The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-18
CONGRESSIONAL.
spEEcu OF HON. DAVID $. KAUFMAN,

OF TEXAs,
Delivered in the House of Representatives. June ., ISIS
the ITned STATES by invading territory That belonged
to Texas at the period of her annexation
The House being in Committee OF the Whole on the
state of the Union
Mr. KAUFMAN addressed the committee as follows
Mr. CHAIRMAN: AS the House is now in Committee of
the Whole on the state Of the Union have risen to dis
cuss question deeply involving the honor and character
Of that Union.
The Democratic National Convention which assembled
IN the city of Baltimore during the latter part OF last
month, amongst many other admirable resolutions adopt
ell with entire unanimity the following, viz;
Resolred That the war with Mexico, provoked on her
ppmv crossing the Rio Grande attacking the american troop.
's prncipes Of patriotism and of nations it
Just and necessary war on our part IN Which every amen
can citizen should have shown himself ON me size OF hs
country and neither morally nor physically, by word or
deed, have given ''ad and comfort to The enemy"
On the other hand it will be recoected by you, Mr.
Chairman that the chg majority OF this House, on the
third day OF January last, soemny resolved that Me
war Nth Mer,co unnecessarily and
begun By the President of the United States" This last
10 oint resolution of thanks Majsr General Taylor
and the men under his command, Tor Their signal victory
ON the field of Buena VISTA As conceive this amend
nett an insult to the brave the JOINT resolution pro-
posed to hono unjust and understandable attack upon
the Chief Magistrate of the nation; libel upon the Con-
gress that declared the and the country that so gal
hntly sustained it reflection upon the justice OF the
treaty lately negotiated with Mexico which cedes to the
United States territory indemnity for the expenses OF
the late war and SANDER upon the title OF Texas to soil
won BY the vaor and waered by the blood OF her sons
shall devote my allotted hour to its refutahon
Here SIR we have at least one distinct issue made up
between the two great parties OF this country, which
must be decided on the 18th November next by the Amer
lean people at the polls. In regard to the commencement
of the war; the democrats believe that our country was
in the right, and that ''our cause is just. The wings
on the other hand that, through the unneces sary
and unconstitutional" action of the President the war
unjust in It's origin, and our country IN the wrong
"The American democracy who place their trust in the
intelligence, the patriotism, and the discriminating justice
Of the American people," do not for moment doubt that
the cartridge box has completely defended our honor
abroad, the baobox will equally vndicate our charac-
ter at home
The resolution of the Baltimore Democratic Conven-
hon above quoted, admits that Texas owned the country
between the Nueces and Rio Grande The amendment
Of the wing majority, above referred to, denies It, as DO
all their speeches delivered in this House. 1t Texas
owned this country, no OF course would say that tn
order to General Taylor to march to the RIO rande was
unconstitutional The question then is, Did this coun-
try, at the of the war, belong to Texas
or was it part and parcel of Mexco' And that is the
question which now propose to discuss.
In the remarks which intend TO make, / purpose
ment Of facts. l shall make very few comments upon
those factsno more than necessary to explain them
My object is to collect in brief space for the use of the
nHa s ha fsas
accomplished all desire.
which she owns, is founded upon revolution During
her independent existence, her strong right was the
title bywhich she indicated her right to the Rio Grande
and to the territory confirmed to her by treaty after
wards broken Like the sturdy barons Of old England
when asked once by their yranncal despo by what title
they held the lands of which they in possession,
thousand swords leaped from their scabbards and their
gltering blades gave at once satisfactory answer To
make that title good one, the causes which produced
that revolution should be sufficient to usyit. Notwith
standing the unjust aspersons which have been cast upon
tho mn If fhnoo hr1vn md C0jI m
noted and sustained the revolution in Texas, yet the
events connected with the with Mexico will 20 far
vndcate the truth OF the grounds set forth by Texas
in justification of her separation from Mexico The
times proptous for the complete triumph OF truth IN
regard to the revolutionary history OF much sandered
Texas will now read some extracts from the pecla lara
on OF Texas independence made by her assembled dele
gates at the town OF Washington, on the I'd March, 1856
"The MEXICAN government, by its colonization laws, in
ted and induced the population OF Texas
ten constitution that they should Continue TO enjoy that
Constitutional liberty and republican government to when
iey had been Infatuated in the land OF their Dlr tue
United States of America.
SIN this expectation they have been cruelty disappointed
namuch Mexican nation has acquesced in the late
changes made the by General Antonio Lopez
d Santa Anna, who having overturned the constitution OF
abandon homes acquired by many privations,
submit to the most ntoerable of oil tyranny the combined
despotis OF the sword and the priesthood
ut hath sacrificed welfare to the State OF Coahuila
by which interests have been continually depressed
through jealous and partial course of legislation carried
lar government by hostile majority,
unknown tongue and this, too Notwithstanding we
nave petoned IN the humbes terms for the
separate State government and have, in accordance
with the provisions OF the national constitution, presented
10 the general Congress republican constitutions which
was, without Just cause. contemporary rejected
has dissolved by force OF arms the State Congress ni
Ioanua and Texas and obliged representatives to ny
or their lives from the of governments thus deprivng
US OF The fundamental political right OF representation
has demanded surrender of number OF our citl-
en and ordered military attachments TO seize ana carry
mem into The nteror for trial, in contempt OF the civil au-
nores, and defiance Of the laws and the constitution
III
com msonng foreign desperadoes, and authorizing them
seize vessels and convey the property OF our citizens
10 lar distant parts Tor coniiscation.
II denies the right of worshippng the Almighty ac-
ordng to the dictates of conscience by the sup
port OF national egon calculated to promote the tempo
RAJ interest of its human rather than the glory
oil the true and living God.
IL has demanded us deliver up arms which are
essential to dctencethe righul property OF freemen-
and formidable only TO tyrannca governments
" has invaded our country both by and by land
with the intent to lay waste territory and drive ms from
our homes; and has large mercenary army advanc
Ing ocauy against MS war Of extermnation.
N has, through its emsares melted the merciless sarag
h The foahawk and caiping knife TO the inhab
ltants Of our detenceess frontiers.
" 1t has been, during the whole time OF our connexon
with it, the contemplate sport and victim of successive
military revolutions, and hath continually exhibited every
Characteristic OF weak, corrupt, and yrannicai govern
ment."
There is no freeman within the broad limits of this
mighty confederacy who will not consider the causes
above set forth as fully justifyng revolution and there
Is not of gallant army in Mexico who has wit
messed Mexican institutions, and experienced Mexican
warfare, who will not at yield his belief to their
truth
The same convention which, on March Q, 1886 de-
clared the independence OF Texas, the 18th OF the
month adopted the constitution OF the republic of
Texas. In that conventions the counties OF San Patrcio
Of the schedule of that constitution, the county OF
Beyar was entitled to one senator and two representa-