The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-19

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such thing nation figrane beio acquiring title to
the territory OF another, until there shall have been
treaty OF peace made abandonment OF right on the
part OF the conquered nation-ur unless such circumstan
ces exist as 10 induce the other nation 10 recognise the
rght mus claimed know instance in modern tunes,
OF utle TO any territory being consummaed and perfected
by the law OF the stronges-athough, during ii is
one OF the modes OF annoying enemy take posses
SION OF the territory of that enemy, can be seized
upon by either of the begerents.
War does not consist merely in fighting. War has
other modes IN which may be conducted; and one of
the modes IN which 1t ought to be conducted seize
he property OF your for the purpose of deprving
him OF The means which he otherwise would have of
tanning HIMSELF or the contest This sir is mode of
carrying war And so say, hold possession of
this territory we are but carrying the war leglimaey
II is not to tight, because there nobody 10 fight But
if the United States advertise Mexico that, under cir
cunstances can these territories or any part OF them be
coded given back to her. under treaty OF peace why
talk about negotiations Why speak of making peace
under the form of treaty. Why resort to such mser
able mockeyi Why seek to disguise your under
such miserable pretences Negotiation for whats You
will say Mexico you must negotiate but If you do it
is with this distinct understanding we are to hold
all we have and compel you TO give up as much more as
we can why, II she were as strong as you she would
never submit to that, because it would be degradation;
and because she weak nation. it any reason that
neghbor should presume upon her defenceless condition,
and exort terms from her. which would be unworthy in
her TO grant in any negotiation with equall What
right has the republic of the United State graduate the
scale OF nations, IN point OF dignity and influence III
we were to consult what should be the proper example,
under the influence of Christian civilization would be,
SIR as TAR as possible, to raise the dignity OF the only
republic on this continent and hold it equal with the
proudest despotlsm monarchy earth. This would
be right, sir The laws of nations made up of pre-
cedents like this
We should set an unworthy example. were we TO act
otherwise In reference weak power that is PROSTATE
at our feet 1t would be abhercnt SIT, TO my notions OF
| a. arc hos hn InQA
no wisdom IN magnanlmy. Before God, believe there
is more wisdom in the impulses of warm heart than in
the devices OF crafty head and especially II it is crafty
head looking forward to crafty certain designs OF amb-
ton. .f1
know, sir, very we'll that all shall say this sub
Jec may have little influences but intend to require
the friends of the President to vindcate the proposition,
that before we have acquired title according to the
to be the Of the e a we have the right
TO extend over 1t laws, and invite our citizens
! to settle upon it, Where does such law come from
has been said, sir, that victorious country Is rare
~ deaf 10 the suggestions OF ambition ana avarce,
and | afraid will find in ourselves exemplif-
cS'on OF the remark Ne SIR as matter OF policy we
1t, IT we intend to have negotiations upon anything IKE
principles of equality and justice But as have thus far
dsapproved of the mode heretofore pursued with view to
obtain-what all speak of desirable, and what all are
anxious to ob'ainan honorable and speedy peace may
be asked what course would YOU suggest! Perhaps SIT,
my opinion will have very little infuence but as have
taken the liberty TO indulge somewhat in censurcs upon
the measures of others ought not TO withhold my own
|
adopted But, before do so, am compelled cursor!y
to look back 10 those which preceded the adms-
sion OF Texas into this Union, and to the situation OF Texas
before that Union consummaed and to examine upon
what title she held the land which she claimed to possess
whether by title acquired by her at the time OF the evoi-
ton, or whether by title acquired BY conquest snose
quently. For title acquired by revolutions and title ac-
nred by subsequent conguess very different things
They essentially different Texas, as understand,
gared as encroachents on the part of the Mexican gov
eminent not only the limits OF Texas proper,
hut also the district Of Coahnla; thus including territory
lying on both sides of the river She had no right, at
this time, 10 any part of the territory comprised within
the limits OF Tana!ipas and if she acquired any right
rande is not strand undertake to say So as law
VERIFY any right incident to her in consequences OF her
revolution will point out to you, as far as can, the
extent of her title under the revolution.
ASH understand; sir, some time in 1885 General Cos
nassed through Tamaulipas. Leaving a garrison at
h hnes h. na oo s o
Tiers to take possession of at village in the
neghborhood Well, the first symptom of the revolution
the rising of the people of this little village prevent
their from being taken They not content to
limit their exertons simply prevent the taking Of their
cannon but they sed army, and drove back General
Co.'S and reduced him to the necessity of entering into
Sipuatons that he would never take up arms against
Texas again. Well, this was the commencement OF the
revolution In 1886, Santa Anna brought his army to the
Rio Grande which he crossed and etook all these posts
again, marking his in blood and ashes he pass
along and not in the ashes OF inanimate substances
only but in the ashes of the soldiers He drove them
before hun He passed the Brazos and was going on,
when, at San Jacino, he was met and overthrown by
the Texan army. There he was taken prisoner. The
revolution of Texas thus consummated, far it
could be consummated BY the capture of this prisoner
and the reduction OF Fsola to their terms, which
The restoration OF all prisoners and property in his pos
session Santa Anna entered into treaty, not only to
give all prisoners and property but all that territory
lying between the Nueces and the Rio Grande. Now,
am not of those who maintain that this treaty
gives title. am very far from meaning any such thing
nut resort to it for another purpose The revolution
having been conducted under the organized government
of Texas popergves, il to the right to all
the land this side of the Nueces But, regards
Tamaupas, that distinct and separate State. What
right had Texas to this' If she acquired any right it
must have been by conquest Now, what was the ma
ure of the possession by which she could establish her
right Of conquest Why these the circumstances that
relied on that some Of the inhabitants who had taken
refuge under the flag of General Rusk returned and set
Texas flag was hoisted at Corpus Christi So that pos
session of the bank of the Nueces was kept until,
another military demonstration the part Of Mexico,
the inhabitants again applied for projections and he order
ed them to retire beyond the river they did and after
the danger ove returned to their possessions These
the evidences of possessions and they are the evidences
OF the possession of only part of this terrltora pos
session which, in the language of lawyers, might have
given color of title TO her by constructive OF
the whole Aud SUCH think, would have been the
legal inference if Mexico had not had previous and older
title of possession part of the territory lying along
the Rio Grande But the fact is so. She had custom
houses there the citizens recognised the laws of the
Mexican government, and debts collected under
these laws
Such was the situation of affairs when annexation took