The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-12

pending IfMexico has thought proper take
Off nee, We who invied renewal OF the proposition
and she, who accepted H. who ought to be held
duplicating honor another suffer place.
Entertaining these views, Mexico would make mis-
with indifference the renewal of the which Lac
proecu,ed against Texas Our honor and our Interest
both involved"
Mr. President this is a warlke document 1t is, sir,
that honor and interest both involved IN de
Tending and protecting Texas against Mexico pending the
question of annexation. This, sir was, think,
rect sentlmentone the people would have sustained
Sir they would never consent to sacrifice OF their
tona honor OF national interest He then intended to
fight Mexico, if she invaded Texas. This is my
construction OF this letter; and ! would be pleased
to hear from the distinguished senator from Tex
as who was then the President of that republic,
and to whom copy OF this letter was sentin order,
as had supposed, to satisfy him that this government
would in good faith defend and protect Texas, pending
the question of annexation, and thereby preserve both
the honor and interest OF this naonwhether he did not
view it in the light. But, sir, fear that this
letter would have been the means not only of sacrificing
our honor and our interest but would also have been
the means, if Texas had been invaded of deceving her.
and of enabling Mexico to invade her Texas was then
relying upon for and defence; our failure to
comply with her expectations would have msed her, and
she would not have been prepared to and expe the
enemy
Now, sir will read you an extract from the letter
written by our Secretary TO General Howard, and
tanning copy OF the have Just read. General
Howard instructed TO deliver that copy to the Pres
dent of Texas The letter which now read bears date
the 10th OF September 1914, he same date OF the other
and in which he says:
"Au that he do is make suitable representations
10 the Mexican government against the renewal of the war;
in which it proposed conduct it, panied by APP
poprate protests and indications of the feelings with which
he regards both and TO recommend TO Congress adopt
measures to repel any attack which may be made"
| Now sir it seems all this show of fight about national
honor and interest turns out to be nothing but winda
war of words, and gasconade How do these letters
interest of this government? But, sir will proceed.
! will read an extract from the letter of the Secre
treaty for the annexation of Texas had been signed This
letter is dated the 10th of April 1884, in which he says
Seeing lhs this government has been compelled by
the necessity OF the case, and regard 10 its constitutional
Obligations take step has the only and
efeclual OF preventing it IT has taken it in ul
view all possible consequences bat without
and hope that full and fair disclosure of all the causes
which Induced il 10 do SO would prevent the disturbance Of
the United States is anxious to preserve"
| Now, Mr.. President if the senator from South Caro-
lima apprehended no danger of war from annexation,
what does he by saying he had taken the step in
full view OF all possible consequences" What step :
Annexation. What consequences of that step did he
have in full view Sir, it war, and nothing else
Then sir he believed at that time that annexation would
produce time has proved his opinion to have been
correct; and yet he denounces the Sir, do not
envy any laurel he may win by the pursuit of such
course.
have other evidence, Mr.. President, which, think,
is in itself conc usive 10 every impartial mind Sir, it is
the letter of the four Mexican commissioners to Mr..
Trst when negotiating treaty of peace, the 9th day
of September last, in which they say:
''Tbe existing has been undertaken solely
the Oh the e o, & me w nt the
said State by which annexed the North American
Mexico The Mexican republic Offering las we have in
formed your exceency) to consent Tor proper indemni
ton to the territory OF Texas the cause of the war has dis
appeared, and the war itself ought to cease"
Now, Mr.. President any impartial mind nylonger
hofl ha
Texas This is war, then, for Texas Who commenced
t. Surely we did not tor we had possession Of Texas
reconquerng Texas and in this. as in everything else
that has been written said by Mexico to the cause
of this war; hear not word of complaint about the
removal of the army to the Rio Grande as having any
agency in bringing the war, of Fastening hosities
between the two countries, and therefore it is that have
insisted that this question owes its origin to, and is advo
Gated alone by citizens in this country and for purposes
best known TO themselves; and the remark holds
good in relation to the other question, that our minister
was rejected simply because he was not commissioner
i have presented Mr. President, my documentary
evidence to show that this war is waged by Mexico for
and account of the annexation of Texas to the United
States; and in doing this have not discussed the bound
airy of Texas because that question is not involved in
this war; and further, because, as Mexico has made no
question about boundary, except for the whole of Texas
to the Sabine, the wing party here esopped by their
own record manufactured by themselves for the avowed
purpose of placing themselves right before the country
and before postery On tins subject sir, when the bill
ate, then was the time to inquire into the of the
war, and whether it had been brought on by our army
invading the territory of Mexico, or by the Mexican
army by invading American territory. This question
then considered, and then made up their minds
and took their positions And to show the position as
sumed by the wing senators, will read from the Con
gressonal Globe few remarks made by the senator
from Kentucky, mr. CRIrTENDEN:l
Mr. Critenden expresse desire the ground taker
upon this subject by the minority should be recorded upon
the journal; and for this purpose he moved strike
from the first section OF the bill the words TO prosecute said
war speedy and successful termination and insert
hereby &c. y '''''''' '-' '''' '''' '-
In favor of this motion, and for the given by
the from Kentucky, the entire wing party in the
Senate recorded their What invasion TO be
repealed by this moon' 1t to repel the Mexican in
vaders, and to drive them from our soil They hat
crossed the Rio Grande, and therefore were in the opin
ion of the wing senators well of those of the demo
unless the Rio Grande is the boundary Sir hold these
senators to this record they made themselves and
therefore estopped from contradctng it, am aware, Mr.
President that the preamble of the act was subject
discussion when the bill under the consideration
the Senate but, sir, did any in that discussion
pretend assert that that part of the preamble to the
which asserts that the brought by the act o.
Mexico not true! No, sir have looked the de
bate in vain, and find such thing On the contra
ry, all seemed to agree that if the existed at all
was brought on by the act of Mexico By what act did
Mexico bring the war; She crossed the Rio Gfande
and thus invaded country, and after doing So com
menced Notwithstanding American blood on amer
can soil. Now, sir, to show that ! am right IN thu
view shall call the attention of the Senate to wha
was said this subject at the time shall read, sir
from the Cameras siOna Globe follows