Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-04-28
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
The March TO the Rio Granda.

0NSHSAsSbSo n
presume it is q part of the volume of cor
respondence, not yet reached, in the order
OF publication by the UNION. The disclo.
sure here made isof the highest importance
to the country, and must deeply confuse
the whig leaders, who have SO pertinacious-
ly insisted that the march to the Rio Grande
was the cause of the war; and as that
movement was directed solely by the Pres
ident, he alone is responsible for the conse-
quences These dispatches are written
from Corpus Christi. In the first, under
date of October 4th, l545, Gen. TAYLOR
says:
81 have reason to believe, moreover,t that
a salutary moral effect has been exercised
upon the Mexicans. Their traders are
continually carrying home the news ofour
position and increasing numbers, and are
confessedly struck by the spectacle of a
large camp Of wellappointed and disciplin-
ed troops, accompanied by perfect security
to their persons and property, instead Of
the impressment and pilage to which they
are subject in their own country. For
these reasons, our position thus fur has,
think, been the best possible; but, now that
the entire force will soon be concentrated,
it may we'll be question whether the views
Of government will be best carried out by
our remaining at this point. 1t is with
great Difference that [ make any sugges-
ton on topics which may become matter
Of delicate negotiation; but if our govern
ment, in settling the question Of boundary,
makes the line Of the Rio Grande an ulti-
matum, | cannot doubt that the settlement
will be greatly facilitated and hastened by
our taking possession al once of one or two
suitable points on or near that river. Our
strength and state Of preparation should
be displayed in manner not to be mistak-
en-. However salutary may be the effect
produced upon the border people by our
presence here, WE ARE TOO FAR FROM THE
OF MEXICO WITH OUR READINESS TO vINDI-
CATE, BY FORCE OF ARMS, IF NECESSARY,
OUR TITLE TO THE COUNTRY AS FAR AS THE
Rio GRANDE. The army of occupation
will in few days, be concentrated at this
point, in condition for vigorous and efec-
tive service. Mexico having as yet made
no positive declaration Of war, or commit
ted any overt act of hostilties, DO NOT
FEEL AT LIBERTY,UNDER MY INSTRUCTIONS,
PARTICULARLY THOSE OF July 8, to make
forward movement to the Rio Grande
without authority from the War Depart
mont"
And he writes on the 4th Of Feb'y 1s47:
IO,r oJ,,,noo TO Tho D in ,y;I
self produce powerful effect; and it may
be that the common navigation of the river
will not be disputed"
From these quotations, it is rendered in
disputable,
ls;. That on the 4th Of October, 1845,
ifnot indeed, on the 4th of February, 1s46,
Gen. TAYLOR not only had no orders to
move upon the Rio Grande, but was re-
strained from doing so.
I'd. That being upon the ground conver.
SAINT not only with all the facts, but the
policy of the Government in settling the
question of boundary, according to the act
Of Congress, he advised, and strongly urg-
ed, the movement upon the Rio Grande.
Sd. That in doing this, he was actuated,
as we'll on his own part, as in carrying out
the views of the government, by desire to
PREVENT, rather than PROVOKE collision;
foreseeing. as he did, that without this
such collision must be newt
able from the occupation, by a Mexican
army, Of the East bank Of that river.
AS matter of necessity, the Executive,
as commander-in-chie must look to those
who are in the immediate command of the
armies in the field, for advice and counsel;
-and this correspondence shows that
great confidence has been reposed at all
times, in Gen. TAYLOR, and his views and
opinions continually invited. In this
instance they are fortified with arguments
that were then calculated to strike the
mind with great force;-and they have
been confirmed, rather than weakened by
subsequent events True, the march upon
the Rio Grande, did not prevent the
but it is equally true, that it cid
not produce that event; for before that
march was begun, the Mexican army was
under orders, and on its way, not only to
occupy the country between the Rio
otuildO dliI ti!c 4NuS@So, Wv ~ &c 'COHIutFNl
The ~hole Of Teas.
We have no desire TO relieyethe Presi-
dent Of any responsibility that properly
attaches to his official acts; and certainly
we do not intend to impeach the judgement
or conduct Of Gen. Taylor. On the
contrary, we maintain the latter did we'll in
counseling, and the former in directing this
movement. In thus referring to the matter,
with the lights now before us, our object is
to show tho position in which the whig
leaders have placed themselves before the
country. They charge the President with
provoking the war. by directing the march
upon the Rio Grande. lnthe same breath,
they charge design to break down and
destroy Gen. TAYLOR; and have taken thar
gallant officer, as well in his military as
political capacity, under their especial care
and keeping. They are committed by his
counsels and bound by his acts; and now
- t,ry,e ont f,,t tho gary, rnovanonnt IF a1l |