The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-04-20
NUMBER Al.

MI Gfccn gave the mexican government
notice Of the treaty and strong assurance that
the question Of boundary would be settled on
the most liberal terms.
On the 10th OF September, 1874, Mr.. Cal
houn, as Secretary of State, directed Mr..
Shannon, our Minister in Mexico, to renew
to the Mexican Government the declaration
made by our Charge d'Afiairs, that if annex
alton should be consummated, the United
States would be prepared to adjust all ques-
tons growing out of it, including that of
boundary, on the most liberal terms.
Well, Mr.. President, after having given
these strong assurances to Mexico, in regard
to the question of boundary, we passed the
resolution anneXing Texas to the United
States, and 1t was approved on the 1st of
March, 1916.
On the 9Th of June, 1915, about three
months after the passage of the resolution,
and five months before Texas accepted our
proposition Of annexation, the President Or
dcred General Taylor to the let bank of the
Rio Grandc to protect what, in the event of
annexation, was to be our western border
Yes, Mr.. President before annexation was
commenced, the administration, notwithstand-
ing the strong assurances given to Mexico,
that the question of boundary would be set
tied upon the most liberal terms, had deter
mined that the Rio Grande should be the
western boundary of Texas Was this act
ing in good faith towards Mexico? Was it
calculated to allay her opposition, and recon-
ellie her to annexation ? No, sir, it was cal
culated to increase her hostility 10 the meas
ure, and widen the breach between the two
Governments.
Mr.. SEWER. The order of the 18th of
June was, that Gen. Taylor should remain
+bo g,
MIR, UPHAM I have it in my hand and
will read it,
The acting Secretary of War, in his Or
ders to General Taylor, under date of June
10Th, 1916, says
"The point of your ultimate destination is the
western frontier of Texas, where you will select and
occupy, or hear the Rio Grande Del Norte, such
site as will consist with the health of the troops will
be best adapted to repe invasion, and to protect
what, in the event Of annexation, will be our west
eru border"
Here, sir, is the declaration of the Presi-
dent, by his Secretary of War, that, in the
event OF annexation, the Rio Grande will be
our western border. was, therefore, correct
in the assertion that the Administration had
determined, long before annexation was con-
summatcd to force on Mexico the boundary
of the Rio Grande. And, Mr. President, if
time would permit, could show by the cor
respondence Of the War Department with
our military and naval officers in Mexico,
that the Executive, after he had yielded to
Great Britain deg. 40 min. of territory in
Oregon, to which he had declared our title
"ccar and unquesionable," turned his atten-
ton to Mexico, with fixed determination to
wrest from her, by the sword New Mexico
1916, the Secretary of War, in his despatch
tn IrnDnTal X
at has been decided by the President to be of
the greatest importance in the pending war with
Mexico, to take the earliest possession of Upper
California. An expedition with that view is hereby
ordered, and yon are designated to command it."
In despatch to Col. Stevenson, under
date Of September 18th, 1916, the Secretary
says, " the military occupation of California
is the main object in view" In another
despatch, to Commodore Sloat commanding
our naval forces in the Pacific Ocean, under
date OF July 9Th, 1916, he says:
"Thc object Of the United States is, under its
rights belIigerent nation to possess itsefentire-
ly of Upper California"
Commodore Sloat, in his general order of
July 9TH, 1916, says, Z" it is not only our duty
to take California, but to preserve it after
wards, us part of the United States, at all
hazards" In regard to New Mexico, Gen.
lAcdinCl, III MS lCblCI W Lut department VI
War, under date Of August oath, 1916, says
"On the 22d, issued proclamation, claiming
the whole Of New Mexico, with its then boundaries,
as territory of the United States of America, and
taking it under our protection" 81 is the wish
and intention Of the United States" (says General
Kearney in his procamaton,) to provide for New
Mexico a free government with the least possible
delay, similar to those in the United States; and the
people of New Mexico will then be called on to ex
ercise the rights Of lreemen in electing their own
representatives to the Territorial lie ,isature."
have not time, Mr.. President, to pursue
this branch of the subject further. The ex-
tracts have read show, beyond all doubt,
that the war was waged for the acquisition of
Mexican territory, by conquest, and not to
compel just and equitable settlement Of the
between the two countries. .
Mr.. President, few words upon the claim
of Texas to the left bank of the Rio Grande
shall close my remarks. In 1924, Mexico, by
her representatives in convention assembled,
ours and became republic. Texas, at that
line, did not contain the required population
o become State, but was Professionally uni
ed with the neighboring province of Coahu-
la, to form the State of Coahuila and Texas,
until the latter should possess the necessary
clements to form a separate State for herself
n 1888, the inhabitants of Texas, having as
ertained that their numbers were equal to
most, and exceeded those of several of the old
States, held convention and formed and
doptcd constitution upon the principles of
he Mexican republic, and applied to the gen.
raj Congress for admission into the Union.
heir application was rejected, and their
gent imprisoned. In 1884, the constitution
Congress of Mexico was dissolved by mil
arv order of General Santa Anna, the con-
tuition overthrown, and the State Govern
rents abolished.
In September, 1885, General Cos invaded
ne province of Texas by land with orders to