Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-01-22
CALIFORNIA.

The American Review (whig) for January con-
tans an elaborate and able article in favor of pur-
chasing Califonia--Upper California at least Up
per California extends from SO to 42' joining Ore
gon-six degrees above the Sldue line and three be-
low it. OF this territory 10000 square miles is
extremely fertile and beautiful, but all the rest is
barren. We quote from the article;
awe have left ourselves but small space forref-
erence TO the efforts of the United States to become
possessed by purchase from Mexico, of this por-
ton of her territory; but fortunately, little rs re-
quired. We have, indeed upon this SUBJECT no
authentic information Whatever In the Mexican
letter of the London Times, dated Sept y, 1915,
10 which we have already made aliusion, we find
the statement purporting to be made on authority,
that ON the 9th of August, 1895, Mr.. Forsyth, Min
lister of Foreign Affairs at Washington, wrote to
Mr. Butler, Charge d Affairs at Mexico, and order
ed him to arrange the affairs of Texas and 10 make
all sacrifices 10 get possession Of The Bay San Fran
cisco by insisting a frontier line drawn from the
Gulf of Mexico, following the Rio Bravo, to the
9th degree north latitude, and from that parallel
to the Pacific That this statement did not eman-
ate from any American source, may be inferred
from the misnomer of Mr. Forsyth's office; but
that it is substantially correct we have no doubt.
That the acquisition of California has for some
years been desired and perhaps sought by our
government, Is very UCnCIdlly OcllcNcuj anu Tue
report, with which we set out, that Mr.. Slidel
has gone to Mexico clothed with power to effect
this purchase, comes from sources apparently wor-
thy of confidence. We trust that whatever nego-
tiations may be held on this subject will be con-
Quoted with all the secresy essential to success
The London Times of a very recent date, taunting-
" declares that the tpubHciiy of democratic dplo-
macy may safely be relied on as a guaranty that
nothing can tronspire in or through this country
preiudicia TO the interests of England without her
timely and sufficient knowledge
With regard to Mr.. Slidelrs negotiation, we
must repeat, we have misgivings Of his success
England stands ready, we doubt not, to give lar
ger sum for California than our government is like
" to offer If as she seems to'believe her para
mount and imperative policy must be to check the
further growth of the American Union, and to make
perfect her network of military posts and stations
from which, at any moment, she may strike with
most effect upon every side her interest certainly
lies in the acquisition of the bay and harbor of San
Francisco. Nor can we escape the fear that Mex
leo would greatly prefer such an arrangement to
that which we propose. She has not yet abandon
ed her project of reconquering Texas; and she
must feel the need of powerful ally. She cannot
be unaware that her
esceprc is a withered boush,
In6snly grasped within paisied hand
and she will naturally turn for aid to that power
whose protection has never been refused for any
nation wealthy enough to be worth the plunderlng,
and weak enough to be pundered with impunlty,
She must feel the force Of the European argument,
that singe-handed contest with the United States
may end in the extension of the American Union
TO the IstRus of Panama. and she may deem it
well to,ofer San Francisco as price for the guar
anty o the integrity of the Mexican Republic =
And, at the least by such an arrangement, she may
hope to strike severe and effective blow at the
transcendent, overshadowing greatness of the Uni
ted States;
Aod,hs, if not rctory, is yet pEvENer'
We have endeavored, in the course of this ari-
Gle, TO show,
/. That California region of vast resources.
and destined, at no distant day, to hold important
relations to the commerce and politics of the world
husband ought, in the natural course of events
and for the general good of humanity-pass from
its present dominion into the hands of another race
and under the sway of another political system
2. That Great Britain is seeking the establish
ment OF her sovereignty there, being moved there
to- not only by her general lust for colonial possess
sions but by the necessity which, in common with
the other monarchies of Europe, she feels, of in
terposing barrier TO the growth III wealth, domin-
ion and power, of the American Union, and of thus
checking the progress Of republican liberty, by
which she believes her own institutions, and the
position of the family of European sovereigns, to
be seriously menaced.
3. That the accomplishment OF this design would
be inconsistent with the interests and the safety of
the United States; that it would be in direct hos
tity to fundamental principles they arc pledged to
sustain and that the paramount law Of self-pres-
ervation will impel them to assume that like the
European occupation Of Cuba, it is an event which
they CANNOT PERMIT IN ANY CONTINGENCY WHAT
EVER
In all its aspects and relations and from what
ever point it may be viewed, this is eminently
an AMERICAN question one to be decided in the
light of the future, and upon the broadcast and most
essential principles of that American system which
is fully discussed in another portion of this Review
We have net allowed ourselves, therefore, to make
the remotest party reference in any part of our re-
marks-though our citations from American author
tiles, as will have been SEEM are entirely from sour
ces connected with that party with whose princ-
pies and welfare this Review is fully Identified
We hope and trust that timely purchase of Cali
forna by the United States and The adjustment Of
pending questions of difference between our gov
eminent and those of Great Britain and Mexico,
will avert the necessity of appeal to the terrible
arbiter OF irreconcilable international disputes
Should such an appeal, through the madness or sell
fish ambition of any Of the contestant parties, be
finally taken, the struggle as has been remarked
by distinguished Senator of the United States,
Hon. w. p. Mangum, of N. CO. will involve far
more than the questions out of which, as preteXt,
it may grow and not only will the entire territory
bordering on the Pacific coast, from the Gulf of
California 10 the Russian frontier, extending over
hoenh-three degrees of latitude, and embracing
region capable Of becoming more populous and
powerful than is France the United States at the
present day, become the prize of contendng ma
tons, but contest will ensue between opposite
systems Of political existence-systems in their ma
ture essentially hostile, and between which, in the
judgment Of many men Of foresight and wisdom,
there is yet TO be fnal and for one OF the other
fatal, collision. Most earnestly and sincerely do
we hope the prophecy may prove faacious, and
the contest, be forever averted. Should, however,
the irresistible progress Of events throw its tremen
dous weight upon us, it will not become the Amer
lean nation, as the only republic of mark on the