satisfaction that we find our government, in respect to this matter, consistent from the beginning. Right at first, and right to the last. The boundary of Texas was taken as declared by that nation, and protected accordingly. Nothing else was proposed, nothing else would have been approved, by Texas. When annexation had been accomplished, orders were given amply to meet the case. Our government had no discretion to exercise. Its duty had been marked by lines that could not be erased or altered, it was imperative. Where but to the frontiers of a country should troops be ordered to protect its territory and to repel an invasion? Should possession be given that it might be regained? Should outrages be permitted that they might be avenged? Should life be exposed that it might realize the privileges of escape? Should advantages be allowed to be seized that might compromise our rights? Should our general government assume to act for Texas, and to disregard her sovereignty by recognizing new boundaries? No such policy was conceived. No such policy was executed. No such policy would have been sustained by the people of our country.* Let us examine the record, and see what were

THE PRECAUTIONARY ACTS OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERN

MENT.

The president of the United States, in his message of December, 1845, says,

"The moment the terms of annexation offered by the United States were accepted by Texas, the latter became so far a part of our country, as to make it our duty to afford such

* We are happy to find that these positions are ably sustained by a distinguished jurist of the U. S. Senate, the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, of Maryland. In some of his exceptions to the defence of the administration, however, as corollaries from his own premises, we have a striking example of how a logician may be lost in the politician. His truths master his politics.

protection and defence," (against invasion.)

deemed it proper, as a precautionary measure, to order a strong squadron to the coasts of Mexico, and to concentrate a sufficient military force on the western frontier of Texas. Our army was ordered to take position in the country between the Nueces and the Rio del Norte, and to repel any invasion of the Texan territory which might be attempted by the Mexican forces."

OCCUPATION ON THE RIO GRANDE ADVISED BY MR. DONELSON.

Mr. Donelson to Mr. Buchanan, May 11, 1845.

"It may be considered as certain the Congress of Texas, soon after the assemblage of the 16th of June, will accept our proposals, and call a convention for the purpose of carrying them into effect. Of course, if war be declared against us, Texas will be its theatre, and the earlier we are in possession of the commanding points on the Rio Grande, the sooner we shall be able to bring it to a close.”

TROOPS REQUESTED FOR THE PROTECTION OF TEXAS.

Mr. Donelson to Mr. Buchanan, May 24, 1845.

"As soon as the Texan government accepts our proposals, it will be proper, in compliance with the request already communicated to you, to send our troops to the frontier."

SOLICITUDE OF TEXAS WITH REGARD TO MEANS OF DEFENCE. Mr. Allen to Mr. Donelson, May 19, 1845.

"The undersigned deems it his duty respectfully to inquire of Mr. Donelson, whether, under such circumstances, (of threatened invasion,) calculated to excite the reasonable apprehensions of the people of Texas, and especially to disturb the tranquillity of the settlements along her western frontiers, it would not be alike proper and consistent for the United States to extend its protection to this people."

DEFENCE OF TEXAS ORDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Secretary of War to General Taylor, May 28, 1845.

"Should the territories of Texas be invaded by a foreign power, and you shall receive certain intelligence through her functionaries of the fact, after her convention shall have acceded to the terms of annexation contained in the resolution of the Congress of the United States, you will at once employ, in the most effective manner your judgment may dictate, the forces under your command, for the defence of these territories, and to expel the invaders."

Here was an order to General Taylor "to expel the invaders," if notified to do so by the "functionaries" of Texas. We need not add, that if the Mexican troops had crossed the Rio Grande, the notice would have been given, and General Taylor would have executed the order.

POSTS SUGGESTED ON THE RIO GRANDE.

Mr. Donelson to Mr. Buchanan, June 2, 1845.

"It is believed that Mexico is concentrating troops on the Rio Grande, where Texas has as yet established no posts. If this be so, it is possible that Texas may send a force there to remove intruders. But such a movement, if made, will be independent of the United States."

This shows the determination of Texas, that she was unwilling to leave her boundary unprotected, if threatened, even for a few days, or until the act of annexation should be accomplished.

THE RIO GRANDE RECOGNIZED AS THE BOUNDARY OF TEXAS.

Mr. Bancroft, acting Secretary of War, to General Taylor,
June 15, 1845.

"The point of your ultimate destination is the western frontier of Texas, where you will select and occupy, on or

near the Rio Grande del Norte, such a site as will consist with the health of the troops, and will be best adapted to repel invasion, and to protect, in the event of annexation, what will be our western border."

Mr. Donelson to Captain Stockton, June 22, 1845.

"Your coöperation with our land troops I should think sufficient, (in case of war with Mexico,) without much aid from Texas herself, to drive the Mexican arms west of the Rio Grande."

THE RIO GRANDE QUESTION ANTICIPATED.

Mr. Donelson to Mr. Buchanan, June 23, 1845.

"It is the policy of those who are on the side of Mexico in the present crisis to throw upon the United States the responsibility of a war for the country between the Nueces and the Rio Grande. That territory, you are aware, has been in possession of both parties."

Regarding this point, in a letter to Mr. Buchanan, dated July 11, 1845, Mr. Donelson says,

"Texas has at pleasure taken possession of her posts there, and has only suspended jurisdiction because it was inconvenient to maintain it, and because she knew that in a short period her resumption of it would be acquiesced in by the inhabitants, if they were assured of protection."

POSTS ON THE RIO GRANDE ADVISED BY TEXAS.

Mr. Allen to Mr. Donelson, June 26, 1845.

"The undersigned would suggest to Mr. Donelson the propriety and NECESSITY of an immediate introduction of the troops referred to, (U. S.,) and that they proceed at once to occupy positions upon the Rio Grande, and at other points of the frontier, without waiting for the action of the convention relative to the measure of annexation."

PRUDENTIAL SUGGESTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE USE OF FORCE.

Mr. Donelson to Mr. Buchanan, July 6, 1845.

"You are already advised of my letter to General Taylor of the 28th ultimo, in which I leave the question of marching to the Rio Grande to be decided by developments yet to be made. If Mexico passes that stream, menacing Texas, or otherwise threatening to disturb the territory of Texas, as it stood when our joint resolution passed, our right to repel her commences, and we may force her to retire west of the Rio Grande."

Mr. Donelson to General Taylor, July 7, 1845.

"In this event (of war) a bold movement on the Rio Grande would be justified as the one best calculated to give general security to the frontier of Texas, and take from the enemy his power to injure us."

IF PEACE MEASURES FAIL, WAR JUSTIFIABLE.

Mr. Donelson to Mr. Buchanan, July 11, 1845.

"If Mexico undertakes the invasion, &c., Texas would have the immediate right, and so will the United States, to repel the invasion; and in doing so, Mexico may be disarmed by the occupation of the Rio Grande by our troops," &c.

ENTIRE PROTECTION TO TEXAS ENFORCED BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

Secretary of War to General Taylor, July 30, 1845.

"While avoiding, as you have been instructed to do, all aggressive measures towards Mexico, as long as the relations of peace exist between that Republic and the United States, you are expected to occupy, protect, and defend the territory of Texas to the extent that it has been occupied by the people of Texas. The Rio Grande is claimed to be the boundary