Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-08-06

The TEXAN BouSDARY-Is IT THE NUEcEs OR THE
Rio GRANDE I'VE have read with pleasure speech
delivered in the House of Representatives on the 18th
of June last, by David 5. kaufman. representative
from Texas, upon the subject OF the Mexican war'
particularly connected with the boundary line between
Texas and Mexico. -
Upon the floor Of Congress, and in certain public
prints the government has been censured for ordering
our army TO the protection Of Texas, extending TO tne
Rio Grande. II has been declared, and by many Is
still believed that title to Texas extends only as
far as the left bank of the Nueces and that the rich
and fertile country lying between that river ana ine
Rio Grande does of right belong to Mexico We
think Mr. Kaufman has presented in very able
manner a mass of facts which entirely settle this
question.
That Texas extended to the Rio Grande, and be-
onged to the United States previous TO the transfer
to Spain in 1919, will probably not be questioned
mass Of documentary evidence in proof of tins can
be brought forward which would silence any doubts
upon tins point John Quincy Adams, in a letter TO
the Spanish minister, Don Onis, dated March II,
1915 SAYS: The claim of France always did extend
westward to the Rio Bravo. She always claimed the
territory which you call Texas, being within the
limits, and forming part of Louisiana" But 1t is
said this country was ceded to Spain in 1919. Tbs
treaty, however binding it might be considered upon
the United States was infraction Of that provision
of the Louisiana treaty of 1909 which declared that
the inhabitants of the ceded territory should be
incorporated into the United States, and admitted
federal constitution to the enjoyment of all the rights,
advantages, and mmunities of the citizens of the
United States" The people of Texas considered
this ceding to Spain null and void, far they
were concerned and at Nacogdoches, on the 22d of
June, lSl9 issued formal protest and remonstrance
against 1t.
Texas thus left part of Mexico, and was
sported with by the Mexican leaders and revolutions.
curtailed of her limits and, by assumption of
arbitrary power, the Nueces made her western boun-
dary by Mexico. The time arrived, however, when
Texas strong in the right and filed with brave hearts
and arms, declared herself free; and the bat
tie of San Jacinto struck the blow which showed
Mexico that she longer to remain territory
of so weak and vacillating government
Santa Ana, whom it will be recoected was presi-
dent of Mexico at the time in order to the
honor, lives, and ammunition of a portion of the
Mexican army ct the time, signed q treaty with the
government of Texas article three of which provides
that the Mexican forces will evacuate the Texan
territory and the Rio Grande," acknowledging
, plainly that the Rio Grande the boundary line
between The two territories. This treaty not
made merely for Santa Anas individual benefit, but
the government and people of Mexico were compen-
stated in full for 1t and the whole military power
was vested in Santa Ana, the treaty was binding.
Since that time the government and people of Tex
have considered the territory between the Nueces
and the Rio Grande as belonging to them. The
Texas Rangers have held undsputed possession of it.
and no Mexican forces have been stationed on the
left bank of the Rio Grande. Under all these circum-
stances we do not perceive how any doubts be
entertained in regard to the boundary of the Texan
territory, and we glad that Mr.. Kaufman has ex-
hibed the true view of this question in so clear
light.