Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-04-24
NATIONAL INTELLlGENCER.
THE MARCH TO THE RIO GRANDE.


having ordered our troops TO the Rio Grande. Had
this never been done, there is every TO be-
Iieye our difficulties with Mexico, whether growing
out of the annexation Of Texas or otherwise, would
have been happily terminated without waste OF
money or The spilling of blood. Hence, and the
fact that the brilliant achievements of Gen. TAY-
LoR SO far exceed what the Administration could
have wished, the anxiety manifested TO make il APP
pear that he, and not the President, is Justly re-
sponsible for the evil consequences which have re-
suited.
To falsfy the truth of history has become so ha-
btual with the government paper that. we have
long since ceased to be surprised at any statement,
however improbable or ridiculous, which appears
in its columns The declaration, then, that Gen.
TAYLOR " first suggested, urgently advised, and
finally fully endorsed this very measure the ad-
vance TO the Rio Grande-is only what might have
been anticipated, had we considered for moment
that il would become necessary i'll defence of the
Executive conduct We are fully aware, too, that
10 question the wisdom of our rulers, or expose the
blunders and misrepresentation Of their organ"
is an offence of no ordinary character, second in
grade only TO that highest crime, giving laid and
comfort" 10 the enemy, beautifully illustrated by
Mr.. Polk when he rescued SANTA ANNA from
exile, and placed him at the head OF the Mexican
army. Sul we shall endeayor, even at the hazard
of being denounced as worse Federalist than Mr..
BUCHANAN, TO show there is not 4 shadow OF foun-
dation for asserting that Gen. TAYLOR is more
deeply committed than any other man 10 the wis.
dom and policy > OF marching an armed force into
Mexican territory, and thus committing act of
direct aggression, for which, If Mr. Benton is to be
believed, the United States must stand RESPONSE
ble" For this purpose, shall have recourse to
the CORES pondence submitted TO Congress in May,
1916, and contained in document No. 1876, of the
House of Representatives The second of the
orders and instructions to Gen. TAYLOR relative
to the movement Of the troops under his command
was prepared by Mr.. BANCROFT, at the time acting
as Secretary of War, and is dated June l5 lS45.
After advising him that he must forthwith advance
into Texas. the Secretary said:
1.-The point of your ultimate destination is the western
frontier of Texas uhere you uR OCCUPY on or
tie RE Grtae del Norte, such a will consist with
the health Of the troops, and will be best adapted 10 repel
rao, and to protect uha, in the of annexation will
lie lcester7i brder."
This it must be remembered, was while Gen.
Taylor was still at Fort Jesup, in Louisiana and
before the act Of annexation had been ratified by
the Congress of Texas. And, although it is well
atesed fact-one, too, with which the Administra-
ton perfectly lamiliar-that the measure would
have failed in our Congress had such pretension
been avowed. the Rio Grande was claimed in adj
vance western boundary, and Gen. Taylor
peremptorily ordered 10 occupy" and if neces-
sary TO protect," It with the sword. Such an or
der sufficiently discloses the policy of our Dem
ocratic Administration 10 warrant the belief that,
even at that early PERIOD /" the seizure of thou
sand miles of Mexican territory we quote from
Mr.. Benlon-had been already planned, 10 be fol-
lowed by war OF aggression and conquest for as
much more, against a nation with whom Mr.. Ben
ton positively declared we had no cause of war.
On the 3Oth of July, ls45, Mr.. Marcy, having re-
sumed his place in the War Department, wrote 10
Gen. Taylor that the President had not the re-
quise information in regard TO the country 10 ena-
BILE him to give any positive directions" as to the
position he ought to take, or the movements it
might be expedient 10 make. :" These" continues
the Secretary must be governed by circumsan-
ces." The extraordinary character OF this docu-
ment will be mos! readily appreciated by an exam
ination of the following explicit instructions, which
are part OF 1t
"Wbile avoiding you have been instructed 10 do, all
aggressive tonaTs hco, long the relations Of
peace exist between that Republic and the United States, yo
expected 10 occupy protect and defend The territory ~
Teras TO the etent that has been occupied by the people y
Tras TIE Rio Grande is be the boundary be
the two countries and TO this boundary you Il
extend your protection only excepting any posts the
sle thereof which in the actual occupancy Of Mex
forces Mexican settlements which the Republic
shortly before that is erpeetedtat in selecting
the establishment far yOr troops, you oW approach
tie boundary Ene-the Rio GranGe-as prudence ,ciH die
tate With this vew President desires that your posi-
ton for part Of your forces least should be west Of the
river Nueces."
Thus it seems that, notwithstanding the Presi-
dents disclaimer Of a knowledge Of the country
notwithstanding his refusal to direct Gen. TAYLOR
IN positive terms what position 10 take, or whittier
to advance, he expected him - TO occupy, protect,
and defend" disputed territory territory admitted
TO be in the actual possession Of Mexico, and quar-
tered and garrisoned with her soldiers. And all
this to be done, without any act Of aggression,
under the miserable, hypocritical pretence of ex-
tending protection over the country to the extent
thatitwas occupied by the people of Texas although
the President knew that Mexican forces : and
Mexican settlements " were scattered in every di-
rection on the side Of the Rio Grande, where
he, who had no positive directions" 10 give, had
ordered Gen: TAYLOR to occupy and defend. Here
the question arises, i" Was not the Administration
advised that Texas exercised jurisdiction there,
and consequently that protection not need
ed west Of the river Nueces - OF this there can
be no doubt, for our Charge d.9GaireS in Texas
prior 10 the annexation, Mr.. DoNELsoN, wrote to
Mr.. BUCHANAN, on the I'd OF July, ls45, as follows
"My position is, that hold Corpus Christi and al
oer points up The Neces. IL ArrAcKtn, the right Of de-
fence will authorize to expel the MeScans the Rio
Grande."