolution would not have passed.
But what was the result Why the then Executive (NIr
Iyle) Immediately adopted the simple resolutions of
on and sent them poshaste Texas for the
OF that Government The present Executive coming into
power soon AFTER approved the of his predecessors and
Immediately sent army into Texas and navy the
Gulf in order to enforce and defend by that which
his duty to have settled and adjusted by treaty.
do not intend to say that Mexico had the absolute right
interfere with the annexation of Texas TO the United States
or that bound consult her upon that subject But
knowing, did, the excited feelings of Mexico arising
out OF the peculiar circumstances attending the revolution and
OF Texas knowing, also, that Texas included
within her declared boundaries territories then in the actual
possession of the people of Mexico owed own
peace we owed the feelings and honor Of Mexico that
state OF honor and amiy which has always existed between
US and sister Republic owed the opinion OF the
world to act in spirit of forbearance towards Mexico and to
adjust these difficulties upon of the broadcast beraity
Had this policy been adopted the country would have been
saved the expense and calamity of this war
But this is past and will leave the President and those
who trusted to his discretion settle the matter between them
In adjusting disputes between individuals nations is
Important IN the first place. to ascertain, clearly and distinctly
the real matters of difference between the parties This be-
ing done, if the parties be honest in their claims and
tho
be but little difficulty IN making peace between hem unless
of the parties thinking he has the advantage of his adver
sa in the present position of the quarrel in bis superior
ability prosecute it extremes demands something beyond
what embraced in the original dispute, something by way
of indemnity to himself of punishment to his opponent
So Nh President in the present controversy between
and Mexico If the parties desire peace and nothing but
honorable peace there can, humble opinion be DIFF
hculy in obtaining IL il would but direct our attention
solely and steadily the which led the war; and
tie them without regard to Interior advantages.
And beg leave to put this question TO the Senate and
through the Senate the Executive who holds the issue
peace in his hands Are you willing to make peace by
and honorable settlement of the which led
the war Are you willing to say to Mexico in plain Eng
sh any other language that she may understand that if
she will acknowledge boundary the Rio Grande, and
pay the ndemnites justly due to citizens this shall
be at end regret to say that the President has ancpa
ted TO these nterngatore by what has been
muncaed to to-day through the chairman of the Commit
tee Foreign Relations The President is not willing
make peace by Just and honorable settlement Of all the
of difference between the nations. He is not willing
put end to the war; though Mexico yield all her grew
and claims and give all demanded at the time the
commenced He has other objects and motives for
the prosecution of the than those which avowed
the 9Th of December ls45, and the 18th of May 1916.
Gous in speaking of the of war; draws distinction
between what he calls the justyng and the
yes for the the former being that which assigned
10 the world and the latter that which exists the mind OF
the war-maker Thus in the of Alexander against Da-
RUS take vengeance of the Persians for the injuries they
had done to the Creeks the usng reason, whilst the
motive strong desire of glory, empire, and riches
When history TO record the OF this fear
she will be compelled to write that the ustying
signed to the world to avenge American blood shed
upon American soil, whilst the real motive strong de-
sire to obtain two Mexican provinces.
But to return. The Presidents object, have been
told to-day, in the further prosecution Of this to obtain
indemnity for the expenses of the in other words is
punish Mexico compelling her pay damages; the amount
to be taxed by the President and which he has already est
mated to be of the value Of New Mexico aud California
As the real objects of this disclosed the motives
of Its authors brought from the dark of the
cabinet into open daylight, how they will chill the aror and
dsappont the ropes of patriotic sodery Under the sol
of the Executive that this had been forced
upon by Mexico, that only object in continuing il
to resist aggression and conquer peace gallant army,
volunteers and regulars, have marched wherever you d.
rected them march, encounterng death in every shape
meeting the enemy wherever they could find him fighting
three glorious battles in each victorious and each more glo
rous than the former, and in all the baecry has been
fight for country strike for peace and not for spo
al -. a.