Mexicans for blankets and shoes given to private soldiers; and $10
each were given to a large number of wounded men when they left the
hospital. Probably Belmont's arrangement left the Rothschilds a
handsome profit, for John Parrott, who had been our consul at Mazatlán,
offered, if the government would open a credit of two or three
millions in London, to take charge of supplying cash in Mexico at the
rate of five dollars for every pound sterling, and a pound sterling
would have cost the government only about $4.80. One main purpose of
our government in laying an export duty on gold and silver was to
facilitate the exchange of treasury notes for specie with Mexican
citizens; but probably little was accomplished, for nearly all the
specie in Mexico was held by foreigners. In the offices at Washington
a good deal of carelessness in making estimates and handling funds
appears to have prevailed (_e.g._ Polk's Diary, Aug. 18-28, 1847),
and Walker's relations with Belmont and with Corcoran and Riggs were
perhaps a little too intimate (_ibid._); but one finds no reasons for
suspecting Walker of crookedness. Of course property was handled more
or less wastefully in the field, and contractors took an advantage
sometimes. Roa Bárcena (Recuerdos, 249) states that some men buying
grain, etc., for the American army required the sellers to give
receipts for larger sums than were paid to them. See also Polk, Diary,
July 10, 1847. The largest loss resulted from Gaines's unauthorized
calls for troops, which probably cost $1,500,000 (=13=Pakenham, no. 74,
1847).
33.25. Sen. 15; 30, 1. Semmes, Service, 472-3. Bancroft, Pac. States,
viii, 545. Ho. 70; 30, 1, p. 11. Ho. 9, 27; 30, 2. Polk, Diary, Nov.
7, 1846; Feb. 16; Nov. 6, 9, 1847; Jan. 24, 1848. Sen. 27; 30, 1.
=73=Bermúdez de Castro, no. 517, June 29, 1847. Richardson, Messages,
iv, 591. Ho. 6; 29, 1 (Walker, report, Dec. 3, 1845). Ho. 7; 30, 2
(_Id._, report, Dec. 9, 1848). Lalor, Cyclop., iii, 864. N. Y. _Herald_
(weekly), Apr. 10, 1847; July 1, 1848.
33.26. (Webster) Wash. _Union_, Dec. 11, 1846; _Niles_, Jan. 9, 1847,
p. 303. _Cong. Globe_, 30, 1, p. 912 (Stephens). The national debt,
Oct. 1, 1845, was $17,075,446 (Walker, report, Dec. 3, 1845). July 6,
1848, Polk gave it as $65,778,450 including the bonds and treasury
notes still available for issue (Richardson, Messages, iv, 591).
Walker's report, Dec. 9, 1848, gave the increase of the national debt
over that of March 4, 1845, as $48,036,151.
In a sense the war with Mexico cost too little. The estimates were
pared below our needs. Troops could not be called out when they
should have been. Transports and many other necessaries were lacking
at critical times. This point will come up in the text of the next
chapter. At the end of the war the country and the treasury were
in a sound condition, and the government's income was ample. A
period of solid prosperity ensued. It may be worth mention that
American capitalists offered more than $100,000,000 for the less than
$50,000,000 of government securities, and that the total received by
the treasury in premiums was $555,511 (Walker, report, Dec. 9, 1848, in
Ho. 7; 30, 2).
An account of the money market during the war (based mainly on the
financial columns of the New York Weekly _Herald_) may be of interest.
During the early spring of 1846 the Oregon controversy with England
was a strong depressing influence. The outbreak of the war with Mexico
caused a panic (May 11), but this passed immediately (May 12), and
by May 19 the market was rather buoyant, largely in consequence of
favorable news from Taylor. It then declined; but about the middle of
June there was a plethora of money, and much activity prevailed in
consequence of the settlement of the Oregon controversy. This faded
gradually away into dulness, but quickened again about the first of
August. Fluctuations followed. The first half of September saw a
decline. Sept. 5 United States bonds that had sold at 113 before the
war brought only 102, but the prospect of foreign demands for grain
caused a revival (Sept. 20-Oct. 3). Dulness then returned; the general
feeling about the war was reflected in very low prices about the middle
of November, and Dec. 7 was a "blue day." Though the treasury required
all payments to it to be in specie on and after Jan. 1, 1847, it did
not begin to pay out specie until Apr. 1. Hence it piled up coin during
the interim. Jan. 3, 1847, the market was rather stringent. During
the second half of February, the Bank of England rate rose from 3 to
4. Prices continued to decline until by April 4 good prospects at the
seat of war and an influx of specie turned the tide. May 1 the New York
banks were said to have more than $12,000,000 in specie. May 10 Reading
R. R. difficulties precipitated a panic, but this was only a flurry.
Money was extremely abundant in a few days (May 19) and prices advanced
until about the middle of July. During the second week of August the
increasing war expenses bore hard on the market, and treasury notes
fell about 2 per cent. About Oct. 1 the report that Scott had entered
Mexico City was found to be untrue, and a panic set in (Oct. 4), due to
that fact and bad news regarding the financial situation in Europe. The
"explosion" of "corners" followed. By Nov. 11 the banks were "shaking
in the wind," and a crisis came on at once (Nov. 14). Paper money was
loudly called for. After a troubled month, however, money became much
easier and prices responded (Dec. 19). Another month, and the banks
(really in a tight place themselves) were believed to be tightening
everything to force a change in the financial policy of the government
(Jan. 25, 1848); but by Feb. 10 natural conditions revived buoyancy,
and there was a loud call for more treasury notes. Things then quieted
down, but the arrival of the draft of a treaty stimulated activity
once more. Absurd rumors about the terms of the treaty next caused a
temporary reaction; but when it was accepted, prices went up (Mar. 11).
For the day-by-day prices of United States securities, Dec. 1, 1846, to
Dec. 1, 1847, see Ho. 6; 30, 1, p. 71.
_Other financial legislation of the war period._ U. S. Statutes at
Large, ix, p. 35, Act of June 27, 1846, sec. 2: $75,000 in U. S.
stock belonging to the Seneca Indians to be cancelled, and interest
to be paid them on a credit of that amount to be entered on the
books of the secretary of the treasury. P. 94, Act of Aug. 10, 1846:
Mexican Indemnity Stock (see Bayley, National Loans, 71, modified by
statements of this work). P. 106, Act of Aug. 10, 1846: Treasury notes,
stolen and put into circulation, to be redeemed by the government.
P. 125, Act of Feb. 11, 1847, sec. 9: Any non-commissioned officer,
musician and private entitled under this Act to receive a certificate
or warrant for 160 acres (or 40 acres) may take instead of it $100 (or
$25) in 6 per cent treasury scrip, redeemable at the pleasure of the
government. P. 248, Act of July 19, 1848: Three months' extra pay to
all who actually served out their term or were honorably discharged,
or the heirs of those who lost life or died after being honorably
discharged. P. 249, Act of July 21, 1848: Act of July 4, 1836, granting
half-pay and pensions to widows, orphans, etc., made applicable to
cases of these in the Mexican War. P. 412, Act of March 3, 1849: To
provide for settling accounts of those who received money from military
contributions, etc., in Mexico. P. 414, Act of March 3, 1849: To
provide payment for property lost or destroyed in the military service
of U. S. P. 520, Act of Sept. 28, 1850: Bounty lands to be given to
certain officers and soldiers who served in the Mexican War.
XXXIV. THE WAR IN AMERICAN POLITICS
34.1. The chief sources for this chapter were personal correspondence,
the debates of Congress, and periodicals representing all shades of
politics. The leading newspapers were examined for every day of the war
and also before and after it.
34.2. Parker, Sermon. Rhodes, U. S., i, 88. Weekly N. Y. _Herald_, May
23. _No. Amer._, May 15, 21. =191=Fairfield to wife, July 10, 1846.
34.3. London _Times_, Aug. 31. Welles papers (account of 29 Cong., 2
sess.). =108=Marcy to Bancroft, Apr. 28, 1847. Calhoun Corresp., 717
(to T. G. C), 1096 (Fisher). =13=Pakenham, nos. 119, 132, 1846; 6,
9, 1847. =139=Gentry to C, Feb. 20, 1847. =139=A. to D. C., Jan. 20,
1847. _Journal des Débats_, Nov. 4, 1846. (Elections) N. Y. _Tribune_,
Nov. 26, 1847; =132=Stokes to Buchanan, Jan. 3, 1847; Welles papers;
Schurz, Clay, ii, 289; Von Holst, U. S., iii, 336; N. Y. _Herald_, Nov.
7, 14, 1846; Wash. _Union_, Oct. 16, 22; Nov. 9, 14, 19, 27, 1846; May
5, 1847; _Nat. Intellig._, Nov. 7, 1846. _Pub. Ledger_, Dec. 23, 1846.
In the winter we find some state legislatures passing resolutions (Ho.
93, 97; 29, 2) in favor of prosecuting the war, but these are signs of
prevailing discouragement.
34.4. (Nomination and election) Smith, Annex, of Texas, 250-2, 310-5.
=345=Gilpin to Van Buren, May 24, 1846. =234=A. Johnson to ----, July
22, 1846, private. London _Times_, July 15, 1846. Welles papers.
_Nat. Intellig._, Nov. 20, 1847. (Cabinet) Polk, Diary, Feb. 8, 1847;
=345=Blair to Van Buren, Jan. 29; Feb. 29, 1848; =297=correspond.
between Polk and M. Van Buren, C. Johnson, A. V. Brown and others,
Dec, 1844-Feb., 1845; Poore, Perley's Remins., i, 334; Welles papers;
=297=Simpson to Polk, Nov. 13, 1848. (Myself) _Tenn. Hist. Mag._,
Sept., 1915 (to C. J., Dec. 21, 1844). Boston _Atlas_, Dec. 31, 1846.
=206=Mangum to Graham, Feb. 21, 1845. (Polk's discretion distrusted)
_Cong. Globe_, 29, 1, pp. 554 (Allen), 567 (Webster).
What is said of Polk in this and succeeding paragraphs should be
supplemented by referring to vol. i, pp. 128-9 and to the concluding
chapter.
34.5. For a study of Polk's character see vol. i, pp. 128-9.
=345=Pauling to Van Buren, Feb. 5, 1847. (Pillow) Polk to Johnson,
May 17 [14], 1844: _Tenn. Hist. Mag._, Sept., 1915. Seward, Seward at
Washington, i, 37, 51. =345=Frearoon to Van Buren, Jan. 23, 1847.
=345=Blair to V. B., Jan. 29, 1848. Tyler, Tyler, ii, 457 (Gardiner).
=345=G. A. Worth to V. B., Mar. 20, 1847. =139=Gentry to Campbell, Feb.
20, 1847. Schurz, Clay, ii, 289. Von Holst, U. S., iii, 273, 292, 336.
Boston _Atlas_, Dec. 12, 1846. Benton, Abr. Debates, xvi, 75 (Badger).
Kohl, Claims, 71.
Taking advantage of the feeling about Polk's personality and methods,
his enemies felt warranted in straining points against him. It was
called treachery to negotiate with Santa Anna while negotiating with
Paredes (_No. American_, Dec. 15, 1846), even though the latter
negotiation had practically ended before the former began. His dwelling
upon our claims against Mexico in his annual Message of 1846, which
it was quite proper to do in reviewing the Mexican situation, was
represented as an afterthought, intended to justify a blow already
struck and discrediting the assertion that Mexico had caused the war by
invading our territory (Boston _Atlas_, Dec. 12, 1846). It was pointed
out that the proclamation sent to Taylor for distribution ascribed to
the United States aims different from those professed in the Message of
May 11 (_Nat. Intellig._, Aug. 14, 1846), as if Polk could be required
to say everything every time.
34.6. =256=Marcy to Wetmore, Jan. 21; Oct. 5; Nov. 7; Dec. 12, 1846.
Welles papers. =345=Wright to Van Buren, Nov. 10, 1846. =345=Cambrelong
to _Id._, Nov. 30. =345=Thompson to _Id._, Dec. 23. =345=Blair to
_Id._, Dec. 26. =345=Albany _Atlas_, extra, Dec., 1846. =345=G. A.
Worth to V. B., Mar. 20, 1847. =253=Mower to McLean, Aug. 27, 1846.
=132=Wright to Buchanan, Sept. 8, 10, 1846. Bigelow, Tilden, i, 110-1.
Blaine, Twenty Years, i, 78. Buchanan, Works, viii, 365-7. =234=A.
Johnson to ----, July 22, 1846, private.
The "Conservative" party arose in 1837 from the opposition to Van
Buren's sub-treasury plan, which Silas Wright championed. Many honest
Conservatives, realizing they had been mistaken, left the party; but
their places were taken by canal claimants.
34.7. Welles papers. Calhoun Correspond., 713 (to Mrs. C). (Hang)
=234=A. Johnson to ----, July 22, 1846. (Office-seekers) Polk, Diary,
Feb. 24; Apr. 7, 1847, etc. (Oregon) Polk, Diary, Feb. 24, 1846;
_Polit. Sci. Qtrly._, xxvi, 458 (R. L. Schuyler); _Cong. Globe_, 29, 1,
p. 815 (Delano); Boston _Atlas_, May 20, 1846; Blaine, Twenty Years,
i, 65; Wash. _Union_, Aug. 18, 1846. (Veto) =253=Mower to McLean, Aug.
8, 1846; =108=Appleton to Bancroft, July 16, 1847; Wash. _Union_, Aug.
3, 1846, quoting _Nat. Intellig._; N. Y. _Herald_, Aug. 15, 1846;
_No. American_, Jan. 14; Dec. 20, 1847. (Generals) Von Hoist, U. S.,
iii, 298; Rhodes, U. S., i, 89; Buchanan, Works, viii, 365-7; Calhoun
Corresp., 727-8 (to D. G.). =345=Butler to Van Buren, Nov. 6, 1847.
34.8. Lowell, Biglow papers, i, 59. (Adams) =260=Winthrop to N. Hale,
Wash., "Sunday." (Giddings) Wash. _Union_, June 30; July 2, 1846. Cole,
Whig Party, 118-9. Smith, Annex. of Texas, 258-80. _Cong. Globe_, 29,
1, p. 309. (La.) Vol. i, p. 205 and note 10.3; N. Orl. _Jeffersonian_
in _Nat. Intellig._, Aug. 28, 1846; Wash. _Union_, June 30; July 2;
Aug. 11, 1846. Calhoun Corresp., 1096-7 (Fisher). N. Y. _Tribune_, May
13; Dec. 15, 1846. =137=Prescott to Calhoun, Aug. 20, 1847.
34.9. Ho. 85; 29, 2. =253=Mower to McLean, Aug. 8, 1846. Taussig,
Tariff Hist., 114-5. =345=Welles to Van Buren, July 28, 1846. London
_Times_, Dec. 3, 1846. _Courrier des Etats Unis_, Oct. 17; Nov. 6,
1846. N. Y. _Sun_, July 9, 1846. N. Y. _Express_, Nov. 10, 17, 21, 30,
1846. _Niles_, July 18, p. 305 (_Sentinel_); Aug. 1, p. 345 (_Nat.
Intellig._); Sept. 12, p. 17, 1846. Boston _Courier_, July 8, 1846.
Blaine, Twenty Years, i, 65. Boston _Atlas_, Jan. 6, 1847. Wash.
_Union_, Aug. 18, 28, 1846. _Nat. Intellig._, Aug. 5, 1846. N. Y.
_Tribune_, Dec. 3, 1846. _No. American_, July 16, 17; Aug. 1; Dec. 9,
1846. (Betrayed) Smith, Annex. of Texas, 314.
34.10. =241=W. to J. Kent, Dec. 11, 1846; Jan. 17; Mar. 5, 1847. _Amer.
Review_, Oct., 1847, 333-46. Johnston and Browne, Stephens, 210-1.
London _Times_, Dec. 3, 1846. Sherman Letters, 38-9. Webster, Writings,
x, 12. Winthrop, Winthrop, 61. =13=Pakenham, no. 98, 1846. N. Y. _Sun_,
Aug. 28, 1846. _No. American_, Dec. 30, 1846; Jan. 18, 1847. Rhodes,
U. S., i, 91. Wash. _Union_, Sept. 30, 1846 (Mass. convention). _Nat.
Intellig._, July 18; Dec. 25, 1846; Apr. 17; Nov. 20, 1847. St. Louis
_Republican_, July 23, 1846. _Journ. of Comm._ in Wash. _Union_, Aug.
6, 1847.
Stephen A. Douglas, who stood quite close to the administration, said
in the Senate: "Conquest was not the motive for the prosecution of the
war; satisfaction, indemnity, security, was the motive--conquest and
territory the means" (_Cong. Globe_, 30, 1, app., 222).
34.11. Ho. 23, 81, 85; 29, 2. Sen. 97; 29, 2. Webster, Writings, ix,
260; x, 12; xiii, 359. Sherman Letters, 38-9. Boston _Advertiser_,
Oct. 3, 1846. _Niles_, Sept. 18, 1847, p. 44. Rhodes, U. S., i, 91.
Blaine, Twenty Years, i, 65. Winthrop before the Mass. convention
(note 34.10). _Courrier des Etats Unis_, Oct. 17; Nov. 6, 1846. Wash.
_Union_, Apr. 29, 1847. Pierce, Sumner, iii, 140, 144, 146. Lowell,
Biglow papers, i, 56. Livermore, War, 92. Curtis, Webster, ii, 324.
_Amer. Review_, 1847, p. 441. =13=Pakenham, no. 93, 1846. Benton, Abr.
Debs., xvi, 54 (Morehead). (West) =198=Berrien to Gallatin, June 7,
1848. The _North American_ of Oct. 8, 1847, used this language: "The
abstract question of the extension of slavery is not the only nor the
greatest issue of this contest. The great question is, shall we become
the dependants and vassals of a Southern political ascendancy?... The
nabobs of the South will dictate to us the terms upon which, in the
face of their hostile policy, we shall struggle for existence. Our
agriculture, our manufactures, our commerce, will be committed to
their guardianship--the guardianship of the wolf over the lamb." At
the Springfield Whig convention, Sept. 29, 1847, Webster said he would
"resist any further increase of slave representation," which meant the
same thing (Writings, xiii, 362). _Nat. Intellig._, Dec. 29, 1846.
_Cong. Globe_, 29, 1, app., 919 (G. Davis). (Heroes) =345=Law to Van
Buren, Aug. 2, 1847. Welles papers. Calhoun Corresp., 1096-7 (Fisher).
_Nat. Intellig._, May 13, 1846. London _Times_, Dec. 18, 1846.
=13=Pakenham, no. 93, 1846. Louisville _Journal_, Mar. 31, 1847. N. Y.
_Express_, Apr. 2, 1847. Wash. _Union_, Aug. 13, 1847. (Debasement,
etc.) _Amer. Review_, 1847, p. 441; Lyell, Second Visit (N. Y., 1849),
ii, 257; Ho. 81; 29, 2; _Monitor Repub._, Feb. 2, 1847 (quoting Boston
_Atlas_); _Nat. Intellig._, Nov. 28 (quoting N. Y. _Eve. Post_); Dec.
29, 1846; Norfolk _Herald_, Apr. 12, 1847; etc.
34.12. N. Y. _Tribune_, May 19, 1846. _Cong. Globe_, 29, 1, pp. 788
(Crittenden), 835. Welles papers. =169=Rives to Crittenden, Feb. 5,
1847. Hammond, Wright, 672. Von Holst, U. S., iii, 252. _Amer. Review_,
Feb., 1847, 109, 118. Wash. _Union_, Mar. 19, 1847. Schurz, Clay, ii,
289. Detroit _Free Press_, Nov. 28, 1846. Cincin. _Enquirer_, Dec. 16,
1846. _No. American_, May 12, 1846. N. Y. _Herald_, Dec. 19, 1846.
(Capital) =139=Fulton to Campbell, Jan. --, 1847.
The proper stand for the Whigs was pointed out by Gov. Briggs of
Massachusetts in general orders: "Whatever may be the difference of
opinion as to the origin" of the war, the constitutional authorities
have declared that a war exists; patriotism and humanity dictate
that it should be brought to a speedy and successful end; hence
all should coöperate (_Niles_, July 11, 1846, pp. 293-4). It will
be noted that the author is dealing in this chapter with politics,
not the convictions of private persons, which, even when mistaken,
were entitled to respect, because sincere and associated with worthy
sentiments.
34.13. _Nat. Intellig._, May 13, 15; July 18; Sept. 19, 1846; Jan.
27; Aug. 5; Dec. 11, 1847. =253=Mower to McLean, Mar. 1, 1847. _Cong.
Globe_, 29, 1, app., 919 (G. Davis); 29, 2, 34-6 (Giddings). Boston
_Atlas_, May 15, 18, 20; June 11, 1846. Balt. _American_, Dec. 2, 1846.
N. Y. _Tribune_, May 26, 1846; Sept. 3; Nov. 18, 1847; Jan. 7, 1848.
_Cong. Globe_, 30, 1, 566 (Hilliard). ($68) [_Tribune_] Whig Almanac,
1847, p. 21. (_Express_) Wash. _Union_, June 19, 1847. These and the
citations of the following notes could be multiplied.
34.14. Smith, Annex. of Texas, 274-5. =198=J. R. Ingersoll to Gallatin,
Dec. 25, 1847. Benton, Abr. Debates, xvi, 78 (Colquitt). Louisville
_Journal_, Sept. 17, 1847. _Cong. Globe_, 29, 1, app., 643 (Giddings);
30, 1, app., 227 (Cobb). Mr. Winthrop's Vote on the War Bill. Webster
at Phila. (Writings, iv, 26-34). Wash. _Union_, Dec. 6, 1847. N. Y.
_Tribune_, May 15, 1846. N. Y. _Courier and Enquirer_, Aug. 31, 1847.
Giddings, Speeches, 259.
34.15. N. Y. _Tribune_, May 13, 1846. =130=Gentry to Campbell, Feb. 20,
1847. Wash. _Union_, May 12; Oct. 1, 1846; May 15, 1847. _Cong. Globe_,
29, 1, pp. 815, 931; app., 928-32. Boston _Atlas_, Dec. 11, 1846; May
13, 1847. Ky. _Observer_, July 8, 1846, in Wash. _Union_, July 14.
N. Y. _Tribune_, May 13, 1846. Winthrop, Speeches, i, 573-4. Nicolay
and Hay, Lincoln, i, 317-20, 327-45. _Cong. Globe_, 30, 1, pp. 154-6
(Lincoln's speech). Though Lincoln's speech was later than the time
referred to in the text, his argument was not. (Conn.) Clark, Conn.,
200-1.
34.16. =375=Taylor to Davis, Feb. 16, 1848, in Madigan, cat., 1914.
_Pennsylvanian_, Nov. 4, 1846. Winthrop, Speeches, i, 574. N. Y. _Eve.
Post_, June 4, 1846. Wash. _Union_, July 14, 1846; Mar. 29, 31; Aug.
16, 20, 1847; Jan. 2, 13, 1848. U. S. _Gazette_, Oct. 13, 1846. _Cong.
Globe_, 29, 1, pp. 534 (Brinkerhoff); app., 916 (Hudson). Boston
_Atlas_, Dec. 11, 1846; May 13, 1847. _Nat. Intellig._, May 16; Oct.
19; Dec. 18, 1846; Apr. 17; May 17; June 22, 1847. N. Y. _Courier and
Enquirer_, Aug. 9, 17, 1847. (Recognized) Crittenden's amendment: vol.
i, p. 473; _Cong. Globe_, 30, 1, p. 276. (Smallness) Vol. i, pp. 161,
455-6, 464.
Another interesting fact was that on Mar. 26, 1846, McIlvaine of the
House, discussing an appropriation bill, raised the issue that in
sending Taylor to the Rio Grande Polk had been "invading Mexico," yet,
although the bill was objectionable from several points of view, it
passed by a vote of 111 to 38 (_Cong. Globe_, 29, 1, pp. 558, 574). See
also Lumpkin's speech, _ibid._, 834-7. Polk was mercilessly ridiculed
for believing that Santa Anna would favor peace, but his opponents had
to admit that a Whig general, Taylor, believed (or appeared to believe)
Ampudia's assertions to the same effect (chap. xii, p. 504) made under
circumstances that rendered the idea far less plausible.
34.17. See vol. ii, p. 73. Wash. _Union_, Feb. 25, 1847. St. Louis
_Republican_, July 3, 1847. McCulloch, Men and Measures, 65. Seward,
Autob. of W. H. S., 774. An undated slip from the Chicago _Times_,
found by the author, contained a letter from Burlington, Ia., which
stated that Col. Sweney, proprietor of the Barret House, had known
Corwin well from boyhood on, and that he had heard Corwin say with
tears in his eyes that his speech was made by arrangement with Webster
and others, who desired to prevent the appropriation of more money for
the war, and agreed to follow Corwin.
34.18. For a discussion of the Philadelphia speech see vol. i, p. 458.
Webster, Writings, iv, 7; ix, 253; xiii, 348-50. _Public Ledger_, Dec.
6, 15, 1846. N. Y. _Tribune_, Dec. 4, 7, 1846. N. Y. _Herald_, Aug.
22, 1846. N. Y. _Sun_, Dec. 5, 1846. Wash. _Union_, Dec. 2, 4, 7,
11, 1846; Mar. 10; Oct. 14, 16, 1847. Charleston _Mercury_, Dec. 8,
1846. =253=Dowling to McLean, Mar. 24, 1848. Nov. 6, 1846, at Faneuil
Hall, Boston, Webster called forth rapturous applause by saying, in a
manner quite unworthy of a Senator and a great constitutional lawyer,
"In my judgment it is an impeachable offence" for the President so to
act as to involve the country in war without the consent of Congress
(_Niles_, Nov. 21, p. 186). This, if it meant anything, was a begging
of the question. Webster could not deny that the President had a right
to repel invasion without consulting Congress, and Polk believed the
Mexicans had invaded our territory, thus precipitating the war.
Polk's Message of May 11 mentioned, as was natural, the rejection of
Slidell and the failure of Mexico to pay our claims, but its practical
gist was contained in the following sentence: "As war exists, and,
notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it, exists by the act of
Mexico herself, we are called upon by every consideration of duty and
patriotism to vindicate with decision the honor, the rights, and the
interests of our country."
34.19. (Independent, ground) Webster, Writings, iv, 24; xiii, 351.
(Senseless, fight) _Ibid._, ix, 157-60. (Prosecute) _Ibid._, iv, 33;
N. Y. _Tribune_, Dec. 3, 1846. (Refused) Writings, ix, 157. (Approve)
Pierce, Sumner, iii, 112. (Narrow) Webster, Letters, 350. (Tired)
Writings, xviii, 246. Lowell, Biglow Papers, i, 54, etc. (see a paper,
written by the present author, on the Biglow papers in Mass. Hist. Soc.
Proceeds., May, 1912, p. 602).
34.20. (Jay) Pellew, Jay, 310. The clerical quotations in the text
are from a non-partisan paper, the N. Y. _Herald_, Feb. 20, 1847. The
extract from Osgood may be found in his Solemn Protest, p. 13. That
from Parish the author has not been able to verify, but presumably
it was correct. That such sentiments were entertained will not be
questioned. Osgood denounced the authors of the war as "desperate in
wickedness," etc. See quotations from him and others in _Cong. Globe_,
29, 1, app., 930-1. Weekly N. Y. _Herald_ (non-partisan), Jan. 16,
1847: They who oppose this war will one day stand before the country
like the men of the Hartford Convention. Pierce, Sumner, iii, 139.
34.21. Boston _Atlas_, May 18, 20, 1846. _Monitor Repub._, Feb. 2,
1847. _Nat. Intellig._, May 11; Oct. 15 (Thompson), 26, 1847; Jan. 26,
1848. (Hudson) _Cong. Globe_, 29, 2, p. 418. N. Y. _Tribune_, Nov. 6,
1847. (Calhoun) Benton, Abr. Debates, xvi, 58. Wash. _Union_, Sept.
24, 1846; June 2, 1847. _Diario_, Dec. 20, 1846. Meade, Letters, i,
180. (Joy) Boston _Daily Chronotype_ in N. Y. _Globe_, May 14, 1847.
=137=McLane to Calhoun, Jan. 18, 1848. Richardson, Messages, iv, 473.
(1813-14) Wash. _Union_ Dec. 10, 1846. See also vol. ii, p. 125.