The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-11

government had no rightfu existence, and no other
authority than that which resulted from violence and
power II had extended its authority by successful revo-
LUTON, to The Rio Gande; and to that extent the people
were bound BY ITS acts II had failed in two successive
attempts TO establish power this side of that
and the evidence of that failure to be found recorded
In letters OF blood in the treaty of San Jacnto, sealed
with ihe impress OF The governments captivity, al wit
messed by the dead OF than half of the revolu-
tonary army The failure of Mexico TO conquer and re-
duce TO subgaon, is conclusive evidence of the right
OF the INHABITANTS to govern themselves This treaty is
an acknowledgment of that right and as SUCH is good
evidence OF the independence and boundaries of the
republic OF Texas. do not insist that the treaty
ened any new rights upon Texas, either in respect
to her Independence or limits for they existed be-
fore the treaty was signed, and independent OF It's
provisions. Her inaienable right of independence
resulted from the subverson Of the constitutional gov
eminent OF the Mexican conference.-the fact of indie
pendence, with the boundary OF the Rio Grande, was
evidenced by the total humiliation of every revolution
airy army which had presumed TO enter her territory and
the expulsion OF every hostile foot from her soil The
treaty is valid ackno Wledgment of both the right and
the fact was entered into for consideration which,
i is reasonable to suppose was not only desirable but
invaluable to Mexico The life of her Chief Magistrate,
and the safety of thousands of her soldiers and officers
depended upon it, and were secured by it. In fact, the
whole conduct OF the government OF Mexico, from the
date OF that treaty. through long series of years, has
clearly shown that she regarded the Rio Grande the
boundary Of Texas but claimed the right of reconquest
as she is pleased TO term it. somuch the treaty had
not been ratified according 10 the forms of the constitu
tlon which had been abolished nearly two years pre-
vious Texas was permitted TO remain in the undsturb-
ed possession of the territory for years, Invasion and
conquest were constantly threatened but attempt
ever made 10 carry the threat into execution by regu
Iarly appointed army until the year s42 six years after
the battle and treaty of San Jacino In that year, Gen
VasqueZ venured to the Rio Grande, and by rapid
movement. succeeded the 9th OF March, in reaching
and pundering San Antonio The Texans instantly
seized their arms and prepared TO chasse and repuse the
invaders The result is thus recorded in Green's Mler
expedition:
"a large number bad already assembled under their
leader General Edward Bueson, always The first in the
field and foremost in the fight. The ENEMY FLED BEFORE
distant"
This was the end OF the third regular invasion of
Texas by Mexico The invading army only escaped the
fate of the two preceding BY hasty flight before
the Texans the Rio Grande Now for the fourth
indeed the marauding party under Canales. which was
promptly met and repulsed is entitled 10 the dignity OF
that designation. About the lst of September 1912,
General VOL crossed the Rio Grande with his army, and
by rapid marches, took possession of San Antonio the
18th of that month few days afterwards he succeeded
in capturing and numbering small party OF Texans In
sion will invite the attention of the Senate 10 the pas
sages which | will read from the work have just
quoted:
"Afer the massacre of Dawson and his men, Cen VOL
made tumphal entry into San Antonio with his fifteen
prisoners and hundred OF his own wounded, and
prepared for hasty tocards The Rio Gyunde This
greatly fastened upon heurng that Colones
May field Moore, and Mccullough and Others were coming
hurry in his flight honeward at the Rio Hondo he found
Caldwell upon his heels His retreat became flight and
panic and had Texans charged him. all agree
and all then seemed to be anxious to do his whole force
would have nllen an easy prey Much has been said
against Caldwell and others for doing and the blame
has been charged upon several but tho writer has not
been able satisfy his mind that any particular Individual
blame. 1t be OF those mischances in
the result OF accident or the want OF promptnes
than the absence Of bravery. ,ca, ho0eyer natio'ot
The Rio Grande, after numbering forty -one and carrying oil
sixty seven of our best citizens"
Thus ended the fourth and last invasion of Texas by
Mexico.
ties crossed the Rio Grande and approached the
dement's their flight before Hays's and McCuloughs
rangers rapid than their original march. The
repulse and retreat Of General VOLTS army in the fall Of
1912 again left Texas in the undsputed enjoyment OF her
whole territorial limits, as defined in the treaty of San
Jacnto, and indicated by her whenever invaded,
since the date of General Coss capitulaon in 1885 l
have said that Hays and Mccullough always held the
maraudng parties in check and repulsed them whenever
they invaded the country. On this point will read a
paragraph from the speech OF Mr. Kaufman OF Texas, in
the House of Representatives, on the 9th OF june 1916
ndeed the Texas rangers under the gallant Hays and
territory 1.-The country between the Nueces and the Rio
Grande,l and have had such occupation of it as the
CURED No Meriean forces hare been stationed the
left the Rio Grandel-oH their war manestoes are dated
| am aware that | am accommodating evidence on this
point beyond what ought to be required TO convince the
most incredulous mind Yet must be permitted to call
to the armistice which concluded between the gov
ernments of Mexico and Texas on the 18th OF Februa
ry 1914 and the proclamation OF Gen. Vol, announ-
cling the reopenng of hostltes from and after the 18th
OF June OF that year. The hostes which were reopen
ed existed only paper if except the cruel and bar
barons treatment OF the Texan prisoners who had been
unfortunate TO fall into the hands OF the Mexlcans
in the previous campaigns. Gen Vol, acting under
the express orders of the Mexican government at Mer
June goth, 1914, issued order, or proclamation, OF
which the third section is as follows
So Every individual who may be found at the distance
of league from the left bank OF the Rio Bravo Trio
Crande will be regarded aporr and accomplish Of the
OFT u OF
a traitor TO his country"
This order is important in two points of view first,
that while Mexico claimed the whole of Texas as her
national territory, she at that time regarded andacknowl
had previously declared the inhabitants of Texas rebels
and traitors who to be put to immediate death and
by this order that sentence applied TO every person
whether Mexican Texan, who should be found at the
distance of three miles from the Rio Grande upon the
ground that the fact OF being there conclusive evil
dence that they favored the Texan cause. Mexican
might the river to the left bank, and his life
one league from the Rio Grande, death was his portion
and excuse explanation would be received. The
next point upon which this order is important, rs to be
found in the fact OF its express acknowledgment that the
Texans were in possession OF the country:
every individual who may be found a, the distance o
league from the left bank OF the Rio Bravo VIII be re
garded as avorer and accompce OF the usuRPERs OF
THAT PART or TIE NATIONAL rERRIToRy' .r
II appears, them that the Texans had usurpcd the ter
rory the left bank of the Rio Bravo or Gande. Tc
usrp, according to Webster is " 10 se'-e and hold pos
SESSION by force ,thom right" have already disposed
of the question to the right Of Texas to seize and hole
in possession by force" the country between the Niece
that Mexico in lsla, acknowledged the fact that Texas
seized and did then hold by force