The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-04-18
NUMBER 81.

Out uiblAilcluhl-
Mr. President, there must have been, at tho
bottom of this movement, something more
than desire to settle upon just and honora-
BILE terms the western boundary Of Texas
and will endeavor toshow what it was. Our
Government was aware that the annexation
Of Texas would give offence to Mexico, and
an effort was-made to reconcile her to the
measure On the 18th Of April, 1914, Mr..
Calhoun, the Secretary Of State, directed Mr..
Green, our Charge d'Affaires in Mexico, 10
inform that Government that q ire ATTY for the
annexation of'rcxas to the United States had
been signed By the Plenipotentaries Of the
two Governments, and would be sent to the
Senate, without DELAY, for its approval. In
making thi; fact known, Mr.. Green was di-
rected to give the Mexican Government the
strongest assurance that, in adopting the
measure, we were actuated by no feeling Of
iisrespect or Indifference to the honor or Dig
ntv OF Mexico; and that the step was forced
upon the United States in selfdefence, in
consequence Of the policy adopted by Great
Britain IN reference TO the abolition Of slave.
nv in Texas Mr.. Green was further enjoined
to assure tho Mexican Government that it
was our desire to settle all questions letween
the two countries which might grow out of the
treaty, or any other cause, on the most liberal
terms. including that Of boundary, ION the
23d of MAY, MIR. Green gave the Mexican
Government notice OF the treaty and the
strong assurance that the question ofboanda-
nv would be settled on the most liberal terms.
On the 10th Of September, 1914, Mr. CAL
houn, as Secretary of State, directed Mr..
Shannon, our Minister in Mexico, to renewto
the Mexican Government the declaration
made by our Charge dAiiaires, that ifannex-
alton should be consunniated, the United
States would be prepared to adjust all dues-
tions growing out of it, including that Of
Jottndory d, The most HIerdl tcrmS.
Well, Mr. President, after having given
these strong assurances 10 Mexico, i'll regard
TO the question Of boundary, we passed the
resolution annexing Texas to the United
States, and it was approved on the LIST OF
March, 1915.
On the 18th Of June, 1915, about three
months after the passage of the resolution, and
five months before Texas accepted our prop
o,ition of annexation, the President ordered
General TAYLOR to the left bank of the Rio
Grande, to protect what, in the event Of an
nexation, was to be our western border. Yes,
Mr.. President, before annexation was con-
summarized, the administration, notwithstand-
inc the strong assurances given 10 Mcxico,that
the question of boundary would be settled up
on the most liberal terms, had determined that
the Rio Grande should be the western boun-
diary of Texas. Was this acting in good faith
towards Mexico? Was it calculated TO allay
her opposition, and reconcile her to annexa-
ton? No, sir, it was calculated TO increase
her hostility to the measure, and widen the
breach between the two Governments.
Mr. SEWER The order of the 18th Of
June was, that Gen. Taylor should remain on
the Sabine.
MIR. UPHAM have it in my hand and
will read it.
The acting Secretary of War, in his ordcrs
to Gen. Taylor, under dato Of June 10, ls45,
says:
"The point Of your ultimate destination is
the western frontier of Texas. where you will
select and occupy, on or near the Rio Grandc'
Del Norte, such site as will consist with the
health Of the troops, will be best adapted to
repeI invasion, and to protect what in the
event of annexation, will be our western Dor
der"
Here sir, is the declaration Of the President,
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 de-
termined, long before annexation was consum-
mated, TO force upon Mexico the boundary of
the Rio Grande. And, Mr.. President, 1T
time would permit, conld show by the cor
rcspondence of the War Department with our
military and naval officers in Mexico, that the
Executive, after he bad Welded to Great
Britain , 40 Of territory in Oregon, to which
he had declared our title "clear and unques-
tionable," turned his attention to Mexico, with
n fixed determination TO wrcst from her, by
the sword, New Mexico and Upper Caliiorn-
ia On the 81 Of June, 1916, the Secretary
of War, in hi, despatch TO Gen. kearney,
says:
at has been decided by the President to
be Of the greatest Importance in the pending
war with Mexico, to take the earliest posses
sion of Upper California. An expedition with
that view is hereby ordered, and you are des-
ignated to command"
In a despatch to Col Stevenson. under
date Of September 1lth, 1916, the Secretary
saws ''the military occupation Of California IS
the main object in view In another de-
spatch, to Commodore Sloat, commanding
our naval forces in the Pacific Ocean, under
date of July 18th, 1916, he says:
"The object of the United States IS, under
its rights as belligerent nation, TO possess IT.
self entirely of Upper California
Commodore SIoat, in his general order of
July 9Th, 1916, says. at is not only our duty
to take California, but TO preserve it after
wards, as part of the United States, at all
hazards" In regard to New Mexico, Gener-
al Kearney, in his letter to the Department OF
War, under date of August 24th, 1916, says
"On the 22d, issued proclamation, claim
ing the whole of New Mexico, with its then
boundaries, as territory Of the United States
of America, and taking it under our protec-
tom sit is the wish and intention Of the u
nited States" (says Kearney in his proclama-
ton, ).'to provide for New Mexico a free gov
eminent, with the least possible delay, similar
to those in the United States; and the peo-
pie Of New Mexico viii then be called on to
exercise the rights of freemen in electing their
own representatives 10 the Territorial LeslSia-
lures"
have no time, Mr.. President, topursue this
branch Of the subject further. The extracts
have read show, beyond all doubt, that the