Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-03-31
The War and the Administration.

We referred last week to the instructions Of
this Government to Mr. Slidell, our Minister to
Mexico; but they are worthy of moro particular
notice. Mr. Slidell, it will be rccollecied, was
sent to Mexico as Minister, in ls45, aud the re-
fusal TO receive him constitutes one pretcxt for
the war. Tho President was called upon TO
communicate to Congress the instructions given
to Mr. Slidell, but refused to do so. They have
been surrcptitiously obtained, however, and are
published in the New York Herald. The con-
tents furnish abundant reason why the Admins
traiion should desire conccalment.
We need not repeat the oft-told story Of the
manner in which the war was commenced. All
know that the proxinaic cause was the iorcible
occupation, by order Of our Government, Of the
country bordering upon the Rio Grande; and
the Administration, in order to justify this forci-
BILE occupation, asserted that our title TO il was
clear and unqucsionabie, and that Mexico had
no slador Of a claim. This ground hiss been
assumed by all Mr Folks apologists. Now OBJ
serve the instructions to Mr. Slidell
aYou nre authorized 10 offer to assume the paw
ment Of MI The Just claims Of our citizens against
Mexico, and, in addition, to pay sjlO0oOoO in case
the Mexican Government shall agree 10 establish
the boundary Of the two countries from the mouth
Of the Rio Gnandc, up the principal stream 10 the
point where 1t touches the line Of New Mexico;
thence west Of the river along the exterior line Of
that province, and so ns 70 include the whole within
the United States. until It again iniersects the river;
thence up the principal stream Of the same to il,
source, and thence due north until 1t ~infersects the
forty-sccond degree Of north latitude.
4 boundary still preferable to this would he an
extension Of the line from the northwest corner Of
New Mexico, along the range Of mountains until it
would intersect the forfy-sceond parallel.
Should the Mexican authorities prove unwilling
to extend our boundaries beyond the Del Norte, you
are, in that event, instructed to offer to assume the
payment Of all tie Just claims ofciiseHs ofhe United
Satcs gyrina Hc1ioo, should she agree that the line
shall be established, along the boundary defined by
The act Of Congress, approved Dec. 10, 1886, to wit:
beginning at the mouth Of the Rio Grande; thence
up the principal stream Of said river TO its source;
thence due north to the fory-second degree Of north
latitude"
The instructions state the amount OF claims as
liquida,ed, S2,000,oOo
Allowed by American commissioners, 92s,G27
Other claims not passed upon, 3,33G,sS7
SG,265,464
All this immense amount Of money the Presi-
dent offers to give Mexico, " should she agree"
to the boundary of the Rio Grunde, including
the small portion Of New Mexico upon the east
bank. II our title was 80 clear, why pay six
millions of dollari to have it acknowledged?
Mexico offered to refer to arbitrament the
question Of boundary; and il our title was so
transparent, why did not Polk consent TO arbi-
TRITON, instead Of going to war;-and thus save
not only the six millions he offered, but the hun
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