The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-21

soon az Paroles into power, war was no longer
avoidable But in SO far as the advance to the Rio
Grande is an element in the question OF the justice
of the war on part, do not differ with the In
,eligencer as to the importance of General Taylors
opinion, formed upon the spot, and expressed to his
government relation it. Will it, then, be believed
that journal like the lntelligencer, pretending to
respectabty OF character, have cited and gar
bed for the purpose of showing Gen. Taylors opposition
TO that movement and his reluctance TO share the respon-
sbity of making it,, THE VERY IDENTICAL LETTER In
which he himself suggested it, and ABUSED that it should
take place--erpresslyo n the ground that poud facilitate
and help torcard negotiations to secure TO us the R'o
Grande as the boundary of Texas? Yet is the fact
Here is Gen. Tayors language in that peryle OF Oco-
her 4h which the Inellgencer has thus garbed, as will
be seem even in the single sentence which It has ven
ured TO quote We lay it before readers, with some
comments which have already published in reply to
the position taken upon this point by Mr.. Clay IN his
Lexington speech, and now reafhrmed by the lntel-
gencer.
In his letter to the War Department under date OF 18th
Of October 1885, Gen. Taylor thus advises the movement
to the Rio Grande as peace measure likely to produce
salutary effect" upon the peope and government OF
Mexico" and thus facilitate negotiations
sour position thus far has, think been the best posi-
be but that the entire force will soon be concen-
trated may well be question whether the views OF gov
eminent will be best carried out by remaining at this
point, 1t is with great Difference that make any sugges
tons topics which may become the matter of delicate
negotiation. But if our government in settling the ques
of boundary, MAKES THE LINE OF THE Rio GRAsDK AN
uIrIMArUM doubt that the seteent vX be greatly
facilitated aud FASTENED by taking possession OF
suitable points quite near, the river Our
strength and OF should be displayed in
manner not be mistaken However sauary may be the
the horde olp hvo
here far from the frontier to impress the govern
ment of Mero tcih readiness eradicate by force of
arms necessary, title TO the country far the Rio
Ira,lde The army of occup patton will, in a few days,
be concentrated at this point, in condition for vigorous
and efficient service Mexico having made posi-
tive declaration of war, committed any overt act of
hoslites, do not feel at liberty. Snder Instructions
particularly those OF July to make forward movement
the Rio Gane, without authority from the War Depart
ment."
This advice of General Taylor of the 4th of October
the administration did not adopt at the time it was offered
When it reached the War Department, Mr.. Blacks
letter OF the 18th of October 1885, enclosing the promise
Of the Mexican government to receive minister
on its way Washington. When it arrived, Mr. Slidell
sent, and General Taylor, against his GUN advice,
given the above grounds, suffered to remain at
Corpus Christi until our government assured that
the administration of Herrera had violated its pledge, and
refused TO receive Mr. Slidell Then, indeed, General
Taylor ordered the 18th of January to move to
the Rio Grande, both with view to repe the invasion of
the then State OF Texas threatened by Paredes and
the time with view 'the salutary impression"
upon the Mexican government which he had anticipated
in his letter Of October 4h and which had been, by Her.
reras rejection of Mr. Slidell, manfesy rendered
necessary.
And it is remarkable how entirely, in the OF this
transaction, Gen. Taylors good sense" Judging of these
matters the Texan frontier, agreed with the conclu
sions OF the government at Washington On the 5th of
November, ls45, Gen. Taylor was informed. through
Com Conner of the agreement of Mexico, made on the
18th OF October Previous to receive minister Forth
with he wrote again to the War Department on the 7h
OF November, to modify his aduce of October 4th He
had advised the forward movement induce or facilitate
negotiation Now he hears that negotiations are to go
on or at least that minister is to be received and
upon this he says under date of 7th November 1885,
The intelligence from Mexico however, tends modi
y in some degree the views expressed in that communi
cation The position now occupied by the troops may,
Perhaps be the best while negotiations pending,
any until disposition shall be manifested by Mexico
to proract them unreasonaby. Under the supposon that
such may be the view of the department. shall make no
movement from this point except for the purpose Of exam
lining the country, until further instructions received"
The Intelligence from Mexico" here referred is in
the following lines Of sent from off Vera Cruz by
Commodore Conner to General Taylor under date of 2ith
October, 1s45:
gu. S. SHIP FALMOUTH,
"Of Vera Cruz, October "a, 1915.
GENERAL; hasten to inform that the Mexican gov
eminent has accepted the proposal made by that of
country arrange the existing difficulties by negotiation
This information left here for Washington Yesterday by
Mr.. Parrot, and we may consequently expect an
envoy to be sent from the United States. deem it
advisable you should be thus early apprzed Of this change
in the state of our relations"
But on the 4th of February. 1885, General Taylor had
received he says, "New Orleans papers Of the 2ath Of
January" previous, and 40 had learned Mr. Sdes re-
lection by Heeras administration, and its overthrow by
Paredes He had also received the order OF the War De-
partment Of the 18th January, 1916, directing his for
ward movement and with these facts before him, he in
his letter to the War Department Of the 4th Of February
1885, returns to his previous opinion of October A. s45
that the advance to the Rio Grande would have sau-
ary efecf upon the adjustment OF difficulties" and,
IN that peu, after acknowledging the receipt of the order
to advance expresses his approval of it in the following
emphatic terms:
Our ADVANCE THE Rio GRANDE ITSELF PRODUCE
ArowERFuL IMPRESSION, and it may be that COMMON
NAVIGATION OF THE RIVER ,UiA not be disputed"
Here, then, have the "good sense" of Gen. Taylor
sustaining the pursued by the government in this
matter from the beginning to the end On the h OF Octo
oe he says in substance, If you 10 hold the Rio
HFande as the boundary Of Texas, send to the
bank of that river 1t will help forward your negotia-