Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-11-26
Henry Clay'S Resolutions.
The following are the resolutions offered
by Henry Clay at his LEXINGTON meeiing

by Henry Clay at his Lexington meeting.
LIST. Resolced, As the opinion Of this NEE
ung tina, the primafy cause of the presentu n.
happy War existing between the United
States Of America and the U. S. of the Re.
public of Mexico was the Annexation Of
Texas 10 the former, and the immediate occa.
sion Of hostililies between the two Republics
arose out of the order of the President of the
Uniiee States for the removal of the army
under the command of Gen. Taylor from its
position at Corpus Christi to point opposite
Matatnoras on the east bank of the Rio Bra
Vo, within the territory claimed by both Re
publics, but then under jurisdiction of Mexi-
co and inh Ibited by its citizens-that the or
der of the President for the removal of the
army to that point was improvident and UNI
constitutional, it being without the concur
renee OF Congress, or even consultation with
1t, although it was in session but that Con-
gress having by its consequent acts %recogni-
zed the war thus broughtin nc existence with
out Its previous authority or consent, the pro-
s~ecution of it became thereby national.
I'd. Resoiyed, That in the absence of anv
formal and public declaration by Congress
of the objects for which the War ourlrt to be
prosecuted the President of the United States,
as Chief Magistrate, as Commander-in-Chie
ohN ANhNJ VI AHC hlltu CldltS,
is left TO the guidance Of his own Judgment
to prosecute it for such purposes and objects
as he may deem the honor and interest Of the
nation to require.
Sd. ReSoiced, That, by the Constitution
of the United States, Congress-being inves-
Ted with power TO declare war and grant let
terS oil lnarque and reprisal, 10 make rules
concerning captures by land and water, to
raise and support armies, 10 provide and
maintain a navy, and to make rules for the
government of the land and naval forces
has the fullest and most complete war-ma-
king power of The people of the United
States, and, SO possessing it, has a right to
determine upon the motives, causes and OBJ
jects of a war, when once commenced, or
at any time during the progress of its exist
ence.
18th. Res0lred, As the farther opinion of
This meeting, that it is the duty of Congress
TO declare, by some authentic act, for what
purpose and object the existing war ought TO
be farther prosecuted, -that it is the duty of
the President in his OH cial capacity to con-
form to such a declaration of Congress; and,
If after such declaration the President should
decline or refuse TO endeavor by all the
means, civil, diplomatic and military, in his
power, TO execute the announced will Of Con-
gresS, and in defiance ofit authority, should
continue to prosecute the War for purposes
and objects other than those declared by that
body, it would become the right and duty of
Congress TO adopt the most etlicacious mea-
sures TO arrest the farther progress Of the
War, taking care TO make ample provision
for the honor, the safety and security Of our
armies in Mexico in every contingency; and
if Mexico should decline or refuse TO conclude
4 treaty with US, STIMULATING for the purposes
- ,L;oo,, r., l,ol,rol h., Cno.- :,
would be the duty Of the Government to pro-
secute the War with the utmost vigor, until
they were attained by a Treaty of Peace.
5th. R%esoired, That we view with serious
alarm, and are utterly opposed to any purpose
like the Annexation Of Mexico 10 the United
States in any mode, and especially by con-
quest that we believe the two nations could
not be happily governed by one common au-
thorlty, owing 10 their great difference of
race, law, language, and religion, and the
vast extent of their respective territories and
large amount of their respective populations,
that such a union, against the consent of the
exasperated Mexican people, could only be
effected and preserved by large standing ar
mics, the constant application of military
force-in other words, by despotic sway eX-
ercised over the Mexican people in the first
instance, but which, there would be, just
cause to apprehend, might, in process of time,
be extended over the people of the United
States: that w deprecate, therefore, such a
union as wholly incompatible with the gen.
Jus of our Government and with the charac-
ter of our free and liberal Institutions and
we anxiously hope that each nation may be
left in the undisturbed possession of its own
laws, language, cherished religion and terri.
tory, to pursue its own happiness according
TO what it may deem best for itself.
9th. Resoired, That, considering the series
of splendid and brilliant victories achieved
by our brave armies and their gallant com.
manders during the War with Mexico, unat'
tended by a single reverse, the United States
without any danger Of their honor suffering
the slightest tarnish, can practice the virtu,
of mod and magnanimity toward thei
discounted foes: and say, We have no de
sire for the dismemberment Of the Republic
of Mexico but wish only a just and prope
adjustment Of the limit of Texas.
9TH. Resoired, That we do positively an
emphatically disclaim and disaVow any wis
or desire on our part TO acquire any foreigI
territory whatever for the purpose OF propaga
ting Slavery. or of Introducing Slavery from
the United States into any such foreign ter
ritory.
9Th. Resolved, That we invite our fellow
citizens of the United States, who are anx
ious for the restoration of the blessings Q
Peace, or DESTROYS, if the existing War shaI
continue to be prosecuted, that its purpos
and object shall be defined and known-wh
are anxious to avert the present and futur
perils and dangers with which it may b
fraught--and who are also anxious to pre-
duce contentment and satisfaction at nome
and to elevate the National character abroa
Ito assemble together in .heir respectiv
communities and express their views, feeling
and opinions ON the subject.