Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-03-20
FOR rHE W mo.
Sicar Ease OF backing Ont on the
Mexican War. as on The Oregon
Question. by Mr. Polk

| ancslr use OF backing Ont ON the
MeNtcan War. AS ON the Oregon
| question. by Mr. Polk.
Wherefore let him that hisieth he ,anieh
Extract from the speech of Mr.. Benton in lsI4 on the
iea,s treaty relative to the boundary OF Texas
Speaking o Cen Jacksons opinion OF the treaty. he saws:
"Coneuuing with Gen. Jackson now, rs did so many
years ago IN the necessity and importance Of
the country sacrificed by the treaty OF 1919 canno,
admit from any thing have yet that ne in favor
OF this particular treaty. assume the contrary and
thet suppose him to be against it, when and
ined by him; and that upon data that will exhibit to
the Senate The data is this; that in 1929 being the
first year of his Presidency, Gen Jackson undertook to
render the his country of getting back
our sacTced territory aud by instructions through Mr.
Van Buren, TO minister Mexico. proposed TO pur
chase back the whole part Of the dismembcred
territory which could be obtained. That proposition Of
Gen. Jackson did 20 the length Of this treaty by two
thousand mile! Ii stopped the mountains that lie at
the head OF the Red river and Arkansas and which d.
"vide the ancient Louisiana from New Mexico! and in
the desert prarcs which lie the the Neuces
- his proposition included part OF New Mexico Chi
huahua. Coahuila Tamauipas Ii extended 10 no part
o the ryer, OF the valley of the Rio del Norio
Not drop q: the water OF that inch of the
soil OF Its vaueydd he propose disrupt from its old
possessor and to incorporate into Union. General
Jackson was wise man, and a Just man, and he was
assisted by another man, who also wise and just
They mediiiied no such CRIME or FOLLY as that of
adding the left bank OF the Rio del Norte head to
mouth, To cur Union. In seeking the dsmem-
bered part country they did not undertake 10
d'smember the empire OF neighbor. Like a General
he saw the natural frontier OF his country the ridge OF
and IN the desert paires which lie OF the Neuces
and like Statesman, he for limiting the domain of
his country 10 this natural frontier Leaving the whole
valley OF the Rio del Nortc TO the NeXcans and taking
" the whole valley Of the Mississippi TO ourselves he
sought lesuItable TO both parties more than hum
' died miles this side of the Rio Grande, and even
least OF the little Neuces solitary frontier stream
Z" connected with no system of rivers and without a single
geographical affinity. and falling into the gulf of Mexico
in shallow and difficult par, OF its This his
boundary, and Of his life shows a more wise and
enlightened forecast less sagacious head would have
stood for claim the lower Rio de- Norte
his judgment enabled him TO that that would be
ctoschmeni upon the geographical divisions Mexico
would bring the population Of great countries into
contact and coson-gve rise disputes for the nayi
ganon OF The Tyer and the possession of its mouh-and
SOW the seeds OF eternal dissenson advancing salient
snge OF one empire into the natural empire OF another
HIS sagaciOus mind this and waving the question
" OF old limits he took those which the future peace and
harmony OF the two countries required and left whole
extent OF the Rio del Nore. every inch Of its soil and
every drop OF IT. waters with all its towns and villages
and ali is fields and ook its ancient possessors who
aa hed Tor centuries In this he seconded by Mr..
Ivan Buren,, his Secretary OF Stste and Who in his re-
" cent letter. has brought this great fact to light"
When we read this Impressive and forcibe extract. and
Teeoeci MI Folks presumpuous claim the trIoe Of
Oregon or EoRe'- clear and EEguestoRgbLs tit,
which could not be surrendered without national dshon
o-aier drawing around him very large majority OF his
own party TO endorse and justify his claim to S-40-and
then recoleet his instructions Mr.. McLane our Minis
ter 10 England 70 negotiate for the line Of 49-and his
subsequent surrender OF the navigation Of the Columbia n
aud the (and indeed only valuable portion of the
line Of ~ deg, embracing the straits Of Fuca and part of
Vancouvers Island-wbsn we reeolect all this and eon
meet with the shouts Of triumph that raised BY his
organ \the Cnion and which echoed, and
ed, by the democratic press GENERALIZATION Mr. Folks SUI
peTior judgement, diplomacy, and getting what
we were entitled by claiming shat toe iesTe not ent
ted to-when We recoect the pitabe aud lonely and de-
serted condition in which he left the 81 40 party by abau
donng them IN the hour OF need when they had bpdlv
followed HIN TO the preeipce IL say, when recoect
all this should not his party be liite chary, little
guarded, IN their unqualified assertion, that American
blood was spilled by Mexlcans on American soilr =
When We the anxious, perseyering, AND ALMOST
sUccESsFUL LTTOKT thar made by Mr.. Polk 10 OBJ
tain the consent Of Congress send down to Mexico
this same Mr. Benton, whose forciby and fu-
~ expressed the above extract Of record and known
10 NM NJ foIS,I az Lieut. General clothed with militia.
~ aud civil diplomatic and Executive power TO treat for
pecce, and fix the boundary between Texas and Mexico
wall naturally enquire, for what2 What did he ex.
Peei 10 accomplish, and by what means7 as Mr. Benton
says m his late correspondence with the President who
sui seems anxious 10 confer the power upon him. in spite
OF the refusal of Congress authorize i-oherwse there
was no occasion Tor submitting 1t again, and again, his
cabinet, VINO resisted he is known be in favor Of
come other settlement than any suggested "For nm
known, says ne, "irom public speeches to
the plans both Of the late and Of the present commander
he defensive policy Of the and the San Juan de Uoa
attack OF the other-and with plan Of his own commu-
nicacd TO Mr. Polk, for making immediate peace If he
could nave been clothed with the military and civil diplo-
matte and Executive power asked for, which PLAN in his
speech the Lieut. Genealshp he says il s not now
tic proper time TO dscoscthe mind naturally led 10 IN
q4iFe, what THE Of Mr. Bcnton's known
only to himself and Mr. Polk by which certain and i'm
mediate termination OF the was to be brought aboui1
And II will as naturally and insuncyely extract
Of MI Bentons speech, quoted abUvc for KEY and
luton TO the whole affair. Else Why this nystery2 why
tbs pernlcous selection Of MIR Benton TO treat for
Why Mr. Benton's refusal accept the appointment of
Ms'r General without full powes7 Why Mr. Poke mani
Test desire to confer these powers upon hmwhen he
esres now that he is opposed the defensive plan Of the
one General and TO tho offensive plan OF the Other aRd
dicules Mr. Calhouns plan Of taking that part Of Mex
territory which he has already repudiled and rceced7-
What the conclusion, then, which must arriye7 WHY
that Mr. Polk now finds himself involved IN unjust, I'M
necessary land what q more consequence him. an
| UNPOPULAR wAR-bfyught about 10y his own "FOLLY OR
CRIME" as Mr. Benton oXpLssses hat he is anxious 10
! escape from ~ consequences, nnd is willing enough
! 70 smut the responslblIy from bis shoulders u
these Of Mr. Benton, who, from hgh consideration
possibly II may be o. patuOs,) willing 10 assume
u! We say Mr. Polk shgil the responsibility Of the set.
Uemcgt q tie oregon question from his shoulders
upon The Senate when he found the difficulties into which
hts t0sakHess and folly crime hsd involved hm-and
hnk clear that he dispOsod 60 play the gone
win the Mexican question. suppose that Mr. Polk has
more confidence IN the military capacity and egpersHes Of
Senator Benton, than he has Generals Scott or Taylor
IL absurd ioyThat the object that ho should make
ueaV 10 his military capacity (ns Mexico could not fecoy,
Mnister s coari and now, with the declaration in Sii
thai the incorporation OF the LETT bank Of the Rio Grand,
INTO tho American Union would be direct aggression
MeNcO tor oil the consequences o which the United State
would stand spon4ble"-ho'dng this R0yefnms nj
alone responsible for tho war recently declared his
ss'ao upon Mr. Calhoun, ask what sort Of treaty woulc
hr. Benton have made What line n boundary would
he havc soeced7 tcannot be gathered from the speoc
quoted above, then indeed b is tue that "lanRuage de-
fgned 10 conceal and not 90 express mems sentcnts'
Therefore, say, lc Mr.Polks niaiuafod and blind fodc
paftzlns beware how they leap tho dark, suppJfun
bis rrecnaons up the Rio Gfande. est they find them
selves in tho ppcd h1bbod destitute and deserted
condition OF tlo fity0uf foftos pc ALLY let the legis
latyc body of ibis ancient aud renowned Commonwealth
bo cautious 81 what they cay that subject IN ho
next resolves, 10 make party capital b. sustaining the Pre-
'dont u their choice right wrong, and In cxong 18th
eminent ability and discretion" with which he has main
, tiinef The digriiy and nor Of the country.
WI fofe bin that nsetb be stanietb heed eHhc 30
Honuco, March 18Th. 1917. B.
COMMUNICATE.
TO MR HCU'ED r. GARRETT
Member Of senate Of Virginia
Having heard today Tor tho first time, that under yor