Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-08-24
THE ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND, VA.
Monday Morning. August %, Is47.
BRowNsoN AND THE WAR.


subject Of The war, because that gentleman
claims 10 be member OF the Democratic party
We can hardly wish 10 deprive our opponents O
the pleasure they derive from this source, afle
the modification they must have experienced OF
reading General Taylor's last letter. But as tn
question is grave one, affecting the justice o
injustice OF The contest in which the country i
engaged, We feel that we have no right 10 Civ
play 10 our feelings. We therefore examine h
statements Of Mr.. Brownson and The argument
he adduces, in order that We may show the people
specimen OF the reasoning BY which he and th'
Wing party have become The advocates o
Mexico.
We cannot insert MIR. Brownsons article, OF
account Of its length. The whole OF it is found
ed on the difference between 4 slate OF war ane
mere Unauthorized hosliilies. It's author assert:
that The acs OF Mexico on The Rio Grande die
not amount 10 war; and argues theretrom that iht
President made the present war without the infer
veniion Of Congress and in despite OF the Consli
tuition lie goes further and afhrmS that The U
States, by the course of the President, is made re-
sponsible for the war. This is The sum and sub.
stance OF the article as we understand il. And
in reply we admit lhatheie may I've aostilities be-
tween the troops OF different nations without the
existence OF war. But we humbly submit that
this is the exception and moi the Iule. How COL
lisions which are not preceded BY formal de-
clarali OF war are 10 be construed, we think
should be determined by anlecedenl and attending
a. 4
attendant circumstances Of the bombaIdment
Fort Brown, and The battles Of the Bib and 9Th Of
May? Texas, after declaring her independence,
and maintaining il seven years against all The
forces OF Mexico, was negotiating treaty, by
which she might become State oil this Union.
Before the question of Annexation was finally
acted on, the Mexican Minister, General AL
monte, gave notice 10 our Government that il
Texas was admitted into the Union, il would be
considered as ending all friendly relations be-
tween the Two countries. This declaration was
known TO Mexico long before the question OF An.
nexalion was finally settled, and the continuance
of General Almon,e a, Washington, without re-
tracing this declaration makes his Government
responsible for ii. Indeed, it became her decla-
ration. When Texas was admitted into the
Union, the Mexican Minister al once demanded
his passports, and left the country. All inter-
course with our Government was thus broken Off
We endeavored 10 renew il. Time and again
we endeavored TO prevail upon Mexico TO receive
a Minister in order that our differences might be
adjusted without war. We sent a Minister 10
Mexco-lhe Mexican Government would not
receive him. In The mean time preparations for
war were being made by the Mexican Govern
meht. She collected troops, and established ma
gaines on the Rio Grande. All this WAS known
in this country General Taylor advanced
10 Fort Brown, and reiDforcemen,s continued
to arrive at Maiamoras. The stragsleTs from
our army were cut off, No American could cross
the river without icing detained as prisoner
These things were we'll known in the city OF
Mexico; and knowing The hostile position OF her
troops she is justly held responsible for The a''i-
,uae they assumed. Day after day all eyes were
directed towards Matamoras expecting war. Al
length The news came, that Ampudla had crossed
the Rio Grande, had cu OF and killed Lieuten-
ant Thornion's command and nlerposed the
Mexican army between Fort Brown and Point
Isabel.
Distinguished men thought that this did moi
of itself constitute war, as il might be an unau'
horized &C, OF the Mexican General, which the
Mexican government might disown. They
thought 100 that Mexico should have an oppor-
,unity of making amends by adopting this course,
or ,ha. we should consider the destruction OF
Thornton's command just cause OF war, and
make The declaration In the usual torn. Able
and patriotic men thought this The course TO pur-
sue. And, while we look with difference 10 their
opinions on this matter, we contend that the cir'
cumsances under which we were placed jusll-
fed others 10 taking different course. They
might we'll say that a state OF quasi war existed
from the withdrawal Of General Almonte and
the refusal to recognize Mr.. Slidell. That The
gsrsrnment of Mexico had assumed and RAIN
tanned hostile attitude since the admission Of
Texas, and that the presumption was, that Am
pudia's act was the act Of his Government, be-
cause perfectly consistent with The conduct which
Mexico had pursued for several months. II
Mexico authorized the conduct OF her generals,
ii constituted war; and moi state OF hoslillies--
and il was her fault that war was not declared
by her before Lieut. Thornton was attacked
This reasoning is too strong 10 justify any man
in saving that the President uttered deliberate
falsehood in his message 10 Congress, and shows
that those who do so are aciuated by other consi
dera,ions in assailing him. The facts connected
with This matter will not justify ihem-,here must
then, be others. Congress, Immediately on the
reception Of the Presidents message, having The
same knowledge OF what had transpircd as The
President had, said that, from all The circumstan.
ces this was war, and not Unauthorized hostility
Congress had right 10 say so, il it thought so
and the history Of our difficulties gave then
strong reason for thinking SO. How any consli
tuliona question can arise, on this point oflhe dis
cussion, we cannot imagine. Mr. Brownson's vi
sion must be Keener than ours, 10 see any injury
done 10 the constitution By the fac, that The Presi
dent informed Congress that war existed BY The &C
of Mexico, and that Congress assented. Yet tina
gentleman argues that the President, BY This decla
ration, trampled on the war-making power OF Con
gress. Let US put the case in the strongest posi-
bic light for him. Suppose that Texas had neve
been annexed, that General Almonte was il
Washington, MIR. Slidell in Mexico discharsinl
the functions of Minister, and General Taylo
fighting the Seminoles in Florida. A MESA &c i
sent 10 Congress by the President that hostililie
exist by the act of Mexico and thereupon Con
sress asserts that such is the case, and votes mel
and money TO carry it on. This would involv
US in most unjust war; but surely it could nc
be said that The President had irampled on tn
rights of Congress, or thallhe Constitution OF tn
United States had been violated. This, il seem
10 us, is decisive Of one point in controversy.
the present case, it cannot be said we are in
volved in an unjus, war; for whether the acts
Mexico amounted TO war or no, Mr.. Brownson &C
mils that they were suficien, to justify the Unite
States in taking up arms. Here, then, we hav
! another point disposed of. As far as Mex