The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-01

by our forces OF what he coils "e disputed territory
between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, with his posi-
ton in 1910 hen as yet he had forfeited the conf
dence of his country in relation to Mr. Madsons
patton Of what then territory really in dispute be-
tween ourselves and Spain In 1910 owned the terri
tory of Louisiana by purchase from France in 1903
Spain then owned and held under her jurisdiction the
territory Of East and West Florida Spain contended that
her territory of Florida extended ces to the Mississippi
river. We contended that our territory of Louisiana
extended east to the Perddo, small river running south
ward into the Gulf of Mexico about so miles east of Mo-
bile. Spain IN possession OF large portion OF the
territory thus in dispute, when (says the Introductory
note to Mr.. Clay's speech, in the authorised edition OF
Clays Life and Speeches. published by the editors OF
the Trbune) "PREsIpENr MADISON sooed The dispute IN
1910, by taking possession of Baton Rouge and Mobile
AND EXTENDING THE JURISDICTION THE UNITED STATES
TO THE PERDIDo."
Mr. Claws speech made on that occasion " in defence
of Mr. Madson's course" contains scathing rebuke OF
"cetan gentlemen" who SIN question Of territorial
title bet,een the United States and foreign nation are
induced to EspousE THE PRErENsIoNs THE FOREIGN
NATION"
In reply TO those who then contended that Mr. Madi-
sons measure taking orcble possession OF Mobile and
ousting the Spanish authorities was "an unauthorized act
of avar and oegaton Mr. Clay said, that if the Presi-
dent had then failed exercise his discretionary pocer
in the premises, CHE WOULD HAVE BEEN CRIMINALLY
INArrENTIvE TO THE DEAREST INTERESTS OF HIS coUN-
TRY"
Such were Mr. Clay's opinions in 1910, with regard to
the management of question of disputed territory Yet
at that time Spain had not insungy and perfdously
fused either to hear to make any propositions for
peaceful adjustment of difficulties Mexico had done
before Gen. Taylor took post on the Rio Grande
Such is the predicament in which Mr.. Clay for
ward as the ACCUSER OF HIS COUNTRY! On the
question of annexation he is contradcted fatty by Mr.
Webster As to the time of the order to Gen Taylor to
advance to the Rio Grande he is put to open shame by
the wellknown testimony of the record AS to the udg
men OF Gen. Taylor on the effect of that movement, he
is contradiced by the dispatches Of that gallant officer
AS to the pacific and friendly intentions of govern
men he is contradiced by the whole tenor of its official
declarations from March 10, 1s45, down to March IL,
1916, and especially by the official language and the Off
cial acts of Com Conner, the commandant of naval
forces in the Gulf acting under its instructions On this
point also, Mr.. Clay contradcts himself by his
avowal that government in the late negotiations
SO full OF 'he spirit of Cancellation to waive all de-
mand of indemnity for the war" And finally, he is
radicted in the fundamental positions of his first resou
on by his own recorded octrnes in the case of the dis
puted territory the Perddo So be it al,cas with
those who for purposes of ambition faction stand up
SANDER and deame their country her struggle Nth
foreign foe!