Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-02-10

RESOLUTIONS ON THE MEXICAN WAR.--The
following are the resolutions passed by tho
General Assembly of this State, in regard to
the Mexican war -
| Resoired, that the opinion heretofore ex-
pressed by the General Assembly of this State,
that hostiltics with the Republic of Mexico
might have been avoided with honor by a mod
crate and constitutional course of proceeding
OH the part of the President of the United
States, has been strengthened and vindcated
by every fact developed in relation TO the ac-
QUESTION of Texas, and to the subsequent OPP
Grafton of the forces of the United States in the
neighborhood of the Rio Grandc.
Resolrcd, that the order given by the Presi-
dent of the United States, January 18th, 1916,
for the advance of the army from its position
at Corpus Christi to the eastern bank of the
Rio Granac, issued during the session of Con-
gress, without lis knowledge or consent, which
resulted in the expulsion of the Mexican forces
\ from the territory occupied by them eastward
/ of that river, was useless and unconstlutlon-
al precipitation Of the wasleful and lamentable
con, est with Mexico in which we are involv-
ed: and, as Il manifest usurpation of the pow
er of CoaG.rcss to declare war, merted an i'm
neacbmen, of the President rather than the ac-
auiesccnca q. / sanction it received by the sub
sequcnt proce. .''ngs of Congress.
| RcsoLyed. tha, hc existence of certain unas-
certained demands uui the Republic of Mexico
held by citizens of t,,c United States, and of
other ascertained and partially satisfied claims
by said citizens on the same Government, was,
under the circumstances attending them, no
sufficient or proper cause ior an act Of war;
and, if offered as a plea for its justification to-
wards Mexico, must place the conduct OF our
Government in painful and degrading con-
trast with its uniform action on such demands,
when preferred by our citizens against France,
Spain and Great Britain, and other leading
and powerful states of Europe, with which
we have negotiated their settlement.
Resoired that the conquest and occupation
of Mexico, under the pretext of procuring an
indemnity by treaty with that power Tor tho
claims before mentioned, is dangerous and
unprecedented measure, subversive Oh our
Government and free institutions, whether tho
immense territory 50 conquered and occupied,
be held as a tributary province, or be attempt
ed to be Incorporated as portion of the States
of this Union.
Resolred, tha, any increase Of the army Of
the United States, or appropriation OF money
for that purpose, is greatly 10 be deprecated,
as furnishing grounds for the belief, that Con-
press comedies with the President in the poll
CIV and Justice of such conquest and occupation,
for the purpose of indemnity that, in the
opinion of this Assembly on the contrary, it
would rebound to the honor and trueglory ofthis
country to manifest a spirit of moderation and
equity towards sister Republic, prostrated by
internal commissions and the calamity of for
eign war, which disable her for any effective
resistance to demands however cxtortionate,
and may compel even the sacrifice of her ma
tionality to a disciplined and superior force.
Resolrcd, that discarding all purposes Of
conquest and occupation, or of extorting from
Mexico a territorial indemnity for claims ascer.
tanned, or unadiustcd it is expcdient that meas
ures be taken 10 rc-cstabIlsh the relations of
Peace and Amity between the United States
and that Republic, by such treaty of Indenl-
nifty and Limits as will secure an equitable
boundary between the contracting parties, and
just indemnity to The United States, for all
claims asccrtancd or adjusted, previous TO
said order of January 18th, 1916.
Rcsoircd, that our Senators and Representa-
tiycs in Congress be requested to Use their best
exerilons TO procure the adoption in thcl, re-
spcctivc Houses of such acts and declaration
promoiiye Of Peace, as the exlgency of the o.
caslon IN their judgment may demand.
Rewlrcd that his Excellcncy the bOvernnr
communicate copies of these resolutions to each
of our Senators and Representatives. With tie
request that they be laid before thor rcsprr-
tive Houses and copies also '" the fxNcui'Er
departments of the several States.