The Texas Democrat (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 23, Ed. 1, Wednesday, June 10, 1846 Page: 2 of 4
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an able bodied substitute in his-room hr'sipiftl,
sad if ary" suclr substitute should be called
iuto actuaLservice ji his own term previous
to th a expiration of tlie term for whleu he
shall have enrolled as such substitute then
tfee Rerson procuring such substitute shall
mxrshna.bts room or procure another suuj.tt-
jalefor4he,remittuder of the termor be liable
Iflftlie 4ajtU8 penalties us if called -upon-ln Iris
wn"BRmet Any person called upon toper-
fornTi tiu,rof duty as afuresiid, and ser.vin
Jyrijfnse1fvorubsJnnteJ or o-herwise paying
f"&JiB,nrjie court, m ru--u- sn.ui -wiiiinge.
fe aBtqiitot-tthe-i-ffeejcekdl notbebojnd to
'iU 'plrfiirm any tour of duty until Veg ikmy call-
T- " ed HponFf-f rrtration. - -
Sec. .sBcit further enacted, Thnt-lfeh
r it may be-necess yy -to cull inm actual service
6- ynY.n-irLoftlie militia "on an acttuL or threu-
, t en e3 invasion qfrhis State or ally of Iheateis-h- rnrs previous to their euteriug'on die nuti-s
H5rni2--SWerTerritnries, it srdf iiud mayj nfauv court nrirtial, viz: You, and each of
''be.JjHvftjh.fiirrtlfe Governor to nlrder u?to the r you db solemr.lv swear that you will well n'ntl-
w " ervicVs'ifelj onrtof the militi-ins theeinersen ' trulv'uTnire'into the delinquencies wbirh
- V. .. J ... - o. :.t cm...
flvmnrrpmrirA? .nnd wh'Ml 31I1V liart of the'
. Jf J . .- C ,t - 11-
.. "wiyt!a oTiijits estate s-imji nc caneu inio auiu
Vljkljerwcn':itihairbe the dutv of the cnmmaii-
Vtt der-in-ch1ef,.lo order from'-the resirniUifof Jbat-
gTtflaWpn. from which the militia suall.be detach- tlmt you will not dic'oe or disrnver tlie vote
pT;-& ' 4iBprdportmn to the"mpn,,fj'uruisbedby die nr opinion, of any particular inrmber of this
lf-vte'?JPlnt orlbattalion, a sufficient numbprurcnjirt, ftnles'j required to give evidence there-
f iierf5nring preference to senior officers of of ino court of justice, so help you God. It
L.C- Sii3-irmeutor battalion to officer said de- ghalfbe the duty of the judge advocate to pfo-rTJ-6
jhw9iiC"nad inatf -cases tha officers of the vide abook in which hehnlLrecord the pro-
r x -miftTa of'thjfState shall" be' called omto per-1 ceedinss-Af the court -martjal'-and all 'other
Fi." t.?r. Jwtirf'dntyin'rotat'nn In the same j necessary pntnes for the resimrnt or separate
? J liwer.asj)y1tnrs act -directed for th sevebnttalinnwbtcli are or gjinll be? required by
C jiiIIiissm qf the militia.: yrov'dcd however, Jaw, and for!ifsprvicesrslinlli4be exempt from
JJT ,.'tliit-HMwlljtia man shall be compellepo ' military duty and be allowed tTie -suin ofto
IsJ " jNtrwTiBors than,j!X mnnthsjit one-timeAaitd- dollars per day for ntteridins regimental or
b.- ' " tixty 5rJs'rfilinllhe considered a tour of duty, battalion court? martini, which itislnll be his
'tixty days'
"t e -en -Tl 5. JT . i r - t.J 1l. :.
cm ofactnal invasiou or'iusurrection, bran
iavasion threalened.or premeditated against
tliiStateor. Jioy part thereof it. shall be law-
ful forjlie GoveVnor'or any "officer by him
dmlstearderJtnto actunLservice all or any
- portion of tlmrailitia as. the -emergency may
raqture anto discharge such'tronps as soon
, e -may jadgp.. consistent with tlie interests
tire iSitfe ;4nd 4f a sudden insurrection
jSTdvrsired or invasion made upon any
ecHMity w'iAin this-Stntp;the commanding offi-
, eeroflW militia of said county is hereby au-
hogl and directed to order ojii such part
tSflhe fhHitfajis Wb-nny thihk necessary for
fuppresling suclih insurrection, or repelling
f ck i!TRsibn, -and may if in his judgement
tlie emergency of the occasion requires it,
fB'ike reqnmtion on the-commandiug our
ftl ffliUttaofnnyiidjoining county, nnt-sn
inradedoreniIangcred, whose duty it shall be
t comply with sucji requisition : provided al-
trart tt shall "be-the duty of such officer so
, ordering-oat the militia ttr any part thereof,
to trsustBiUotne-Goyeruor as early as prac-
-'tiebl8 a statement oflus proceedings, setting
'forth his reasons for exercising such authorl-
. 4jS 3 the pilitia so called out shall be di
caargeo wnnin wiiriy aays aner.tneir renaez-
towz, except they s'hall be continued in ser-
. Tiee for j longer time by the Executive autlio-
-5 -rTtf-of rfilsState, and themiHtia )f this State
rwmm in actual service, snail oe governea ny me
ruhw, a ad articles goverening "the urmies of
lh Tilted States. .
SicS4; jBe itfarth'tr enacted, That eve-
rr.eflW to be tried by n court martial shall
kwe ten days jTotice given him of the time
aad plfccejinooiuted feif the trial, and -shall be
I- ' farnisbe'd-lvitli a cpy of the charges exTiibit-j
ed atgaiast himat least ten days before the
retting of said court. In every court martial
for the .trial of .an officer, not less than two
thirds of the number present shall agree in
the sentence m judgment of said court, 'Othpr-
-wise the person charged shall be acquitted ;
and when the members shall he required to
give their votes otCgfquestton ordecit-ion, they
sHtdl fapgiu willhyjiuhijesl in conimisiin :
JPjravidedl jhat nocomtnissioned tifficer shall
be allowed loTesigu his cununissnn while uu-
5ec arrest.
" Sec. 25. He it further cnacted,'Thntihe
captains and subaltern officers of each and
e every company, or a majority of tli m shall
tm the muster day next succeeding the in us
ter of each- company, at which there has been
any "delinquency or delinquencies, hold a court
for the adjustment of fine in each company ;
and the .commanding officer of the company
shall i-sswe his warrant directed twiiiy sheriff
or constable in his h-nt, which warrant shall J
hare the foree and effi ct of mi execution, and
sat4 constable shall proceed, to colleci the
same in the same mantipr-nh if said execution
Rad isu pd under and by the authority of any
civil offijeer wiihin this-Siate; and all fiue
callpcted by virtue of the provisions contained
in this section shall be paid to the captain oi
Yuihcomptny within ten days after tint. same
may be collected, and by him applied to the
purchase ef a drum, fife a.id colors, and fur
.other purposes for the use of the company.
Ssa 26. Be it further enacted, That when
suiter the" major general, brigadier general or
brjeade major shall be charged with malfeas-
ance or neglect of duly in pffice"; if a major
general it shall be lawful for any militia offi-
cer -not under the grade of a field officer to
exhibit to the Governor for the time being, a
"fior gCptensent of the charge or charges widi the
facts intended to estahlitm.the same, who i.
lureby "authorized a general court munia! to
consist of at least niue members, none to be
chosen under the grade of a field officer, who,
whenxouvened sa(l take and subscribe the
mm oath prescribed for regimental courts!
wamixi ; me s-itu court uius sworn, stmu nave
pirer to enquire into the nature of the of-
fiMwe, aa if it shad constitute a mis-
diwcaf la ofSce, he ehall be removed
&mr the satae if for neglect of duty Ife
iialt tfeil- and pay a sum not to exceed
one Unnized dollars at the discretion of the
06Brlwtml to be collected as in similar cases
of Kssa ; ifa brigadier general or brigade
piajor kall be guilty of either of ihe aforesaid
pffencss, the charge shall he -subtnilfcd to the
majorgeneral who shall issue hi order to the
KBiur colonel commanding in the brigade in
which the person charged reside, by virtue of
which order die colonel shall hold a court
martial and proceed in the same manner as
jtfg for the trial of major general : provi
ded that in all cases of charges exhibited
against officers, the officer ordering a court
martial shall as soon as practicable furnish
the person charged with a copy of ihe charges
exhibited against him, and the president of
the court martial shall give him at least ten
days notice of the time and place appointed
for trial, and cause such witnesses as mny be
required byveilher party to be summoned by
ill adjutant of the regiment in which they re-
using to be, sworn, sun.ii.i-t- in-
Led ny the court, martial, and if he be an officer
f m iY be iSishiercd -or fined at the discretion of
the-cnuit martial, not exceeding fifty -dollars "J
if a noivcummi'-ioned officer -or private fie
m ly be fined -not exceeding twenty, dollars,
nnrf moreover be, confined under guard or put
in pi I until he.will give evidence.
Scc.jt27. Be it further .enacted, That encb
judge advocate previous to enteritis on tie
duties Vrflii nppniut-nent shall take an O-ilh
to supportlhe Constitution of the- United
.States "and o'P the State, of "Texas, and aUo
that he will we.II and tru.lv performthe dutie:
ofjiidge -advocate according to law" and the
Ifest-of Jus skill and abilities, which oath shall
-be in writing, signed hy the judge advocate
nndattesteil bv the officer who administered
the-same; iliejiidge advocate -thus sworn,
shall adminiter-llie following oath to theoffi
nmvnniiifiirrtii ro'ttii'nx u liich (UUV be I lid be-
j "iv i
- tore you, nun win a-.'-ess uie hub iiinc"" p
mav pem hist according lo law, without
favor or affi ction, artiahty or prejudice, and
dutv to attend. toThp rnhl out of the fines ari
sing under ths net. If from any cause a judge
advocate shall fail to'nttend a court martial
as provided in this act, it shall he-dheduty' of
thp officers present to appoint "a jifdge-ndo-catefor
the timp being,- aim" in ca-u of hi?
death, resignation or removal nut of the coun-
ty, or from .his office, the journals and pro
ceedifigs sliall he kppt by the rnlonpl or co"hu
mnnding officer unfih a judge advocate shall
be appoinleljMn his stead.
Secs2S. Be -t further enacted, That nil
finps nndfnrfeiturpOtnpnsed by any regimen-
tal or-battalinn cniirtmaftial shall be collect-
ed in like manner nsfiiies nntl pennllte are
required to be. cpllectpdby company coutts
martial, nnct natqrinto the lianas or eacn pay
I master of each regiment or separuteh-ittalion
It shall be the duty of the commanding aoffi
cer of tha rpgimput or senarate hnitaljon tr
appropriate the money arising frhmfijies in
the barf (Is of the paymn.ter by ordecj-of.tlie
court martial, in (he first place tothepjircha-
singnffifps, drums and colors for the ue of
the regiment or separate baitalieTn ; ann sec
ondly to paying the officers of ihe regiment or
separate battalion for any service for which
they may be entitled to pay under the provi-
sinus of this act. . - -
Sec. 29. Be if further enacted. That in
officer or private ordered or. directrd by tbifc
net to appear as nfnresaul, shall be liable to Aw
taken or arrested by any officer,. in any civil
action orfrocpss whatsoever in the day such j
persnn.is oirecipo io appear, or in any reason-
able time in going to or co'.tinuing-ator re-
turning from-thp same, and pvery Mich arrps.t
is hereby dpclarpd -void, and shalj .subject
$nch -officpr to-damages,"fox-faIse imprison-
ment; and any p'rsnn fpquirpd-hy tins act to
nttpnd mnstpr, going to nnd returning from
the same, shall be suffered to pass over any
bridge together with his horse, and shadl be
put'overony public ferry without delay free of
charge; nnd ifany n-rryman damand pay for,
or delay, or refuse to put such person or. per-
sons over, or kepppr of loll bridge impede the
nnsing of any person, he shall forfeit and pay
for every such nfivnee the sum oftpn dollars
to be recovered by warrant from a justice of
thp peace, one half to jhe informer nnd the
ndipr.balfto the usp of the .county where the
offence was committed.
Sec. 30. Be it further enacted, That it
sliall be lawful for any cnlono of a regiment
or sppnratp battalion upon application ofauj
uitablp person to commission such person to
raie byvolunfary.Ptilittment-for a period of
not more ibnn five years, a company of light
infantry or rifl'-mn, a corps of artillery or a
troop of cavalry in his icgimeut or separate
h-ittulinn, which corji? ihus formed shall not
consist o"fles thn fifty nor more than sivty-
six privates, and tbe corps so raised and for-
pil iJlo remain a part oftlip same gegimeir
or separate bntfnlion in which it is rajied, and
wIipii thp roquisitp numiipr idi'dl be enlisted,
fit shall hp hiwfifl for thp offieprofthe n-gimenl
or separate battalion lo rhifh tliey belong, Jo
order nn election for officers" of said compa-
nies to bp conducted as other elections anil
returns thereof made to sid colonel or com-
manding officer of the separate battalion, and
by him transmitted to the Governor who shalL
commission the officer so elected, and the
companies so formed shall chooo their own
uniform, and shnll.be armed as fol W: The
rifle corps the captain nnd subaltern officers
to be armed with side arms ; the privates with
a good riflp, a shot bag and powder horn,
with nine charges of powder nnd ball suitable
lo ihe bore of the rifles ; ihe company of ar-
t'd'ery ea'h cnptnjn and uhnheri -fficer wilh
udc arms, the artillerists wilh one fild piece
with its usual number of cntridgs, boxes, ball."
tc. ; die troop of cavalry the officers nud pri-
vates shall be furnished with a good horp,
bridle, stlddle and martingales, and armed
with a sword or cutlass, holsters nnd holster
pistols ; nnd the company of light infantry
shall be armed as like-companies are required
to be armed and equipped in the armies of the
United? t tes ; and said corps shall use for in-
struction nnd exercise the system of military
discipline adopted in the United States Army
for troops of a similar description ; and all
companies shall have ihe right In change their
uui orm from time to time : Provided such
change shall not be incompatible with the
miliptry regulations of the United States Ar-
my; and each member of either of the above
described corps shall be exempt from the ordi-
nary military duty required of the mili'ia by
this act, ho long as he may continue to dis-
charge the duties required oft hem by the pro-
visions of this net, in cither of the companies
above designated.
Sec; 31. Beit further enacted, That every
enmmissioned officer, volunteer or militia, shall
be furnished with one copy of this act at the
expense of the State ; nnd every officer shall
when be goes out of office deliver to his suc-
cessor in office, all books nnd forms furnished
him by the State or received from bis prede-rnr--
;- no"r. nnd nso aj books and nnners
utits possession oeipngpig to.uis atvtsioni un
gnde, resiment or battalion, "cr company
and every omcer who iinii negtecuvor reiu-e
sotodosljallDehneuMvventyooiiars.permonin.;,. , ,-,, - -. f , f
for every mouth he shall so neglect or refuse
after a demned hereof linsbeen made by.Jiis
sucpesor, to be nssessod by -any. court martial,
haying cognizanee'of the conduct of such offi-
cer,' and collected anil accounted for another
finps 'imposed upon'such-officer, are by this
act.directpd to be collected and nceounted for.
Snc. 32. Be it further en&cttdf'Tlmt the
Governor shall appoint one adjutant general
wilhjhe rank of colonel of cnvilrv, who shalf
do and perform all "the. duties of adjutant gene-
ral as required of him by this actj" find shall
furnish all forms, of returns and keep n b ink
in which he shall make a fair entry if all re-
turnsby him received, which sliall be. subject
to the inspection of the rnajor general and
enmmnnder-in chief, and shall receive for his
servipps, the sum of two hundred and fifty
dollars ppr annum out of t.ny mnnpy "in the
treasury not nthprwie appropriated.
" Sec. '33..?c it further enacted, That dip
system of. discipline and evprcisp whtelris
and shall be ordered to be observed by the
"reguhfnrmy of the United Stutps, shall be
observed bv thp militia of this State, nud the
commanding-officers of thp several, militia di-
i i -i -:ir.: .....i.:.. i.;.r !
visions snail cause ine.mioiiu wmuo meir re-
spective commands to be disciplined and train-
ed conformably -thpreto, in all things not oth-
erwise directed byihis act ; and in all caes
not specially provided for by this npl ; such"
provisions of law ns'have'bepnor may bairrnde
n . i .i 151:.. .:..
ny congress1 ior inRjgnverninciH "nu unruuuu
of the army or the miiitin of rhe United States'
nysinnlnn.casps.-sltalJ ne oinniug upon ann
- i - j .V u'ii...:i:i:.
be obsprypdnnd conformed to by the -militia
of this Statp.'jVnnd the firms and mips ot pro-
""' -
V.ppdings of a!ftcpurtsfnarlial not provided for
in1 tbiact 'shall hsuch j& are establi-hed by
.. ?. V .- 1 . . '"a! . J -J ..r.,,.1
i ne mips ann' arneips or war. nuo-m-u mm uacu
in ihe militia sprviep of thp Unite.d States..
tSF.r. 34. Be. it further enacted, That each
npw rounty psHbJMipd by this legislature
shall form a part of the nme brigade and di-
vision as the county from .which such new
county or thpgrpntpr .portion thereof, was ta-
kpn ; nnd the militia ofnach jiew cfiunty
shall bp nrganizpd'in like mahper as the mili-
tia of the connties nnmpd in this- act.
A ppro-i-ed 2J st A priP LtiDf 1846.
0?" The fallowing is reported as the
uhstanre "of Gen. Hou,torr1sJ, remarks
unon the BrlrtO-provjdp for.the proecu-
tii-n ofjjiewar, aftrit ha'iljbeen'rereived
from iip Hone-of T?presentati:e.s :
-i '.
' MrHouston said ji wanotdiis purpose
in oRcunv much"ofi.He rrtoe-nT-itjiat hon-
orable hndv,;he roVprnerely fnf the pur-
pose ofdpclarrngAyhft th.4$t rue 'posit irm
nf thisrrojinTry-,iOTjcording typhis 'appre-
hension, nnw"-A.ain relation 4o fexico.
Hi conviclio'n vasth,v were now in a
state of war. War liad exited for ten
rvears heiween""Mextcojand Texas: anrl
it nati'iiPftn necptred inanAvarrce on jne
parf of ;(Vfex3ro when theqdestiortof the
annexnllnjijof Texn to thJJnitpd States
wasagitaJprl,tliat1f that annexation look
place'the war wntild-nnt-only be continu-
ed againstT-exasbut warwnuld be pro-
daimeil also against ihe Uniterl Stales.
TheAvarhad coniinaed-to be prosepiHed
"against Texa-J, arid T'exn. having; in 'the
mean time hecornea portion of iheUhit-
pd States, the government of the Untied
States was now plnced'in the situation
occupied heretofore by Texas in relation
to-Mexico. War, therefore; in bis judg-
ment, unquestionably existed between
Mexico -and ihe. United- States. -It had
been extended to the United Slates by-the
declaration of the Mexican government,
and had been continued-and renewed by
the recent arts, of that government acts
of outrage an'd violence committed upon
the United Stales troops wiihin thnt terri-
tory, from whirh they'had declared the'
would expel the citizens of Texas as m-
trndersand rebels. Texas having been
annexed to the United States in the face
of these declarations on the partof Mex-
ico, and in the face of ihe existing war, he
would ak what circumstances had oc-
curred sint-e-the annexation which ha.d at,
all cha.nged the nature of those relations,
and rendered them peaceful ? He ap-
prehended that "ihose relations had not
changed; andif thpy had not changed,
the United States and Mexico were most
unquestionably in a state of war, Mexico I
being yet engaged in an aggressive war
upon the Stale of Texas, one of the Stales
of -this Union. The United. States was,
therefore, placed precisely in the situa-
tion in which Texas.had been fof the last
ten years, subject to the aggressiorrs, in-
cursion, inroads, attacks, and'outrages
of the Mexican forces, a'cting in obedi-
ence to the commands of the constituted
authorities of the Mexican government.
Could any doubt exist ihat'they were in
(acLjpiif! truth in a slate of warr-Invhis
conscience he could not resil ihe convic
tion that they were as virtually, as" effec-
tually in a s.ialeof war, as if Mexico had
six weeks ago declared War expressly
against the United Stales. Ten years
ago iMextco commenced hosuuuesagainsi
Texas ; there were temporary suspen-.
sions of hostilities, but the war was
renewed from time to lime : those cessa
lions of arms were from lime to lime
interrupted by renewed declarations nf
war nntl extermination'against the inhab-
itants of Texas. How long was it ne-
ppenrv then lo pause and consider
...l..t.- ilihm n'!i5 iv-ir nr tinl ?
Hoyv
lono was the Congress of ihe United '
WlieillCI iiitii- "'" "" -
States to ponder? Were they to regard grieved at the course which has. been la-
the declaration of Mexico, pronounced by ken by a portion of the press in tlse pres-
ihe chief officer or usurper of her govern-j ent crisis of our afiiiirs. We believe
mem, as having no force on lhet ground-' that the Administration has pursued the
lhat he had no authority lo declare war? only course consistent with the rightsand
that it belonged only to Congress to ' honor of the Republic but right or
declare it ? So long as ihey held thai as i wrong, ihe position which it has assumed
ihe rule of their action, so long would must be maintained. I cann..t be aban-
they find themselves deceived. So long' doned without national disgrace it can-
as he could delude the.m with professions, 't be assailed by ourown citizens wiih-
of peaee, so long would he continue those out dishonor. "Our country may it al-
professions, while his acts would coniinue ways be right, but our country right or
to ho acts of hostility and violence. wrong," was the sentiment of one of our
- .p rxe naci not risen tor me purpose-oi oo
; f cupyiriglhe time of the Senate in v any"
lenuUiPned speech. He " would be glad
r . . . ' . . -t " .
would meet the-wishes of every honora
ble Senator. He would be entirely .wil-
ling to graiify-thern by firsMaking up,' if
ihpy-pleased, ihesubject of appropriation,
of .furntshing.the adequate tnpans for re-
sistance, if he were assured' that, the
declaration of war would .promptly fol-
rlow ; but if they wore to yoiesuppliesof
munitions of war. ; and mea for the -mere
purpose of mnrching to the. Rio del Norie,
and there halting, he Could not subscribe
to any measuie of the kind. He coujd
not assent !o it," because he thought it
would be utterly useless . If ihey intend-
ed to act at all, they ought to,act as ifiough
they intended to redress the-wrongs they
had suffered. The' .policy of declaring
war might be discussed lor tnonjhs; and
jn" the mean time our troops would be left
to waste away and be dqst.roj'ed," until
only the skeleton of an array would be
left, while debts accumulated upon the
nation and ihe Mexicans remain unchas-
lised". Humiliated as we might regard her,
imbecile.as were her people, . we ought
nevertheless to consider her and to treat
her as a nation, .so long as shfe was capa-;
me of outraging tli rights oT America.-
Her degredation should notl)e allowed to
excite in our breast a feeling' of ptly so
long as she manifested a disposition to
umujuih uuLTdges upon uui country, ve
i - i i . ;
j should entertain no otner toettng than a
leeling of resentment; we should not,
i " -t.i : :.ui.i.r
inrougni misiaKen pny ynooimi uur
hands from inflicting chastisement. Hav-
ing received wrongs at her htrnds, it was
"our duly to redress those-wrdngs. Injury
haVtng.beeft inHicted by Mexico she
ought lo be punished. Her iasblence
ought jiot io be tolerated. Shcoughuio
be made aware lhat we Ctfuld not only
repel insult, bufalso puijjsh'it?
He was'prepared to-votefor a decla
ration that 'ewereiita state ofwaP, atitl
the measure necessarily consequent upon
such declaration could be, immediately
adopted and carried "inlo execution.
Pe'rliaps the next --intelligence received
would be that advantage had been takeu
of our inactivity, and. some pew ojuLrage
perpetrajed tnore eiouly involvnig the
national honor and digtifty ihutvany which
had vet reached our ar,s" 'We vould-
! J he a be prepared to act ifecisively, no
"(Joid)ll Thetrwiiy not act at once ? .The
officers of ihe Mexican Government -ati-n"'uinced
hereto be inn stale of war : where
then, 'was ihe rjroj-jifl - for hesitalioji ?
When they were 'informed that an expe-
rienced officer, an 'experienced military
cpmmander,had been "dispatched lo the
L front ier.with oiders from the Government
to aume tire command, to supercedu
an officer alreaav there, jind lo asume
ihe responsibility of prosecuting the war,
did Senators believe ii was without "a de-i
finiuve object 1 D.uj the.y believe it was
rto'repelinvasion alone thjhe. vs sstit,
and not-io commu aggtessTrfn ? Was not
the crossing of the liio Grande by the
Mexican forces of itself an act of wat ?
Was. not the entering our territory by an
armed force an act of war-? However
ihe decision might hereafter be in- regard
"to the precise extent of our territory, the
Mexicans knew lull well that the rivet
hai!been assumed as the boundary. Up
to the tiine of annexation it had b?en so
considered, and, more than lhat, the Mex-
icans had never once.established a mili-
tary encampment on ihe east side of the
river ; it had -never been held,-even by
themselves, to be. wiihin ihe "limits ot
Mexico, otherwise lhan'upon the ridicu-
lous ground of claiming ihe whole of Tex-
as to be iheirs.
"They had marched across the river in
militar3 array ihey hatl entered upon
American soil with a h.JSlile design.
Was this not war?- And" now were "sena-
tors prepared to temporizea tid io "predi-
cate the action of this government upon
lhalof the Mexican government, as if the
latter was a systematic, regular, and or-
derly government ? He, lor one, was
noi prepared to do so. How many revo-
lutions had the government -undergone
wiihin ihe last three yea.rs? Not less
than three, with another now.-in. embryo
Perhaps the next arrival might bring us
news of another change and" that the A-
mencan army on ihe Rio.del Norte had
been destroyed while awaiting ihe.action
of ihe Mexican government, in the sup-
position thai it was a-regularly" constitu-
ted Government, instead of being a go-
verumenrof brigands anddespoi&, ruljug
wilh a rod' of iron, and keeping faith wuh I
no other nation, and heaping indignities
I upon the American flag. A slate of war
now existaas perfect as it could be after
a formal declaration or recognition of a
state of war by the Co.ngress of the Uni-
ted States. Their action had been con-
tinually indicative of a slate of.war, and
the question now was, whether tri3 go-
vernment of the Dniied States would re-
spnnd to that actfon, and visit ihe aggres
sors wnn puuisnment.
Tun Administration and tiie Press.
Neutral in politics we are American in
feeling, and we have been astonished and
bravest naval heroes. What he adopted
as his msrxim in the balfle," editors should
a'dopt'as aguide in tlieir writings. ,Let
th'-m canvas, beforehand, every pubio
j measure influence the opinion lororag-
nuisi lt-as tney nave tne power, it irjje
a matter oftlomestic interest, oppose it if
they please, even after its adoption, "and
labor to obtain its repeal j but when in re-
lation to foreign governments, tiie chosen
agents of the popular sovereignty have
committed themselves to acertaincourse
of policy a cmirse which in' the nature
of things -cannot be cbarige,d-we thitrk it
little Jes than tteason to oppose them.
ITnw difTerenf is the press oT this counlVv
from that of England. There they are
bitter enough against the government on
.all subjects of-domestic policy, builetany
foreign country raise afinser or look ask-
.ance and no one will ever know whether
a paper.is whi or-tory- it is all English.
Here-, however, in openingsome of our in-
fluential sheets, we- have been 'fbrcejl io
dhubtv wrietlfer th&y were publishe'd' on
this or the- other side of the4 Atlantic
whether their conductors were American
citizens or British subjects. New Orleans
Delta. - -
A Vindic ation " op Te x as. Go m -plaints
have been vefy.ceneraILy"made oT
theindifference- manifested in Texas
"upon'lhe receipt oflu-'stirring news from
'the, Rio Grande. The following explana-J
'" "Hi an uir in.ltil in a uriiei, uc-
cause a rhorejut, light. We give ii an
insertion with pleasure?
' New Orleans, May 12, 1846.
'To the Editors of the Pjcayune:
In 3'onr paper of "Monday rnorning.you
say The accounts from Texas are
ver3y-nsalisfactnrv : the greatest apathy
appears t.o pravail." Thi" is easy of ex-
planation. 'The people of Texas for se-
veral 3ears past haye been very "much
harrassed by reported invasions -of the
Mexicans. The, end ha geneally shown
these statements to be false,-and the're-
Isult has very naturally been lo create a
fueling of. di-strnst in regard to all Mexi-
can new-. I wa: fnHouJton1 when the
.information A hat GeiuTav.lor was sur-
roundedVreached'ihere. It was Hot offi-
cial, and wa-rroi altogether oretiited ; a"gd
iho;e wJio ditf Vrefli' the account also
said anvl thpughi th'il Gen -Tavlor: cool di
whir) ih m very easily 'Yo'u mut 'recol-
lect lh.it in Texas -lite -opinion i," that
3.000 American troops ought cert tun! if t-wbjp-
10,00a Mexican, .and Id.000 if ne-
cessary, anrlslhi leljerr- b 'setrupon'-'the
lact of it- having been done in 'lhat pro-
poriion oyer and over again - -"
. But the,principal. reason for the sup-
posed apalhywas the fact, thai no orders
hall co trie from the 'Government, and no
means were ni haml to furnish ihe'nece
ary supplies until the orders were given
he corporation ami' merchants of Hous-
ton were willing to advance the necessa-
rv means, hut it whs thnnolit best "to
-a-A-ait ihe-cajl -IqrT'nf- Executive.- --T4teJ
companies we re-form ing in Varinuff parts
of Texas, awaiting the aclion of the Ex-
ecutive ; and 300 may rest assured, when
Hie call ismde, Te.xas. soldiers will be
at their post. Yours, &c.
- ' MOSLEY BAKER.
There never wan a more fighleous wnnthan
that which the United-States now" find them-
-srlves obliged .40 wage agaiii'-t Mexico nor
ever one into which a .powerful country-was
so literally forced as this- country has been in-
to ibis. It ought, .therefore, to engage the
heipls of the entire people, to he proseriitedi
with a vigor and spirit corresponding with the-
forbearance nnd. unwillingness to engage. in ir
that have hitherto been manifested. It can
be no difficult matter to invest the entire wes-
tern const, and lhat we take it will of -course
be done. The. ports, on the Gulf, all except
Vera CrtiZ, w ill fall nn easy prey. That strong
hold, however, U very-unportam, and if a suf--ficient
force can be concentrated before the
"umnier months set in, it ouglit to be reduced.
If not, the remainder may be taken and a.
strict bloclade maint lined at Vera Cruz till
the approach of winter. As for land attacks
and invasions, the ."Northern depnrtmelits are
already ripe for revolt, and far more attached
to the American Stales hah to Mexico, which
they only know through its exactions and
oppressions ; these departments would no
doubt hail an American invasion, not inten-
ded "to. devastnte but to liberate. Yucatan-
would of course eagerly seek the opportunity
to confirm jier independence, and- no doubt
give all the aid possible to. the United States.
The central departments would probahly be
moredifficTdt. Their entire submission, how-
ever, dictated from the capital of the country,
is the least lhat ought to be" listened to.
That die-war, if prosecuted with the least
spirit, will I ay "the foundation for,if it do not
immediately produce," the entire overthrow of
Mexico, and its incorporation into the Fede-
ral Union, hnrdly admits of question For
tbut reason, therefore, if for.no other, the
least possible violence ought to mark the pro-
gress of the army ; andthe people be concili-
ated rather than exasperated, wherever they
do not make any hostile manifestation. iY.
O. Bulletin.
Our Senators. The following notice "of
our Senators in Congress we clip from the
Washington correspondence of the. Richmond
Enquirer. Although somewhat out of date,
having been, written the 18th of April it will
be read wifh inn-rest by that portion of o'ur
readers, w'10 t;de a just pride in the represen-
tatives of our young State ;n the national cnun-cjls-jindfcel
a lively imersst in their position
and bearing there. A fie. detai'ing the points
embraced in Gen. Houston's speech .on the
Oregon question die writer say
.The -pct-eh s a good one, and grent at-
tention was paid by n crowded house and gal
lery to'lhe orator. He piisse-s'-es distinguish-
ed ability, fine nppearar.ee, and the most conn-
y and prepiissing manners. There seem
to be a - manifest destiny" attending this man,
which has impelled him on from scene to
scene of an eventful nnd romantic life; has
enabled him to establish a Republic in an In-
dian wildernoss, trebecome President thereof
twice, to have it received as .1 confellerate-part "-l
of another g'reat Repoblic; and which will, in " 4
all probability, make tiim President jf that, . J
rus, iiku ij.eoiarot iapoleon, jseems ever to
be i"n the ascendant. " . - - . "
- .But the most remarkable part.oCtbe.disalar' "
upon tlit occasion was the circumstance, that J
whilst one Texas Senator was addressing the - ,
was presiding in the Chair Gen. Rusk ha-
ving been invited thereto by die polite Presi- '
dent of the Senate. This was.certainjy a very-
appropriate compliment to the two great men , '
of the.-'-Xione Sta the youngest sister oi thiV " r
large national famihyr .
Indeed, no Siatein .the. Up?on"at this. time
presents a more irnposrng.nndintere8"tin2' re-
presentation in t1 e Senate, Uiaif Texas. Her
two Senators unite all that is calculated lo- at--tract
the admirntinnof mankind being"mej
of distinguished abilities, both 4in the field and
the cabinet, uniting the polish' of the gentle- .
man with the heroism of the. soIdiert.nnd gra
ced with a most courtly appearance rAnd-
thi'se qualities are embraced in Gen. Rusk,
by his extremely youthfid appearance nnd mo-
desty nf deportment. Nnr dns Gen. Houston
look'nt all cdd.forone whohas'passed'through
his vicissitudes, .hardships and. hair-breadth
escapes. He represented Tennessee in Con-
gress, was' elected Governor, voluntarily re-
signed, retired to the vilds of the Western
wilderness, where a handful of heroes" nnd'
adventurers were struggling to he-Tree; join' '
eu iuem,-nnn, ny nis ganntry and skill, war "
s ion rnnde their chief At "the memnrk!-. - t
battle of San JncjnteT, Tfhe-wreath oFvictory
and triumph wns.awarded him. He was mads""
'2,'
esident of the-Republic when itii indepen-
denceuvns established, served (tie time allow.
ed by !aw,s retired, wa"s"pleete"d -and served
agnin. " The Lone Star" was admittedin-
to the Union and became an, integral part of
another great nntion,-and he ha's become.drm n
of the representatfves of her sovereignty. - Io
all thi: there is a rnmnntic vicissitud'e thafho
man in the old work! ever befrire, "experienced
or co'ntemplanjd, and it ivai, reserved for-Gen..
Houston iob"eihe master spirit io donH-this
and enable a new nation to"-emerge fromclia-
os into national existence!!-, a day, ind enjoy
the uovehy,- -plrndor an.l immorlalitVof th
great achievement.- , .- v
First Newspaper is 'Oregon. A
lei ter from, ihe Mayor .of 0 rgn n" (jfty. "
announces the arrival or 'thefPrinring
Press. A me. ling w-Vtu be.cnUeiCin.de-
cide when and how the paper shouhl he
is-ued- The mayor.think;. fhatv.ihey list
of subscribers at- fit" .would" be very
5,n:1ii !? w,hinlfl -Say," and pradi
overli large f.ce of rnunicy beomi'The
..i. r .:,. ., -d.-...i. . !".."'".-'
. om in v ,ii i ir-ig. JJVIIK wallIS,nrO-
in thi- city I Whose p 01 p we tors" had .the
exe
piiflpd tonameihep:iper-tb-OrgnChiji-' -
tnercial AlvertiVr, aul-or-flesrc''kfor .- . -
our esieerneil contemtirrry ofv thaname ' '-i
irenntinn nf" ths unlvflnr tUa -Xlr.-z' .-" - " jfeS
Pe,
er, &c. N. Y. Sun. , , - jgl
ACa-Cifornia Farmi-r. A'genfleman
V "" . I V
writing-'from California to the edftor of tft-
..St. fidnls Reveille says fiis stockconsists
df about 4000 head of oxen, .l,700?hrjfses
and mules, 3,000 sheen and ns mnWhoerc
I Thsv alL nnsfiirv ftimc:fli"-oc ,TTfl,"jrffl
f--..n " :.. .1.., :i '-"- -.-i,- .. "- S . -t i
unity in uir ucu LpraijiesjHirjDonorns-oliber - '
he
employs '4Q0: Ris annual crop oFwfitL"isr
about 12,(100 bushels, ..with barleys peas
.beans, etc., in proportion. t XJ $t
Shame ! Even those wTiohesilattt i
rbout the policy, of abnlisbingcapii'aT
punishments, arestreneous a"dvncatesI1ior - "'
j-uehe-xecutions being done fn pnv'lll
A man in Pennsylvania- gives "notice to"'
ihe udiabiiam--jhat "an ample and' sub- "
s'ajntiiil scaffold" will be erected for the '
accoinmQ(kuwirof.all those who'-deslre lo
chajgeTr at convenient place upon thi
stanU willlie moderate !" The noiTce.f
e
15
signed by Isaac Wolverton. -Thenime ,
is quhe.expressive What will not some "
people endeavor to make money . fro"tr?
A horse race, a.cock fighta baUo'4hs ae-
.cension; or the hanging of a 'ffelloWiprea--turti
any tiling "to turn a penny. !& Yi
Sun . - , ...
Theft in ratsIXtS. Senatb.-tA Inent!
of one of the enaTtvrlromr the west. be-
ing introduced 011, fhefloor'tbe-.otherllay
hail the .mtsfortone to lose hfs, gloves,
while near the British minister and Ma
Gen. Scott. l Strange lhat you sfeould
have los"l ihem here" said the senator.
'-Not at all," said his frfend--'for J sm
pect tliem two old codg-rs there," -pouit
ing'to General Scott, and Mr Pakenham,
took them out of my hat as they pasted.1'"
" "Receipt fok Weak Evas. Whwr
washing ypur&elfin the mommy; droroor
wunessiUiegixecutifin of iTdmeMcCafr
lerj.yfan3InSth day of May i'nst -"-'TW ",
face into the water, open your eyer ai, i ifz4
keen them tinder thewuterks--lohlii !
can hold yoqr breath. This streafthN!; " -
the eve aim cleanses it irom tnerRMif ti
which deadens the "sight. and. conaSaerabtj". ' ji
anecis tne nan. ijyaoinginiyeveiy-q-ic-i-, t?
ing. aged people may pieserve orj9COV&i. tr
It is "related of a gentleman "Trho'foHo wed fc
the method detailed above, that afehetiffc Inu js,,
at the ap-e of seventy, fie'wasenabkd'sw . ,'Tf
Tirittiniit thpiri nnr In rpnrt wifn ese; .v- Vi -J
....... , - j
Thrre is a certain sea captafa who wulc t T -ST. J1
from Boston, who loves his wife hiw maket a . -j
great pet of h-r when he is at home. - k
.dway4 writes him very lengthy epi.sd&swhiH
bo. is away, but the careful and ajre"otiHt
man never thinks of pening theni. Hejt!
lays them by, t-d up and labi-lltnl accarjflif
to their Jntes, in nnler that when beet"r
his wife may rad them to him in 8-hp.
A voting huty being dread fully frijhltef at
a bull thnthiUl broken from his p:isurerH
to some menthat" were in the neighborboedf
to drive aw.iyth.it " genlleman co'wJ' .
A boy being told that his coat .was rather
short, said he thought, it would batljj
eneough before be got another. - !4
A alow Business: Detaining fleaswi.fe
mittens on. "
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Ford, John S. The Texas Democrat (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 23, Ed. 1, Wednesday, June 10, 1846, newspaper, June 10, 1846; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48323/m1/2/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.