The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-27

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found very different views from mine entertained there
Those in power were quite as confident that the march
OF General Taylor TO the Del Nore would not IN its
sequences involve they were that notice without
compromise reference TO the joint occupancy OF Oregon
would not involve war with England,
In looking back upon these matters have the satsfac-
ton feel that fully performed my duty both here and
elsewhere with reference to these important questions
With my view of the character and consequences OF the
in the estimation of my friends both in and out OF Con-
gress for refusing to vote for the bill recognising the
istence of made by the act OF Mexico have been
urged by them to explain the reasons Tor my course on
that occasions but persisted IN declining to DO So be-
cause could not that il would be OF any service to
the country while it might weaken the hands OF those
who are charged with the prosecution OF the war: |
adopted the only course which, according TO my opnion
could with propreyto take active or leading part
in reference intended for carrying on the
war; but to give quiet and silent in favor of all
which did not seem to decidedly Objectionable; but,
in the time TO look out for the first favorable OPP
porunity of presenting my views how the war should be
conducted to bring it advanageously to successful
termination accordingly embraced the opportunity on
the discussion of the three million bill now before the
Senate to present not IN the spirit OF opposi
tion but of kindness, to the administration reserving to
myself the expression of my opinion to the causes OF
the for some suitable occasion. 1t seems however
that the friends OF those in power not satisfied with
this my part: il became object oil assault
both in this chamber and without its walls. The senator
from Tennessee Immediately on my right MIR TuRNEYl
commenced the attack here by directly charging with
being the author OF the and il has since been fol-
lowed by the senator from Missouri this occasion.
line which had prescribed for myself, and to enter into
the question, Who is the author the cause of the war
The responsibility is not on me- but on those who have
compelled me to make the departure. Thus far have
limited what have said strictly to self defence, as shall
also do on the present OCCASION
In looking to the causes which led TO the war, 60
one step further back than the senator from Maine, Mr.
EvANs,] who discussed the subject in this aspect with
great accuracy and ability. He began with Mr. SidePs
mission and negotiation goa step further back to the
management OF the negotiation prior to- that period
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two great questions hand connected with our foreign
relationship Oregon and the Mexican. AS different as
they their character, and remote as the two
powers from each other, there intimate con-
nexon between them which could not be overlooked in
conducting the negotiation without falling into great and
dangerous Such at least is my opinion. wish to
say nothing to wound the feelings of the distinguished
dvdua who had charge of the negotiation, but to
that he fell into great error In consequence OF over
looking this conneXion between the two subjects IC
my mind il is OF the ceares OF propositions, that there
could be no wel-ounded hope of adjusting difficult
ties with Mexico until the Oregon question was finally
settled Why so The reason is obvious Mexico
knew that we had heavy claims against her which she
was little able to pay. Debtors without usu
ally shy OF their creditors She could not but see that
there chance of escaping demands against her
provided conflict should ensue between us and Eng
land in reference to Oregon. She could not but see
recovering either part the whole of Texas by al
lance with England, and availing herself OF the aid OF
British strength and resources IN waging war against
u.s. AT all events, she would look with confidence to
her being protected ally of England in the treaty
BY which the war should be terminated Whatever OBJ
lection may be made to England she never deserts an
ally 1t seemed to under these circumstances
that great to suppose that the differences
with Mexico could be adjusted while those with Eng
land were pending Our true policy, then according to
gotiaiion with Mexico until that question was finally
Settled When that was effected and Mexico could nc
longer look to the support of England in her controversy
with us, she would see the folly of declining adjust
the differences between and enter into conflict with
power every way so vastly her superior.
There would then, be another advantage which would
greatly favor settlement of our difficulties with Mexico
The eloquent senator from Louisiana has truly said that
Mexico, at least far as capital is concerned, was
British colony The immense interest which England
has in the country would have enlisted her on the side
of peace, and the whole Of her vast influence would have
been exered to induce Mexico TO enter into satsfac-
the influence of these powerful causes with little for
bearance and prudence part all the causes of dif-
ference between the two countries would ere THIS have
been settled by treaty satisfactory to both.
4 An opposite course was, however, unfortunately
taken both negotiations pushed at the same time
and that with Mexico with q, least as much zeal and as
of the republic of Mexico Herera) was friendly to the
United States and anxously disposed on that account
as well Others TO settle the differences with Act
ing under these feelings, he acceded to the proposition
to receive commissioner without duly rejecting as the
events proved these great lmpedmens IN the minds
of the Mexcans against treating with The result
was as might have been anticipated Paroles took add
vantage OF the and hurled Herrera from power;
and the effect OF this premature attempt at opening nego-
power, deeply committed against settling the differences
between the two countries, and thereby,-as ought to-
have been foreseengreatly to increase the difficulty OF
any future settlement OF the questions. what followed
from this unfortunate step until ended in war between
the countries, has been clearly traced by the
senator from Maine, to supersede the necessity OF my
touching upon II.
The overlooking of the intimate connexon of these two
questions, was not only the first link in that series OF
causes which finally terminated IN this war, but 1t came
near preventing the settlement of the Oregon question
Had the action of Congress, which finally led to the set
was known that the skmishes had taken pace be-
tween our forces and the Mexicans on the Ro
Grande, (bu short perod) there is every reason
to believe the Oregon question would not have been
closed speak upon high authorty--the escape was
a narrow one Fortunately, the British government
promptly acted upon the notice and rendered PROPOSE
ton to minister which the settlement was finally
made which he received and forwarded to our govern
ment but few days before news was received IN Eng
land of the skirmishes on the Rio Grande But while
they fortunately occurred too late to prevent settlement
of the Oregon question: they unfortunately occurred too
soon preserve peace with Mexico But II the policy
which the administration first adopted after annexation
had been pursued, occupy the frontier of Texas with
military forces to the extent OF country which she
held at the time OF annexation and fuher-thcre is
every 10 believe that the settlement OF the Ore
gon question the peace of the two countries would have
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i II is true Mexico claimed the whole of Texas but is
equally that she recognised the difference, and show
ed disposition to upon it, between the country known
as Texas proper and the country between II and the Del
Norte II is also true that and Texas recognised the
same difference and that both regarded the boundary as
unsetted-as the resolution OF annexation which pro,
vides that the boundary between Texas and Mexico shall
worthy OF remark in this connexon, that this provision
in the Joint resolution is understood to have been inserted