Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1848-02-03

country 10 The Ito Grande, claimed as
Texas under the act Of annexation. re-
ceiving at the same time his orders TO
defend and protec, that territory; while
Congress in December, l845, on their
first meeting, were informed fully by
the President of his action in Texas
to which they took no exception; but,
on the contrary, legislated without re-
straint and without limit, for all the ter
ritory claimed as Texas; and particu-
larIy committed itself to this territory
west of the Nueces, by further and par
ticular legislation IN the establishment,
of a custom house and revenue district
west of that river. Upon this state of
facts, feel constrained to regard as a
calumny the assertion tina; the territory
west of the Nueces was occupied by
the illegal and unconstitutional order
of the President of the United States,
acithout the concurrence Of Congress.
Sir, have seen il suggested from
the opposition, that the war, though
Just and honorable as the result Of an
nexation as between Mexico and the
United States, yet as between the diff
ferent branches of this government
there exists responsibility with the
Executive, peculiar and painful, crea-
ted by the rash act of the President in
ordering troops to the Rio Grande, pro-
voking the state of active hostili,ies.
Such a conclusion could only result,
sir, from the struggle Of generous
spirit, under the impulse Of patriotism,
called to an unwilling association with
the opposition. Such an assault on
the President, like the broad declara-
ton affirmed by Ibis House, and al.
ready referred to, must be refuted by a
simple review of the history of annexa.
ton; and coming from the opposition
under all the existing circumstances, il
is even more unwarrantable than the
abstract denunciation of the Illegally
and uncons,itutional;ty Of such an or
der. In repelling this assault upon
the wisdom and capacity of the Presi-
dent in one particular act of admins
tration, it must be observed, that even
in view of the act of territorial occupa-
ton west Of the Nueces. this advance
to the Rio Grande was not made foI
months after our armies were posted
west Of the Nueces, and for months af-
Ter Congress had actually extended A.
merican laws and American life into
that territory; nor until months after
General Taylor, who was intrusted
with the defence anG protection OF
Texas, had repeatedly urged and adj
vised the movement, upon high con-
siderations of military and political pro-
priety; nor until months after the or
ganization of the Mexican armies on
the banks of the Rio Grande river, un-
der peremtory orders to cross that river,
and seek our people at Corpus Christi,
or wherever else they might be found.
This movement, made with caution,
with care, in purely defensive spirit,
subordinate and secondary to the oc-
cupation Of the country west of the
Nueces, which was made six months
before the advance to the Rio Grande
was ordered; and this movement,
which was withheld for months. at The
express command Of the President, that
every effort to settle differences by me-
gotiation nigh, be exhausted, is seiz-
ed upon by one branch Of the opposi-
ton as an illegal and unconstitutional!
act; by another, as an unwise one;
and by both, as the cause Of Ike war,
proximate or remote. M
Sir: one other ground of reproach
isreIied on by the opposition, which is
to attach the responsibility of this war
to the President. He is denounced,
sir, for e;ecting the alternative joint
resolution for the admission of the
State of Texas into the Union, rather
than the resolutions which proposed
negotiation. Sir, not 10 remark that
the Presidents predecessor had already
made the election, let me only suggest
! that Congress authorized the election;
and that it savors somewhat Of pre-
sumption, TO argue mo,o, in. the dark,
that different election would have a.
voided war. For one, sir: believe
the alternative election of negotiation
would have lost Texas altogether.
Mr.. Chairman, think the war
1st. In its origin, just, honorable,
and necessary, mean unavoidable. J
3D.. think it is being prosecuted
with the avowed object of conqnering
peace, which would secure indemni-
ty for the past and security for the fu-
ture.
Sd. / think indemnify and security
may consist in pecuniary, territorial, or
commercial conditions, altogether or
severally.
4th. / think the NARROWER under
our federal constitution omnipotent un-
der the recognised laws Of nations, as
established on principles Of humanity