Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-08-06

The Wings, throughout this Mexican war
have contendcd that it might have been honora-
bly, avoided. They have never believed that our
relations with Mexico were as critical as they
were with England on the Oregon question. 1t
has been charged upon the Administration, that
it made the war for political purposes, under the
impression that single battle would awe the
Mexicans into submission, procure an immense
acquisition of territory, and that hoslitics would
last a few weeks then be ended in a blaze OF
glory. Matters have turned ont differently and
the Administration that would not consult Con.
gress about beginning the war, has evidently
got to do it. about ending it. The people, sober
minded and patriotic, are beginning to enquire
into particulars, and show disposition, now
that the novelty of the war has passed away. to
learn who is responsible for lis commencement.
and also if it is found that it was unnecessary.
to punish the triilers with the Constitution.
We venture to assert. that the war was unne-
cessary, even to accomplish the most grasping
views of the Administration, relative to Mcxi-
can territory. Why it was begun, it will be
shown in due time. To come at the facts, we
propose the following queries to Mr.. Buchanan,
which we wish he would answer aiirmatiyely
or negatively. The Union should attend to orr
questions, as there is not more behind them.
than The Union can know, if it will examine all
the papers of the Secretary of State, relative to
our relations with Mexico, received Mt WASH
ington Just before the battles Of the Sth and 9th
of May, 1916.
Serious Questions for Mr.. buchanan 10 Aasmer
LIST. Were you not, as well as Mr.. Polk, in
formed by letters, that if General Taylor moved
his forces, and took a position opposite Mata-
moros. that collision would take place, and
were not those letters from such source. as
you could not and did not Gas subsequent events
prove) discrcdit them Hare you not these ici-
,erS on file among The pirate papers Of The De-
partment Of S'qie! and did you not refuse last
winter TO give copies of them
ID. Were you not shown the correspondence
of Gen Arsta with gentleman of high stand
ing in the United States. one who had filled an
important diplomatic Office in Mexico, in which
Gen. Arsta stated that the Government of the
United States could get by treaty or purchase to
the line Of the Rio Grande
Sd. Were You not shown a note of General
Arsta's in which he stated that if the Govern
ment Of the United States acquired title by pur-
chase or treaty TO the Rio Grande, that the
provinces of Tamaulipas, st. Leon, and Zacate-
cas-, would mite themselves ,rih ThraS. and come
into the conieReracy Of the United Siatcs' Is not
the letter alluded to above on file in your depart
ment
direct from the camp of Gen. Arista that the
Government Of Mexico would receive a Com
missioner TO settle the boundary question, but
would not receive Il Minister, and was not Mr..
Slidcll sent off on his useless errand afcr YOU
received the express from Arsta's camp? Have
you not got the letter sent by that express in
your possession, and others, subsequently writ
ten, by the same hand from New Orleans
9th. Did you not have several private inter-
views in Washington, with the gentleman who
sent the express from Arstas camp, in which
you thanked him on behalf of the United States
for the services he had rendered the government.
and did you not, as well as Mr.. Polk, entirely
approve of his views 4! and did you not endea-
vor to detain him in Washington, TO avail your
self of his presence and information
9th. Did you not, at 4 Cabinet Council, lay
before the members the whole correspondence,
and did you not concur with Hon. r. j. Walker,
and other members Ulon. John Y. Mason dis
scntnc) hn The time far aggressive measures
on the part Of the United States had arrived /;
and did not the Hon. r. J. Walker, at that meet
ing, propose a p,an to suyngate Merico 'cifh a
standing army Of 5000 mea?
It'll. Have you not been urged by men in
and out Of power to produce the letters alluded
to above, to relieve you of the charge Of acting
with dupicity towards Mr.. Polk, and of pretend
ing ignorance of the facts contained in the cor
iespondence we have called for.