The North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1834-1850, 1850-09-11

any other source in order to preserve the treaty in
violate!
According to the opinions avowed in this commune
cation, the President would not merely have right,
but twould be his duty raise the necessary funds
from the the other of these expedients. Again
by the treaty 1s42 with Great Britain is stipulated
that criminals shall be surrendered by the authorities
} of one Government to that of the other. In case
Congress should have failed to authorize by law the
execution OF this article, should the President have
assumed the right to execute by by his own power!
Was not that article dead letter until Congress
thorized its execution!
will cite but another instance from treaty stipu-
lations, showing the absurdity of the Presidents
views By the ninth article of the treaties of Hdago
he very article which the President cites authori
ty for his acton,) equal participation the right
of government is secured to such Mexican citizens
as may elect to abide under our Government.
This is of the stpulations of the treaty which
the President has declared his determination to
cute by the aid, if necessary, of the military author
ity of the United States. Now, sir, the American
residents of California under the advice and direc
tion of the late President assembled into mock
convention. with the view Of organizing State gov
eminent, and formed constitution. The second ar
tcle of that constitution prescrbes the qualifications
of electors and in doing so, indsputably deprives
hreefourths of the Mexican citizens of all particpa
ton in the elective franchise. Here have perpe-
ated express and positive abrogation of the high
and inestimabe right of denzation yet do we hear
of any complaints against this aggression from the
Executive! On the contrary, do not find the
reesoi friends of the President contending for
frmation of this act of the convention by the Con-
gress of the United States Has it ever been init.
mated that the President of the United States would
refuse his sanction law of Congress legitimating
and confirming this indivdious discrimination against
the treaty rights of the native Califofnians =? No,
sir notwithstanding the President has informed US
of his determination to support, by the military
thorty, the full enjoyment the part of the Mexi
citizens of all civil and political rights. yet
find him tamely, quietly, and submissively approx
ing of this constitutional restriction, rather dsan-
chisement.
But Mr.. Chairman it is not only treaties, but the
Constitution is declared to be the supreme law of the
land, and, in addition to the Presidents obligation
to execute the laws, he has taken solemn oath TO
protect and defend the Constitution If then, his
views correct the consequence is inevitable, that
he must execute all the provisions of the Consttu-
ton. The second section of the fourth article pro-
vides for the reclamation of fugitive slaves. The
language of this section is express and decided.
Would the President consider it is duty to call
the military authority to execute this provision of
the Constitution, without the Intervention Of act
of Congress authorizing him do so? By the same
section of the article, gtives from justice are
to be surrendered on demand yet this provision was
found impossible of execution, until Congress, by its
action, gave it life and force. If President WASH
inqton, even with the aid and counsel of Knox and
Hamilton, could have conceived it his constitu
tional duty execute this provision he would
have recommended to Congress the necessity of the
law of l793 authorizing the execution of these Sec
tons. Wherever the Constitution has imposed du.
ty on the President the legislative department Of our
Government has always been called to pass neces
sary laws to enable him to discharge those duties.
And the great error of the acting President is in sup
posing that, in the absence of such laws, he is at
liberty to supply the omission.
But, Mr.. Chairman, the arrogation of such author
ity by the President, is not the only objection to
his policy, as shadowed forth in this communication
As have read it, understand it, the President of
the United States undertakes, by his 'ipse dirit,
backed by the strong arm of Government to prescribe
territorial limits to sovereign state. Sir, more than
that, he undertakes dismember sovereign State,
to cut slash and divide her his pleasure. He cites
from the treaty of Hidago the article which establish
es the boundary the line of demarkaton between the
United States and Mexico. What is that line This
line the President informs Us, commences at the
mouth of the Rio Grande, and follows the deep
est channel of that river until it ntersects the south
ern boundary of New Mexico; then it assumes a
westwardy direction to the River Gila, and thence
to the Pacific. This is the line as described by the
treaty. as quoted by the President and in connection
with it he hesates to declare, that all the coun-
try lying east and north of this line belongs to the
United States-is the property of the United States
will not do the President the injustice to suppose
that he intended to include in this description the
whole of the State of Texas. Yet, under the claim
as made by the United States her title is good to
the Sabine as it is to every foot of the territory lying
east of the Rio Grande. The President has failed to
intimate what boundary he will, by the force of mill.
ary power, establish between Texas and the United
States; but portion of his friends have always in
sisted upon the Nueces the western limit of Tex
as this doubtless, will be his utimatum.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, is it not we'll known that for
months and months before the breaking out of the
war with Mexico that all of this country repre-
sented in this House by the predecessor of my hon.
orabe friend who sits before me! Is it not we'll
known-was it not known to the President, before
the commencement of that war, 'That we construct
ed forts, established post Offices and post roads, and
located collection districts throughout the whole OF
that country lying between the Nueces and the Rio
Grande!'
Buff these facts should have removed all doubt
from tho Presidents mind, the letters of his ustri-
Gus predecessor, Gen. Taylor-etters written during
the time of his military sojourn in this country
should have afforded him relief. l have before me
all those official communications, and they each bear
the significant superscrpton of having been written
in the country which was, in his estimation, to be
| recognized as Texas.
/ presume not, Mr.. Chairman, to determine how
far this message may be the reflection of the judge
ment of the Presidents Cabinet advisers but think
have before me record evidence to show that their
judgement could not have been harmonious. When
the bill declaring that state of war existed between
the United States and Mexico went from this House
to the Senate, it there met with warm opposition,
much discussion was elected, and much information
was. of course adduced respecting the validity of the
Texan title ye with all this information before them
a large majority of the Wing members, including
two Of the former and three of the present Cabinet
did not hesitate declare this was American ground
refer to the amendment to the bill offered by Mr..
Crittenden, which will read:
sOn motion BY Mr.. Crihenden to amend the bill by
striking out section line f. the words to prosecute
said war to speedy and successful termination and in
lieu thereof inserting ito repel nuason, and ofherysse