Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-05-06
sHIRKING RESPONSIBILITY.

Il would seem from the government organ that
the administration is really getting sick OF the
Mexican War, from some cause or other; posi-
bly, because it is paying dear for the whistle, but
more probably from strong fears that upon It's head
will fall all the reproach for the war, while the
honors won in the field will fall 10 those who de-
serve them. Be the cause what it will, the I'm |
ion is endeavorng to shik the responsibility for
occupying the Rio GIande, and transfer ii from
Polk to Gen, Taylor!- just as though either old
Rough and Ready would venture upon such a
step without orders from the Government or that
the Government would be directed by him. The
position of the Union is, that Gen. Taylor made
ga voluntary and urgent request" to the govern
ment 10 permit or order him to occupy the Rio
Grande and it is based upon extract from a
letter OF Taylor to the Secretary of War, da-
ted Oct 4, ls45, OF which the following is the
gist:
sit is with great Difference that make any
"suggcstions on topics which may become mat
"ter of delicate negotiation; bat u our Gooern'
",nent in settling the question of boundary,
"n,akes The lire OF The Rio Grande an uiimatltm,
81 cannot doubt that the settlement will be
greatly facilitated and hustened by our taking
possession at once Of one or two suitable points
Sat or quite near that river"
1t will be seen that Gen. Taylor makes no re-
quest; the government organ has exaggerated
grossly. He simply puts the matter hypothet-
cally- saving, as any sensible general would, u
YOU mean to make the Rio Grande the line in
any event. the sooner you take it the better; do
it now, before Mexico has time to occupy II her
self; and then he winds up by saying that be-
fore he can do this, he must be authorised by the
War Department. Such is Gen. Tay lor's letter
Hypothetical. Still he suggests an occupation
Of the Rio Grande, in certain contingency ; and
were it the first suggestion, originating with
him, we would hold him responsible. But such
is not the flct on the contrary, The Government
first suggested it to him, on the 18th Of June,
1845-in fact ordered him TO take this course -
and again on the Both of July, 1915, and Gen.
Taylor's letter in Oct. was i'll fact but an endeay-
or on his part to procure more specific instruc-
ton in so delicate a case-such as would exclude
him from the possibility of censure. In order tc
show from ichat it is that the Union is trying tc
skulk, we give the following extract from orders
sent by the Secretary of War to Gen. Taylor
dated June 49, ls45--four months before Tay'
lors letter was written:
"Tne point of your ultimate destination is the
western frontier of Texas, where you will Sc
"LHcT and OCCUPY, on or near the Rio Grand
"det Norte, such Site" &c.
And again, on the Both July, l645, the Secre
tary of War writes:
at is expected that, in selecting the estah
"lishment for your troops, you will approach q
smear The boundary iine-the Rio Grande-o
"prudence ,eiH dictate"
We might give more, but enough. Our dc
sire is more TO show that the administration
trying 10 shirk the responsibility of the wa
than to defend Gen. Taylor. He is capable
defending himself 1t is worthy of note tn
Polk begins to feel that he is in hot water.