The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-19

desinies of that country devoved upon him by the
Van Buren, and Mr. Tyler Let them look into that book
at the places where he had marked, and they would find
it all there. England and France were in the field to
prevent the annexation OF Texas-eveybody knew that
Mr. Pakenham, the British minister now resident in
Washington, sixteen years in Mexico represen-
tatve Of the British government and ne was transferred
to the United States-a least he (Nr supposed be-
cause of his superior acquaintance with Mexican policy
history, and everything else. Mr. Bankhead, who had
been charge dqae here for several years, was sent as
English minister Mexico, and every body knew that he
and the French minister in Mexico, were constantly
ployed in endeavor to thwart anneyation--frgaes
running from Galveston to Vera Vera, crnz-even war
powers. He begged to call the attention OF the
House to another position, highly honorable and
credilable to the administrations of Adams and Monroe
They talked of the Wmot amendment now a-days He
had reference to what was, in other days, in similar
way famliarly known as the Monroe position. Every
body knew the famous declaration of Mr. Monroe, that
European power should be hereafter permitted to
tend dominion American soil He held in his hand
extract from the message of President Adams conveying
the sentiments of the people Oh that subject:
I indeed attempt by force had been made by allied
Europe sbver the liberties of the southern nations
This continent and to erect upon the ruins OF iher free IN
situations monarchlcal systems, the people OF the United
States would have stood pledged in the opinion of their
their poeri by their dearest interests and highest d
ties 10 resist, 10 he unoi such attempt -fres'deM Al
amss message Of the 30 March 1926 House Doc li2 LIST
session 18Th Congress
That was part of Mr. Folks inheritance. MIR. Mon
asserted nothing than the principle, and he Nlr
Id
well, and respected him highly. He Nlr Monroe) was
not respected as much he ought to have been, but
wiser man had never occupied the chair OF the chief
magistrate Mr. Monroe prudent and cautious
statesman. Mr.. Polk did nothing than reassert
lion and power Now, that was Mr. Folks posi-,
the territories that they had now taken possession
of-that was, Texas Upper California and, he begged
to say he did not beeye there was any design or desire
TO get an inch more. There would have been no war if
Mr.. Polk could have prevented IT. No man went fur
thern his Nr 50 opinion, he went great deal too far
oprevent war than Mr. Polk did Every body would re-
collect that the breath of his inaugural had been hardly
dry before Mr. Amonte, in terms of the utmost lndigna
ton, called for his passports On the sth OF March-he
anans answer, which as bland and mild as that gen,
tleman's nature, and Mr. Folks administration could
possibly make it, and there would have been war but
for two reasons that he would endeavor, two words
to submit to that House In the first place, all these
Presidents, from Adams down, had been barking at Mex
leo long, that the Mexicans knew perfectly well that
the American Executive could bark, but not bite They
knew that the war power was IN Congress and not IN
the Executive and accordingly, they despsed the Exec
utve threats If difficulty arose between Mexlco and
England, it settled nstanter When difficulty
with France Vera Cruz battered to pieces i'm
medately But the Mexicans knew very well that was
not the way that the United States Executive did the
business. Besides as France and England had openly
and anxlousy nerfered the Texas question: the Mex
leans hatered themselves that these powers would OPP
against the United States. Relying therefore upon
difficulty of being brought about by the United States
and upon European support, the Mexicans entered in
was of those who believed, and should die in the
belief that the capture of Capt Thornton, the murder of
Cross and the loss of Porter, were most fortunate
circumstances for the United States 1t broke the mpos
thume on the side, with which they did not know how
to deal before War brought them at once to state OF
they they heard great deal about the msfortunes and
calamlties of war, which it was very easy to
talk about to the delight OF all old yet he would
like any one to tell him what these caames WERE for
he had not yet heard of them. Well that brought about
the Mexican war; that was TO reliance upon the IN
capacity OF this country to make war; and reliance upon
the of foreign countries to take part with Mex
leo in that war-f the United States should make war
was the of the with Mexico. So Mexico went
on, and enabled the United States turn their
pons against hem brought up as they were in the mean
tme by succession OF military chieans to state OF
semi-barbarous hostility against the United States.
SO Withdraw your feets,'' said Mexico. II was done
Withdraw your armies" said Mexico. ''To the Nue.
ces Not at all" "Withdraw your army to the Sabine,
insist upon your leaving Texas to us" And finding
then, he begged in the first place, to what he con-
ceved to have been the duty OF the President He took
the liberty of addressing letter to the President upon
that OCCASION founding his advice upon the action and
judgment Of George Washington himself. Long before
that affair of Thornton, he (N1r ~ took advantage Of
letter OF introduction, or something OF that sort which
afforded him an opportunity OF writing to the President
and communicated to him his views OF what would be the
best policy OF this governments and he had no hesitation
in saying that the advice he gave this Gas soon as
you are satisfied that they advancing to attack you,
cross the Bravo, and, without moments hesitation at
tack them That is your constitutional power. That
| is your constitutional duty" 1t was, to be sure,
an awful responsibility. He agreed with what a
gentleman from Massachusetts, [Mr. WINTmopl had
said the other day upon that subject that when Presi
dent took such step like general who lost battle or
captain who lost ship he responsible, and liable to
be tried and condemned if he failed 1t part of the
war power But, nevertheless il part oil 1.-THE
remainder OF the sentence os] lie would ask The
favor of the Clerk read what General Washington did
of people in the United States OF America and Washing
ton was the Chief Magistrate he would tell them in
moment what had occurred After Armour and ---
had been despatched TO cxpel the Indians from what is
now called Ohio, and had failed, last General Wayne
was sent. The American army twelve hundred
pie Of the United States four millions strong that
all the people they had then The British had
tanned the frontier posts after the peace although the ter
rtory was, al least disputed Wayne fell on the Indians
in the memorable battle of the 81 ST of August 1884, and
routed them, and laid waste all the territory about,
pied il was by Col. Campbell the British agent OF the
Indians. correspondence followed between Campbell
and Wayne and it that which he wished to be read
in order that they might what was the language OF
men at that day about disputed terory for the moment
conceded that il disputed territory, there
end of argument As II was conceded that 1t
was disputed ground, il followed Immediately that
the duty of Mr. Polk drive away any enemy who in
| truded upon that territory.
| The Clerk here read the following correspondence
from the Gazette of the United States October ?, 1874:
MANS RIVER, August a. 1894.
SIR An of the United States of America, said be
under command, having taken post the banks OF
the Mam for upwards of the last four hours, al
most within reach Of the guns of this fort being post be-
longing his majesty the king of Great Britain, occupied
by his mnicsy's troops, and which have the honor to
possible in what light view your making such
| approaches TO this garrison.