Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-02-13

been made by the Republic of Mexico recognised the Rio del
Nors be the western boundary Texas and affirmed that
the crossing Of that river by the Mexan was an act Of nva
son Hence both the Executive and the Legislative branches
Of This Government were committed the fact that Rio
del Norte the western boundary Of Texas and that the
crossing it was invasion the part of the Mexcans.
These clearly primary objects But, IN recommending
the war; the President recommended that be prosecuted for
the objects which he had already mentioned among which
that ofindemnty to ci'zensan object which, though
not sufficient of war in ITSELF yet being involved in
it appeared him might properly be made of the
for which the should be prosecuted that all
OF difference mig be settled These the three objects
OF the war ,1
But continued Mr. CALHOUN, the President now further
recommends that the be in order to obtain
demny for the expenses of the itself That however,
in no be considered of the primary objects of tho
war; though may be said 10 be legitimate policy for can
be supposed that country would enter upon for
The purpose of being Unidentified for the Of that
hold then, Mr. Presdentsuch being the objects of the
war-tha all those objects for which declared be
compshed by taking defensive position. Two Of them
have been already thoroughly effected The invasion has
been repealed by brilliant victories the Rio del Norte
held from its to its mouth the American boundary
single Mexican soldier does not remain within territory
and such has been the Of that have not
only acquired enough territory from hem but vastly
than enough to indemnify for the expenses Of the
should be the Judgment Of this body that would be sound,
wse just policy part seek such indemnity Here,
then, have the question presented shall hold 10 the
line now occupy and which by military
forces, comprehendng twohds Of the whole Of Mexico,
bacing the valley Of the Rio del Norte both sides far
upward the Sierra Made aud down the cxteniies Of
Upper California and New Mexco-shal we hold all this,
shall select other position better calculated for The
bec. have in view Sir, not at all prepared dis
this point have not the requisite information, and,
had it would not be necessary, with the object have in
view What propose to discuss in the absence Of such in
onation is what considerations ought to this
point determned-ft determined that defensive
line is the policy to be pursued and this again must
be deduced from the objects contemplated by the
He would proceed state what, in his opinion, those
considerations the first Of which necessarily be
effect the objects they had in view in declaring the war viz.
repe INVASION acquire the territory far the Del
Norte TO establish that boundary, and to compel the
payment of the ndemnes due to citizens And far
these considerations concerned they ought 60
inch beyond them they ought to avoid the appearance
Of taking possession of any portion of the country in the
way of conquest But what to be demanded by these
consider atoms might be enlarged by others, which he would
proceed TO state And FIRST forming bounda-
ry he considered that it should he done in such
would involve the smallest possible sacrifice Of and Of
money and that should possess all the natural advantages
that such boundary ought to possess in order that supplies
Of and provisions could readily be drawn from the ada
cent country The consideration, in his opinion, which
ought govern them in selecting the line this ought
be convenient and such as would be desirable for US to
upon the ultimate adjustment of our differences with
Mexico, should become the boundary between the
two countries And he would go further he would say that
should be such line would deprive Mexico in the small
est possible degree Of her and her strength for
while consulted interests in establishing detn-
sive line, should not overlook what due to Mexico.
He held that ought be and liberal towards Mexico,
not only because she neghbor only because she
sister Republic only because she ernulous
and had been emulous OF initiating example IN the
establishment Of free institutions only because she was,
selves the greatest Power upon amidst
Powers which had grown up from Spanish other Eu-
ropean origin though these high considerations which
every American ought feel and which every generous and
sympathetic heart would feel yet there others which refer
red moremmedately ourselves Mexcowas great
problems among nations and in bis opno the policy
Of this country not TO press her power but the con-
ary render her and capable Of sustaining all those
relations which might exist between her and other naons
He held that there intimate between the fate
this country and that Of Mexico and that her independence
and responsibility, and capably of maintaining all those rela
lions, almost essential to they 10 Mexico.
He held that Mexico forbidden fruit and that il
should consume that fruit would be almost anamoun to
the political death Of our own institutions.
The next consideration that the line should he set
that If should be finally established the boundary between
this country and Mckee, would lead permanent peace
and such that should lead speedy peace possible.
and for this purpose i, should he eminenty coercve.
Now Continued Mr. O. the question il, what would be
such line would fulfil all these acquisitions And here,
again, not fully prepared to pronounce on;-sn tor
requires acquaintance -n ire country md
mere accurate military knowledge he ssl myself
81 lacy am prepared to sugges; a line which
traces most o those considerations nearly perhaps could
be desired and ii understand the wishes Of the Executive
interpreted 10 by the chairman Of the Committee on
Foreign Relations, is such line the Executive itself
considers proper The line which would suggest one
beginning the mouth OF the Rio del Nore and extending
the pass Of the Del No, and thence due the
Gulf Of California. Such line will strike the Gulf nearly
At its head Now, propose to examine this line in refer
the considerations which have already laid down
being those which ought govern in determining upon
line Of defence
In the first place, will enable to fulfil all the objects
for which the declared The invasion having been
already repeled, il will establish boundary The Rio del
Norte from its mouth to its and il gives ample
Of indemnity If the Of the it,e be
garded of its objects, which, with my presen, impress
sion, am very far from countenancing.
The next and important object is TO facilitate the mante
Of the line, to involve the smallest Of
necessary for its defence here the line have in
dcated presents excellent aspect It will be to the
settled parts Of Texas where upon emergency the forces
necessary defend it. and provisions for those forces
both be expeousy raised aud thrown upon the point where
they needed In regard to this line have consulted mi
tary men, and they have Informed that would not
qure than five regiments OF troops and three iortfca
tons to defend one Of these Notifications to b. erected
the mouth Of the Rio del Norte another Camargo,
and another the pass of the Del Npre-a position that
possesses the extraordinary advantage Of commanding the
leading through the mountains into the whole interior Of
the country and which could he easily defended Tho
other portions Of ihe line be still easily defended.
The country from the pass Of the Del Norte TO the upper end
of the Gulf Of California is occupied only by savage popu-
laion that part Of the line would require covering very
small force would be sufficient defend IL regiment Of
troops would he ample for that purpose hence five regiments
with small naval force will be ample for the defence OF this
line against any force which Mexico could bring 10 asa US
The consideration was the character Of this line