Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-12-11

thatthe army of the United States, when it neared
the Rio Grande, chased the Mexican custom Officers
out of their houses, and, when it encamped on the
bank Of the river, found itself in the midst of a
Mexican population, and occupying the corn and
cotton-helds which they had fled from in dsmay
The flag of the United States was planted by our
army, as in Defiance under the guns of Mexican
fort, and at the same time the vessels of our
Navy blockaded the mouth of the Rio Grande--a
river running, from its source to the ocean, alto
gether between Mexican banks, without Texan
settlement of any sort within hundred miles of it.
Nay, Gen. TAYLOR himself, after literally obeying
the Executive orders by occupying position oppo-
site Matamoros, thus reported to the War Depart
ment (under date of April 6, ls46,) his pro-
ceedings
On our side a battery for four eighteen-pound-
ers will be completed, and the guns placed in bat
terry to-day. These guns bear directly upon The
public square Of Matanaoros, and within good
range for demoishing the torn. Their OBJECT
CANNOT BE MISTAKEN BY THE ENEMY"
language prove that the brave old General under
stood very well what he sent there for! War
did not exist until he had planted battery of guns
bearing directly upon the public square Of Mata-
moros, the object of which, he very truly reports
to Mr.. MARCY, could not be mistaken
And by this invasion of Mexican territory, under
peremptory orders from Washington to the Com
manding General, was the war begun by the Presi-
dent of the United States, without the knowledge
of Congress, though then in session. Nor then nor
since has there been a drop of American UNITED
| J.l,oJ n, A n.
nor then nor since has Mexican soldier armed
man set his foot upon American soil, (TeXas proper
incuded.)
The foundation of the Presidents first, second,
and last War Manfestoes against Mexico being
thus withdrawn from under Them what is there left
to sustain any part of the recommendations, in the
Message before US, of further and more vindictive
prosecution of the war?
But to proceed: The ground upon which the
President placed the War, when, having got into it,
he was obliged to call upon Congress to sustain
him in it, is, as we have shown, so far from being
solid true, that it is directly the reverse. So far
from Mexico having invaded the United States our
President invaded Mexico and, SO far from the
war having g existed" by the act of Mexico, il
exsted-so far as it is possible for the United
States to be at aUar without the consent of the
making power-by the act of Mr.. Polk alone. Nor,
in our opinion did it exist without premedtation.
1t had been contemplated possible, at least from
the moment of his coming to the Presidency. The
government paper, as we have already remarked,
had not been in existence more than week before,
in that mirror of the Presidential sentiment the nva-
sion, and even the conquest of Mexico were fore
shadowed-we may say prediced-in the event of
Mexico venturing to exercise any authority the
east bank of the Rio Grande. As early June,
ls45--T mark the date the Commander of the
Naval force of the United States in the Pacific was
directed to look out for war with Mexico and, on
receipt of the news of it. to possess himself Of the
port Of San Francisco, on the Of California and
such other ports as his force would permit. He had
been SO instructed even earlier than this for the
letter to him begins I" Your attention is still par
ticuary directed &c. to the contingency of war.
Congress was to meet in the December following.
Early in November, the Message of the President
to Congress being in state of preparation, al
ready contained, as we had every reason TO be-
lieve, recommendation of hostiities against Mex
leo, in some form or other, on the ground of unsat-
VI CiIZeIlS, VI uilpdlu
money, and other alleged grievances. On the 9th
of November, however, just three weeks before the
session began, information having been received
from our Consul at Mexico that the Mexican Gov
ernment was willing to receive Commissioner 10
negotiate concerning the Texas boundary, the Mes
sage was perforce changed The body of the in
dictment against that Government was indeed re-
tained, as the reader will perceive if he will take
the trouble to refer to the Message ITSELF the re-
commentator of reprsals, or of war in some form,
being the only thing omitted Minister Plen-
potentary sent instead of a Commissioner
our Government refusing to treat on the boundary
question without mixing it up with matters with
which it had no sort of connexion-and the cor
THE evidence which satisfied our mind of the facts here
referred may interest readers We will therefore
briefly state it. In the Journal of Commerce, whose
pondent at that time certainly in confidential commun
cation with persons familiar with the of the Gov
enmen found and copied into the National Intelgence
the following Letter
"WAsHISGToN, OcToBER 30, (lS45.
" happy learn that the Executive has determined not
TO send special agent to Mexico demand Of in
IDENTITIES
But glad TO state, for the information of Mexican
claimants and for the information Of all those who entertain