Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-02-03

my position and is familiar to the Senate ant
the country. From this cause, whether remote
or immediate, this war proceeded. Can any mar
deny this? We may have our doubts whether
If there had been more caution and prudence
this war would have been preciptated upon US
at 30 early period. But is it not evident that
the whole matter springs from this? Was moi
annexation itself an act of war? War was ex-
listing between Mexico and Texas at the time
by the very fact of anneXing to ourselves one Of
the belllgerent nations, we incurred the respon.
sblity Of fighting her battles although even
after that, subsequent history has demonstrated
that owing to the feeble aud distracted state Of
Mexico, the most ordinary prudence on the part
of the Executive might, and probably would
have avoided fagrant war.
II this, then, be the cause Of the war; conc
next TO the question, how this war commenced
We'll, sir, it may seem exceedingly strange that
one should be found asking that question at this
time, when the President has told us over and
over again so many times how it commenced
that it commenced by the act Of Mexico Said
the President, in bis message to Congress Of the
lth May, 1886:
"ln my message the of tho present
sion, informed you that upon tho appeal both
ING congress aud Convention OF Texas had ordered an eff
cen military force to tako position between the Nuecos
ana the De Noro This had become necessary, meet
threatened invasion Of Texns h tho Mexican forces,
which extensive military preparations had baen made The
cd in aec9daneo with solemn resolution Of the Congress
OF The United States TO herself Union audi
under heso circumstances it plainly duty
our protection over her czaus and soil
I6 force was con renratcd at Corpus Christi, and
manned ero until after had received such nuTmatio from
Mexico as rendered probable, if cof,an that the Mex
ican Govornmenl would refuse 10 roctivo onr Envoy.
Meaniime Texas by the final action of our Congress
Texas by its act OF December 49, 1896 ID the Rio
DEL NorG 10 be tho boundary Of that Republic. Its urisdc
ton had baen extended aud exercised yond the Nucces
Tho coul between that river and The Del Noe hin been
REPRESENTED IN the Congress aud in tho Convention Of Tex,
us had thus akcn part in the Of annexation ITSELF aud
is now included within ono of Congressional Districts.
ur own Congress had moreover, with great Immunity by
tho act approved December 81 1915 recognized the country
beyond tho Nucces part Of territory, by including it
side within that district has becn appointed by with tho
udvce and consent Of the Ii hocumo therefore,
urgent necessity opfovidc for the defcnce Of that portion OF
our country Accordingly, on the 18th Of Janlary last in
,u,ou' wero issued to he General command OF these
troops to occupy the iet bank of tho Del Norte.'
And in his Annual Message to Congress, on
the 9Th of December, 1916, he repeats the asser.
ton, and he not only repeats the declaration that
war exists by the act of Mexico, but he says ev.
cry honorable effort has been made by him to
prevent the war, but all proved in vain, and the
war has cone, notwithstanding he was so eXcec-
DINGHY opposed TO it. Now desire to examine
this matter. The President is not satisfied
with thus telling US that the war arose from the
act of Mexico, and that he had used every hon
orable eSorton to avoid it. He comes forward
IN his message this year and tells us fourteen
times distinctly, and several times implicitly, that
1t arose from the act Of Mexico. 1t seems a part
OF the Presidents religion, to accompany his
more solemn acts with the continued declaration
that "war exists by the act of Mexico" as it was
OF the followers OF Aloham.ned TO preface theil
more serious sayings with the oft-repented avow-
al that there was " no God bat Alah and Mo-
manned is his prophet" Now let US examine
THIS matter: did 1t commence by the act Of Mex
co: Such is not my reading. The taking pos
session OF Texas was of itself an act Of war. -
Sir, at the time Of the American Revolution
when France signed a treaty Of alliance with us
Great Britain was not long in finding ont that
that was an act of war. But suppose that act
WIS not one Of war; what follows!
Onc of the fundamental conditions of the on
resolution for anncxing Texas to the United
States, was this:
First said State he formed, subj TO adjustment b!
this Government of all questions of boundary.'
"Subjcct 10 the adjustment of oil questions %
boundary" That was the very irs. condition
which the American Congress fixed to the act o
annexation. Well, IS it necessary for me t
stand here to day to tell the American people
that, ii there is question of boundary existing
and one party goes and occupies the territory tC
the extreaAa verge of the claim that is an act o
war? Why, think the President himself, in thu
course Of the controversy with Great Britain
must have found that this was the case although
one Of the first acts of his administration was Il
tell the people, IN his Inaugural Address, tina
our title 10 Oregon was clear and unquestiona
bic. | saw the President, amid the dripping o
the storm, standing at the east front of this Cap
!tol, reminding the people how young man h,
was; and yet he would have the whole of Ore
gon. | almost expected TO hear him say
"You'l expect one Of my sgr,
10 speak In public the stugG.o
! know lot whether | was most amused at tht
| jnvenl,y Of the President, or his determination
to sieze upon the whole OF Oregon. lie woult
not even submit the question to arbitration, be
Cause that would be admitting that Great Britain
had some sort of title there. Nothing short
the whole would satisfy him. Why, maj
! could hardly be recognized as democrat in tht
Eastern States, unless he was for claiming tn
whole Of Oregon. He must 20 for 81 40, or hi
was no democrat; and one Stale Legislature wal
so violent III the cause, that they were for claim
ing 81 40 I wonder it never occurred TO tht
President to send our officers and take possess
sion Of the territory up 10 that line. Why di,
he not DO this ! Because he knew, and every on
| knew, it would be mn act Of war He knew
wond be SO considered by Great Britain AM
resented by her. Well, so it was here. TIN
sending Of Gen. Taylor to the Rio Grande was
beyond all controversy, an act Of war. But
! propose to give you the Presidents own accoul
Of it. In has message of May, 1876 he says, h
kept the troops at Corpus Christi until it wa
rendered certain int the Mexican Governmen
had refused to receive Mr.. Siidell. Well, on In
| 10th day OF November, this commission was ap
| pointed; and, not beng much acquainted wit
matters Of diplomacy, !, Of coutse, take what In
President SAID as being what he meant:
Mr.. slideirs letter u Creseace.
LANES H. POLK P6esdea u the U"ed Steies Of America
GHEAr ASD Coon FRIENp; have made choice OF Jui
Government Of the MoXcan Republic in quality II FL
voy Extraordinary and Minister Ponpoentiary of the Uu
ted states O America lie Is well informed the rentiy
interests O the two countries, und of sincere desire
restore, cultivate, and strengthen friendship aud good
pOnlence between and, from knowledge OF his hlr
aud good conduct have entire confidence that he will
dcI himself acceptable to the Mexican Government by h
endeayors preserve and advance the
happiness of both nations therefore request your Exec
lency to receive lin fdy0uL mud TO give im ui cTedcuC
10 whatevsI he sYa say the part Of tho United Sintes
And pay God 10 have his safe and holy Keeping.
venbci In the of our Lord thousand eight hundfC
und 10 i've, und Of tho Independence OF the U1itcd
GAMES X. POLK
! " BY the President:
JAMES BrcHANAE, Secretary Of State.
" To his EXceeney Dos JosE Jo GUM HERKERA, Pres
dent OF Tho Mexican Republic"
Aud pray God to have You in his holy cal
aud keeplngm low plous the President is
lie prlys for his enemies This was written u
the ION OF November. Nov, want to read al
other document 10 show how Mr.. Polk was trea