...irtue of this Act, that the present war is waged. It is by virtue of this Act, that an American fleet, at immense cost of money, and without any gain of character, is now disturbing the commerce of Mexico , and of the civilized world, by the blockade of Vera Cruz. It is by virtue of this Act, that a distant expedition has seized, with pilfering rapacity, the defenceless province of California. It ...