The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-23


nent having been adopted the final vote And
who that was here at that time forget III LIZ
WAS at night The House had adjourned, and, believe
every member OF II was here, witnessing our proceedings
Our galleries were crowded until they could be crowded
no more-every door, and window and avenue to our
chamber, was filled with eager and anxious spectators
Every resident representative OF any foreign power on
state was also here and among the rest the minister o
Mexico. Amy material change IN the resolutions wal
known to be fatal to the whole measure, ana several
|were proposed. Democracy was then In minority III
This body Every senator IN his place, ana justly lei
ibis responsibility Everything. in short depended upon
the rmness and courage with which Mess mo oil
Mississippi could and would resist the opportunities OF
,ome and hstand the denunciaons OF others OF their
political friends In this moment O. S nope ana lear IN
late of the republic OF Texas, the vote was taken and the
resolution as amended was carried by vote OF q to
|l5 The resolutions were sent to the House, and the
amendment concured in; and the LIST of March ap
roved by President Tyler and the Sd of that month
was sent messenger to Texas with the resolutions and
The first of the offered to Texas for her acceptance
ana the night succeeding that day. the term of Pres
lent Tyler, and of the session of tina Congress that pass
led these resolutions, expired together.
On the 18th of March President Polk came into power 4
md two days thereafter, the 9th, the minister FROM
Mexico filed his protest, demanded and obtained hs
passport and left the United States for Mexico and our
minister, in Jew weeks thereafter, followed the exam
pe, and returned to his own country Such, sir was the
condition of this Texas question when President Polk
|came into power the 18th of March, 1915. He founG
public faith OF the country pledged to the annexaoa
preserved invoate. He found that the resolutions
for the admission of Texas, though obligatory upon the
United States, for given time IN any event had yet TO
approved of by Texas before they could be obligatory
on her, and finally upon both governments. 10 Obtain
his approval by Texas however anx Gus give IT. under
her form OF government, required tme ne, 0on3'Sss
people and that convention had TO be organized and had
Ito discuss and consider and decide upon the terms which
had been offered by the United States He found that to pre-
vent her acceptance OF the which had been offer
led by the United States Mexico threatening to in
wade her. and that the Congress and convention had each
asked the nerposon of the United States to prevent IT,
lie found our diplomatic intercourse with Mexico angry
md abruptly broken Oft. And how, sir has the Presl-
lent managed the many difficulties connected with this
Question? Has he managed them with wisdom, pru-
ence, and fobearance = in manner worthy OF himself
land the great country of which he is the Chief Mags
rate with eye single TO the public good. and with
1.-The commendable view and temper to soohe the pride
land restore the friendly relations with Mexico and
the same tme to protect the interests and honor of the
limited States and, above all has he anxously sought
Ito suppress resenments and to avoid war between the
two countres' These, sir in my Judgment, are the
proper inquiries for make and upon those inquiries
u beg leave to make few remarks.
Anticipating the favorable reception by Texas OF the
resolution of Congress providing for her admission into
this MISUNDERSTANDING, from intelligence which he
had received from that quarter an invasion OF Texas by
Mcxco-eanesty urged by the Congress- and convention
1of Texas to prevent that INVASION the President the
5th of June lS45, ordered fleet to the Gulf of Mex
co and General Taylor, then at Fort Jesup, on the west
ern frontier OF Louisiana to move with nus forces to the
discretion, other point in the gulf, or its navga
bile waters, which, in his judgment al the proper time
would be most convenient Tor the embarcatlon OF his
troops for the frontier of Texas In this order
General Taylor further informed that his ultimate
destination the Rio Grande and in the same order
The also informed not to enter Texas until ne should
learn that Texas had assented to the terms of
Ition which had been offered her by the Unei States,
Tor until required to do by our minister at Texas
This is the substance Of the first order to Genera "a
July, and of the 23d August 1915. The substance OF all
oi these ORDERS apart from mere military detail was,
that he was to regard the Rio Grande as the point OF
Ibis ultimate destination that he to protect Texas
from invasion up to that river, and IN no event permit
armed troops from Mexico to cross 1t; as such an act
would be regarded by the United States act OF hos
Utility In executing these orders he directed to be
careful not to do anything to rate Mexico, or to pro
woke hosties and that if Mexico had any military es
Establishment on the side of the Rio Grande (Which
lby by she had) not to disturb it; and should he
|ind the east side OF that river any private citizens or
settlers claiming belong to Mexico not to modest them
Such sir is the puport and substance OF these several
orders in the wisdom and policy of all Of which that dis
nguished general most fully concurred as his cores
Ipondence abundanty proves. And where let me ask-ln
What public documen-n what history of any age OF
Iany country-in what wild romance, even, have we
proofs of prudence caution and forbearance than
Iare to be found in the several orders OF which have
sgiven the substance? Where do we find the develop
ment of greater soctude while firmly resolved to pro-
tect the rights of his country to avoid giving offence
real fancied, adversary than we find IN the con-
|duct of the President exhibited IN the documents TO
(which have referred?
General TAYLOR obeyed the order of the 18th of June
land moved Immediately with his command, not to the
u or its navigable waters but to the barracks in the
vicinity of New Orleans and there he remained until he
received in the month of July, the intelligence from our
minister at Texas that Texas had assened TO the terms OF
lame xation and had voluntarily thereby become In
Itegra part of this Union. Learning this, that general
|hen in further compliance with his instructions, embark
led his troops for the frontier of the State of Texas After
3some delays and difficulties connected with his stores
land Transportation, and hesitation as to the proper
point of which the selection had been left to his dscre
Iiion we find him the 18th of August at Corpus
Christi on the south side of the mouth of the Nueces
river Here he remained usefuly employed in making
preparations for service that be required OF hm
by either the folly madness OF Mexico, or the orders
2of his own government On the 10th OF October, Gene
raj Taylor informed that information had been received
by the department. rendering probable that no serious
attempt would be made to invade Texas although Mex
your PERMISSION will leave for awhile gallant old
general and our distinguished Secretary of War with
their happy prospects of peace before them and invite
your attention to this Texas question In another quarter
and to its management by other agents.
The President informs us that IN September lSl5 NJ
received information from Mexico, which induced hun tC
believe that the government of that republic at tina
difficulties existing between the two countries. Relying
upon this intelligence, Mr. Buchanan, our Secretary o.
State on the 18th of September lS45, addressed ette
to Mr. Black our consul at the city of Mexico, directing
him to ascertain if the intelligence which had been com
muncated by him and others was well founded; ana II
So TO the government OF Mexico that the govern
ment of the United States would waive all etiquette, ant
send to that country Immediately envoy clothed witt
full powers to settle amlcably, and on the most liberal
terms every cause of difficulty unhappy subslsng be
tween the two countries Mr. Black replied to this ette
of our Secretary of State, under date OF the nth of Dc