The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1848-03-18

thS CHlled states hau peculiar Ieusohs LOT
believing that Mexico would BIO willing 10 ne
and would finally consent to receive
sur minister, ! think | can satisfy you that
10 know that peaceable means had not been
exhausted, and that war with Mexico was not
necessary. Mr.. Slidell gave him piece Of in
formation which assured him, if he had before
entertained doubts on the subject, that the re-
sumption Of negotiations with Mexico was not
only probable, but nearly certain. This infor-
nation was contained in a letter from Mr.. Sill
dell, dated February 6, 1916, from which | read
the following:
"Since my depatch Of the l4th ultimo moth
ing has occurred 10 indicate the course likely
to be pursued by the existing government as
to my reception, but | think it will mainly be
controlled by the aspect of the Oregon ques-
ton. Should our difficulties with Great Britain
continue to presents prospect Of war with that
Power, there will be but a faint hope Of a
change of policy here"
In other words, Mr.. Slidell tells him, that
his own reception would depend on the Presi-
DENTS settlement Of the Oregon question. II
that question should be settled peaceably, he
would be received; but if we should become
involved in war with Great Britain, he would
be rejected. Now, sir, the President perfectly
we'll knew at that time, as well as afterwards,
that he did not mean to have a wal with En-
gland. The lllustnous and venerable gentle
man from Massachusetts (Mr. Adams) made
prediction on this fOor, during the debate on
the Oregon question, which the President knew
full we'll would prove true. He predicted that
we should have no war with England on the
Oregon question; for, said he, " either the
British Government or Mr.. President Polk will
back out" The President very well knew that
he himself would " back out" if England did
not, as the gentleman from Massachusetts had
predicted. lie had no intention OF fighting
Great Britain. lie very we'll knew that he
would abandon all to which he had said our
title was "clear and unquestionable." He
knew that he would sign a treaty with Great
Britain, giving her all she demanded; as Mr..
Pakenham said in his despatch, " without the
change of a word or a letter." Knowing this,
| repeat, he had peculiar reasons for believing
that Mexico would be inclined to peace, since
1t was the opinion Of Mr.. Slidell that tine re-
newal of negotiations depended on the result
of the Oregon question. He knew there was
still ample room for negotiation. Gentlemen
ON the other side Of this House have fallen in
to q great mistake when they have claimed
that the President did not proceed 10 extreme
measures till all negotiation was at an end
!, Negotiation was not at end. 'On the contrary
the final rejection itself of Mr.. Slidell, which
took place on the goth of March, 1916, two
months after the order Of January 18th t
f march to the Rio Grande, was put by Mexico
in part, on the ground that our "invadlnt
f forces were advancing by her northern iron
q tiers" sat the same time that, by our minis
!. ter plenipotentiary, propositions were made TO
a cancellation and accommodation" Mr.. J. MD
= Castillo Y Llanzas, the then Mexican mlniste
q of foreign relations, says in giving the hna
# decision OF his Government, 6 this would be
q sufficiently powerful reason for not lIslenlp
: TO propositions for Cancellation and aecommo
dalion."
v Thus it appears, Mr.. Chairman, by the doc
uments with which the President of the Unite
# States has furnished this House, that while nj
gotiations were pending, with a fair prospect
is Of a peaceful termination OF the dliicnltlf
between this country and Mexico, the Pres
!, dent. before he had received information
Mr.. Slidelrs rejection, without "submittln
" the whole case to Congress" Gas Mr.. Buchal
an declared it his duty to do,O although the
in session, cut short all negotiation with ii
sword, and, by his W unauthorized, uncol
st,tutional act, preciPitated this country int
I'd war,
But tits said by the friends of the PresideI
ID that the order Of the 18th January, 1916, und
Be which our army marched to the Rio Grand
was given by the President OF the Unit
States upon the advice of General Tayld
~ Probably this defence is more relied on by Il
al friends Of the President than any other "
IT. were told the other day, by some gentlemen'
no the course Of debate, that the Wings we
IN afraid to 90 into the next presidential conte
Il. upon their own principles, but were endeaVe
en- ing to "skulk behind General Taylor" III
ID charge comes with an i'll grace from men WI
themselves are afraid to rest the conduct OF
Id President on its own merits. They won
i'd "skulk behind General Taylor;'' but eyl
lis there they will not be out OF danger. So
examine this point, cir, and | ask your ate
in ton, while | show what was the character
re the advice given by Gen. Taylor to the re
on dent. Let US see whether, in ordering our
,ot my to march into the enemy's county, y
Polk pursued the advice given him BY u
H. distinguished General. And here must aga
Ieler TO public documents.
in On the 18th day Of June, l845, orders w
80 A. nG IN