The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-02-26
WHO CAIISEn THE WAR,


Mr.. CIdwon's Testimony Confirming Mr.. CGLnonn's
In his late speech in the Senate, Hon. JOHN
M. CLAYTON of Del, thus corroborates the re-
markable statements Of Mr. CALHOUN, with re-
gard to the origin of the war with Mexico:
son that point Mr. President, desire to say
word. During the debate on the Oregon ques-
ton, as it is commonly called, in 1916, and some
time, as think, in the month of February of that
year, learned, from sources to which it is not
necessary now to advert, but upon which / felt
that could rely, that our Government had giv-
en- orders to Gen. Taylor to break up his en-
cdmpment at Corpus Christi, and march on the
Rio GrGnde. The instant 1 heard that, and
tcaS satisfied of ats truth-the Public at the lime
having no means Of knstcing the fdct--I aoas
Gfarn'ed at the apprehension of mGr Nth
.Merlco and it is true, as the Hon. Senator
from South Carolina has said, that did meet
him here in the Senate Chamber, and, in the
course of a confidential private conversation, I
did give him the information then possessed
l told him, sir, that | believed, unless some
speedy action were taken either by himself or
some other distinguished gentleman who coa5ad
arrest the downward tendency of things arising
from that order, we should be plunged into war
before we could possibly save ourselves At
that time, all men who were acquainted with
passing events and the position of our public at
England, ii it could be avoided consistently with
the honor and interests of the country. All our
efforts were devoted to the consideration of the
best means by which we could, in the exercise
OF all the prudence and judgment which God has
given us, avert from our country SO great a ca
lamity as war with England upon the question
of boundary. 1t was in these circumstances that
received the information and communicated it
to the hon. Senator from South Carolina His
First xola Il
impossbe!' precisely as he has related it in the
course of this debate. | assured him it was be-
You'd all doubt "Then," said he, when urged
that some measure be taken, "what can be
done'" |, as Wing, could not move in the
matter and urged that, unless the hon. Sena-
tor from S. G. and his friends or some other strong
division of the gentlemen ON the other side of
the Chamber, would move in the matter, we on
the Wing side should be utterly powerless. The
hon gentleman was at that time, as he has very
properly stated devoted to the same great object
which confess absorbed my own mind and the
minds of those round me-the prevention of
war with England and he declined to move,
lest his usefulness on that great question should
be in any degree contracted. In the course of
short time after that
sMr CALHoUE.-Ihe first Conversation acds
IN January, tChen you announced the fact and
the second conversation sDds an February'
MT CLAYToN.-Ie the Senator as right.
Thus, Mr. President, felt exonerated from all
responsibility in the matter"
'On the oath of April, and between the hours
OF twelve and one o'clock on that day, | was
talking with my friend from KY behind me, (Mr
Morehead) and | said had no doubt that we
were then at war with Mexico and added, |
believe we have had a fight
Sportively we laid small wager on the mat
ter, and it turned out afterward, for | made
minute Of it, that ! won the bet by about
four hours, for Thornton's dragons were cut mp
about four o'clock In the morning of the same
day Well, these events recalled and Impressed
upon my mind this great fact, that, while Houses
OF Congress remained in ignorance, and those
who knew could not move, the President of the
Y. s. ,odS ordering the army of the u S. upon
the RiO Grande, and taking a step of tDhich the
aneo,td6te consequence prO1ed to be 1Udr.
cat the time war was declared, denounced
it as the act Of the President of the U. s., but
avowed myself then, and | have ever since
avowed myself, willing to vote supplies for the
war 6etseUe that the aOdr acaS brought on bu
thls thing of marching the Grn1y, aDithout anu
necessity, from Corpus Christi to the Rio
GrGnde; done, too, achile Congress tUGS in ses-
SION, WITHOUT one tcOrd being communicated as
TO the intention Of the President of the U. s.
either to the Senate or the House, or to any
Committee of either House of Congress, or, as
far as have been able to judge, to any member
OF either House OF Congress. Under these CIR
cumstances, Mr. President, the responsibility of
the ,cdr acW probably rest on him tchO ought to
bear it,.
Tn D.,