Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-10-27

just with Mexico? Nothing. If Texas had that
right, what do those resolutions mean by laying
such stress upon the words TERRITORY property in
cluded within, and righttstj belonging TO, the Re
public of Texas" Manifes,ly they mean that the
Republic Of Texas had made pretensons to terrific
ny not "PROPERLY included Within" nor ''RiGHr-
FULLY BELONGING tO'' it.
But, as II the Congress Of the United States was
Determined to express the most unequivoeal dissent
from the pretensions of TeXas-as made known In
her act Of Congress of lS36-and to repudiate the
notion that Texas, by that act, had any claim to
the boundary of the Rio Grande, they passed law,
at the very same session, in which they agreed to
annex Texas, of which the title was, ''An act al
lowing drawback upon foreign merchandise OK
ported in the original packages to chihuahua and
Santa Fe in Mexico" This bill was passed in the
House of Representatives OH the 2ist of February
NEARLY month after the passage OF the resolu-
tons for annexation and was amended with
view TO include another foreign country by adding
the words, ''and the British North American pro-
vinces adjoining to the United States"
Now the object of this bill was to entitle any
merchant who should import goods into the United
States, to have the duties refunded to him if he ex-
ported them in the original packages, to Santa Fe
! in MeXico-thercby recognizing Santa Fe to be n
foreign country, as ii undoubtedly was. Yet Con
gress had, just month before they passed this bill
agreed TO annex Texas TO this Union, and Texas
had, by her act OF Congress OF 1886, extended her
limits TO the Rio Grande, by which she included
Santa Fe. 1t is clear, therefore, from this fact a
lons--if it were still clear from the whole
history of the case which have given you-that
Congress had no idea Of recognizing the claim of
Texas to the Rio Grcnde but, on the contrary, di
rectly and unequivocally repealed that claim, and
refused in any way u allow 1t.
This is all that have 70 bring before you touch
ing the history Of the annexation. What l have
submitted TO you shows clearly, and beyond all dis
pute--
lst That Ieras proper and by that mean, THE
Texas which rcvolted against Mexico and secured
her indcpendence-did not extend to the Rio
Grande
ID. That the treaty for annexation rejected
because it was supposed to give color to claim to
extend Texas to the Rio Grandc.
3rd. That the Government dcavowed any .pur-
pose to assent to claim to the Rio Grande, but
on the contrary desired to open negotiation with
Mexico for the purchase Of that boundary.
1th. That the Joint Resolutions, upon which fl
nally Texas annexed carefully provided against
taking any territory that did not rghttully belong
TO Texas.
5th and lastly. That Congress, by the most ex-
plicit act OF legislation in relation To the drawback
announced that the country included within the
new limits of Texas, and beyond the old linits,
a foreign country belonging to Mexico, and that
consequently the territory the Rio Grande did not
"righYaliy belong" to the Republic of Texas.
am now prepared TO speak Of the manner in which
this Mexican war began, and to examine the ques
ton how far Mr.. Polk acted in accordance with his
powers and duties under the Constitution in refer
ence TO that matter This will be the subject of my
next. j. p. KENNEDY.