The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-06-23
EXTRACTS FROM SENATOR BEN
TONS SPEECH, Ma 9th, 1914.

The former provinces of the Mexican
Vice-royalty, Eo,o departments of the Meri-
Gun Republic, lying on both sides Of tic Rio
Grande from its head TO IFS mouth, we NAV
propose TO incorporate, as far as they lie on
the left bank of the river, into our Union, by
virtue of treaty of remuneration with Tex
as. Let us pause and look at our new and
important proposed acquisitions in this quar-
ter. First: There is the department for
merly the province Of NeC MeIico, ], ing on
both sides Of the river from its handspring
TO near the Pase del FoTte-that is TO say,
half way down the river. This department
is studded with towns and villages-is popu-
lated, well cultivated, and covered with flocks
and herds. On its left hank flor ! only speak
Of the part which We propose TO re-cnnerl
is, first, the frontier village, Taos, 5000 souls.
and where The custom-hOuse is kept at
which the Missouri caravans enter their
goods. Then comes Santa Fe. the capitol,
1909 souls then some scores ofoIher towns
and villages-all more or less populated aud
surrounded by flocks and fields. Then come
the departments of Chihauhau, Coahuila
aud Tamaulipas, without settlements on the
left bauk Of the river. but occupying the
right bank and commanding the left. All
Ihis-6eing paris of four McricGn depart
mentS noV under Mericun Governors and
Gorernments-is permanently re-anneXed 10
this Union il This treaty is ratified, and is ac-
lually re-aDhexed from the moment ofihe
signature of the treaty, according to tho
Presidents last message, To remain so until
the acquisition rejected hy rejecting the
treaty! The one-half Of the department Of
New Mexico, with IFS capitol, becomes
territory Of the United States: an angle Of
Chihuahau. at the Paso del None, famous
for its wines, also becomes ours part of
the department Of Coahula, not populated
on the left bank, which we take. but COM
manded from the right bank by Mexican au-
thoritics The same of Tamauipas. The an
cent of Nuevo Santandar. New ST. An
drew) md which covers both sides Of the riv-
er from its mouth some hundreds Of miles
up. and all the left bank of which is in the
power and possession Of Mexico. These, in
addition to old Texas those parts Of four
Statcs-tbose towns and villaees-these poo
pie aud territOry-these flocks and herds
this slice Of The Republic Of McricO, trO hous-
and miles long and some hundred brOnd-all
this our President has cut off from It's moth
er empire. and presents to US, aud declares
it ours until the Senate rejects it, He calls
it Texas and the cutting off he calls re-au-
nexatiou Humboldt calls il New Mexico,
Chihauhau. Coahuila and Nuevo Santandar,
(now Tamauipas,) and the civ ilized world
may qualify this remuneration by the ap-
plication of some odious and terrible epiIhef.
-Demosthenes advised the people Of Athens
not to take, but re-take q certain city, and
in that RE laid the virtue which saved the
act from the character of spolation and rob-
berry. Will il he equally potent with us
and will the RE- prefxed to the annexation
Leg.iimatize the seizure Of t'cO thousand mills
Of a neighbJr's dominion, lriih rhOm ace hare
treaties Of peace and friendship and commerce!
Will it legitimate this seizure, made by vir-
tue Of treaty with Texas, when no TsTan
Erce-witness the disastrous expedition TO
Santa Fe-hGre been seen nedr II oitbout be-
ing kilied or taken, 10 The last m0n?'
therefore propose. rs an additional reso-
luton, applicable to the Rio del Norie boun-
dary onIy-ihe one which | will read and
send TO the SecreIary's table. and whit III, at
the proper time, shall ask the vote Of the
Senate. This is the resolution -
ResoIred That the incorporation Of the
left bank of the Rio del Norte into the Amer
lean Union. by virtue Of a treaty with Tex
as cOmprehending, as the said incorporation
would do. part of the Mexican depart
menis Of New Mexico, Chihauhsu. Goa
hula and Tar aulpas. would be an act Of
DIRECT AGGRESSION on MExIco-for all tho
consequences of which the United States
would stand responsible