Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-12-10
From the Columbia Is. c. Daily Telegraph
MR. PERRY'S REPORT.

Mr. porrv from the Committee on Federal
Relations, made the following Report IN the
Senate, on Monday last:
The Committee on Federal Relations 10
whom was referred so much Of the Govefnors
Message as relates to the Mexican War, and
the resolution offered on the same subject by
tho Honorable Senator from Union, have CIV
on this deeply interesting and important ques
ton that consideration which 1t so Justly mer
;ts. and would most respectfully report
That in order 10 present the justice and pro
rrietv of this war, on the part Of the United
States in its true light, it becomes necessary
to refer to the circumstances which induced
Mexico, in her folly and arrogance, to COM
mcnce hostilities.
1t is we'll known that great inducements
were offered American citizens to settle III lex
as. They received most liberal grants OF
lands, were permitted to form free represent
tative government, and become sovereign
State in the republican confederacy OF Next
O co Under such form of government, they
had secured TO them all those civil ana POM.
cal rights which they had enjoyed in the land
of their birth. They were rapidly increasing
in numbers, growing in wealth, prosperous
and happy. But, by one Of those sudden re-
voutions which have so characterized the
Mexican people, the federal government was
DESTROYED. and a central dc>potism established
in its place, which deprived the Texans of all
political privileges, and annihIIated their State
Government. This could not be borne by men
who had been educated as free-men, and who
had in their veins Anglo Saxon blood They
Immediately declared their independence and
stood justified in the eyes of the world Their
independence was acknowledged by the prin-
cipaI powers of Europe, and maintained for
eight years by'their valOr and wisdom. They
assumed as their western boundary the Rio
Cd Grande, which had been formerly the recogni-
Zcd limits of Texas. Mexico offered to rccog-
nze their independence, provided they would
not attach themselves TO the United States.
In regard to the right of Texas 10 become
portion of the United States, there can be no
rational doubt Being Independent, she was
at liberty to dispose of herself as she saw
proper The United States had the undOUbted
right TO receive her into their Union. In do
ing so they did no injustice to Mexico But
the Mexican government declared beforehand,
that they would regard the annexation OF leX-
as to the United States, as an act OF war on
the part OF the federal government. They i'm
mediately recalled their minister at Washing
ton, and dismissed the American minister at
banks of the Rio Grandc with orders TO Invade
Texas and capture Gen. Taylor and the Amer
lean forces under his command This. was
all done by Mexico before any hostile move
mcnt was made on the part OF the L, States,
and whilst Mexico was rejecting ali PROPOSE
lions 10 treat as TO the boundary of Texas.
The removal of the American troops from
the Neuccs to the Rio Grande, was done by
In 11I Of n Wit
of repcIing the threatened invasion of our
soil by the Mexican army. The right of the
President TO take this step, and the proprcty
OF it, can now hardly be doubted
Confident from his superior numbers of an
easy victory, the Mexican General crossed the
river, and commenced the war in obedience to
1hc orders of his government. which were af
forwards found amongst his papers. The re-
suit was the victories of Palo Alto and }esa-
ga de la Palma, land the total rout OF Gen. Ar
i-ta and the. Mexican forces
Had Gen. Taylor or the President DCCn con-
tent with these victories, and have waited for
the enemy TO recruit his strength and select
his own time for another attack, it would have
been a most Cul pablc abandonment of all the
advantages obtained by those hard fought bat
Ties. The policy of war, as well as our ma
uonaI honor, demanded an invasion OF Mex
leo, and a continuance of the war until she
sued for peace, or her armies were annIhIlatCd,
and the country OvCrrun. This has been done
trIumphantly and glOriOuslY The annals OF
history scarcely afford a parallel TO that bril-
Iant succession of victories and gallant a.
ChICvCmCnS which have crowned our arms IN
Mexico with imperishable honors, and shed 4
ha!o of glory around the American name.
Having conquered the country, it now be-
comes 4 question of policy, whether to con-
iinue in possession of the whole of Mexico
or retain only so much as may be an ample
indemnity for the expenses Of the war. This
question must necessarily be left to the Prcsi-
dent and Congress to settle, and your Commit
tee feel confident. that they will pursue that
course which honor, patriotism and wisdom
may dictate Should circumstances render q
rigorous prosecution OF the war necessary.
South Carolina will be found, as she ever has
been, ready TO sustain the true interests, ma
tIonal honor and glory OF America.
Your committee therefore recommend the
adoption of the following resolutions. All OF
which is respectfully submitted
B. F. PERRY, Chairman pro- TEN.
Resolved, That the present war with NleXl'
90, having been commenced by an invasion Of
our soil and the slaughter Of our cOuntrymen
the United States were not only. bound by
Aheir national honor'to repel the invaders, bn
w.re justifable, on every principle of public
policy, in carrying the war into the enemy'>
own country, and prosecuting it with vigor
until he sued for peace, or the country was
oyerrun and suhjugatcd by our gallant army.
RcSolccd, That having conquered the repub
lie of Mexico and annihilatcd her armies, ant
she still refusing all ovcrtures for an honora
Bile peace is now become 4 question of poll
Cy on the part OF the United States, whether
to continue in possession, until a treaty can be
formed. OF the whole country, or occupy only
so much as may be an ample indemnity TO
the expenses of the war, and the demands o