The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-01-29
var. HaIeis speech.
fcoNcI.UDEp.l

Ef this, then, be the cause Of the war, come
next to the question, how this war commerced ?
Well, sir, II may seem exceedingly strange that
one should be found asking that question a. this
time, when the President has told US over and
over sgain 40 many times how Ii commenced
that il commenced by the act Of Mexico. Said
the President, in mis- message 10 Congress Of the
llth ef May, 1886:
In my message at the commencement Of the
present session, Informed you that, upon the
earnest appeal both Of the Congress and COnven-
ton OF Texss, had ordered an efficient military
force 10 take a position between the Nutces
and the Del Norte.' This had become necessa-
~, to meet threatened invasion Of Texas by
the Mexican forces, for which extensive military
preparations had been made. The invasion was
ned solely because Texas had determined,
in accordance with a solemn resolution Of the
Congress of the United States, to annex herself
to our Union /; and, under these circumstances,
IL was plainly our duty 10 extend our protection
over her citizens and soil.
This force was concentrated at Corpus
Christi, and remained there until altar had re-
eeived such information from Mexico as rem
dered il probable, If not certain, that the Mexi-
can Government would refuse to receive our
Envoy.
meantime, Texas, by the final action Of our
Congress, had become an integral part Of our
Union. The Congress Of Texas, by Its act OF
December l9, 1886, had declared the Rio del
Norte 10 be the boundary of that Republic. Its
Jurisdiction had been extended and exercised be-
yond the Nueces. The country between that
river and the Del Norte had been represented in
the Congress and in the Convention Of Texas
had thus taken part in the act OF annexation it.
self /; and i, now included within one of our
Congressional districts. Our own Congress had,
moreover, with great unanimity, by the act APP
proved December 81, lS45, recognized the coun-
try beyond the Nueces as part Of our territory,
by incl uding II within our own revenue system
and revenue officer, to reside within that district
has been appointed by and with the advice and
eonsert of the Senate. II became, therefore, Of
urgent necessity 10 provide for the defence Of
that portion Of our country. Accordingly, on
the 18th Of January last, instructions were is
sued TO the General in command OF these troops,
to occupy the left bank OF the Del Norte."
And In his annual message TO Congress on
the stl of December, le46, he repeats the asser-
ton. and he not only repeats the declaration
that war exists by the acts Of Mexico, but he
.avs every honorable effort has been made by
me N ,reyent the war, but all proved in vain,
and ths war has come, notwithstanding he was
40 exceedingly opposed 10 it, Now, dare to
examine thi. matter. The President Is not salts
fed with thus telling that the war arose from
the ACT of Mexico, and that he had used every
honorsb bic exertion TO avoid it, lie comes
forward in his message this year, and tells
ma fourteen times distinctly, and several times
in,nl;edly. that Il arose from the act Of Mexico
m seems a part of the Presidents religion, to
accompany his more solemn acts with the con-
tInuaI declaration that ''war exists by the acts
Of Meyico," as II was Of the followers Of Mob
ahmed. 10 preface their more serious sayings
,y;tb tha oft repeated avowa that there was ono
| q; cd hut Allah, and Mohammed hin prophet
Nav. let MS examine this matter Did II CON-
mence by the act of Mexicoi Such "a not my
| reading The taking possession OF Texas wa'
of itself an sct Of war Sir, at the Time OF Inc
American Revolution, when France signed q
treaty Of alliance with US, Great Britain was no
| long in finding out that that was an act OF war
| But suppose that ACT was ho' d" "''o Vi wa
what folowsl !,
One of the fundamental conditions Of ih'
mint resolution for annexing Texas to The
United States, was war.
aFirst. said State 10 be formed subject to ih'
adjustment ty the Government, Of all questions
| Of boundary"
Subject TO the adjustment of all questions
boundary" That was the very first condition
which the American Congress fixed TO the act o
annexation. Well. IL 1t necessary Tor me .
,tand mere to-day to tell the American People
that n there is question Of boundary existing
snd one party goes and occupies the territory U
The extreme verge Of the claim-that 10 an act
war7 Why, think the President himself, u
| the course Of the controversy with Great BIT
tain, must have found that this was the case, 81
though. one Of the first acts Of his Administra
ton was to tell the people, in his inaugural no
dress. that our title TO Oregon was clear and nn
questionable. saw the President amid IN
dripping of the storm, standing at the cas-. iron
Of this Capitol, reminding the people how you ,,
man he WAS, and yet he would have the whol
Of Oregon. ] almost expected to hear him say
YOU'D scarce expect one Of my age
To speak in public on the stage
know not whether was most amused al IN
iuveniity Of the President, or his Discriminate
TO seize upon the vhsle Of Oregon he woa