The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-11-20
Mr. Clay's Speech at Lexington


Yorklpapers.
The day was rainy, but a large meetin
was assembled. Gen. Leslie Combs intro
duced Mr. Clay to the meeting, remarkn
that it was probably the last time the distin
gushed parsonage would address popula
assembly.
Mr. CLAY then rose, and offered the follow
ing resolutions
LIST. Resolved, AS the opinion Of this meet
ing, that the primary cause of the present un
happy war existing between the United State
ofAmerica, and the United States ofthe Re
public ofMeXico, was the annexation ofTeX
ms TO the former; and the immediate occasion
of hostiltes between the two Republics arose
out ofthe order ofthe President ofthe UniteC
States, for the removal of the Army, unde
the command of Gen. Taylor, from its posi-
ton at Corpus Christi, TO n point opposite
Matamoras on the east bunk Of the Rio
Grande, within the territory claimed by boil
Republics, but then under jurisdiction Of
Mexico, and inhabited by its citiZens:-tha
the order ofthe President for the removal Of
the army 10 that point, was improydent and
unconstitutional, il being without the con-
currence ofCongress, or even consultation
with it, although il was in session; but that
Congress having by its subsequent acts rec
ogniZed the war, thus brought into existence
without its previous authority or consent the
prosecution of it became thereby national.
I'd. Resolved, That in the absence Of any
formal and public declaration of Congress,o
the objects for which the war ought 10 be
prosecuted, the President of the United
Suites, as Chief Magistrate, and as Comman-
der in Chief of the Army and Navy of the
ITnitaI Gtnfoc - loft u, no f,ttiI,ncn Dr lie
own judgment TO prosecute it, for such pur-
poses and objects as he may deem the honor
and interest of the Nation to require.
Sd. Resolved, That, by the Constitution of
the United States, Congress being invested
with power to declare war and grant letters
of Alarque and reprsal, 10 make rules con-
corning captures by land and water, TO raise
and support armies, 10 provide and maintain
a navy, and TO make rules for the govern
ment of the land and naval forces, has the
fullest aud most complete wnr-mnking power
on the part ofthe people ofthe United States,
and so possessing II, has right 20 deter
mine upon the motives, causes and objects of
the War, when once commenced, or at
any time during the progress of its exist
ence.
4th. Resolved, In the further opinion of
this meeting that it is the duty of Congress
TO declare, by some authentic act, for what
purposes aud objects the existing War ought
10 he further prosecutcd-Ihat it is the duty
of the President, in his official capacity, to
conform 10 such declaration ofCongress; and
if after such declaration the President should
decline or refuse TO endenvor, by all the
means, civil, diplomatic and military, in his
power, TO execute the announced will ofCon-
gress, and in defiance of it's authority, should
continue TO prosecute the War for purposes
4 al. Al.
body, it would become the right and the duty
of Congress TO adopt the most efficacious
to arrest the further progress ofthe
War, taking care TO make ample provisions
for the honor, the safety and security of our
Armies in Mexico, in every contingency and
If Mexico should decline or refuse to con-
clude IL treaty with us, atipulating for the pur
poses and Offices SO declared by Congress, ii
would be the duty ofthe Government TO pros
ecute the War with the utmost vigilance, I'M
til they were attained by Treaty of Peace.
9Th. Resolved, That we view with seri-
Gus alarm and are utterly opposed TO any pur-
pose like the annexation of Mexico 10 the
United States in any mode, and especially
by conquest; that we believe the two ma
tons could not be happily governed by
one common authority, owing 10 their great
difference of Race, Luw, Language, and Re-
ligion, and the vast extent oftheir respective
territories, and the large amount of their re-
spective populations;that such n union, against
the consent of the eXasperated Mexican peo-
pie, could only be effected and preserved by
large Standing Armies, and the constant app
plication ofMilitary force; in other words, by
iespotic sway exercised over the Mexican
people III the first instance, but which, there
would be just cause TO apprehend, might, in
process oftime, be extended over the people
Of the United States; that we deprecate, there
fore, such union as wholly incompatible
with the genius ofour Government and with
The character of our free and liberal institu-
lions; and we anxiously hope that each nation
may be left in the undisturbed possession of
of its own laws, language, cherished religion
and territory, to pursue its own happiness nc
rording to what it may deem best for itself.
9th. Resolved, That, considering the series
of splendid and brilliant victories, achived by
our brave armies and their gallant COM
during the war with Mexico, unat-
tended by single reverse, the United States,
without any danger of their honor suffering
the slightest tarnish, can practise the virtues
Of moderation ~ magnanimity towards their
foes. We have no desire for the
of the Republic of Mexico,
but wish only just and proper fixation ofthe
limits of Texas.
9TH. Resolved, That we do positively and
emphatically discaim and disavow any wish
or desire on our part to acquire any foreign
territory whatever for the purpose of propa-
eating Slavery from the United States into
any such foreign territory.
Sth. Resolved, That we invite our fellow
citizens of the United States, who are anxious
for the restoration of the blessings of Peace,
or, ifthe existing War shall continue to be
prosecuted, that its. purpos&e object shall be
defined and known; who are anxious to pre-
vent present and future perils and dangers
with which it may be fiaught and who are al
so anxious TO produce contentment and salts
faction at home and to elevate the National