The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-22

could in reference General Taylor chich other
rise most assuredly wOud hare DONE was that was ne
cesary for me To maintain kind relations with the Execu
tive upon the question with England in reference to Ore
gon, order that might if possible exercise some ntu
enee ~ fnecgg peaceful issue hadibeen othc1o'se
the wqr agerted could some facts ia relation TO
gon, but am not at liberty Inight dos So"
Such are Mr. Calhoun's views OF the movement
Of the military forces of the United States to the frontiers
OF Texas, with design TO prevent Mexican invasion
OF that State The movement was made in March last
Al that time, Texas OF the United States, rep
resented as such in both Houses of Congress Our laws
were extended over her, and the very region in
which General Taylor instructed TO take up militia
ry position; Mexican army was embodied in arms
the west bank of the Rio Grande with the view of an
immediate attack upon Texas specific orders, directing
that attack, issued by the Mexican government on
the 18th of April, before the march of General TAYLOR
was known at Mexico. Before the orders were issued TO
Gen Taylor to advance to the Rio Grande Mr. Sdell's
mission OF peace had been repused by Mexico and the
intelligence OF that repulse had reached Washington
Before that time, Mexico had soemnly declared
the act of annexation to be act of war; and had pro-
claimed in official communication of her Secretary o
Foreign Affairs, "tha further negotiation was out of the
question In this state of facts, General Taylor was or
dered to advance to the Rio Grande for purposes purely
defensive and 10 repel the threatened invasion And
Mr. Calhoun tells that this order was unwarrant
eddy the facts OF the and the cause OF the war
Very unfortunately for Mr. Calhoun's consisten
cy in this matter he happens to be fully upon the
record in relation to a similar movement at a pre-
vious date and under circumstances very widely diff
erent In the spring of ISL, Mr. Calhoun was
Secretary OF State. He has Just told us that he
accepted that Office mainly with view of bringing about
at once the annexation of Texas. The country knows
something about the prvae letter from gentleman in
London, having reference to the proceedings of the
Worlds Convention, then in session at that CITY, which
Mr. Calhoun then considered and has recently mentioned
constituting his reason for believing that mot one
hour TO be lost in concentrating the act of an
nexation. AT that time, in March and April 1874 -,
negotiations pending between Mr. Calhoun
and Messrs. Van Zandt and Henderson, then min
sters at Washington from the republic of Texas
for the negotiation OF treaty of annexation
which treaty signed on the 18th of April of that
year. and Immediately submitted 10 the Senate for rahf
cation and by that body, rejected Pending this nego-
ation, before the treaty signed, and while its
ratification if signed, known be highly improba-
ble occurred the following very extraordinary CORE
spondence which we extract from Senate document $40
of the first session of the 2Sh Congress We invite to
it the careful attention of our readers.
"Mr. Fan zandt to DR.. Upshur.
LEGATION OF TEXAS
washington, January IL, 1874
"SrR 1t known you that armistice has been pro
claimed between Mexico and Texas that that arnsice
has been Obtained through the intervention OF several
Powsrs mutually I yGm s nmd a III ms are
heretofore existing between the countries. prop
~
this country therefore tyithout indicating the
made to this propostio beg leave to suggest hat it may
be apprehended should reny of annexation be concu-
ded Mexico may think proper at once terminate the ar
ms}ice break off ali negotiations for peace, and again
threaten commence hostties against Texas; and that
of the other governments who have been instrumental
in obtaining their cession. If they do throw their nn-
into the Mexican scale may altogether withdraw their
good offices of mediation, thus losing Texas friend
ship and exposing her TO the unrestraned menaces
Mexico. In view then, Of these things desire submit,
through you his excclency the President Of the United
States this inquiry should the President of Texas accede
the proposition of xaton, would the President the
United States after the signing OF the treaty and before
shall be ratified and receive the final action of the other
branches of both governments in Texas should desire
it, with her consent order such number of the military
and naval forces of the United States such necessary
points places upon the territory borders of Texas
the Gulf of Mexico shall be sufficient protect her
against foreign aggression
This communication, well as the reply which you may
make, will be considered by entirely confidential,
be embraced in my regular official correspondence
my government but enclosed direct to the President
Texas for his information.
with assurances of my great regard have the honor
| to be, very respectfully your obedient servant,
ISAAC VAN ZANDT. .
"IIon. A. p. UPsHUE, &c"
| M, Calhoun 10 Messrs Fan Zandt and Henderson.
| ''WAsmSGToS, April H. 1874
GENTLEMEN; The letter addressed by Mr. Van Zandt 10
the late Secretary of State, Mr. uphur, which you have
called my attention. dated Washington 9Th January 1874
has beenlad before the President Of The United States.
'n reply il. directed by the President to say that
the Secretary of the Navy has been instructed order
strong naval force concentrate in the Gulf Of Mexico
meet any emergency; and that similar orders have been
sued by the Sccrenryo War move the dsposabe mill
tary forces southwestern frontier or The same purpose
Should the eXigency arise TO which YOU refer in your
to Mr.. Upshur, further directed by the President 10
say that, during the tendency of the treaty of annexation
he would deem II his duty 10 use all the means placed with
in his power by the constitution protect TtrGs from all
u. G. CALHOUN.
Ministers from the republic of Texas
The facts brought out the face of these two docu.
mens are of much interest to the country, and throw
strong light upon the siency and reaSonableness OF
Mr. Calhouns condemnation of the march of General
Taylor to the Rio Grande, ordered by President Polk
in January 1916, and which resulted in General Tay-
lors arrival the banks Of that river on the 2sth OF
March following
From these documents, IT appears
lst That the 18th of April, 1874, Texas was az re-
CARDS u.s. foreign republic with ministers accredited to
| this government;
I'd. That at that time an amistice or truce between
Mexico and Texas was IN force;
Sd. That negotiations then pending between the
United States and Texas as Independent sovereign pow.
ers;
9TH That the Texan government jnouirel whether.