Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1847-03-18

10 bind them TO it. And, yet. ten years
uitsr all that, an American President, in
the face of Vattel, and Grotius and Paf-
tdorf, in the face of ali political authori-
ty. in contempt of the civiliz ID world is
found Cravely urging that treaty as the
b;.sis of T. xas' title to all that valley.
But, sir, if such is good law for Mexico
Il sbould be for US. The President and
his friends ought to abide by their own
doctrine. Twill give them case and de-
mand an answer. Suppose that James
K. Polk, in virtue of his being com tndcr-
in-chief of the army, had chosen 10 con
duct the expedition to Mexico in person.
he leads the army into Monterey, fights,
pursues his victory TOO far beyond is
surrounded, ensnared, chased up tree Ut
YOU can conceive him in SO e'dra'ed a
posi,ion,) is captured, loaded with chains
surrounded by an enrsged popu'ace' his
life threatened, and, trembling Ike the
aspen leaf, he begs for mercy signs
treaty in the most solemn torm,' giving to
Mexico all west of the Mississippi river,
recognizing that as the boundary line,
providing that he shall have his life spar.
cd, and 60 home to procure its 'ro'!feo-
Ton, by the Supreme Court at Wishing
on. He returns-presents it. The Sens
ate ,rample i. under their fee'-deEy his
authority as a captive. to make any treaty
Nina wears afterwards, however, the Mex
;con armies are seen advancing to the
west branch of the Mississippi. Their
eagles and plumes and banners are dis
played. The people Of Missouri fac be.
fore them; setting fire their villages and
towns. The invaders plant their cannon
opposite to Natchez, cut of lis supplies,
pointing their guns to its very heart
The people Of Natchez call on the inva'
ding general for his authority. Oh, says
tho Mexicans, 'don't you know that
wears ago, your President, in the most sol>
emn form, on the end of hemlock log, at
Monterey, made treaty giving all west
If this river, recognizing it as the bounds
arv lins.' sAh, butt say the Mississippi>
ans, he was captive and could make no
,reaty-bcsides the Senate never ratified
but rejected it, No matter for that
cries the willy Mexican, it was treaty
solemn in form; we hold you to it, and
fight you if you back from it. Moreover
to strengthen the doubtful treaty do you
no, know that Mexico by her Congressthe
same year, passed a solemn act defining
this river as her eastern boundary y? Mr..
Chairman, what would be said of such
claim? Will any of my friel ds over the
wav rise and attempt to defend Mexico
A case the very transcript Of our own
Who would defend Mexico's claim on
such authority Ipause for an answer.
Where then the difference !? The differs
ence would be, shat we have the brass TO
make the claim, and the power to enforce
il. Mexico might have the the impudence
to claim, but not the ability 10 pcflec' IT,
We are condemened for our rashnes. She
would be derlded for her weakness.
I ask in the name of heaven, have we
no sense of shame and il ticc left? Have
truth and integrity forever fled from
us, Is our Government by its wicked
rul. rs 10 be changed into horde of rob>
bers ahd outlaws! Have reason and
Judgment made an elopement from the
national brain Will we exnct at the pc Et
of the sword, of poor distracted sister
Republic, VIVA, we would despise her
for asking of US! Ilcave these solemn
inquiries for the Executive and those TO
whom he is responsible.