The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-04-18
Mr.. BAGBY. Decidedly.


duce me to misrepresent the honorable Sena-
tor in any speech he has made, or any vote he
has given upon this question. alluded TO the
speech and votes of the Senator for the pur-
pose of showing that the first and second sec
tons of the resolution presented to the repub-
lie of Texas, never had majority of the Sen
ate in their favor.
The democratic Senators from the North
who voted against annexation in 1874, voted
for it in 1915 Now, what happened in the
nine months that elapsed between the rejec-
ton of the treaty and the passage of the reso-
luton, to change their minds upon the subject?
Were the objections urged against the meas
ure less formidable in 1S45 than they were in
1914 Was annexation less Objectionable to
the democracy of the North after it became a
party measure than before it assumed party
character? These are questions worthy Of
consideration, and on some convenient occa-
sion l hope they will be answered.
The resolution of annexation having passed
both Houses Of Congress, President Tyler, on
the LIST of March, 1915, approved it; and the
next day he sent off his messenger with diree-
tons to submit the first and second sections Of
the resolution to the republic Of Texas, as an
overture for her admission, as State, into our
Union. In this condition of affairs, President
Tyler retired, and the new administration
came into power; and what, sir, was the first
act ofthe new President? 1t was to declare
his APPROVAL of the resolution for the annexa-
ton of Texas, and to assure the country that,
in his opinion, our title to the Oregon country
was ''clear and unquestionable." But, sir, II
has been said by Senators, on the other side OF
the chamber, that President Polk is in nowise
responsible for the manner of annexation.
The Senator from Tennessee, (Mr- Turney0
in his speech the other day, said that annexa-
ton took place under the Tyler administra-
ton that President Polk had no conneXiOn
with it or power over it; that Mr.. Tyler, IN
the last hours of his administration, selected
the mode of annexation, and thereby deprived
the new administration of the power to with
hold the resolution and negotiate for the &C
QUESTION of the country.
Mr. President, the honorable Senator is la
boring under great mistake in this matter.
Mr. Polk had as much to do in selecting the
mode of annexation as Mr.. Tyler. He not on
" approved of the proceedings of President
Tyler, but directed our Charge d'Aflaires in
Texas to present the first and second sections
Of the resolution to that republic for her ac-
eeptance. The message ofDecember ?, 1915,
will settle this question. The President says
"In pursuance of the joint resolution of Con-
gress, for annexing Texas to the United States,
my predecessor, ON the third day of March,
1915, elected TO submit the first and second sec
tons of that resolution to the Republic of Tex
as, as an overture, on the part Of the United
| States, for her admission as State into our
Union. This election l approved, and accor-
dinghy the charge d'affairs OF the United States
in Texas, under instructions of the 10th Of
March, 1915, presented these sections of the
resolution for the acceptance ofthat republic
Here, Mr. President, is a full approval of all
the proceedings of MIR. Tyler, touching the
manner of annexation. The first and second
sections of the resolutions were presented to
| Texas for her acceptance, under instructions
from President Polk, given seven days after
Mr.. Tylers term of Office had expired. Mr..
Polk was not bound by the proceedings of his
predecessor. He had full power to withhold
the resolution, and proceed by negotiation, if
he preferred that mode of acquisition.
! But, Mr. President, it is time TO leave this
branch of the subject, and pass to the order
ofthe 18th of January, 1916, for the march of
the army from Corpus Christi, to the left bank
of the Rio Grande. This order, in my judg-
ment, was an act Of Executive usurpation, and
the immediate cause of the war. If our army
had remained at Corpus Christi, the acquisi-
ton of Texas would, to use the language Of the
| President
| "Havc been bloodless achievement No arm
of force would have been raised to produce the
result. The sword would have had no part in
the victory
The resolution Of annexation declares
EThat Congress doth consent, that the territory
properlv included within and rightfully belong
| ing to the Republic of Texas, may be erected into
a new state, &C., in order that the same may be
admitted as one of the States of this Union
Said State to be formed. subject TO the adjust
ment BY this Government of all questions OF
boundary that may arise with other Govern
ments."
Itappears on the face OF the resolution, that a
portion of the territory claimed by the Republic
of Texas was in dispute, and might not properly
belong TO her and that her right to the disputed
territory was question 10 be settled by this Gov
| eminent and Mexico. The Republic of Texas
had. by her act of Congress, passed in December,
| 1886, declared the Rio Grande, from its mouth to
| its source be to her southwestern bonndaryi but
she had not at that time, at the time the res
olution of annexation was passed, possession OF
any portion of the country west of the Nueces, ex-
| cent n small settlement on the western banks OF
| that river. The whole country, between the NJ
| eccs and the Rio Grande, as | shall show before
resume my scat, with the exception of the small
settlement mentioned, was in possession OF Next
co. and claimed as part of her republic Now,
sir what was the duty of the President IN regard
| TO this matter What are his powers in the ad-
iustmcn. of international controversies They
are pacific; not belligerent His instrumental
ties arc diplomatic agents; not armies and navies.
| He makes contracts and treaties with foreign
governments but he has no authority, without
| the consent of Congress, to call on the military
mower of the country to enforce their perform
ancc. lie is, it is true, commandments of the
army and navy, but he has no authority to employ
them against foreign nation for any purpose
whatever without the order Of Congress. The
whole war-making power is, by the Constitution
lodged in Congress And Congress alone 10 Shd1 is c%n,
,bo cond;tion of the country from peace to war.
III! TSs sV Mas the opinion of Mr. jefferson, as ex-
pressed to Congress in his confidential message
of December 9, 1905, in regard TO questlon u
J;s-,,tod boundary between the United States
and Spain, growing out of our Louisiana puF-
chase.