Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-10-21
LETTERS OF JOHN P. KENNEDY,
To the Citizens of the 18th Congressional
District, aud particularly To the Me-
chan'cs and orkingmen Of that Dis
trict of both Political Parties.
No. 5.


entirely from the public records and from the
declarations Of leaders Of the Democratic par
~, which demonstrates the fact that 10 the an
nexatien Of Texas, our Government restricted
the annexation 10 the old Texas Of the Mex
lean Confederation with the Nueces for It's
boundary. and pledged itself TO Mexico and 10
the world, not 10 assert the claim 10 the RiO
Grande ~ % occupy TO that limit without The
consent Of Mexico | think all this IS clearly
inferred in the history which have laid before
you.
come now 10 consider what followed The
passage oftbe joint resolutions for annextion.
The Government changed hands immedi-
aiely upon the adjournment Of Congress
MIR. Polk was iDauguraied on the 4lh OF March.
1s45. You Will now perceive that the mo.
meni this affair Of the annexation came INTO
his hands, he gave il an essentially new drec-
ton. lie determined 10 pay no regard 10 The
considerations upon which Texas was admit
ted TO the Union, and TO recognise no pledge
which the proceedings of the las, adminstra
lion and Of Congress had given to Mexico up.
on the subject OF the boundary.
Before the annexation was agreed upon. il
is true, Mexico had said she would consider
il as an act of war upon her; and Mr.. Polk.
freely admit, was bound to be prepared for
such an event. | think il was, IN the highest
sense, his duty to be iceH prepared for war,
If Mexico should act upon her threat.
A Convention was TO meet IN Texas on the
9TH ofJuly, 1915, TO consider our propositions
for annexation. That Convention dad meet
and ratified the proceeding. Previous. how
ever, 10 the meeting Of this Convention. that
is 10 say, on the 2Sth OF May, the President
ordered Gen Taylor 10 move with his liule ar
my towards Texas.
There seems now to have been some private
understanding between Mr.. Polk and the Gov
ernment of Texas, that, without regarding
what had passed in our Government in refer
ence to the boundary, aud its refusal TO assert
clam 10 the Rio Grande-Mr. Polk and his
Cabinet should, nevertheless, assert that claim
and thenceiorlh act upon ii as a matter Of es
tablished right. This will be seen in what fol
lows.
On the 18th OF June. Mr.. Bancroft, acting
as Secretary Of War, informs Gen. Taylor -
The point of your ultimate destination is the
western frontier OF Texas, where you will Sc.
leci and occupy in or near the Rio Grande del
Norte, such site as will be best adapted to
repel invasion, and TO protect ,cltat. Us The e
rent u anerdtion, wiH be 0,r Veste,T border!o
Here is the first bold and open avowa Of Il
purpose on the part oil the new administration,
10 disregard what may be considered as the
phgIikcd fatth OF the nation on the question oil
the boundary.
The private understanding TO which have
alluded, | think will be seen in the correspond
ence between MIR. Allen, the Secretary Of the
State of Texas, and MIR. Douelson, our agent
there. Mr.. Allen, in a letter of the Goth of
June, eleven days later than MIR. Bancroli's
order, suggests TO Mr.. Donelson ''the propri-
ETY. and necessity of an immediate march of
the troops. and Hiat they proceed at once TO oc
clg,y positions on tie Rio Graade,"
MIR. Donelson gives no countenance 10 this
proposition, and appriSes Mr.. Allen what in
structions he had been hitherto directed TO
communicate to Gen. Taylor. Amongstlhese
instructions are the following:
The occupation Of the country between
the NGeees and the BIO Grande. You are a
ware, is a disputed question. Texas holds
Corpus Christi, Mexico hold the Brazos De
st. Jago, near the mouth of the II 10 Grande."
You can safely holl possession of Corpus |
Christi, AMI ali other points up the Nueces, /
and if Mexico attempts to disodge you, drive
her beyond the Rio Grande."
Notwithstanding this, that Mr. Donelson |
was directed to say TO Gen. Taylor in an early
sage OF this movement that the boundary
10 the Rio Grande was "a disputed question"
Mr.. Bancroi's instructions TO the General, |
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