The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-07

him; and secondly the failure of that general 10 call
for volunteers, he authorized to DO after he ar
Iived on the hp Grande and informed of the hostile
intentions OF the Mexcans He arrived there nearly a
month before the attack on Capt Thornton; and if he
had then called on Texas and Louisiana for volunteers.
the rapidy with which they few TO his assistance after
wards shows that they might have arrived at the scene
OF action before the oath OF April 1t can hardly
De supposed, II 1000 5000 additional troops had
been with General Taylor, that the Mexicans would
have crossed the river These events occurred without
the owedge of the President OF the United States, and
before the facts could be communicated 10 hun and any
order gysn, No order or authority was ever gwen 10
bock sde the mouth OF the rivers the contrary Len
Taylor instructed not insist on the JOINT naviga-
ton OF that If should be objected 70 oy the
cans Gen. Taylor repeatedly reminded oil the ample
authority given him call for volunteers ana he and
the President, the best Judge OF what was neces
sary He had generous confidence an his army that II
was able to withstand the force which the Mexicans
could bring against and subsequent events have proved
that he correct But the Mexieans did not know 1t
that time They had no idea OF our prowess but do
think they would have crossed the river against
do moi blame Gen Taylor for The course he adopted
il may have precipated the little sooner than it
would otherwise have occurred. but still have
occurred at last and as we made glorious beginning
cause regret it. All wish to say is that for these
events the President OF the United States is not respon
sble. ..., q. le,l.a. io a.H .ta
Before close there is another fact which wish to
submit TO the consideration of the Senate Those the
other side of the house contend that the President
brought on the war by ordering the army to the Rio
pue. Whatever difference of opinion may exist the
question of boundary, II was clearly the duty OF the
President TO recognise the Rio Grande the true boun
dairy Acts of Congress had recognised such They
the laws of the land, and he bound to obey
them, whatever opinions may have been entertained by
the Mexican government or others, on the question OF
boundary. That he right in considering this Ameri
can territory and the Mexican troops invading it,, is
clearly proved by the proceedings of this body on the
18th of May 1916, when the bill recognising the
was under consideration. l will here extract from the
journal of the Senate: aeL
" On motion by Mr.. CRFrrENpEN 10 amend the DILL by
striking line the words TO prosecute said
speedy and successful termination and in lieu
thereof ito rspeP and otherwise prosecute hos
tilfie, the country be secured from the danger Of further
inpdsion." .---..t ----
This determined in the negative--yeas go, nays
&c. How it be commended after this, that the Presi
dent made this war, that it not made on American
soil How could the senator from Kentucky Mr. CRIT
TENDEN] call it 'nvasion," unless the Mexican army
had crossed into American so He, and they who
voted with him, must have considered it at the time
How they then say that the President made this
war! ... al ,-...