The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-05-03


TO obtain Texas. may readily infer the vehement
and denunciatory remonstrance he would have made
AS it was, the Minister could only meet the general
declaration by ageneral reply which would all
cases; and he declares consideration will induce
the King to give up any portion Of his domnions Mr.
Everett unwilling to provoke the impotent splut
terngs of Spain, and preferred giving covert notice
of the intentions of his Government, by such general
declarations should not betray the purpose it was
intended to justify
We will see by the reply Of the Spanish Minister,
that it rendered certain that the acquisition Of
Texas, if made at all, must be made in direct oppo-
sition to the will of Spain, and without her acknow
edgment of the independence of Mexico.
The following is the reply of the Spanish Minister
as detailed by Mr.. Everett himself:
"These proceedings the part of the United
States placed him under The necessity of declaring in
the most posifire the Kings unaLerabe resoi
Ii to abandon has rights, and to reject all offers
of mediation of amicabe Intervention ,chich should
contemplate acknowledgment Of the independence Of
the nesu States. And that upon that point the Kings
mind made up beyond the possibility Of change"
Thus, after Mr.. Everett tells him the United States
considers the contest at end in favor Of the colo
MES, the Spanish Minister, if fearful of some
lurking purpose upon them, meets it promptly and
decsively, by saying that Spain will never abandon
Them thus into whose possession they may go,
she will maintain her right to them. is that not
distinct avowal that she will conquer and hold to
them, matter whose dominion they may submit to-
is it not contingent declaration of against the
United Estates, such as has been made by Mexicor
and yet, sir, disregardng all this, you did make
cond attempt, and the following is a copy Of your
letter of instructions to that purpose
Mr. Clay to Mr. Poinsett--Ertract.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, March l5 1927.
The fixation Of line of boundary of the United
States the side Of Mexico, should be such as to
secure, not merely certainty and apparent So ETY. in
the respective limits of the two countries, but the
consciousness of freedom from all danger of attack
on either side, and the removal of all motives for
such attack. That of the Sabine brings Mexico
our great Western commercial capital than is
desirable and although we are, and for long
time may remain, perfectly satisfied with the justice
and moderation of our neghbor, still it would be
better for both parties that neither should feel that
he is in any condition of exposure the remote con-
tingency Of alteration in existing friendly senti-
ments.
Impressed with these views, the President has
thought the present night be an auspicous period
for Argng negotiation, at Mexico, to settle the |
boundary between the territories of the two repub
lies. The success of the negotiation will probably
be promoted by throwing into it other motives han
those which strictly belong TO the subject itself If
we could obtain such boundary as we DESIRE the
Government of the United States might be disposed
to pay reasonable pecuniary consideration. The
boundary which we prefer is that which, beginning
at the mouth of the Rio del Norte in the sea- shall
ascend that river to the mouth of the Rio Puerco
thence ascending this river 10 its source and from its
source by line due north to strike the Arkansas,
thence following the course of the southern bank Of
the Arkansas to its source in latitude AZ degrees
north, and thence by that parallel of latitude to the
South sea. The boundary thus described oud, &C
oordng TO the United States Tanners map publish
ed in the United States leave Santa Fe within the
limits of Mexico and the whole of Red river or Rio
Roxo and the Arkansas as far up il is probably
| navgabe, within the limits assigned TO the United
States IL that boundary be unattainable we would
as the next most desirable, agree that of the Colo
rado beginning at its mouth, in the bay of Bernado
and ascending the river to It's source and thence by
line due north to the Arka sas and thence, as
above traced to the South This latter boundary
would probably also give US the whole of the Red
river, would throw us ewhat farther from SAINTS
re, out II would strike Arkansas possibly navi-
gable point. To obtain the first described boundary
The President authorizes you 10 offer to The Govern
ment OF Mexico a SUN not exceeding one million of
dollars you find il impracticsble to procure that
lioe you are then authorized TO offer for the above
line OF the Colorado the sum of five hundred thou
sand dollars II either Of the above offers should be
accepted, you may stipulate for the payment of the
sum Of money, as you may happen to agree within
any period not less than lhr months after the ex-
change at the city Of Wash n2ton of the notifications
of the treaty.
Should you be able 10 conclude treaty. il will be
necessary that il should contain stipulation for the
mutual right OF nav cation Of the Rio del Norte or
The Colorado, as the the other Of them nav be
agreed on ! and for the exercise Of common nris-
diction the river itself The treaty NAV also |
fort he Of oil bo,. e.
for lands made prior TO its dale with the conditions of
which there shall have been a compliance; and it
may contain provision similar TO that in the Lou.
isIana and Florida treaties for the incorporation of
the inhabitants into the Union, as soon a. it can be
done consistently with the principles Of the Federsl
constitution, and for their enjoyment Of their liberty
property, and religion.
There should also be a provision made for the de-
livery of the country TO the United States simulta-
neousy, nearly so as practicable with the paw
meni OF the consideration. We should be satisfied
with surrender of possession at that time, far as
the river line extends (the Del Norte the Coora-
do,) and to receive the residue the line
The Arkansas can be traced, which the treaty ought
to provide should be done without unnecessary dc.
lay, and, at all events, before a future day 10 be
specified H. CLAY.
JOEL II. PorssUTr, Esq, &c
Now sir, we have ever considered you justified in
both attempts, and accord entirely with the principles
and law laid down by you in the case Of Spain yet,
we cannot but see, that the with Mexico md
Texas falls entirely within the limits Of those lrecc-
dents. No one has attempted to show difference
favorable TO the first We verify believe that no one
can and we believe that a full consideration Of the
matter with the Treaty Its documents and all the fact.
connected with the transaction before YOU vhich you
had not at the time you wrote your letter, should in
duce an entire modification of your opinion, so as 10
present nsuperabe difficulties to an immediate
admission.
Something is due to those Of your supporters and
they are many and warm, who ardently desire this
union, and who sincerely and ntelligently believe