Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-02-12

Mexico foreign country and admits its capital is SAINT
Fe but which, being Of the Rio GIande belongs to Tex
II is the first time have heard of the capital
State sovereignty being located within the limits AM
subject to the jurisdiction of another yet such 10 the asur
dy in which the President is nextricaby involved by his
stion respecting this conadcted by almos
every fact, he is contradiced by himself
have said the President, in protecting Mexico, had M
right under the constitution, to order the army beyond
limits and if have succeeded in showing that these did no
extend to the Rio Grade, follows, coroary that in or
derng the army to that river he guilty of ncosu
Hoaal act.
Sir, believe in that order is be found the true origin
the real Of this war; in which country unor
tunaeIy involved But for that order the Goddess of Peace
would have still shed her smiles upon US and ON its aho
head must rest the responsibility.
My colleague Mr McLASE us6es this order Of the Pre-
siden because Mexico had refused receive our minister
who with the olive bIanch This ATTEMPT 10 uslify
admits the valley Of the Rio Gande be Mexican territory
for if it belonged to Texas justification was necessay
And he must be hard pressed for justification when he re
hes upon fact not then known TO exist What evidence had
the Executive at that time that Mexico had refused
minister There nothing to show he had arrived
there. On the 20h January 1916, days after the or
der given, the Secretary of State acknowledged the
cept Of two letters from Mr. Slde, dated November 30h
and December l7h the first stating his arrival Vera Cruz
the second his arrival in Mexico Tue those letters may
havebeen received before the 18th and acknowledged u-
til the goth but if they were what do they prove Not
that he had been reectedthe last letter December m
ted that he had submitted his credentials and informed
they be laid before the Council of whose decision he
would be notified He further states that the refusal
ceive him minister possible and perhaps probable
event and in fact he was not finally rejected till the 18th
March, two months after the order given. The only
knowledge which the President then possessed the posi-
bty perhaps probability that Mexico would refuse him
minister, and is clearly justification for invading her
territory Sir is true he the olive branch with one
hand, but with the other he sent the sword.
But my colleague Mr. McLASR) has endeavored to shield
the President and shift the responsibility of this tal ORDER
by stating that was given in consequence OF the advice Of
sd ha.c
does manifest injustice to that gallant officer This charge
sereoyped through almost every county in Maryland
previous the late election by distinguished political
OF that State reuted then in my district and cannot in
silence permit IFS repetition here thank my colleague for
his merited euogy of Gen. Taylor but, in his behalf
decline the honor of being the author adviser of that
ment Under what circumstances was that advice given :
Why sir not until after Mr. Bancroft wrote to him June
ls45, as follows
sThe point your ultimate destination is the
tier OF Texas where you will select and occupy
the Rio Grande del Norte such site will consist with the
health of the troops and protect what in the Of
nexaton, will be our western border. I"
Again, July 80, ls45, the Department wrote 10 him
81 expected that in selecting the establishment for your
troops you will approach the boundary line the Rio
Grande, as prudence will dictate"
Notwithstanding these instructions, Gen. Taylor on the
18th of August encamped at Corpus Christi the Nueces
and until the 4h Of October nearly four months after the
first order given did he reply In his letter 10 the DEE
partment of that date recng the instructions Of June
Is and July 80, he says:
" 1t is with great Difference that make any suggestions
topics which become Of delicate negotiation; but
II Government, in settling the question of boundary
makes the line Of the Rio Grande an umatum, cannot
doubt the settlement will be greatly facilitated by taking
possession at once of or two suitable points quite
ssMexco having yet actual declaration of war;
committed any act OF hostility do not feel at liber
H under my Instructions particularly those o July the St
TO make forward movement to the Rio Grande without
thority from the War Department"
obvious from this correspondence that Gen. Taylor
originated advised this He said nothing
OF till months after he had been twice informed his ultimate
destination The Rio Grande and then he only
in the policy OF such movement under the propso Of
that river being made the ulmatum. He maniesty regard
ed as likely to interfere with delicate negotiation and
therefore the instructions have read deemed insufficient
and he required further authority from the Department Sir
Gen. Taylor is in nowise responsible for that order. The
Administration shield itself under his advice because
it only given subject TO the proriso that the Rio Grande
TO be insisted ultimaum
But that is the very ground Of complaint The Pres
dent had right to decide in advance that the Rio Gande
would be western border He had right insist
such ultmaum the hazard Of The joint resolu
tons gave him such authority They only authorized him
to negotiate and novel mode Of negotiation he adopted
took possession t. the EXTREMIST limits claimed and said
Mexico, Wen negotiate but il you dispute this line, we'll
whip you If England had adopted such mode in the Ore
gon treaty, must have ensued.
Our President rode into power the cry Of the whole Of
Oregon, and insisted title to $40 40 clear and
questionable but when the British lion gr0ed he prudeny
0dcisen WITH Senae, ana accepted OF
the great dspeasue Of many Of his friends And il may be
that he supposed, if he could negotiate Nth strong hand
for slice of Mexico would make up the loss and satisfy
his friends and if e ensued, objection as
might encircle his Administration with blaze Of military
glory. do not charge this upon the President all mean
to say is, that his conduct well adapted promote
quarrel with Mexico and certainly strong suspicion
that he not desrous of peace be would have the
world believe.
Mr.. McLASE. VIII my colleague allow me to ask him
whether the constitution of Texas does define the Rio
Grande ns It's western boundary
Mr.. ROWAN, (wiih other voiccs.) No.
Mr.. McLAsE. Then how could the parallel Of 500 30, ,
mentioned in the joint resolutions, apply the territory
Texas, which would fall below that line unless the Rio Gandc
were the boundary
Mr. ROMAN. have examined the map as 10 that qucs
ton, but presume that parallel inserted in the joint
solutions merely guard the question Of slavery
tory should be acquired above that line it being uncertain
what line might be established by negotiation.
have said the Presidents conduct whether intended or
not, well adapted produce and TO furnish
Gen. Taylor with "a foeman worthy of his Steel" whilst
with one hand he sent him into Mexico the head of an
American army, with the other he permitted Santa Anna
return TO that countryside only who could harmonize
her armies into the field Well, sir Santa Anna raised an
army Of twenty thousand, which, in all probability never
would have been raised but for his presence He Gen.
Taylor at Buena Vista they fought, and Gen Taylor toIhe
astonshment Of the world, victorious. In that, like
every other field, he enabled TO say, re rid, uci
But OH tell il in Gath the very day. least the
week. in which be achieved that glorious victory, tyran
majority Of the Presidents friends in this hall were engaged
srangng the expression OF public gratitude in resolution
OF thanks the old hero who had thus filed the measure
his country militia glory" Yes sir thatmeed Of praise that
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