The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-01-14
BRANDON, Thursday January IA, l047.

ldent is the refusal of Mexico to receive MI
Slidell. Mr.. Chairman, | do not propose t
60 into a detailed examination of the CORES
pondence upon this subject.
will simply say that Mexico apprized thi
Government in advance that the annexation
of Texas would be regarded by her as an ac
of hostility When Texas was annexed, tn,
Mexican Minister resident in this country de
manded his passports and left the country
and thus diplomatic intercourse between Thu
Government and Mexico ceased. Our Gov
ernment subsequently sent message to Mex
leo, to ascertain whether she would open di
plomatic relations and receive a minister from
the United States. The Mexican Minister
informed Is that, although Mexico had just
ground Of complaint against the United States
for her c9nt}'ct in relation 10 1cr0s, she would
receive a Commissioner TO treat on hGt sub
jcct And whenever Mexico spoke of receiv-
ing an agent from this Government, she was
careful to use the term commissioner" and
when there is any explanation whatever, any
thing to fix the meaning of the term, it is com
missioner to treat on the very subject which
had been the cause of the suspension Of di-
plomatic relations. A minister was sent to
Mexico, but in what character did he appear :?
In the character Of special commission ?
No; he went as an convoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary," to reside near the
Government of Mexico. He was authorized
not to treat specially upon the subject which
had interrupted our diplomatic relations, but
upon all subjects in dispute between the two
governments; and he demanded reception
as a resident minister in Mexico, clothed with
full powers. To his request Mexico replied
+l,,4t
ments was suspended on account of the annex
alton Of Texas, and if they were to receive a
minister resident in the country, it would be
confessing that annexation was no ust cause
for the recall Of their Minister; and that they
could not do it, consistently with their honor
and with the usage Of nations that they would
receive a commssioner-and they made this
declaration to the last-a commissioner to
treat upon the subject which had interrupted
our relations and when that was disposed of,
they would receive a minister resident. Now,
it may be said, that this was special pleading;
an aftCrthought on the part of Mexico. Well
suppose it was was there not something Of
the same character on our part? They de-
clared to the last that five would send COM
missioner to treat upon the subject which had
interrupted our diplomatic relations, they
would receive him and when that was dis
posed of, they would receive a resident min
istcr We insisted that they must receive a
minister resident, or none at all. Now, here
are the facts in the case. do not undertake
to decide which was in the right, and which
was in the wrong there seems to be a little
special pIeadiag on both sides Of the qucs-
lion.
Admitting, however, that Mexico was
more in the wrong than we, contend there
was no Just of war in this case. Any
nation, if she pleases, has a right to stand in
IN Independent position, and refuse to open
diplomatic relations with other Powers. 1t
nay be unwise in them to do it but | have |
yet to learn that it is just cause of war -
There has been little black republic in our
,wn neighborhood, with whom we have re-
used to Interchange these civilitics The |
ubject has frequently been brought up in
his House, and voted down by the very men
Who feel so indignant towards Mexico, be-
ause she would not receive Mr.. Slidell as
esident minister. China, | believe, to this
Law, receives no minister resident near her
eat of government, from any nation whatev-
r. This may be folly, but IL is not such
rhine as will justify a war.
But the gravest charge brought forward by
he President, and one which deserves more
consideration than any other, is this: Mexico
passed the boundary of the United States, in
AIDED our territory, and shed American blood
pon American soil If this charge was sus-
aimed, l admit that it would furnish a just
ause of war. But this statement fthe Pres
dent, bold2and frank, plain and Ineligible
s 1t is, Is unfortunately wanting in justice
nd truth. The facts in the case do not in
ny degree sustain the President, but they are
otallv irreconciIable with his position, as |
hall attempt to show.
Mexico passed our boundary! Our army,
" the unjustfable orders Of the President,
,assed the boundary of Mexico. Mexico com
nenced hostilities The President himselfwas
he aggressor. He ordered the army into
Iexico; he commenced hostilities not only
Without law, but in direct violation of the first
principles of our organic law--eXercising the
var-making power, and thereby trenching
pon the prerogative of Congress and that,
90, while they were in session, and could
AVE been consulted at any moment.
This is a lust statement of the case. Twill,
owever, give the President the full benefit
f all the arguments he employs, and all the
tatements he makes in support Of his position.
In the first place, however, | wish to say
hat Texas, whatever her boundaries, were /
cld by the right ofrevolution. AS my friend
rom Tennessee (Nr, Gentry observed just
s far as she sustained her authority by the
word, and was unable to maintain her juris-
iction, there her boundaries are to be sought.
t matters not whether she was originally
ounded by the Nueces or the Rio Grande
he question as to her original boundary is
ntirey superseded She rebelled against
he parent country; and just so far as she ex-
ended her arms and maintained her author
by Just so far are her boundaries extended.
,he held her territory by the title by which
he held herself-hc right Of rccolution but,
While her boundary was formerly the Nueces
admit she did extend her authority over
hat river, so as oinclude Corpus Christi and
few small settlements on the western bank
f that river. make this statement in adj
ance, because the argument the President,