The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1847-03-09

of Congress, which finally lead 10 the settlement,
OF The Oregon Question been delayed until il
was known that the skirmishes had taken place
between our forces and the Mexicans on the Rio
Trance, (but shor, period ) there is every rea
son to believe that the Oregon question would
have been closed speak upon high authority
the escape was narrow one. Fortunately the
British government promptly acted upon the no. "a
tice and rendered proposition to oui minister on [,
which the settlement was finally made, which he
received and forwarded to our government but a /,
lew days before news was received in England of
the skirmishes on the Rio Grande. But while
they fortunately occurred too late to ,prevent a
settlement of the Oregon question, they unfortu.
nately occurred tao soon TO preserve peace with
Mexico. But ii the policy which the administra,
tration first adapted after annexation, had been
pursued, TO occupy the frontier of Texas with
our military forces to the extent OF country which
she held at the time of annexation, and no fur.
ther-there is every reason 10 believe that on the
set ement OF the Oregon question the peace of tho
two Countries would have been preserved.
IL Is true that Mexico claimed the whale of
Texas. but it is equally true that she recognised
the difference. and showed disposition TO act
upon 1t, between the country known as Texas
proper and the country between it and the Del
N"rle IL Is also true that we and Texas recor-
nsed the same difference, and that both regarded
the boundary as unselej-as the resolution of
annexation. which provides that the boundary
between Texas and Mexico shall be determined
by the United States, clearly shows Ii is wor-
thy of remark in this connection, tina, this proyi-
sion IN the joint resolution is understood TO have
been inserted in consequence of the ground taken
at the preceding session by the senator from Mis-
souri, on the discussion of the treaty, that the
Nneces was the western boundary Of Texas and
that to extend the boundary to the Rio del Norte
would take in part of Tamaulipas. Coahuila and
New Mexico. What them ought to have been
The course of the Executive after annexation
under this resolution the very one which thew at
rst pursued-to restrict the position of our troops
to the country actually occupied by Texas at the
period of annexation. All beyond as far as the
Executive was concerned, ought to have been re-
garded subject TO the provision Of the resolu
ton, which authorized the government to settle
the boundary. There are but two modes of set
Ting disputed boundary--one by the Joint con-
sent ct both parties, that is by treaty, of which
the President and the Senate are the orpans--the
other, by the determination of one of the parties
itself after falling TO obtain the consent of the
other, and that, under our government can only
he done by Congress. Indeed. when we speak of
our government, it is understood to mean Congress
and the Executive, acting Jointly--the one by
passing an act or resolution, and the other by its
approval. And in Congress, taken in this sense.
all discretionary power under our system of gov
eminent is Invested. 1t is only by this power
that disputed boundary can be determined bv
the government for ITSELF and without the consent
OF the other party. The President had no more
right TO determine on his own will what the
boundary was. than had, or any other senator.
SUCH indeed, appeared to be the con eviction of the
President himself IL is only on such SUPPOSE
ton that we can explain his course in attemptinp
to open negotiation with Mexico, with view
OF settling all differences between the two coun-
tries, among which the settementOf the boundary
was considered a paramount question. WHY ne
goiia'e. 1t 1t were not an unsettled question:
w ny negotiate, il the Rio del Norte-as it was
afterwards assumed-was the clear and unaues-
tlonaole boundary2 And If not, upon what au-
thority, alter the attempt 10 open negota ton had
failed, could he determine what was The boundary
viewing II as an open question: Was it not his
plain duty, on such an occurrence To submit the
question to Congress. which was then in session,
and IN whom the right of establishing the boun-
Diary and declaring was clearly invested
Had that course been adopted, greatly mistake
if the sense Of this body would not have been de-
cidedly opposed to taking any step which would
have involved the two countries in a war In
deed, ieel strong conviction that, if the Senate
had been left free to decide on the question, not
one third of the party would have been found in
favor of war. AS it was, large majority felt
themselves compelled as they believed, TO vote
for the bill recognising the existence of war, in
order TO raise the supplies of men and money ne
cessary to rescue the army under Gen. Taylor,
on The Del Nore, from the dangers 10 which it
was exposed
But 10 bring The matter home, the senator him
self is in no small degree responsible for the war
intend no attack on him. have made none,
and will make none. The relations between him
and myself, personal and political, have long been
such. that self respect and sense Of propriety
forbid my abiding TO him, except when unavoida-
Bile, and then in courteous manner /; and now
aude TO his course only because i, is necessary TO
explain mine, and the motives which governed me
on the occasion.
The Senate will remember that when the Presi-
dents message was received recommending Con-
gress to recognise that war existed between us
and Mexico, aud TO raise the necessary means for
IFS prosecution, the senator from Mississippi whose
seat is immediately on my right, but who is now
absent, Mr.. SPEIGHT, moved TO print 10000
copies Of the message and documents. The scene
was a solemn one, and what occurred will long
be remembered by The members Of the body. |
rose and objected; and said we were on The eve
OF great events, and expressed my hope that we
would proceed calmly and deliberately. suggest
ed That the printing of so large number of copies
would be construed into endorsement Of the
message, adding that was unwilling to endorse
or condemn, until the message, and documents
were printed, and carefully perused by me- A
debate ensued, and the journals Of the Senate will
show what took place. The senator from Mis-
souri,, was The individual who made the discreet
and appropriate motion to separate the recommen-
dations ot the message into two paris, and refer
that which related to recognising the existence Of
war 10 the Committee on-FOreign Relations and
that which related to the raising Of men and sup
plies TO The Committee on Military Affairs, Of
which he was chairman. The latter, il was ex.
pected. would report immediate measures for the
support Of General Taylor. seconded The motion,
and it was carried by large majority. saw in
1t that which gave inc hope, and that | should be
able to effect the object had in view, and which
! will hereafter explain