Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-04-17
For tie ENQUIRER,


had supposed that after The able, lucid, and,
in my opinion, unanswerable message OF Presi-
dent Polk, in answer 10 call made upon him in
accordance 10 resolution ofercdby the Hon. John
M Bolts, 10 enquire by VIVA. constitutional au-
thority contributions were levied upon Mexican
commerce 10 ports held al the time by The Anne
rican forces in the late war with that country
saw | had supposed that The voice OF party
would have been hushed; that every patriot would
have accorded to the President their unqualified
appreciation for adopting so humane and chris
lian like measure. Bni, it seems by The uproar
il has produced in the opposition prints that
have been mistaken. Now, lei me ask, what is
The object of every war; at all times 10 be depre-
called and avoided by all means, consistent with
national interest and honor7 II understand lis
object, il is 10 vindicate the wrongs inflicted By
other powers, either real or imaginary Know
ing or believing ourselves agsrieved, we appeal
10 The mower injuring us Tor redress OF our grew
apces by negotiation; that failing, resort Ia arms
is the only alternative LEFT. After war has been
fairly entered upon what is the object OF both par
lies3-cerlainly TO cripple and annoy their adver-
sary by all the means in their power, consistent
with The rules and regulations OF war, established
by all civilized nations OF The earth. IL seems mat
among The many hish-handed measures carried
ont by The President during the late war with
Mexico, as violalory OF the Constitution and de-
WAITING from The usaees OF modern warfare, &C
cording to the views OF the opposition, The most
fragrant was the ACT OF lcvying contributors on
her commerce from all vessels, as well Ameri-
can as neutral when entering her ports, held al
the time by The American forces by right OF con-
quest. Now, the 2nd section OF The 2nd article I
The Constitution says, "lhe President shall be the
COMMANDMENT. Chief of the Army and Navy of
the United States" leaving il entirely TO his Iuds-
men, and discretion, as long AS ne observes inc
rules and regulations oil civilized warfare 10 con-
duct and carry on all ware, waged either al nome
or abroad; Congress furnishing him the means,
both in men and money Tor the purpose. Inc
editors Of The WhE say that the President iran.
seconded his powers in levyiDg contributions on
American vessels entering the port OF Vera Cruz.
while in pos session OF The American forces, il be-
ing al that lime, and, while thus occupied, an
American port in fact; and that before ne had
The authority 10 exact contributions from Amer.
can or from any other vessels, Congress should
have issued the edici Now, | admit that The 9th
section OF the first article OF the Constitution reaos
thus: "that Congress shall have power TO lay and
colecttaxes, duties imposs and excuses, &C., out
il must strike every one, who is al all cnn7ersanl
with the spirit OF that instrument, that il had re.
ference entirely and alone to American ports al
home and net 10 foreign pors hel! al The time
by our forces in an enemy's country, with whom
we were at The lime waging war Tor wrongs
we had suffered at her hands. deny that Vera
Cruz, then, or any other port in Mexico, held by
the proves of orr arms, was an American port
al the time, but Mexican port properly speak
ing, though in lhelhands Of The Americans for the
time being by the chances of war. Who will de-
ny the right OF the President, by proclamation, to
blockade any and every port belonging 10 an enc.
my during state OF war; thereby cutting on all
commerce with all nations, or Of allowing yes.
sells TO enter The ports free of duty, or 10 exact
tariff according TO his option, which is the will OF
the sovereign people, because he is, ex-ohcio, the
whole people, being by their solemn act their true
and lawful representative The editors OF the
Wing say an extra session OF Congress sno MA
mistake not, Congress was in session for several
months during the operation, and no move was
made OF any importance 10 suppress the usurpa-
lion or to question the authority of the measure