Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-02-20

mhation weak and that the very important measure
would be liable to be defeated But made action
omit inevitable. asceraned, from perfectly reliable,
thu at the Worlds Convention the American delegation sug
geaed 10 the aboionists of England that then the time
TO Yet, and il they wished to aim fatal blow at slavery
must be in Texas and in order to do that England must
obhn control there. received iDformato-I will say
offai but from quarter in which there could be mis-
tathat interview had taken place between Lord Aber
deep and deputaon of the Worlds Convention. was
thei at home in South Carolina, and Immediately transmitted
to pc Secretary of State that information, accompanied by
option that it demanded instant attention suppose that
lettg and my communication formed of the for
the movement then made for annexation What then
the condition Of Texas She weak, and could not long
remn without the support Of England the United States.
The British Government this, and commenced its opera
tons under the suggestion of the Worlds Convention by
pressing Mexico to recognise her Independence condition
of abohing slavery The time had to act, and Tor
consequences to be met be they what they might accept
ed the Office with all these difficulties before said This
Office Is unacceptable go in with small share OF
regulations il may Judge from appearances shall expert
ence great difficulty accomplishing the object for which
have been appointed, and may lose much reputation; hut
must do my duty. undertook it, and when undertake
thing go straightforward to it, placed the question on Its
true ground h this intended to bring Iexas
under the contrd of England with view abolish slavery
there and through that aboshing it throughout the
try treaty was formed, and it shared the fate that might
have almost beer expected from the weakness Of the Admin
straon 1t defeated. But the Senator says had st
puaed in that treaty that the Rio Gande the boundary
MrTURNEY. REMARKED that had read the treaty.
but understood that its went to the Rio Grande.
Mr. CALHOUN. The Senator isjust wrong in that as
in all his understandings No such thing the line inten
tonaB left open The two respectable commissioners from
Texas will bear testimony to that 1t was expressly
left open, order that the boundary might be subsequently
established by negotiation with Mexico. know that Sena
this body put construction on it similar to that OF the
Senator from Tennessee and strongly assaed me that
sumption. But 1t far from true, that the
treaty signed, communicated directly with the Mexican
Government through Charge dAaes, and stated that
all difference
Others the boundary, upon the most liberal principles did
spprehend that would follow. But am held espon-
be the ground that If Texas had not been annexed we
should not have had Mexican Is he sure OF that
WIZ, this attack Mr.. Polk What is the whole sta
pie Of the message but that the real Of The was IN
jure committed American citizens long before annexa-
ton Has the gentleman overlooked that And did not
General Jackson and Mr. Van Buren, declare that those nu
res Just of war The immediate OF the
war; if he desires to know the marching OF our forces
from the frontier Senator Corpus Christ-ffom Corpus
Christi the banks of the Del Nore To repe that the
part Mexico what the President calls invasion,
Stunning that the Rio del Norte the boundary But can
that be Justly charged to annexation If General Taylor had
where he was there would have been invasion
The evidence is clear The fact is and cannot be Denied
that General Asta communicated to General Taylor either
by letter rusty agent that the American troops would
where they were, Cat Corpus Chris the Mexican
troops would where they the west side OF the
del Norte That both might send detachmens to thu
Salt Colorado, Ga stream about midway between the two
places for the purpose of guarding the frontier Pesenti
mistaken this communicated TO the Depart
ient and call upon would bring il FORTH If It should
required think something 10 the effect res recent
published in the Southern papers Senator Yes! "a
them have clear evidence that the made by th
order march the Del Nore. That the President beev
\ ed that to be the boundary do not question. -
But the great question up Has the Executive tn
right to determine what boundary is When we have
disputed boundary question-aDj have had manydoes
belong to the Executive Congress to determine
There are two ways TO do it. One is by negotiation
treaty. be performed by the Executive and this body il
the nations negotiate The other is if thu
party disputes the boundary and will TERMS o
Congress declare where the boundary is and maintain
if need be- at the hazard Of How long did the boundary
of Maine remain unsettled From the acknowledgment o
Independence, in 1888, down to the time that the Senator
from Massachusetts, closed by treaty But did any Of the
Presidents think of marching troops upon the line The
British held Detroit and Fort Sanwix after the treaty of peace
until Jays treaty in 1854 Did General Washington under
establish the boundary by marching troops to the st
Lawrence which was boundary II war, them has fol
lowed annexation not to be traced to one from South ga
/ rolira, hut to from Tennessee
Knight say more this subject but will detain thu
Sennte. The gentleman has made great many charges
aboht my political He has charged with incon
ssency, and represented voting different sides
all questions. The gentlemans understanding this pon
is jps all others leave that all to history
will say that have not changed my opinions on many
hirgsvery little constitutional ponts-and not many
questions Of policy My mind is indeed rather rigid Like
all young coming Congress- had my opinions boti
principle and policy but had much to learn to the
tua oil system, winch could only DC nau
ua experience before they could be firmly and fully estab
shd had TO go through the process Of experience.
that time the great question the with Great Britain
in reference to which took bold and decided stand con
i tnued in Congress but years after the and, ae
filling the Office Of Secretary Of War and Vice President
Congress and took my in this body in 1928
and from that day to this the volume OF my life is known
the country and challenge the Senator, any Senator OF
this floor show, from that day to this wherein have chang
ed my views He says that when the question up
the recognition of Texas belonged TO the opposite side
the House. No. belonged to neither side Several Sena
tors-the Senator from North Carolina nearest to me- and th
Senator from Massachusescan testify TO that. neve
met in caucus in consultation with either side Of the house
took my independent course standing nearly alone 70
some years. voting what believed be the interest
the country, irrespective Of party. And let say, hav
attended those meetings for the purpose Of debeaor
with gentlemen this side Of the House, except during th
period Of excitement in the extra session called by Genea
Harrison in 1884, and part Of the next session ATTENDED
then, because the Democratic party had been ovcrthown
the preceding elections and there at that time grea
questions involved in tho between the parties in which
agreed with them and opposed TO the opposite party
Democratic party in those issues, but subjects Of legs
aton on which the party was divided. -
Mr.. President, have been long time member Of Thu
body. II is the first time in which assault has been made
upon me- and without the slightest provocation. ID
me that the gentleman had answered yes when asked HI
i referred to me, it would have been manly. But b,
| pointed to me- and could not remain silent
l II is painful for me, sir out these occasions