The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-20
THE BOUNDARIES OF TEXAS.

The lntelligencer, the New York Courier and En-
quirer, and one or two kindred presses, are vehe-
men III their denuncations of the Executive for as
serng the right of the United States to the Rio del
Norte as the boundary Of Texas, and found the
charge of usurpation of authority the joint reso-
luton of March l, l845 1t is alleged that this res
olution refers the settlement of the boundary to
the diplomatic arrangements TO be made with Mexi.
co; and therefore it is argued that the Executive is
limited 10 that particular mode, and cannot legally
assert our rights, or protect them against assault.
The argument is singular one. The language of
the resolution upon this subject, is this: Sad State
to be formed, subject to the adjustment by this gov
eminent Of all questions Of boundary which may
arise with other governments" In the first place,
Congress obviously designed by this language to
reserve TO the government Of the United States the
absolute control over this question of boundary
It never contemplated either the enlargement or the
restriction Of executive authority. That authority
is conferred by the constitution, and neither be
augmented nor diminished by the legislature.
But tito be adjusted by an arrangement with
Mexico, this can only ordinarily be accomplished
by the treay-making power. That power is the
Executives and Congress then refers this subject TO
the appropriate constitutional organ-the Executive.
Yet the Executive is censured for asserting what il
is which it clems--tbe precise duty which the res.
olution looks to be performed by it. What 10 to be
adjusted The question of boundary. Now, this
implies a controversy, IN which each party sets
Iortn us clainsj anu, tneir pretensionS being ad-
verse, the conflict arises, which is TO be adjusted.
The Executive, however, in advancing its claim of
right is by these learned editors charged with going
beyond its authority!
These faut-fnders further forget that Next
CO has refused TO treat on this or any other SUBJ
ject She has dismissed our minister, and with.
drawn her own. She will not adjust the boun-
dairy. What, then, is to be done with this part
of the resolution II becomes dead letter, and
the course il indicates cannot be pursued. The
Executive must, therefore, either preserve an
entire silence the subject send its troops to take
possession of Texas and, pointing out to the COM
mander no limits by which he is to be governed,
leave the decision Of that question to his unaided
responsibility or do what il has done--vindicate
what it considers its rights and direct the country to
be occupied in accordance with those rights. We
submit to an intelligent people which was the line
of duty for the Presiden, to pursue
1t does not precisely appear what is the contro-
versy which is to be adjusted. The claim of Mex
leo the entire country Of Texas up its north
and eastern boundaries; that Of the United States
Of the whole territory to its southern and western
limits. The question of boundary has not yet
arisen, or been put in issue between the two gov
ernments. Mexico says, 1--WE have no question OF
controverted boundary with you. You have no
right beyond the limits settled by our old treaty.
Every step you take beyond the Sabine, is an inva-
sion Of my territory, and an act Of war. My right
is SO clear and yours so preposerous, that we will
not allow it to be discussed"
IL the doctrine of these editors be sound, then
the President committed the offence charged, by
taking possession Of one foot of Texian territory
Mexico claims no higher right to the country west
of the Nneces, than of that to the east Let her
quiesce in our arrangement with Texas; recognise
Texas, whatever it may be, whatever are its limits,
the territory of the United States; and then raise
the question to its boundary;-and she will find,
on the part of the Executive, every disposition to
meet her on that point, to discuss the question with
Kindness and to settle il in accordance with the
most liberal justice.