Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-10-02

2st Of February nearly month after the passage OF the
solutions for annexation, and amended with view to
include another foreign country by adding the words Sand
the British North American provinces adjoining to the United
States"
Now, the object of this bill to ente any merchant
who should import goods into the United States to have the
duties refunded to him if he exported them in the original
packages to Santa F Merco thereby recognising San
ia Fe to be foreign country, il undoubtedly was Yet
Congress had month before they passed this BILL agreed
Texas this Union and Texas had by her act OF
Congress of 1885, extended her limits to the Rio Grande by
which she included Santa Fe. 1t is clear, therefore, from
this fact aone-if it still clear from the whole
history of the which have given youtha Congress
had idea of recognising the claim of Texas to the Rio
Gande but, the contrary, directly and unequvocay re-
PEELED that claim, and refused in any way to allow it.
This is all that have bring before you touching the his
tory of the annexation What have submitted you shows
clearly and beyond all dispute
LIST. That Itras proper-and by that the Texas
which evoed against Mexico and secured her independence
did not extend to the Rio Grande.
3D. That the treaty for annexation rejected because
supposed to give color to claim to extend Texas to
the Rio Grande.
3d. That the Government dsavowed any purpose TO assert
claim the Rio Grande but the contrary, desired to
open negotiation with Mexico for the purchase Of that
boundary.
4th That the joint resolutions upon which finally Texas
carefully provided against taking any territory
that did not rightfuly belong to Texas
5h and lastly That Congress, by the most explicit act Of
legislation in relation the drawback, announced that the
country included within the limits of Texas, and beyond
the old limits, foreign country belonging Mexico and
that consequently the territory the Rio Gande did not
| "righttuHy belong" to the Republic Of Texas
am prepared to speak of the in which this
Mexican began. examine question how
Mr. Polk acted in accordance with his powers and duties
under the constitution, in reference to that matter
Mr. Polk was naugurated on the 4th of March, ls45
You will perceive that the this affair Of the
nexaon into his hands, he gave essentially
direction. He determined pay regard the consdera
tons upon which Texas admitted the Union and to
recognise pledge which the proceedings of the last Admin
raton and of Congress had given Mexico upon the sub
ect of the boundary.
Before the annexation agreed upon it is true Mexico
had said she would consider of upon her. and
Mr. Polk feey admit, bound be prepared for such
an event. think it in the highest his duty be
seH prepared for if Mexico should upon her threat
convention to meet in Texas the 4th of July,
lS45 to consider propositions for annexation That
venton did meet and ratified the proceeding Previous how
to the meeting of this convention that is say
2sh of May, the President ordered Gen. Taylor with
his little army towards Texas.
There to have been private understanding
between Mr. Polk and the Government of Texas that with
out regarding what had passed Government in reference
to the boundary and its refusal claim the Rio
Grande, Mr. Polk and his Cabinet should nevertheless
that claim, and thenceforh upon of establish
ed right. This will be seen in what follows.
On the 18th Of June Mr. Bancroft acting as Secretary Of
War; informs Gen. Taylor the point of your ultimate des
nation the western frontier of Texas, where you will select
and occupy in the Rio Grande del Norte such site
as will be best adapted to repel INVASION and protect ha
in the erent Of annexation DH be weStern border"
Here is the first bold and open avowa of purpose the
part of the Administration disregard what may be con-
dered the pEghted faith of the nation on the question of
the boundary.
The private understanding which have alluded think
will be in the correspondence between Mr. Alen the
Secretary of State of Texas and Mr. Donelson agent
there Mr. Allen, in letter of the 26h of June eleven days
later than Mr. Bancrof's order, suggests Mr.. Doneson
"the proprey and necessity of immediate ntrod ucon Of
the troops and that they proceed at TO occupy positions
on the RIO Grande."
Mr. Doneson gives countenance to this proposition and
appzes Mr. Allen what instructions he had hitherto d.
rected to communicate to Gen. Taylor Amongst those in
sructions the following:
The occupation of the country between the Nueces and
the Rio Grande you is disputed question. Texas
holds Corpus Christi, Mexico holds the Brasos de St Japo
the mouth of the Rio Grande" You can safely hold
possession Of Corpus Christi and all other points up the Nueces
and If Mexico attempts dsodgc you drive beyond the
Rio Grande."
Notwithstanding this that Mr.. Donelson was directed TO
say Gen. Taylor in early stage of this movement that
the boundary to the Rio Grande disputed question:
Mr. Bancro instructions the General you perceive are
TO take possession to the Rio Grande that Gin the event
of annexation uoiH be oestern border"
This clearly very summary preudgmen of the " dis
puted question:" At this point the violation of the terms Of
the annexation to have become the settled purpose Of
the Cabinet We henceforh claim to the
borders Of the Rio Grande, and maintain it by force.
The subsequent orders which Gen. Taylor received esab
lsh that determination. Let look few of them and
the events with which they connected.
The Government conscious that the only ground upon
which there could be made the slightest justification of this
tempt to seize the disputed territory they chose call it,
although it had not the benefit Of plausible dispute
that the territory beyond the Nueces was in the actual
occupation Of the people Of Texas SO far regarded
settlements the west bank Of the Nueccs, this true
and those settlers might be said TO be under the protection of
Texas This was the at Corpus Christi Immediately
the mouth of the Nueces and its margin But be-
yond the actual border Of the river there settlers
whilst towards the Rio Grande and its banks there
dwelt considerable number Of Mexican citizens who had