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, NORTH-CAROLINA, FEBRUARY 5, 1848. NUMBR 43 VOLUME IX. GREEN I SBOROTJGH 4. BY SW AIM & SHERWOOD. PRICK, THaEE DOLLARS A TKAR, af S-SOitv ai wiTHix.oir ummrm irrtm tmm sats vsvratrric A failareea the put of any ctuUxr te Mtr a dtoceniuv one vsithia the subscription yew, will be etwiwtrnril in- Sieative of Ms wish to continue tbe paper Gekxxsboro', Jan. 29th, 1849. Agreeably to notice a meeting of a portion of - the people of Guilford wag held in the court house. Jesse H. Lindsay was called to the Choir and D. C. Mebaae appointed Secretary. On motion a committee of three wag appointed by the chair, to wit : John A. Gilmer, John M. Logan and D. F. "Caldwell, to report resolution for consideration. . The committee reported the following resoiu lions, which were unanimously adopted t, - '''Resolved, That we view Wiib pain and oncen the recent destruction of tbe riee of ourcouotiy men I the waste of treasure, and the accumulation of ao iHHsense public debt, hereafter to .be. paid by increased taxes on honest industry, forced upon the nation by the unauthorised and uncon stitutional action of the'President. . warned 4y4be-4itory-fabwoildjuulabeulajiJ ' o-era p-rawinir out of the war-making power being f THE PATRIOT. ia Executive hands, being solely devoted to the, securing of the freedom and happineasof the peo ple, and truly desirous that the Republic should not be involved in the horrors and Calamities of war for slight and trivial causes, and without the ' .consent of our Representatives, made it a , part f the Constitution that Congress should have the power to declare war ; and that in '.his we as mach.AdmiceJbe.ir, w.Udom.,at,wf, dispproy8.the .devices and contrivances of those who excuse the - - r- exercise of this important power by President Polk. Resolved,, That it is ihe deliberate opinion of ' this meeting, that to permit under any ctrcum I ' stances, any one infraction of the Constitution, ' perpetrated by a high functionary, to escupe pub- - tie .condemnation, wilt be a mort:jying out sure. foreboding of the destruction of that sacred! iastru- . . ront. :y'-. , . .. X j . . - - , - - i?o7T4iat m unable U recoACse. Jthe. ' - ' professed concern of ee.;Pfesidenl forthe pre- And honorable termination .ef the Mexican war, A . - , with-his conduct fteroliUuea..coiumencvdrJiL v - fdirecilng WsW exile, ;an experienced. mineral, whose hatred of us, nndnWsfnr the bloodiest "atrocities of war, bad benevineed by his permitting our -countrymen toy be murdered m cold blood. yat Goliad and Alamo. and whose entire influence has b- en tv- ' .ersince exerted toexeiu? radiance and prolong tbe war. ' Resolved, Whilst we .conceive it bo treason thus freely to declare our views of the acts of the Execotive, creating important political issues to be determined at the ballot bo. we shalt'ever cherish the roost grateful rememberance for our .brave countrymen, who, without distinction of party, have rallied under our common flag;un- dergooe the many difficulties and hardships of warfare in a pestilential climate,- and faced dan- - gers in every shape ; and whose gallant achieve - anient of successi ve victories has secured such, 4nn . .perishable lustre to our arms. Resolved, That the annihilation of the Mexican Republic, and the acquisition of her territory by1 xx conquett, would be contrary to the spirit and gen . jus of our government, injurious to our national ttbaratcer, and fraught with danger to our own ifreedom. Resolved, That in the message of the President to Congress recounting our Oregon claims and difficulties, we regretted to witness a vain spirit of boasting and irritation, better suited to the pe- . . .. tio4 when all national differences were settled by the sword, than the present christian; enlighten ed age calculated rather to excite than to calm, rand to present more prominently belligerent strife, than the proprieties of candid und reasonable ne gotiation. , , ,i ... 4 Resolved, That the heronc valor and aplendtd achievements in arms of our Generals VVinfield JScptt and Zaehary Taylor,, by whic so much has been added to our national character for prow ee, entitle them to the honor of their countfy nen. ' Resolved, That their fearlessness, and steadily- Doied minds, amid the tempest of the battle- (field, turning every incident in favor of rictory, 'confirm our confidence in their firmness, skill and Ability. ?: ;! 'i'-'"" ' ': - "I" 1 . ' Resolved, That wben we recall to mind the daring deeds of the gallant and scat-worn veter ian Scou, who bas ever done his duty, whether grappling ihe proud foe with " cold steel " ' and at long shot " at Q,ueenstown, Fort George'; Chippewa and Niagara, or the less formidable rnemy at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Chuxubusco. Molino del Rey,Chapulepec, or in ahe City of Mexico, we can but scorn the insidious attempts that are being" made to blur and sacri fice fane on the altar of party rancor. ttesolved, That we have imbibed inextinguish able love for the great American statesman. Hen fcx Cxay, and still admire his. extraordinary abili . ties and exalted patriotism ; but are ready to join Kho friends" of. republican insiitutionsX with our support for the next President of any candidate, JWhose intelligence and integrity may aflord asiu lancet (hat be will discharge Jus duties honestly nd with becoming regard tor nil oath of office. Resolved, that his Excellency William A. Graham,, by the able, patriotic and impartial man tier in which he has discharged all the duties of bis station, has confirmed the confidence we re . noted in him, and is entitled to the thanks of bis allow eilizentv Resolved,-That -we approveof the Whig ; Con.- veotion to be held at Raleigh 6a the 22d of Feb rnary. to nominate a .candidal for Governor, and would be pleased, should that sterling patriot, and genuine Whig-Col. Andrew Joyner, of Halifax, -received he nomination t but pledge -onrselves4o anpperl him for that high office wjbo-itiay be ae- , . i r, . . . .. -' : .... - .. lectea oy inai vouvemion. - j: ' . Resolved, That one hundred delegates be. ap- -f einjted from the county to. the Whig State Con vention, and thathe Chariraan be authorised to mi f acanciei. . . ),,..-, y ?, - The following named delegates were then ap pointed, agreeably to the last resolution y Daniel Clapp, Abi am Clapp, John Corsbie. James Stewart, David Stewart, Albert Rankin. Robert SL Gilmer, tfcomas Rankin, Finley Shaw, Jacob Amick, F. Fentress; J. A. Worth, John Perdew, Nataa Hunt, Thomas Hunt, George Hay worth, A. C Lind say, J. Field, David , Lindsay, ieaae Wheeler,' iohn Hialt, Nathan Iiiatt, Jonathan Hanria, William Wat son, A. Ii. Lindsay. Milton Hant, BamuelDwigfina, John Ruwell. Abel Knight, John Hoekins, L. D. Or rell, Janes Woody, John Saunders, Moses McGrady, James McGrady. William H. Britttin, Arch'd Wil son, Charles Case, James W. ' DoaJc, ' Arcb'd Bevil, II. T. Weatherly. D. H. Starbuck, Ellis Hoina J. A. Foulkep, N. M. Climer, Dr. Grasly, Li 8ummers, Joseph Mitchell, Joseph Cunningham. J. Brannock, J. M. Staflord, J. M. Cunningham, Joel McLean, John McLean, Eli Smith, M. Jordan, Win. Denny, P. McAdoo. M. D. Smith, Ebeneser Ward, Thomas Kirkman, Elijah Denny, El iah Jackson, John S. N. Daeia, Barbara Harris. William Ogburn, Wyatt Rags dale, John Pegrem, Georjre S. Dcjarnatt, R. G. Bee sea, Washinerton Young, O. 8. H aimer, W McCon- nel, Evans Wharton, John Wharton, Daniel Fooat, James Paisley, C A .Gillaapie, Joab Hiatt William Gott, Ralph Gorrell, I J M Lindsay, James T More head, John M Morehead, Joh.i A Mebane, 0 Small. wood. R G Lindsay, D F CaldwelL John McMurrv, Jed. "II Lindsay, Emsly Armfield Mitchell Ward, John McCunoch.' Koberl IIannerr T I Sandndg, John McKnisht, Joseph A Houston; William S Gil mer, Isaac Thacker, Mose H MendenhalL D C Meb ane. uo motion, ine name or me i-nainaaa was aa- ded to the liaU . " . ' On motion, ; Resolved, -tfae pee4ingel- ibis - meeting be publuilieejn we ureetroughFatriot, and the other Whig papers of the State requested to copy. J. II. LINDSAY, Chm. D. C, Mcbadx, 4ccry. WA SHIN G TON CORRESPONDENCE. The ff'arrthe Presidential uiuccessiori"-Mr. Clay r-the Extension, of the Richmond and Danville Railroad. : j WaahinotonJIiuj, 1848. f Gentlemen The war anl tie succession, if not u the war of the succession," ae -the iopics of 10- terest here at present. In regard to the war, the case has become hopeless. . No one looks for its termination now,, and peace may be said to be an obsolete idea." The impression is gaining ground that the .whole of Mexico is to be absorb i. an (Tpermane ntly annexed to the LToioa.. The shamming disclaimers of the President and his brgSn aVe he clearly points out the difficulty of avoidingcoo quest, e ven if the I?resi Jent Jesired k. -, We hae -gone loofa r -; -SetfK':ivTOment-iH-' make pace with, and ns soon as our troops retire such a Government would be infallibly over thrown, Mr. Calhoun justly thinks we are on the eve of grtit-ev us j-areat change, for weal or woe, is Hpiwoaching. In repani to the succeion, there is as much interet iejt, ut least by politicians, aa there is io reference to the ww. I am however glad to be lieve that a spirit of compromise exists ia the Whig ranks; and their divisions will doubtless be heal ed by a National Convention, The fciexwls .of Mr. Clay are far the more numerous party in this city. On the other band, I believe that the people of the adjaceot country prefer Gen. Tay lor. I nm somewhat surprised that tbe frienda of Gen. Scott are so languid, considering bis bril liant achievements in the .field. It is thought that if the President hau ld supercede him in the com-, mand (and I believe -there Is little-doubt of the fact.) the circumstance will awaken sympathy in his behalf. ! He seems, with all hjs'gteat quali ties, and achievements, less calculated to inspire enthusiasm lhan Clay xr Taylor. The Locofocos are in a forlorn situation. While the Whigs Are disputing among themselves aa to which of a half a dozen of the greatest and .most popular men of the country shall lead thejOj Ahe Locos are unable to rally upon any .one f. the par ty hacks who have brought on .the present dis graceful state of things. Tsaw1 Mr. Clay yesterday. ile is a hale, heal thy looking old gentleman, of a bland and digni fied appearance. lie appears older than his like nesses represent htm, but the outlines of bis featur es are well preserved. , He addressed the Coloni zation Society a feV nights ago, but I was not ao fortunate as to hear him. It has been objected to the proposed extension of the Richmond and Danville Railroad through Greensborough, that it will give encouragement to the . commerce of Virginia at the expense of North Carolir.a. There can be no greater mis take. The trade will be beneficial to both parties. If the people of North Caro,Un .cttrrtnake better bargains in the Ytrginia seaporttnan in theirown, they ought by all means lo go , there with their products; and state pride to he contrary notwith standing, t,hey will ginero,NrrnaB ia willing to make a bad bargain, and his no more the in terest of the State, than. of individuals to make them. Norfolk is the natural outlet and empo rium of your section of the .State., and in fact the greater portion of it. Wilmington and Charles ton for the other portion. Slate pride is a highly commendable virtue, but it ' should not blind the people to their fue interests. 3y holding aloof from Intercourse with the Virginia ports, she may injure the commerce of that State, out the illiber al policy will never do more than foster a dwarfed, languishing, coasting trade within her own bor ders. ; Ready access to such a seaport as Norfolk would revive the energies of the whole State. -Whatever advantage Norfolk is, or is destined to be, to lh interior of Virginia, it may be to , North Carolina. Our State lines are no barrier lb tradej and although the natural emporium of the State is beyond the jurisdiction of its laws, it is in the bands of people who will promptly second the formation of as many, avenues of Intercourse as can be desired. " ' - If the city ol New York belonged to New Jer sey, the State of New York would be jusuwbst it-is, mimrs-the city,Tbat4s to -say, jls jptenal! trade and wealth ITJJ population would be just what they are; because toe s: people"of the chy and Slate to which it belonged would be as much interested in courting intercourse with. New York State as they no w are, and would be-4o fact -dependent upon that State for the, privilege of open ing a communication with' the Lakes; In, like' "manner, ifPhi.Iadelphia' were within tbe limits of New Jersey or Pelaware, it would equally pro- mote the internal prosperity of Peoniylvacta aa it now uvea, . . r North Carolina may one day or other have many large towns and cities ia the' interior or on tne rivers, engagea in manuisxtures ana internal traffie, but it can never rival tbe adjacent States in external commerce. Wilmington may become a respectable commercial city, bat ootof tbe first class. Beaufort harbor, I (car, ia too near cape Hatteras and cape lokoul. . , If your readers wish to know what a city may become without the advantage of foreign com merce, f refer them to Cincinnati. . That place which now numbers one hundred thousand in habitants, is fifteen hundred miles from tbe sea by tbe course of the river. Norfolk might be connected with Albemarle Sound by a ship chan nel instead of a canal, and thus with all the sounds and rivers in the State except Cape Fear. That place is known to possess unrivalled advantages for commerce. The harbor is equal to that of New York, and its natural facilities of intercourse with tbe interior are far superior to those of any place north of it. Boston has no river to conduct its commerce into the interiors New York has bat one 1 Philadelphia baa nd navigable tributary, and Baltimore Done. But look at Norfolk ! There is the Chesepeake bay extending north to Penn sylvania, and flowing into it are the Potomac, the Happahannoc, the York and the Jamel rivers, all navigable for ships and.atearcm for hundreds of miles. On the other hand the DismsJ Swamp Canal connects it, as before observed, wtffa Jl tbe navigable waters of North Caxotina except the Cape fear By means of tba Reoawba canal ionoiK win oe orougni in cuiuiuuiuciuvw vhu the OhioT'and whJ ihe EfieM! will be cjiesed by iceforfiv ttonths f tbe yea, the Yirginia canal wili rarely be closed ataJL Norfolk has a' great destiny to IJuttl, I owgnt ay a - mamiest destiny' and the people laTfilarUi Carolina will Aot be ao blind to 'eir obvious tateMsU as to but themselves out from its caaxkets. IV hat I have said of the importance of a com munication with Norfolk, will of course apply to Richmond, since the latter is an outpost, so to spealr, of- the" formet Or rather, , such will ,bel the .case when lyotfouc enters a poo Ue career ot its great destiny. Yours, &c. A rSORTII CAROLINIAN. MR. IIADUER'S SPEECH Iv StiT, Ian. 18,. On tfu biil la raiu for a limited time aa dii . tional military forae. Mr. Cadoer said; If f believed, sir, that the duf wrikh'I Owrtotbe cntryAnd to theSta vieldjo? to tfie reauisiiions oi Aoe-executive iucblsuppliea 'fsJnjdk:! forrtbe prosecuuon the war. u pon planaJer prosecu tin g it which have hot been made known to Congress if I betieved that 1 had not a high and control ling obligation to exercise my own best judgment for the benefit of those whom I represent and for the general .welJare of tbe country, upon every 3uetbion smb milted to the consideration of this bo y, I might be disposed to vote for the bill upon your table. If, sir, the yeas and nays bad not been ordered upon the passage of this bill, I might have been content to permit the measure to pass, as far as I am concerned, without offer kg aiogje word to the Senate upon its intrinsic merits. Out the yeas and . nays have been ordered upon this bill. I cannot vote for it. 1 shall record my vole against it ; and, I ibirvk it is due to the country I feel that it is due to myself that the views and principles which will gov-J ern myA conduct m giving ,J,Pf .'waanouia plainly an distihcily stated pany, to the public, the vote itself. Sir, I shall endeavor to assign those views and principles in as short a compass as is consistent with a full ex position of what I believe to be the truth on this all .important subject, and which every considera tion .ooliges me to put before those whom I repre sent, without any unnecessary diminution, with out leaving out anything that may be required in a full and complete expression ojf .the argument which, in my mind, is cancjusir in regard '.o the measure before you. I shall ofler my own opin ions, sir, wan .enure jreipect. and ,eve,i) 4eeten tial consideration, tohe great .oiinda f tbis body and UrouhoatvhQwuxTj whom 1 know to be arrayed againft'tae. Without intending towards theja any disrespect, I shbll take the liberty to declare hat are . the opinions which I entertain with regard '.to the origin of the war, the manner of its prosecution, tbe tendency of the measures how proposed, and the schemes that are evident ly epienajned by the JExecutive of the country Jo relation to it. i shall noto a fax back, air, as an honorable senator (rom Maryland did a Tew days ago, (I mean the honorable Senator from that State, who first addressed the Senate upon", this bill,) but, nevertheless, I shall be Under tbe necessity of going a little back for the purpose of making myself fully understood. ,. ' ; , First, then. I will ilay it 4owo, od endeavor 4o demonstrate, that the war in which we are now engaged with Mexico, was the immediate . result of the unlawful and unconstitutional act of the President of the JJ. S. J suppose, sir, that there is no gentlemen .00 Jhjs oor r ols.ev.We, who Aapposes or believes that the President of the iJ. S. ia vested with tbe war power of this country. It is a power expressly.and in terms, conft rred up on the Congress of tbe U. S. And the President would have no control, direct or ind.ire.ct, ecpt from" the incidental circumstance of ,hia limited veto of the action Qfhe two blouses, and except, fi-ttm,tfhe fact, dhat in virtue of his office be is tbe chief commander, the principal military officer of the U. States. , I maintain then, Mr. , JPeidf,nt . that when tbe President of the JJ. moved the troops pqde Gen. Taylor to the Rio Grande and took posses sion of the left bank of that stream, he committed a clear and undoubted act of war. What is war? What do all the writers on the law of nations tell ua.it is J They all, in substance,' define it to be .a contest about rights which is corned on or main- l.!n m n k ,ritiVmi.nl. Vill Ktf frtrra - II rnn" .thereforetadmiti?rnpoueauon., that w4iea a nation .claiiriiog certain rights, which are disputed y on- pthe,r, undertakes to support tnerp py war-war as far' as she is concerned. Jt is true, if the act of violence or aggression oa her part.be Jiot resis ted by the otber tbat suQersit il It De patiently and tamely submitted , to no ..war .results. : To corisiituie war. it is ss essential thjt there should be two- parties", as it is that jtbeM should e" two parties to treaty of peace. Tbe net of one nation cannot alone constitute wjri it ia like the act of an individual striking a blow, if it be not resented, no contest, no battle, no flght is tbe re sult. Tbe blow is an act of aggression it is an act commencing a contest, but it does not amount to a perfect contest. Whether this act oa lb pan of the President was an act of war, of hostility, of aggression, depends not at all upon the questioo, whether we bad a right to the territory of which he took forcible possession. War, between nations, fire-supposes a contest about rights,. r The pub icists, who speak, of contesu between nations, never suppose them to contend except about rights. War is a contest about rights. Public war is a. contest between nations about rights, carried on by force and not by argument.. If, tberefareHtj were assumed as clear and .unquestionable that the title of Texas and the U. S. extended to the Rio grande.it is stjl heycdd U doubt, that Mex ico possessinc the left bank of that stream, having a settlement there, having officers there, and ex ercising jurisdiction there any movement to dia possess Mexico, to occupy what she lbtft occupi ed and what she clairned to be her own, is an act of war. It Is an act f war just and rightful if ihf territory be ours just and right if . the terri tory be; uniustfy and improperly withheld just and rightful, rf,lso the act of war be direct ed of loose w do represent tne sovereignly oi- iae natioy, IVell.sir, LUu act was committea oy ins President of the U. 8. (je ordered (he troops to the J5io Grande.; They advanced. . When they came ioto the Mexican setilemeru, inhabitants fled before them in-dismay the officers abandoned the nublie buildings and set fire "to them, and un- dersucb reumsUitCtfSj tout foisec n4er-t THmdofficers-tbie- (Jt S.?iook trom Weaieo that which sbe was m possessioja AT.and by force kept possession of the territory ad Placed at un der the jurisdiction of the United Stales, Now, sir, oa :bis subject 1 baa tbe eoeor. at the last session to bring to ihe attwuie f the Semite the ac tion of M r.Jef erson. duriag bis ad m'lion of t is Govemmenl, under circumstances ol a very sim ilar character, with this difference, that the title of the territory wilbbeid from us was truly and ,c4e y ours.-: In ery . other- respect. -lbecase was like this. The territory wss witnneid oy an other Power, and a dispoeition -manifested -by that Power tb deprive as of what we owped' Coder these circumstances Mr. Jefferson conceiv ed ifchat he had no right to use lae military force oftbe country to obtain posae&sion of that which was wiibeld from us, thougb clearly ours. And he states, as the reason for referring tbe subject to the deteiBNoation ofCongresa, that matters re lating to peace Xtf WW Belong exclusively to I rut body jarMLncA to ! b m f.and . that; thjs Movement mTgnt chjng tbe relations of i he l wocou nuis from peace toaiB determine whether the movement should be made. :But..Mri.Rreside certainly shall not say that it is more respectabls in itself lhan the authority of Mr. Jefferson. I doubt very much whether, with a large portion of the American people and of the Senate, it would be thougbt quite equal te Mr. jejperson a. ttut upon this question with respect to the President of the United States, the authority is conclusive and overpowering. It creates upon him what law yers pall an estoppel j for I am ready to show tbat the President of tbe United Slates, has him self recognised that such an act as this is an act of hostility, of aggression, of war. . On the Ilth of July, 145, the Secretary of the Navy wrote a confidential communication to Com. Conner, then commanding in the Gulf of Mexico. He says; The unanimous vote of the Texan Congresa for annexation leaves no doubt of the consummation of that measure. When you ascertain satisfactorily that the Tessn convention, which asrambled on the 4th, has aUso acceded to annexation, you will regard Texas as part of your country V) ho ide tended like, any oilier pari oi u. " At the same time, eyery honorable effort ia to be made te preserve pea.ee .with all pations. The res toration jof Our boundary on tbe poothwest. by the consent and choice of the people 61 Tcxnt, is due t the strong attraction of the principles of liberty, which endear America to etry one of its aone, and ia a tri butes before tho world to the policy ol peace, ol poeti cal freedom, and of union on the principles .of iee- oom. Jtis ihe President's desire that Ikpi grcnt ev ent BliQuld.be cons,vaunite,d wiout the enufion of biood, and without the exercise of force( believing that (ree institution, in their own right, will achieve all that can be desired." I read this part of the communication for the purpose of showing that, though this paper was written on the 11th of. July .prior to the actual. consummation of the act of annexation yet the instructions to which I propose more particularly to call the attention of the Senate are given pros pectively, cautiously .and with a view to ih actu al completion 01 tbat measure, wnen as appears from the instructions themselves, the officer to whom they were directed was required to consid er lexis as a part of this country.' The letter proceeds:, ''-". '-,. "To secure 4b is end moat effectually, yoa are char red to commit nojtci of act teuton ; anW, at the same time, you are invested wiui we command oi a loreevi CIS." ".. ' 1 '-, . ' ' Then, after enumerating the force at tbe offi- cc'a 4cqmmand the Secretary says : vTfaat ou .may precisely fcnderatar.d what is meant by th aggression which you are instructed to avoid, I will add, that while the annexation of Tex as extends our boundary to the Del Norte, the Prebi det recr,ves the indication of our boundary, if pos sible. totn'tJiQit if ptfice. ) uu will, the,refpr'e, not employ force to dislix'ge ftf eicao coops from ny Doet eaht of tbe Del Norte wlijch was io the actual possession of lb Mexicans it Ike time of annexa. iton. - ,v,-,- ,. L " Should Mtxtco declare wmr, you will mt once dislodge her troops from any post she may have east ol the mouth of tho Del None; take possession of Tamoico. and, if your force is sufficient, will take lhe,cawe ol-arf,Toan de Ulua, it being the determi nation of me President to prewi ve pejnt'i, u possible; and, if war comes, to recover peace by adopting the the moat prompt and energetic measures." Again-: The -Secretary ,gf War writes General Tayltfr under date of ply the 8ih, 1845 : . ."Tbi Depaitment ia informed that Mexico Iiaa sQfpa'aiitjiary eajabUabinente on the east aide-of the Rio Grapde, which are, and for some time have been, in the actual occupancy ol her troops. In carrying opt tho instructions heretofore received you will be careful to avoid any acts ol aggresstnn unless an ac tnal state of war should -exist,---The Afexican forces at the posts in their possession, and which have been peace between the United otatea and AiCkico con tinue." ::--X-:-- ' ':;; .-'':''';-';"r;.'-"; :.: Here we have from the representatives' of the President in two Departments,' War arid Navy clear and distinct recognition of this proposition, that, although the President held our true boun dary to be the Del Norte, yet it would be- an act - "... L t or lac session. A hostile act, an act wnicn would not be justifiable except in a statb or war, to dispossess Mexico of any portion of that ter ritory of which sh held possession at the time of tbe annexation. Vh-n. therefore, order were is sued to Gen. Taylor, on the 13th of January. 1840. to advance and occupy a position on the left bank of the Rio Grande, admitted to be in the posaesaion of Mexico, the president ordered what be then, undoubtedly, understood to be an aet .of war. lie ordered what be intendec, and what he supposed would be regarded on the part of Mexi co, as an act of boat lity of aggression. For, sir, you will observe that, when Gen. Taylor, in tbe execution of ihis order, ad vanced to tbe Rio Grande, and drove tb Mexicans from their possessioosr when he occupied what. had before beep occupi ed by the Mexicans and these facts were report ed to tbe President, there was not the slightest intimation ,on his part tbat Gen. Taylor had ex ceeded the scope of tbe orders which had been given to him, and had thus been the means of precipitating the country into a war, which, by a prudent forbearance, might have been avoided.. On the contrary, op to this very moment, all that was done in pursuance of that order has been re cognised by. the President' as having been right fully done, as having been done in accordance with the purposes which the Executive had in view .when tbe orders were given.. nlainlv andnaoiesily an aci-wUiChwas74lcia produce a state of war, Ji wa an act, the lea- dency ol which wss to enange tne reunions of Mexico and this fovntry from a .state of peace t a slate 6f Var, Can there be any doubt of. thi. sir. I It is iJ(vassit)le to doubt it, when we recol lect the Unhappy and angry slate of fet linjr which existed between the two countries. When we recollect ibe posijon which our army held at Cor pus Cbri&U for so many months, and the disputes fiiiin& between the, two countries ihe mutual charges of insincerity anil Breaches i of faith when " we recdllectall tl is, it must be manifest that such an act as moving an armed force to the Rio Grande was, in. itself, ifflot an act of war, at least one which wore the appearance of aggression, and one which was calculated to rouse the feelings of the Mexicans, and o 'proyoke retaliauon. Thus mupb must be' conceded ; and, if so sir, whence did the President of the United States derive his power to do this, without tbe consent of Congress. .- According to Mr..JefTerion..,an act which n iti e xec uO; rftf yj peiency ol te.t,xecuiryei ana to oe passed upon Onl by CWitress.,: cine ho' chaligeribepe'op mendment lo.it ; lUsiaods now as it stood in the time of Mr. Jefferson, Whence, then, has Mr., Polk derived his auhtority to precipitate measures which must lead djreclly to war Congress be ing in session without taking their advice or even deigning to inform them of what he proposed to do ! But, sir, ot all events there is not the slight est reason to (Jouht, as I apprehend, tbat the move ment oftbe troops upon ihe Rio Grande was the act which produced war. There had been, pre viously, threot'eningi on the part of Mexico. There had been exactly .that state of feeling which was likely ,to result in .war. But there had been no war, aad my conviction' is clear that if our troops bad remained ijuiet at Corpus Christi, where they had aright to remain, on the ground sd strongly put by the Senator from Maryland, (Mr. PACE,)"that it belonged to Texas by virtue afhet revolution, and was then in her possession, there would have been no war. But, at all events, supposing that war would have been pro duced in some other manne, or by some oiber movement though our troops bad remained, which, is mere mailer of s peculation, yet ji can pot be denied that n point of fact this war the war io which we aie now engaged was the im njediaiereaull of the movement of our troops up on the Del Norte, and of nothing else. That movement was an act of war, it was, at all events, an act directly tending to change tbe relations of ihe two countries from peace to war ; lind, there fore, an act whicb ihe Presidcnt.couli not lawful ly or consiitu.tionaljyerfor,u?. . The nejit woposkion which I lay down is. that this war, thus resulting from an act of the Presi dent, has bwn prosecuted by him from the com mencement with a view to the conquest, the per manent conquest of at lest New Mexico and Up per and Lower California. 1 beg the attention of the Senate while I attempt to demonstrate this proposition from public documents. First, sir, 1 will call the .attention of the Senate to the instruc tions given by the Secretary of War on jhe 3d June, 1$46, toGen, Ifearoy; . , ; r X f Should you eonqueraod tske possession of New Mex ico and Upper .California, or considerable places in either, you will stablish'tfffl;rflryciioiernmeni tAereui, abolishing all ariiitrary restrictions that msy exist, so far as it may peoneiwith safety. Ip perforiping.Uus duty, It Would be wise and prudent to continue in their einjilor ment all such of the exiiting ofllcers s arc known to be friendly to the United states, and will take,' the oath " allegiance to them.' The duties; at th cutom-houes ought at once to be reduced to such S rate ss1 insy be bare ly sufficient to nuinUni the heceswiry fAn-rs .without yielding any revenue to the Cover nmnt. You' ninj- -sure the people of thOM provinces ihal it is theii-h sod denign of the United Malw to proside, fur Lhrm 'Jrrc eour. nmeid. with .thr lead pusvible delay, similar to that .tvhicb xits ih our Terriluries. They will then he rilled on to rxcrcise the rights ol Iret-rticn in electing their own representatives to ihe terititrial legislature It is foreseen that what relates to the civil, governmont will be a tliflieult and unpleasant part of your duty, and much must necessarily be left to your o wn discretion." 'tln further prooofthivl read the instructions given by the Navy Department to Commodore Sloat, 12th July, 1810: ' " The object of the United States is, undsr its rights as a belligerent nation; to possess itself entirely uf Upper Cal ifornia. .' ; : i: ' ' ', , M The object, of the .United ttes has reference tojUe timate peace with Ajexico , and it. at that pesce, the batM of the vli possxdelu (rftnii oe eftaDiimeif tne Gownmeot expectathfough yir4brccs,to be found I in'actual possoafeion of Upper California. : ' . . . . I n..n..n.Lmn t.F I hlU, I M 1 1 UT II I M i f. " This will bring with t the necossily of a civil administration. Such a government should be es- hablwhediiiiderynur pjoiijctipn.j and, Jn selecting persons to hold office, due, respect should be had lo the wishes of .the .people of California, aa welt as to fhe actual jx!iseas-ors of aerhorityin theprovmccr-Mt msy be proper to require'ari oa'.li of allegiance to the Utttted Sta(ei from those who are entrust with au thority. Vou will also assure the people bf California of the protection ol the United States;. y. ; ' ' ' Alter you shall have securetf Uper Califbrhla. if yoer force) sufflciu;it,,5?oU ji-ill take puesjeMibo, and kee'pthe harbors on tlie Gulf of Cali'oroia as tar down at least as Guaymas. But this is not to inter fere with Ihe permanent occupation of Jjj!pit.r (Cali fornia." ; ' "; .,"--. Then, sir, on tbe itnf August, we have in structions from the Nayy( Department to Com modnre Stockton, or the commanding officer uf the Pacifiic: . . M You will, take ipMnt 'als possession ol Upper California, ef pep;aJl)jr ol the three porta of San Fran. , . cttco. Monterey and San Diego, so that if the treat r ol peace should be made on the basis ot the nlti pos sidetus, it may . tXAVCL Cuirou ro tH UmtxsJ otates. :. ; . " Having provided for the full posseeain of tfp'pe Calilbrnia, the next point of importance isJhe Uulf ot Call lorn ia. From the best Judement. lean form. you should take possession of the port njf .UUKythaa. Tho progress ofour arms will probably be such that, in conjunction with land forces, you will be able to hold possession bf Guaymas, and to lb reduce 111 thd country north of it oil tfc(9 gulf Now, sir, in order to underslind the, scops and bearing of these orders more clearly, let, Uf see whdt was done under lbem by the. ofncera to whom they were addressed. In a letter of Gen. earny to the Adigtant General of the C4th' Aa gust'1846r wittej frpni Santa e, , be Mya t, "On the 22d I issued a proc!mation. claiming the whole of New Mexico, with its then bouudariee as a territory of the United Ststes of America, aad tak,ing jt under our protection." ',' T f n aootber psrtef tbe same i letex haaays: - ...J, On roy return (which will be in two of three ' k) a civil government shall be organized, axd the oflicers appointed tor it; after which 1 will be ready to siart lor Upper California, which 1 hope may be ' by ids .latter end ofnextmonth ; and in such case, l iial' expect to have poseeseion of that departmsat by " . r the cli se of November.'' ' Then we have Gen. Kearnv's nroclamation.' in which he announces his intention to bold jNeW iviexico as a pan oi me unitea oiaies, upaer us nenw of the ." Territory of New Mexico." " As. fcv the act of the Republic of Mexico, a ttafs" of war exists between that Governmont-anfthe Uni- . ted Slates; and as the undersigned, at the bead of his troops, on tbe 18th instant, took possesf ipn of San ta Fe, the capital of the department of New Mexico, 1 he now announces his intention to hold the department, with its original boundaries. (on froth sides oj the Del Norte.) as a part or the 1ited States, and under the name of H the Teebitobt or Naw Wxxt-" co." .' ' -. "., '. The undersigned bas instructions -from his Gov ernroent .to respect jhe rejig :OJaJnitaUps.jot...;v 'Msc6-r'o', pTotect-ihe property bOhe" chufcbtoS feHlsloian1 disturbed, and their religious rights in te anfplest manner preserved to themT also, r tcprdtecf 'the per- -; W&fio$e -within its boundaries against their enemies, the . u tawa, ti e Navajoes, and others; snd when he severer all that it will be his pleasure, as well as his,. dot, -to comply with those instructions, be calls upon them' to exert themselves in preserving order, In promotiiie concord, and in maintaining the authority and efficacy ot the laws. And he requires of those who have left tfcejf1 homes and taken up arms against the United States to retnrnbriatctfA tin them, or else they will be con sidered aa enemies and traitors subjecting their per sons to punishment, and their property lo seizure and confiscation lor the benefit oftbe public treasury, i " It is the wish and intention of the United ?taJb6fi to provide for New Mexico free government, with the least possible delay, similar to those in the fn ted States ; and the people of New Mexico will then be called on to exercise the rights of lreemen inelecf- ing theirown representatives to the territorial legit latum. untittliis can be done, the laws bitl.ci to in existence wtll be continued until chaoged or mod ...... ified bv rowpeterit authority ; and I bone perrons bold iritr oificu will continue in the same lor the present, provided ihey will consider tkemv-lves good r.itttcns " snd are willing to lake ihe path uf allegiance to the United Sistrt. "The United Stales hereby absolvea all persona residing within the boundaries of New Mexico from any further allegiance to the Republic of Mexico, . and hereby claims them as citizens cf tfijs United States. Those who remain .quiet and peaceable wilf be considered good citizens and ( receive protection ; those who are found in arms or instigating others agsinft the United States, .will be considered traitors, and treated accordingly. .J... hat was tbe sction ,of Commodore . Slpsjt Jw - . flow did be interpret and understand tbe orders' he had receiyed t We have distinct information upon this point, communicated in the proclania' mation of Commodore Sloat to tbe people of Cat- ...i...., ifornia. He says: . .' . ' .''-" t ' " Henceforward California will be at portion of , the Unitea States, and its peacable inhabiUnU w,ill enjoy the same rights and privileges they now. enjoys . together with the privilege of choos? ,heit own magistrates ami otber officers, for the administration ofjusUcc among themselves, and the same. protettiorr will be extended to them as to any other State in t'n'e Union. They will also enjoy a permanent govern mcnt.H' ) '. -f . ,'"::- , , And in a general, order of July 7,' 1&40, Va 'y: ' , ' ; ' 'i. ' ' It is not only our duty -to take California, buj to preserve it afterwards, at a part of the United States, at I! hazards." i What was the understanding of , Commodore Stockton? In an address to the people 'l-of. Cali fornia of the 17ih August, 1846, he aaye: " The Territory of California now bclonira to lha United Sutes, and. will be governed ss soon St.cift ctinistaiicc's'wili prrmit, by otucersand laws .tURjIa. io I Lore by which the other Terr itoriea of the Unite States are regulated and protccd." C Agnin, in a proclamation, he saysf f , " I, Robert F. Stockton, commander-in-chief of the United States lorccs in the Pacific Ocean, sod .my. ernor of the territory, of Californja, and.corrjnisnrr in,cliiof .of the icmyV Vhe'Mme, do fiereby SMftb knowp to all men that, having by right of conquest taken possesion, of that territory known by the name ol Upper and Lowe,: California do nowjdeclare it to bd a territory of the United Statfes, under the Item's ef the Territory of California." Noiv, sir, it is impossible, I think, to read wbai was doneo7bat was reported by our officers tat the President as , having been .done by them . . .' : . '. i i i :. . without seeiosihut the v understood and acted nn aer nis instructions, as trcsigneu io ra a - per' ihanent conquest of such portions of Mexican ter ri'-ory as ihey were instructed" to take jpossession of. There is not one word said in the instructions . J .' J . . tl . i . notbing'declared in the actions of thce officers obeying those instrucuons .which referred, or ap- peered to refer, to a military occupatidb of tbos territories, for the purpose of Compelling Mexieo
The Greensboro Patriot (Greensboro, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Feb. 5, 1848, edition 1
1
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