Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-01-22

Such the situation Of affairs when annexatio took
place. Mexico had possession Of part and Texas Of part
lying the banks OF the respective rivers leaving the inter-
yenng space divided by shadowy line which could not very
well be distinguished Under these circumstances the an
nexaton took place. and General Taylor was ordered with
bis army to Corpus Christi the right bank Of the Nueces
and in part OF The disputed territory. Now, there
perfect title in legal contemplation in the Republic of the United
States have doubt sir Texas had as good right as
Mexico there possession This was exactly
the position in which neither had exclusive right TO the whole
There was no exclusive right in either, far regards
definite certain title Under these circumstances Gen. rayio
ordered down to Corpus Christi with view to occupy
the territory Of Texas to protect from the invasion of Mex
co Now comes the most difficult and dcbaabe point ISSUE
upon which y seems 70 me the merits Of this must u
maely iurn General Taylor there by direction of the
Government and right remain there until he received
further orders from home. An envoy penpoontiary Mr. Sill
dell, sent to Mexico with view negotiate if he could,
and set the boundary Veal know the result Of this negoa
ton. Herera, who wa' then in power, perfectly willing
TO receive him. he sa1 commissioner the boun
day but he could not receive him penipotcntiary II
might have been an idle objection, but Government
sisted that the cup Of reconciliation would be exhausted
unless be should be received in the character in which
sent to Mexico After Mr. Sidel recalled, after he
took his passports it must be recoeced the march Of Gen.
Taylor TO the Rio Grande took place
Now, am not going toexcuse the President acting
the advice and suggestions Of Gen. Taylor any thing that he
did by his orders for moving the army from place
ther The General placed in situation get informa-
ion and was bound to communicate it, with his opinion, to
the President as commanden-chief upon whom had de-
volved the highly responsible Office of fulfilling the directions
of the Legislature. II Gen. Tayors duty take pro-
per position for the occupation of Texas and 60 to any
point that he might be directed Under his first oders the
General might have gone he seemed to think his
duty TO have done in the first instance the banks the
Rio Grande He orebore doing So for the Of certain
military appliances, and conened himself by sitting down
Corpus Christi Here he continued, in measure, abd-
ing the result of negotiations His decided opinion always
bad been that the Rio Grande presented the position for
military reconnaissance and operations He gave this opn
ion TO the President evidently under the belief that he might
IN certain contingencies have to resort to force defend the
occupation OF Texan territory After having given this ad-
vice. another letter he said that if The disputes OF the two
Governments could be settled by negotiations the army might
well remain where it was, at Corpus Christi With these in
sucve suggestions before him. the President had right to
act he thought proper His duty hold the occupa-
ton OF the country by the army He had large and per-
haps dangerous discretion So long Mexico reaned from
taking possession Of the disputed territory lying beyond the
Nueces with armed occ orebore make any obvious
demonstration of design frce-miary force-the
President bound do the same He had his hand on
the spring Of terrible engine and bound under the
highest obligations touch it with the skill and precision of
master II easy cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war;
but il is hard 10 call them from their dreadful revey The
question pregnant with important ISSUE For what pur
pose did the President order the army from the Nueces to the
Rio Grande Il done after the withdrawal of Mr. Sill
dell and after had been sad that the cup Of reconciliation
exhausted Was done in the view Of having the
versy brought to close by appeato the sword he
acted with criminal Indifference consequences and in dis
regard Of bis constitutional duty, having neither the power to
make war wifuly to place the country in such ccum
stances would lead to it. In uncure full Of danger
he should have appealed to Congress There then,
view OF the subject in which would hold the conduct Of the
Chief Magistrate entirely justi6abe IF he were satisfied
from Gen Taylors communications that Mexico making
open demonstrations Of design make lodgment Of her
army this territory in dispute, he should have prevented
by similar movement. In such juncture he had
the vigilance and information of his military officer Had
Gen. Taylor then reasonable grounds of apprehension that
the Mexican forces were movngt this point If So he
perfectly right in anticipating them in the for the pos
The issue Of this controversy depends this
ment OF the Whilst the President has right 70 make
war, he may rghhuly the army to repe tie hostile in
vason Of conceded disputed territory but bring
the circumstances that would lead to such result.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi. If the Senator will permit
me, would sugges; that Gen. Taylor, marching TO the
Rio Grande, met The Mexican army about halt way-on the
banks Of the Lutte Coloradoand informed by the
mandcr of the Mexican forces that if he crossed that
il would be held an act Of war;
MI. BUTLER. | understand ell that.
Mr.. DAVIS. The Mexican army moved first.
Mr. BUTLER do not recollect dates but understand
the order Gen. Taylor issued before Mexican army
advanced
Mr.. DAVIS. I do not know OF what Time the Mexican
army proceeded to this point but do know that Gen. Tay
lor fund them Ia position and they must therefore, have
moved hrst That's fair inference.
Mr. SEWER The order was given 10 Gen. Taylor in
January February il received by him, and in March
hc in mo,icn.
Mr.. BUTLER shall concur with the Senator readily in
this point Of view for regard both having possession.
think that Gen. Taylor right advise the Government TO
anticipate the Mexican army have always been under the
on however, that the order issued long
before However, sir, do think makes great deal
~ difference Ear rcgarGs he situation of affairs
Al concur desiring bring this TO close by hon.
orabe peace be very well effected And how is il
10 he done ,
Having como 10 the conclusion that bound to MAIN
tain the rights Of Texas the territory between the Nueces
and the Rio Grande-and certainly think bound by
We most solemn Of pcdgesor we have an act Of this very
body rccng that American blood had been shed American
so there stands your statute book, the most solemn Of
all declarations that this territory did belong TO Texas and to
this country by annexation and though il subject Of
honest dispute between Texas and Mexico, and between the
niaed states and Mexico yet have passed judgment upon
q and said 10 Texas i part Of her territoryand in
sequence of that pledge 10 yield ole
fet o land this sje Of the Rio Gande Bu sir. that as
FAR as viii 20 ahiaafum o any proposition Of peace
10 that Ccsemrnt would insist, In the first instance In
all easufcs of nrgoaon, that 10 the Rio Grsnde
bound under Tho solemn o pledges TO protect the rights
u TeraA bu, then The question may he asked-and is
proper qusson-how would you establish any other line for
~paning The e,Jnes of the United States from those Of
hexco Win ysu ia back upon any lins which separates
Oregon RON Msxca think not, sir. Bot, Ivy way OF
making accspsr possible 10 Mexico, and with sim
desire % terminate this war, would not hesitate, II
were % s ons tomorrow, scnd the most iusirous
assy - Mssuo and propose her terms o peace upon
ih sissafHz With The right, however, 10 demand from
her % ay what line she should by way a. cmPensa'ing
- ls tho claims have sgans, her and should think
no dsgrad.sion. II were . strong GovenImcnt and we
were actually sngsgcd eohcs o. BE- decided by orce OF