The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-06-14

tual settlements of Mexico wi hin the limits OF her
ancient provinces. To take possession under on
adverse title, thus directly conflicting with the well
known and established limits Of the Mexican pro
sinces, without any previous proposition 10 designate
the true boundary by amieable arrangement and com
mon consent, would seem 10 10 be proceeding
wholly wanting IN comfy 10 say the least justly Of
fensye 10 the pride Of Mexico and contrary 10 these
moral aud conventional rules Of good neighbortood
which binding alike on nations and individuals
BY the treaty before as, Texas cedes to ihe United
States " all rs ier,itsres, 10 be held by the United
States ia full property and Sovereignty II appeor.
from The documents laid before US IA the ",,,,,
boundaries" OF Texas are defined by an act Of tls
Texan Congress OF the 18Th December ls3C clan,
ing for It's western aud northwestern boundar, tls
whole course of the Rio Grande or Del Norte iron,
It's mouth TO It's source, and thence due north IN tt
AID degree Of north latitude This boun,ary IN,
cludes santa Re and several other important NeN,.
can towns and settlements the eastern side nj H.
kio del Norte, and embraces large portions as the
Senator from Missouri (Nlr Benton informs us Of
four Mexican provinces. The very interesting
work, published IN 1912, TO which have ALREADY r,
ierred, (Stoddafd's Sketches Historical and De.cr,p
i've OF Loulsana) gives, from coated ancient man,
oil the highest authority, the western boundary of
LOUISIANA, which should be Identical with Thai ,l
Texas and this boundary is there described a, ru,
ming with the Rio del Norte some hundreds # miles
from It's mouth TIL come to the Great Beul
where The river turns suddenly TO the west and al
that point the boundary leaves the river and strike,
Neriean Mountains, on the eastern side Of the Rio
del Norte, forming the dividing ridge between ~
waters on the wesi, and the sources of the Red rive,
The Arkansas, and the other tributaries of the Mis-
sissppi on the east. This, there is every reason 10
believe, IS The true and rghtful boundary of Texas
such being the case, we, consistently with
the fairness and comfy due to O cotermnous au,i
friendly State, take possession of Texas under d
treaty OF cesson carrying our limits into The heart OF
The Mexican provinces and cutting off several OF
thelT most important sci
previous effort TO adjust these conflicting bounda
RES by amicable arrangement with Mexico /
think not 10 The extent TO which the boundary
claimed 10y Texas in upon the cual settlement,
OF Mexico, which have never been brought IN any
manner, whatever, under the authority or control Of
lexas the title asserted by her is what is called m
the language OF English and American law a ptsfer
sea utlc and by the principles Of municipal law a.
ADOPTED III all civilized countries, the purchase Of
such title, betu cen individuals, considered and
treated as offence against Justice The same
principle OF policy and morals and fair dealing is sp
plicable TO The transactions of nations and demands
IN my humble Judgment, IN the present case a rea-
sona6le and bona de effort TO cut oil the sources of
iulure litigation and controversy by an amcable ar
rangement with Mexico, previous to a consumma-
loD OF the treaty of cessiou.
There IS another consideration to my m ind not les,
influential against the ratification of tins treaty al he
present moment Important and desirable as | r..
gard tie acquisition OF Texas to be TO all he highe
interests oil The nation yet would not it accom-
piished al The expense OF the harmony and fraternl
good ieeiing Of The Union. The preservation of t.r
Union, under all circumstances regard as the first
object OF patriotic loyalty and solicltude. would
mol, by admitting new member into our political
family, SOW the seeds ofdiscord and division among
The elder members My firm conviction is, that If
iine be afforded for calm md deliberate considera-
ton oil tins subject, in all its various and important
bearings, will finally to be surround, by a.
great uhahimity OF opinion, pervadDg every quar-
yer OF lhe on'on as has ever attended any question
IN The progress OF our national destnios At present
we know great diversity of sentiment prevails upUl
IT. The Judgment Of the country has no, vet hat
time TO be adequately informed and settle in regard
TO IT. The materials for sound public opinion are
now for the hrst time afforded Let the intelligence
aud patriotism If the nation decide upon them In
matter so vitality involving the future destiDies Of
The country, and the peace and harmony of the
Union, am asnlnst all precipitation, surprise or du
ress.
For IhesS reasons, Mr. President, think we shall
best consult all the high considera ions Of national
interest," policy and duty, involved in this grave dcb
erslon, oy reserving our ultimate decision upon the
treaty ull an Of porunily shall have been afforded for
'he experiment, at least, of amicabe neg citation
WIN heAico, win view 10 a mutually satisfactory
establishment Of boundaries and also Tor full AMI
uehpeTate expression OF the national will upon the
whole suhJeci. As, however, the time allowed b,
'he treat, Tor It's ratification, and the exchange Of
rauhcahons is limited 10 six months from lis dat. II
WIZ become Necessary, in order TO keen the matter
sun III The power Of the Senate for final acton here,
aer 10 negotiate an additional article extending the
per within which The Publications shall he rx.
changed o carry out these views have prerar-
60 resolution, which beg leave now to submit I'D
the Senate.
lhe resolution was then read as follows
!, hesoirtd That the treaty for the annexation VI
iehss i'e upon the table, and the President be- adj
'teo 70 cause an additional article TO be negoiatr
attending the period within which the treaty IS q,
De rathed, and the notifications exchanged SO a. io
'oId luther time for foil and deliberate eY ores.on
d the opinion Of tie people Of the United Stats
upon tue subject, and also for reasonable and ami
'abie effort 10 obtain the concurrence of Merico
conventional arangeu ent for asceraining and estab
Ishpg the boundaries which shall separate her adia.
en- provinces TO the west and moth from the t,fr-
ories Of Texas