Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-06-09

at Mier, but without any force nor is
there, as yet, any concentration Of troops
on the river"
In despatch under date OF October
llIh, 1915, he says that
"Recent arrivals from the Rio Grande
bring no news, or information Of different
aspect from that which reported in my
last. The views expressed in previous COM
municntions relative to the pacific DISPOSE
lion Of the border people Oh both sides Of
the river are confirmed"
And in another despatch under date Of
January Z, 1916, he says
1--WE have many arrivals from Malamo-
ras and other points on the river, but they
bring no intelligence Of interest. A recent
scout Of volunteers from San Antonio
struck the river near Preside, Rio Grande,
and the commander reports everything quiet
ia that quarter"
Who, Mr. President, with this evidence
before him, can say that Gen. Taylor, on
the 18th Of January, 1916, was ordered 10
the Rio Grande TO meet and repel MeSi.
can army there collected for the invasion OF
Texas! On the 9TH Of January. only six
days before the order was issued, Gen Tay-
Tor informed the President that every thing
was quiet in that quarter. But. sir. the
honorable Senator from Illinois, (Mr Doug
lass has attempted 10 Justify the order, on
another ground. lie says il was issued on
tie recommendation and at the request of
Gen. Taylor. IL this we're true il would he
no justification for the President The ex-
pediency OF such measure was a question
for Congress to settle. General Taylor had
nothing TO do with IT, But, Mr. President,
the army was not ordered to the Rio Grande
on the recommendation Of General Taylor.
All he said upon the subject is contained in
his letter To the War Department, under
date Of October iih, 1916, more ilan three
months before he received orders TO leave
Corpus Christi. In that letter he says
at will be recollected that the instruc-
lions Of June the 18th, issued BY Mr. Ban.
croft. then Acting Secretary Of War, di-
rected me TO select and occupy. on or near
the Rio Grande. such site as will consist
with the health OF the troops. and will be
bes, adapted repel INVASION" &c.
After assigning the reasons which induc-
ed him 10 concentrate his force at Corpus
Christi, he proceeds as follows:
1T is with great Difference that make
any suggestions on topics which may be.
come matter of delicate negotiation but if
our government, in settling the question OF
boundary, makes the line Of the Rio Grandc
an ultimaium, canno, doubt that The set
Element will be facilitated and hasened by
our taking possession at once OF one or two
suitable points on or quito near that river.
Our strength and state of preparation
should be displayed in a manner not 10 be
mistaken"
II our GorerHmenf had determined, at all
events, To make the Rio Grande the west
ern boundary of Texas, the sooner we lie,
Mexico know it the better. This is the
sum and substance Of all General Taylor
said upon the subject His suggestion was
based upon the ground that the line Of the
Rio Grande was our uliimaium.
Mr. President, there must have been, at
the bottom Of this movement, something
more than desire to settle upon Just and
honorable terms the western boundary oil
Texas and will endeavor TO show what
it was. Our Government was aware that
the annexation of Texas would give offence
TO Mexico, aud an effort was made TO recon
cile her to the measure. On the 18th oil
April, 1874, Mr. Calhoun, the Secretary oil
State, directed Mr. Green, our Charge
d'Affaires in Mexico, to inform that Gov
eminent that treaty for the annexation oi
Texas 10 the United States had been signed
by the Plenipcientiaries Of the two Govern
ments, and would be sent TO the Senate
without delay, for its approval. In making
this fact known, Mr. Green was directed to
give the Mexican Government the strongest
assurance that, in adopting the measure,
we were acluaied by no feelings Of disres
pect or Indifference to the honor or digni-
iy OF Mexico; and that the step was forced
upon the United States in self-delence, IN
consequence of the policy adopted by Grea
Britain in reference TO the abolition Of sla
very in Texas. MIR Green was further en-
joined TO assure the Mexican Government
that il was our desire TO settle all question,
between the two countries which nigh
| grow out Of the treaty, or any other cause
on the most liberal terms, including that o.
boundary. On the 23d of May Mr. Greer
| gave the Mexican Government notice ofih'
treaty and strong assurance that the ques
ton of boundary would be settled on thu
most liberal terms. =
|
On the 10Th OF September. 1874, NJ
Calhoun. as Secretary of State, directed
Mr. Shannon. our Minister in Mexico, Il
renew TO the Mexican Government the dec
laralion made by our Charge d'AIiaires
that if annexation should be consummated
the United States would be prepared to ad
Just all questions growing out oft, including
that of boundary, on the most liberal terms
Well, Mr. President. after having giyel
these strong assurances to Mexico, in re
gard to the question Of boundary, we pass
ec the resolution anuexing Texas to ih
United States. and il was approved on tn
LIST of March, 1916.
On the 18th Of June, 1915, aboni tire
months aler the passage of the resolution
and five months before Texas accepted on
proposition of annexation, the Presiden
ordered General Taylor to the left bank Q
the Rio Grande TO protect what, in III
event Of annexation, was TO be our wesIer
border. Yes. Mr. President, before nnne'
alton was consummated, the administration
notwithstanding the strong assurances gl'
en- 10 Mexico that the question OF bOnndi