Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-06-11
From The Richmond Wing.
Jefferson in 1905, versus Polk In IsA6.
A CASE IN POINT,

In the year 1905, the relations existing be.
tween Spain aud the United States bore a re.
markable resemblance, in all their leading fea.
lures, TO those existing between Mexico and The
United States, prior TO Gen. Taylor's march to
the Rio Grande. A question of boundary was
in dispute between Spain and the United States
in 1905, as between Mexico and the United
States in 1876, and the first as we'll as the last
was complicated with long standing conlrover.
sy growing out Of unsatisfed claims for indemni-
~ for spolotions committed by persons acting
under the authority Of Spain upon the commerce
Of the United States. A convention was entered
into by the Envoy Of the United States at Mad
! rid and the Minister Of the Government for For
cign Affairs, by which Spain agreed to pay for
the spolialions committed by her subjecs-as a
similar agreement was some years since entered
into between Mexico and the United States for
the like purpose. But before the stipulations OF
the treaty with Spain could be fully complied
with, the cession of Louisiana by France TO the
United States had taken place-as, before Mexi-
co had fulfilled the provisions Of her treaty, Tex
as had become, by her own act, one of the States
of this Union. From the moment oflhe transfer
Of Louisiana, as Mr.. Jefferson informs Congress,
in his Confidential Message Of the 10Th of De-
cember, 1905 Spain "seemed to change her con-
duct and disposition towards us''--as Mexico did
after the annexation of Texas. Spain first "pro-
tested against the right of France TO ALLEVIATE
Louisiana 10 us" as Mexico denied the right of
Texas 10 become n member of the American
Conlederacy. Then, (says Mr.. Jefferson J
high offence was manifested (by the Spanish
Government) atthc act of Congress establishing
collection district on the Mobiles" and she f..
nally "relused to ralify the Convention signed
by her own Minister, under the eye of his Sow
ereign, unless we would consent to alterations Of
its terms, which would have affected our claims
against hor for the spoliations by French sub.
jecls carried into her ports"--in this respect 90.
ing much farther in her insulting and injurious
policy Than had ever been done by Mexico, who
faithfully complied, even though compelled 10
raise the money by forced loans, with the stipu.
laions Of the treaty Of indemnify into which she
had entered, until the annexation of Texas dis.
turbed the amicablc relations orthe two countries,
and led TO the cessation Of all diplomatic inter.
course between them, and in fact to a state of
quasi hoslililics.
What course did Mr.. Jefferson pursue, under
a state of facts so similar to those which existed
between Mexico and the United States, when Mr..
Polk transcending the limits Of his constitution.
al authority, made war upon Mexico, by ordering
the invasion Of territory, which, though claimed
by Texas, (as Santa Fo even has always been,)
was never for Il moment occupied by Texan citi.
zens or subjec. to the jurisdiction of her laws,
but which, on the contrary, had been. as no one
is bold enough 10 deny, but as Mr.. Donnelson,
our Minister to Texas during its separate exis.
tenco, Mr.. Marcy, MIR. Benton, and M. c. J.
lngersoll admit, and as the whole volume of tes.
rimony on the subject, official and unofficial,
proves, in undisputed and uninterrupted posses.
sion of Mexican citizens aud Mexican garrisons,
until they fled at the approach Of Gen. Tayor's
Did Mr.. Jefferson undertake 10 settle
the question Of boundary by the military occupa.
ton of the territory in dispute between Spain and
The United Slalesi Did he claim, either in ex.
press terms or by inference, the power usurped
by Mr.. Polk Of summarily determining the con.
troversy with Spain by grand military demon
slraiion, which, but for the deluSon under which
he and his advisers lObored, that Mexico could
not be 'kicked into u war" Mr.. Polk would have
known must have resulted, as il has done, in a
proracted and sanguinary conAict--a conflict |
thus brought on by the Executive, without the
previous sanction Of the war.making power1-
No: Mr.. Jefferson did no such thing. He had
Il justcr appreciation both of his constitutional
and moral responsibility. He sent Minister 10
Spain-James Monroe-"io endeavor TO procure
a ratification Of the former Convention, and to
come to an understanding with Spain as TO the
boundaries of LouiSiana" Mexico, including
Pexas, to the Sabine, being then under the do
minon of the Spanish Govemment.) How did
Spain mee, this pacific overIurel Very much
as Mexico met the overture made to her through
Mr. Slidell She did not, 1t is true, refuse to re-.
csivs our Minister, as indeed che could not, di.