The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-20

du,a
ject of the Mexican war, particularly connected
with the boundary line, between Texas and Mex
ico
Upon the floor of Congress, and in certain pub
lie prints, the government has been censured for
ordering our army to the protection of Texas, ex-
tending to the Rio Grande. 1t has been declared,
and by many is still believed that our title to Tex
extends only far as the left bank of the Nue.
ces; and that the rich and fertile country lying be-
tween that river and the Rio Grande, does of right,
belong to Mexico. We think Mr.. Kaufman has
presented in very able manner, mass Of facts,
which entirely settle this question.
That Texas extended to the Rio Grande, and
belonged to the United States previous to the
transfer to Spain in 1919, will probably not be
questioned. A mass of documentary evidence
in proof of this can be brought forward, which
would silence any doubts upon this point. John
Quincy Adams, in letter to the Spanish Minister,
Don Onis, dated March 18th, 1918, says -" The
claim of France always did extend westward TO
the Rio Bravo. She always claimed the territory
which you call Texas, as being within the limits,
and forming a part of Louisiana" But, it is
said, this country was coded to Spain in 1919.
This treaty, however binding it might be consid-
cred upon the United States, was an infraction of
that provision of the Louisiana treaty of 1903,
which declared that "the inhabitants of the
coded territory should be incorporated into the
United States, and admitted soon as possible,
according to the principles of the federal const-
tution to the enjoyment of all the rights, advan-
tages, and immunities, of the citizens of the Uni
ted States" The people of Texas considered
this ceding TO Spain as null and void so far as
they were concerned and at Nacogdoches, on
the I'D of June, 1919, issued formal protest and
remonstrance against it.
Texas thus left a part of Mexico, and
was sported with by the Mexican leaders and
revolutions, curtaed Of her limits, and by an
assumption of arbitrary power, the Nueces made
her western boundary by Mexico. The time
arrived, however, when Texas, strohg in the right,
and filled with brave hearts and stout arms, de-
clared herself free and at the battle of San ia
cinto, struck the blow which showed Mexico,
that she was no longer to remain territory of so
weak and vacillating government
Santa Anna, whom it will be recollected was
President of Mexico at the time, in order to save
the honor, lives, and ammunition, of portion Of
the Mexican army at the time, signed treaty
with the government of Texas. Article three of
which provides, that "the Mexican forces will
evacuate the Texan territory and recross the Rio
Grande," acknowledging plainly, that the Rio
Grande was the boundary line between the two
territories. This treaty was not made merely for
Santa Annals individual benefit, but the govern
ment and people of Mexico were compensated in
full for IT, and as the whole military power was
vested in Santa Anna, the treaty is binding
Since that time the government and people of
Texas have considered the territory between the
Nueces and the Rio Grande as belonging to
them. The Texas Rangers have held undispu-
ted possession of il, and no Mexican forces have
been stationed on the left bank OF the Rio Grande
Under all these circumstances we do not per-
oeive how any doubts can be entertained in re-
gard to the boundary Of the Texan territory, and
we glad that Mr.. Kaufman has exhibited the
true view of this question, in so clear alight.
The CALIFORNIA ExPEDIrIoN.-We are glad that
the letter OF the Secretary of War to Col. Steven
son, in relation to the California expedition, has
been published, as it places the matter upon a
plain and simple ground. BY it, it appears that
the men are to be discharged, at the close of the
war, in some territory belonging to the United
States, and not, as was at first supposed, in Cali
fornia, whether she belongs to us not
Although the letter does not state where the ex-
petition is destined-and in fact, although in it
is expressed a desire that this should not be
known, there is no doubt that it is to be sent to
Upper California. There is also but little doubt,
that at the close of the the territory will come
into our possession, and the soldiers belonging to
the expedition be discharged there, where most
OF them will remain residents of the country.
If this is not the case, however, they will proba-
bly, be discharged in some part Of the Oregon ter
ritory.
This expedition is generally composed Of men
who will make good pioneers in the settlement Of
new country; and the idea Of forming It was a
good one, which has been well carried out. They
leave here about the first of August.
MEXICAN PRIvATEERs-THAr LONG, Low, BLACK
SCHOONER OFF CARE ANroMo.-We are happy in
being able to give our readers probable solution
Of all the peculiar circumstances connected with
that privateer, as related by Capt. Young, of the
Telegraph, at Kingston, Jamaica.
1t seems, from what we can learn, that on the
day stated, the Goth of May, when tive captured
American vessels were observed as {" at anchor
under the guns of Mexican privateer," the rakish
schooner Sptire, formerly SLAYER, now peace
ful merchantmen, was off Cape Antonio; and
having party of ten or twelve persons on board.
at the time the Telegraph hove in sight, she hoist
ed the Spanish flag, and fred few guns !; upon
which the brig showed British colors, and crowded
sail to reach Jamaica, carrying the news which
has so startled the underwriters throughout the
country.
AS this privateer, seen under 50 many shapes,
has now, probably, turned out to be manned by
simply "men in buckram," we hope this para
graph will set at resethe fears of those who, IN
American bottoms, edo their business on the
great waters"
NAvAL.-G. s. ship Colu mbus, Com. Biddle,
from Manila, arrived at Macao, April II. The
vincennes, Captain Paulding, from whampoa,
arrived at the same place April Is.
u. S. schooner Dolphin, from Port Praya, ar
rlved AZ St. Cruz, Teneriffe, May a. and sailed