The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-19

the cup OF RECOMMENDATION was exhausted, and that ne
should be received IN the character in which he was
sent to Mexico After Mr. Sdell was recalled, after
he took his passports, must be recoleeed the march OF
General Taylor to the Rio Grande took place Now SIR
l am not going to the President He placed
General Taylor there TO communicate information; and
what was the pgrport OF that communication twas 10
this amount al advise you military point OF view,
TO move the army If the settlement Is TO be effected
by arbitrament, there is necessity OF striking a
blow" This was the information and advice which
General Taylor gave the United States. Now, sir, did
the army move from Corpus Christi under the authority
of the government, to bring on collisions or to
run the risk of bringing on collision upon the
suppositon that the cup OF reconclement had been
hausted and no, IN the hope that negotiations might be
under the honest apprehension that Mexico
intended TO seize upon the territory, to the exclusion of
the United Staes' II this government, under the APP
prehenslon that this was the of things took pos
session OF the territory with the view of preventing Mex
leo under armed force from having Judgment there
not consist always in an actual overt War some
times must be anticipated and if Mexico had marched
her army and made such overt demonstrations marched
armed force with view of taking possession of the
territory and General Taylor informed his government
that such was the case and the government ordered him
to move his army, with view to defeat that intention
on the part OF Mexico, 1t nothing but what the
government was bound to do On the other hand, very
different Inference must be drawn, if the President OF
the United Staes-who is the representative of all the
people of the United Staesndferent to consequences,
sent the army with view of informing Mexico that ne
gotiatlons were terminated It presents very different en-
means of reeoncement were exhausted, and that the
only alternative remaining was the sword.
Now II the President OF the 6nlted States took
sion OF this territory either with too much negligence or
reckless indifference to consequences, he has per-
formed the part of wise and crcumspect Chief Magis
trae; and the act is only to be justified, it me-
the ground OF reasonable expectation that Mexico
would be induced to conclude negotiations
Mr. DAVIS, of Mississippi. If the senator will per-
init me- would suggest that Gen Taylor in marching to
the Rio Grande, met the Mexican army about half way
on the banks OF the Little Colorado informed
by the commander of the Mexican forces, that if he
crossed that stream, it would be held an act of war
MIR. BUTLER understand all that.
MIR. DAVIS. The Mexican army moved first.
MIR. BUTLER. do not recollect dates ; but under.
stand the order General Taylor was issued before the
Mexican army advanced.
can army proceeded to this point, but we do know that
General Taylor found them IN position and they must,
Mr. SEWER The order was gwen to- to General Tay
or in January in February it received by him. and
in M Marsh Ti1rh he u Was in i mo. motion
ly in this point Of view for regard both having pos
session. think that Gen. Taylor right advise the
government to anticipate the Mexican army; have al
ways been under the impressions however that the order
to move issued long before However sir do not
think il makes great deal OF difference as far as regards
bring this close by as honorable peace as Can
be very well effected. And how is it to be done
Now, sir having come to the conclusion that are
tween the Nueces and the Rio Grande--and certainly
think we are bound, by the solemn of pledges for
we have of this very body recitng that American
blood had been shed American sohere it stands on
your statute book the most solemn of all declarations
that this territory did belong to Texas and this
country BY annexation; and though it was a sub
Ject OF honest dispute between Texas and Mexi-
co, and between the United States and Mexico
yet have passed Judgment upon it, and said to Texas
It Isl part OF her territory and, in consequence OF that
pledge, seems to yield foot OF land
his side of the Rio Grande But, Sir that is as far as
vii go as an ut'mGtum Of any proposition of peace
hat government would insist, in the first instance in
very measure, that to the Rio Grande we are bound
nde the most solemn Of pledges, to protect the rights Of
ma ha I'D nd + Ia,
rtper queson-how would you establish any other line
n separating the territories of the United States from
which separates Oregon from Mexco' think not sir
But, by way OF making it acceptable as possible to
Mexico and with sincere desire to terminate this war,
would not hesitate, II were to be done morrow to
send the most ustrous embassy to Mexico and propose
to her terms Of peace upon This Mtimatum with the
right however, to demand from her to say what line she
should run by way Of compromising us for the claims
we have against her; and should think it no degrade
hon. II were strong government, and we actu
ally engaged IN contest to be decided by force of arms
At might be otherwise But Mexico, PROSTATE and feeble
as she is, it is degradation make any terms by
which we can terminate this unhappy, this disastrous
know the suggestions which make are not likely to
De adopted but think that what have already ntimated
us the limit is one from which we cannot depart We
are bound to say to Mexico, We cannot give you any
land this side of the Rio Grande but we will leave
you to say what line you will agree TO run from
the Rio Grande to the Pacific would give her the op
ton in the first instance say what line she would agree
to, though DO not say would be bound by it but say
line she would adopt Perhaps she might adopt the
Would you be satisfied with that line!
have no hesitation at all stating that it is our in.
terest to encourage and Mexico as an nde
pendent repubc and let whatever line NAV be agreed on
be thirty seven or hirtyegh all the territory we want
or all IS said we want, will fall into possession inev
tably There is no way of preventing the American peo-
pie from settling in the territory claimed and which
to be presumed by the President to fall into our
possession. But may be asked, if Mexico propose a
line, would you adopt it, If there is any one thing
which the policy OF this government dictates more than
another, it is to terminate this And sir we cannot
at this conjunctue, make great sacrifices to terminate
the war. speak now southern man and if were
only to have in view what ultimately be the interest
of the southern States would enter most fully into the
mad schemes of taking possession of the whole of Mex
lco because, in that way slave labor might be EMPLOY
ed, whilst have no idea that any Shareholder will ever
60 into that country north of thirty degrees But
as have said if Mexico would propose terms [
would consult the counses of moderation and Justice
and endeavor to sustain rather than annhilae neigh
boring republic.
But may be told that they are not capable of self gov
crnment believe they will have to go through the
changes to which other nations subject They will
perhaps, have to endure rksome fermentation before
they arrive at that degree of refinement and intelligence
which will ht them for republican form of govern
ment But, as have said, if Mexico wise. she
would give all we claim. believe it would be to her
interest to give up all territory between the Rio Grande
and the Sierra Madre But have no hope that she
will be governed by any such policy. | am, however
Tor peace and for the purpose of securing it, will
ing to make any sacrifice except of the power and Dig
n tho npfrrr md ha 4 V,-l ko