The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-09

issued to Gen Taylor 10 occupy the left bank of the De
1 Norte. See same Doc. p. A..
5th '.ihe army moved on the nth of March, 1916
and on the 2Sth OF that month, arrived the left banl
OF the del Norte, opposite to Matamoros" under posi-
tee instructions TO abstain from all aggressive acts TO-
wards Mexico, or Mexican citizens and to regard the
relations between that republic and the United States
peaceM unless she should declare war, or commit act.
Of hostility indicative of state Of See House Doc
oS o2ss s9 y MGesg
llgerel attitude, and on the 18th Of April 1916, General
Ampudia then in command, notified General Taylor tc
break p his camp within q hours, and to retire beyond
the Nueces rivers and in the event OF his failure to com
ply with these demands announced that arms, and arms
alone, must decide the question. See same Doc p A.
nth. On the .2ad of April 1916 President Paroles is
laration Of war against the United Siates[Sse House
report Gf the Committee on Foreign Afairs, No. 1872,
q ed 80 80 yG 4 4 Al isi 4 81, sa
had succeeded to the command Of the Mexican forces,
communicated to Gen Taylor that he considered hostl-
itIcss S|mmeqced and should prosecute them See
lfetsst doc fao, D. ~ Up TO this date the American
forces had committed hostile act Yet, on that same
day that that notice was gwen, large body OF Mexican
troops, which had previously crossed over the Rio Grande
into Texas, attacked detachment of Gen Tayors ar
my, consisting Of 60 Dragons, commanded by Captain
Thornton killed and wounded 10, and captured the re-
na an ~ Zee Hon. hou S,l Doc 1885, aad5
ture of Captain Thoron's command to wit: on the 2sth
rangers, killed the first Mexcans that were slain in this
war On that day, Captain Walker and the twenty -four
rangers were attacked in the chappa on their way from
Point Isabel to the camp Of General Taylor, BY I5oo
Mexicans, the result OF which was, that, after killing
many Nexcans and losing six OF his own men, Captain
Walker and the remainder of his slender force escaped
Captain Walkers party slew the first Mexcans and that
in fdefence In proof OF this see report OF Committee
on Foreign Affairs, No 752, House of Representatives,
first session, Doth Congress Mexican blood next
drawn at Pale Alto, May s, 1916, by the Americans,
after the Mexcans began to cannonade General Taylor
hah Ia
Palma
10th The President recommended declaration of war
against Mexico in message to Congress- dated May IL,
1916 and war was accordingly declared by the Con-
gress Of the United States TO exist by the act of Mexico
The above are the leading, facts They establish be-
You'd the power Of successful controversy that Mexico
committed the first acts OF hostility, that Mexico struck the
first blow and that that blow struck upon American
ground the documents also prove most conclusively
that Mexico declared war before hostiltes had been
commenced by either party-the Mexican declaration
issued the 23d Of April 1916, and the attack not
made upon the detachment of the American army, under
Captain Thornton, until the eth of the same month.
Before leaving this branch OF my subject wish to state
the fact, Mr. Chairman, that the Mexican authorities,
alter agreeing to receive an envoy to adjust all difficult
es and after refusing 10 receive such envoy when APP
pointed, deliberately resolved levyng war upon the
United States; and that resolution formed prior TO
the commission of any hostile act by either party. Let
me prove this very important fact plainly and clear
", that shall be able to eude its force, By
ering to page so of House Report, No 1872, first
sion Goth Congress. learn that President Paroles in
his manifesto OF April 49, to the Mexican nation, says:
II have orders to the neranchief onhe northern
frontier to act in hostility against the army which is in
hostility against us--io oppose war TO the enemy which
wars upon us."
How did General Arista act when he received these
orders OF the Mexican President Why, sir, President
Polk tells that the oath of April General Arsta in
formed General Taylor that she considered hostil-
tiles commenced, and should prosecute them !" This
was before blow had been struck before life
had been lost by either party; before the Ameri-
cans had crossed the Rio Grande into MeXico and be-
fore il known that the Mexicans had crossed the
Rio Grande into Texas And that same day. Gen. Arsia
ordered the attack upon Capt Thornton within the terri
tory OF Texas Now sir, am one OF those who believe
that Parcdes having reached power through van-glori
Gus promises of expelling the North Americans from
Texas, and driving them the Sabine, issued his
orders to Ampuda and Arista to invade Texas, ana to
commence hosttes upon the United States, prior to his
having heard of Gen. Taylors arrival upon the Rio
Grlnde. If ever those orders the light they WILL in
my humble opinion justify this suppositon. For Gen.
Taylor only reached the Rio Grande on the 2sh of
March Gen Arista evidently received from Paroles his
orders to cross the river, and to attack the Americans
several days before he notified Gen Taylor that she con-
sidered hostites commenced, and should prosecute
them " for he had CROSSED and stationed his troops and
attacked Thornton, at the very time his courier was
serving his notification upon Gen Taylor Now, the
notice sent to Gen. Taylor the 2lth April--the
news OF Gen. Taylor's arrival opposite to the town Of
Matamoros the 2sth of March, could scarcely have
been conveyed to Mexico, been deiberated upon, and
orders sent back to Maamoros several days before the
9th OF April! No, sir no Those orders TO march into
Texas and levy war, in all human probability issued
at Mexico sometime before the news of the arrival of
Gen. Taylor upon the western confines of Texas
known in that city. have no doubt that time will attest
the truth of what is now but supposton And now
sir let inquire after having proved beyond cono-
very that the United States had commenced this
war; they provoked thereto, and justified therein
by the rude rejection of an envoy whom the Mexican
authorities had promised to receives after having proved
that the first proclaimed, and actual hostes
first commenced by Mexico, and that too, according TO
all reasonable probability before the Mexican authorities
were officially informed Of the arrival OF Gen Taylor
upon the north bank of the Rio Granle what becomes
OF those charges that this commenced pro-
voked, desgnedy brought by the Presdenthat this
Presidents of such character, that
dictionary patriots would demand immediate disband-
ing of armies il they alive and in Congress
for the acquisition of territory, aggressive
to subserve slave interests The charge against the
President and against Congress, evidently and papa
bly, unust-oIr country, thank God, is not Sin the
wrong but our cause is Just our conduct deensible,
being able TO say TO YOU that in Maryland there
difference of opinion 10 the proprety of vigorously
prosecuting this to honorable and early conclu
sion In this at least all agree. All would supply, as
hope and believe, both men and means TO any
sonabe and proper amount, and at an early day.
Admitting that Mexico declared against the United
States, and commenced actual hosities prior to the
commission OF aggressive act upon the part OF the
troops OF the United States, il appears 10 me every in
formed and candid mind must admit and the next and
portant inquiry that arises is What caused Mexico de-
Clare war; and levy it, upon the United States This is
best answered by reference to Mexican documents and
the correspondence OF diplomatic agents. The ad-
mission of Texas into the Union, though Independent
nation as Mexico itself, was protested against
cause OF war; by Mexico, in advance; upon its consum
nation, il protested against by Almonte, their min
mister al Washington, a cause OF The supreme
government OF Mexico before aud after the passage OF
the act of annexation, denounced the union of Texas
with the United States as cause OF war Immediately