Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-06-28

INN Sbe rs,usrJ 70 comply; and again nu-
meyops and powerful French army was marched
into Po,g;,,m and. after a siege OF near month
reduced 10 ruins one oi the strongest military
works of Europe, the citadel OF Antwerp which
lis valiant commander Baton Chase, defended
10 the last extremity with iorttude ana hcioisn
recalling the proudeSt days OF the military fcnown
of his country. So terminated grand scene u
European policy and military diplomacy, which
o,cib,v derived Holland of one half OF her
Kingdom. and aaaexed it, morally speaking, (ior
every one who con,cmpates the family and po-
Gtical connexions ct the highly respectable sovc-
reign of Belgium. and his necessary dependence
on foreign support, in the event OF any great Eli
ropean commissions. mllS 50 consider H. as 9iat
opa4nse 10 the Crowns of England and France
have thus Mr. President reviewed the lead
ing and prominent objections which have been
urged in This debate. against the remuneration oi
Texas TO the United States. With all ihe le>pect
entertain Tor the opinions OF honorable Scna-
tors. have not been able 10 see in those objce-
lions all the weight an! iolce they attach 10 them
Yet there arc considerations quite conclusive 10
my mind, against the raj ilcaion al this time, oil
The Treaty before us Mexico is 4 ncghbcring
and friendly. and, what is more, rcaEcr power
whom i, i our duty To treat with every proper
consideration and regard had hoped, Sir, that
when the distinguished gentleman, who now pre-
sides over the Department of State, succeeded 10
the duties oi that Office. he would have opened
communications with Mexico with a yiewto pro-
pitia,e her pride. and conciac her interests, at Inc
same time that he pursued the negotiation with
Texas. took the liberty 10 express these views
to an honorable Senator from South Carolina,
(Mr McDuflie) whom do NOT now see i'll his
place, in the hope that he would recommend them,
bv The greater weight oil his opinion in quarter
rp-
ceived with the high respect they deserve. BE-
lieved. Sir that if this course were pursued,
Mexico would have been finally propiiated 10 an
arrangement. which, in many aspects her own
interests. as well aS those oil the United States
and Texas, seemed strongly TO recommend; and
although such a course would have necessarily
involved DELAY of some months, vet that con-
sheraton, in public and national view, was
of no weight. thought, compared with the solid
advantages oi more satisfactory and harmonious
adjustment of The question: i'll the end.
II was obvious that the annexation OF Texas 10
the United States would, Of necessity involve. on
liz Western and Northwestern frontier, question
OF limits with Mexico. Here then, was fair and
proper ground for previous adjustment with
Mexico, if there were any possibility OF eiiectlng
it. |. was known that on that side oi her terri-
tory Texas claimed an extent ot boundary which
intericred with actual settlements oil Mexico
within the limits of her ancient provinces. To
take possession under an odre,Sc title thus directly
conflicting with the well known and established
limits the Mexican provinces, withou, any pre-
vious proposition 10 designate the true boundary
by amicahle arrangement and common consent,
would seem 10 rue To be 4 proceeding wholly
wanting in comfy 10 say the least, Justly oiicn-
siYe the pride ~ Mexico and contrary 10 those
moral and conventional rules Of good nelghbor-
hood which are bnd!ug alike on nations and In
dividuais.
By the treaty before us, Texas ccdcs 10 the
United States "aR as territories 10 be held b. the
the United States in fall property and sove
rcieniy" Ii appears from the documents laid
before rs, that the 'mr%nt boundaries OF Texas
are defined by an act Of the Texan Congress oi
the l9th OF December, 1886, claiming Tor lis
Western and Northwestern boundary the whole
course of the Rio Grandc or Del Nore, from
lis mouth TO its source. ard thence due North TO
the i2i deg of North latitude This boundary
includes Santa I'c. and several other important
Mexican towns and settlements on the Eastern
side OF the Rio del NoTie. and embraces large
por,iors rs The Senator from Missouri, Mr.. Ben
ion,) informs us Of four Mexican provinces
The very interesting work published in 1912 TO
which | have already referred, (S;oddard's
Sketches. Historical and Descriptive, OF Loui-
siana) gives from colla,ed ancient maps, ot the
highest authority, the Western Boundary OF Loui-
siana, which should he Identical with that OF
Texas; and this boundary is there described as
running, with the Rio del Norc, some hundreds
OF miles from It's mouth, ill we come the great
Benz. where the river turns suddenly 10 the West
and at that point the boundary leaves the river
and strikes and runs along with a range Of noun
tains, called the MccjcGa M3GRiaius. On the East
ern side ofthe Rio del Noue, forming the dividing
ridge between lis waters on the West, and the
sources Of the Red River, the Arkansas and the
other tributaries OF the Mississippi on the East
This there is every reason 10 believe Is The true
aud righ,iu boundary OF Texas.
Such being the ease. can We, consistently with
the fairness and comfy due 10 a colcrminons and
friendly State, take possession OF Texas under a
Treaty of cc>sion carrying our limits into the
heart Of The Mexican provinces, and cutting oil
several Of their most important towns ami set
dement's, without a previous effort 10 adjust
these conflicting boundaries by amicablc ar
ranocment with Mexico? think not To the
extent 10 which the boundary claimed by Texas
runs in upon the actual settlements of Mexico,
which have never been brought, in any man.
ncr whatever, under the authority or control
of Texas. the title asserted by her, is what is
called in the language OF English and Alneri-
can law pfe,caScd lille; and by the principles oil
municipal law as adopted in all civilized coun-
duals. is considered and treated as an offence
against Justice. The same principle OF policy
and morals and fair dealing is applicable 10 the
transactions OF nations and demands, IN M mum
bic judgement, in The present case, reasonable
and boMa fdc effort 10 CIT of the sources oil future
li,ioaton and controversy by an amicable arrange
ment with Mexico, previous 10 a contamination
of the treaty of cession.
Their. IL another consideration TO my mind moi
less influential against the ratification OF This
treaty al the present moment. Important and
desirable as regard the acquisition OF Texas to
be TO all the highest interests OF The nation, yet
would no, see it accomplished a; the expense Of
the harmony and iraternal good feeling Of the
Union The preservation Of the Union. under all
circumstances regard as the first object OF a
patriotic LOYALTY and Soictude. would moi, by adj
hitting a new member into our political iami-
IL saw the seeds of discord and division among
the elder members. My firm conviction Is, that
if time he afforded for calm and deliberate con,
sidcralion or this subject in all lis various and
important bearings, it will finally come TO be sur
rounded by as great an unaninity OF OPINION pei
yading every quarter OF Inc lhion, as mas ever
attended any question in the progress OF our ma
tional d,s,inics. At present, we know great III
yersi,y of sentiment, prevails upon il. The juds
men, OF The country has not yet had time 10 be
adequately informed and settled in regard 10 II
| The materials for a sound public opinion are now
for the first time, afforded. Let The intelligence
and patriotism of the nation decide upon hem
In matter so vitally involving the future des'i
MES OF The country, and The peace and harmony
of the Union, am against all precipitation, sur
prise or dureSs.
For these reasons, Mr.. President, | think w
shall hes; consult all the high considerations o
national interest, policy. and duty, involved IL
this grave elaboration, by rcservng our ultimate
decision upon the treaty till an opportunity shat
have been afforded for the experiment, al least
OF an amicabe negotiation with Mexico, with
view TO mutually satisfactory establishment
boundaries. and also for a full and deliberate ex
preston of the national will upon the whole SUP
iiect Az however. the time allowed By the treaty
for its ratification and the exchange of ratii:ca
lions. is limited 10 six months from It's date il vii
become necessary, in order TO keep the matter sill
in the power of the Senate for final action here