Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-11-18
Henry CIay'S Position.

A public meeting was held in Lexington,
Ky. on Saturday last, at which the Hon. Hon
ry Clay delivered n speech on the Mexican
war, its authors and objects. lie took the
ground that the preliminary cause Of the war
with Mexico was the annexation Of Texas, -
the immediate cause was the unauthorized and
unconstitutional order Of the President, send.
ing out troops from Corpus Christi to the Rio
Grande. Congress, said Mr. Clay, being CON
stitu,ionally the war-making power, that body
ought TO dictate for what purpose the war
should be further prosecuted, and it was the
duty Of the President to confirm such doclara-
alton. Should ho refuse, it would be the right
aud duty of Congress to adopt eilicacious mea
sures directing the further progress Of the war,
and making ample provisions for tho safety
and security Of our army in Mexico.
| If Mexico should refuse to conclude a treaty
ofPeace, the war should be prosecuted with
vigor until Peace was obtained.
Mr.. Clay utterly opposed tho annexation OF
Mexico To the United States, in any mode,
particularly by conquest. Tn. two nations
could not be governed under the same author.
ity, owing to the great difference in their laws,
language and religion. The vast territory aud
population OF each nation, was also an imped-
iment In fact such union could only be
maintained by exercising despotc sway ovor
the MexicaIs.
Mr.. Clay spoke about two hours and half,
and said that tho opponents Of the present war
had been compared To the opposers Of tho las,
war with England But thu compari on was
unjust. The war with England was one for
which our people ha sufficient cause. This
is a Presidential war
Had Mr. CIny been in Congress, he said he
should have voted for the supplies, hut would
not vote the lilo that wal sAisod by the act Of
Mexico.
II Congress should declare at the coming ses-
sion what are tho objects Of the war, and what
the conditions Of Pence; and if the Presiden mt
would not comply, Congress should impcach
him.
II Mr. Clay said it was absurd to ask indemni-
ty ola people who had nothing to give.
II As to annexation, he considered il madness
Il lie would undertake to adjus, the difficulty
about boundary in sixty hours.
Mr.. Clay further declared himself strongly
opposed TO The extension Of slavery, and de-
plored It's existence-but its immediate extinc-
ton could not bo expected. lie considered
the refusal to annex any moro territory the
wisest course.
Il Mr.. Clay refused to have his speech report
ed as ho did not wish to be misropresented in
his language. lie is to furnish a copy Of il
for the press. The following are the resolu.
tons passed.
lst. Resolved, as the opinion ofthis meeting
| That the primary cause Of the present un
happy war existing between the United
II States Of America and the United States o.
| the Republic Of Mexico, was the annexation
II Of Texas to the former I; and the immediate
II occasion Of hostilities between the two re
publcs arose out OF the order Of the Presi.
! dent OF the United States for the removal ol
the army under The command Of Genera
/ Taylor from It's position at Corpus Christi tc
a point opposite Matamoras, on the east banl
! OF the Rio Bravo, within the territory claim
! ed by both republics, but then under the jurls
dctlon Of Mexico, and inhabned by It's ciii
zens. That the order Of the President fol
the removal OF the army TO that point wa.
improvident and unconstitutional, IT being
without the concurrence Of Congress, or ever
consultation with 1t, although II was in ses
sion but that Congress having, by its sub
sequent acts, recognized the war thus
brought into existence without its previou,
authority or consent, the prosecution Of i
became thereby nstional.
II %. Resolved, that in the absence OF ony
formal and public declaration by Congress o
the objects for which the war ought 10 b,
prosecuted, the President Of the United
States, as chief magistrate, as commander in
chief OF the army and navy Of the United
States, Is left to the guidance Of his owl
Judgment TO prosecute II tor such purpose
and objects as he may deem the honor an
interest OF the nation 10 require.
i 3. Resolved, That by The consent OF th'
United States, Congress being invested will
] power TO declare war and grant letters o
marque aud reprisal. TO make rules concern
ing captures by land and water, TO rsise an,
support armies, TO provide and maintain
navy. and to make rules Tor the government
Of The land and naval forces, has the fulles
: and most complete war making power OF th
| people oi the Unuod States and, SO pos