Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-06-12

now triumphantly ask, even though there shoulu
be no inhabitant West OF the Allegheny noun
tain. would not the Ohio river be the western
boundary Of Virginia. But the case OF Texas
is stronger even than the one here supposed. we
are not lett to conjecture as 10 The western oouh-
dary of Texas, for Santa Anna negotiated
Treaty of Peace with Texas, in which ne not
only acknowledged her independence, but recog-
pized The Rio Grande as her Western boundary.
Bu. j, is objected that Santa Anna was IN tuIess
al The time the Treaty was signed. but SANTA
Anna was no, The only person VINO signed II on
the part of Mexico; il was signed oy hFe o';iel
Mexican Generals. Should The tact, then, that
Santa Anna was prisoner, make the treaty Vola
a5 inlii0, although il was signed by I'VE otner
Mexican Generals, who were not prisoners
think not Il is further objected, thai me treaty
was never formally ratified by Mexico True.
Butdid not Mexico receive all the Dement'S OF me
Treaty 2 Did she not receive, in compliance with
the Treaty, the life and liberty OF her President,
the restoration of many officers and prisoners,
and the whole army Of Filisola2 Filisola, in his
despatch OF MAY 3lst, 1886, speaking OF the ne
cessity of this Treaty, says: u do not mention
other reasons perhaps more convincing; in fine,
think have saved The whole army from disaster,
and The national decorum from positive dis
grace" Although Mexico then, did not formally
ratity the Treaty. yet as she received allhe bene-
fits OF it, il was equivalent 10 ratification, ac-
cording 10 every rule OF law, and every principle
OF justice. Whether Santa Anna had the auho-
rity or mol 10 negotiate The Treaty, Mexico is
esopped from denying its validity. Mr.. Wal
ker in his Texas speech ably enforces these
views he says, at is rule OF morals, found
ed in honor and conscience and principle
OF municipal, as well as International law, ap-
plying as well TO the compacts OF States as indi-
vduas; that if an agent without authority,
makes contract, and the principal receives and
retains the benefit provided by it, il Is an affirm
ance OF the compact however londly he may
protest against IT, Thus il is conceded princi-
Pile Of law, that il A., without authority sells the
property of 3. 10 c., the contract is invalid; yet
il y. receives and retains tie purchase money il
is as complete an aiirmance OF lhs contract as if
twerc subscribed by The principal himself. So,
also under what is called The statute OF frauds,
verbal sale Of lrac, OF land the law declares 10
be null and void; yet, if it is partly executed By
the reception ofthe benefit on one part, it alrms
and ratihes the transfer. These are nothing more
than the eternal principles of honor, truth and
Justice, recognised by every writer on The law OF
nations, and universally applicable and binding
as well upon nations as individuals"
1t is clear, then, that Mexico has acknowledged
the right of Texas TO The Rio Grandc. But il
any doubt can possibly res! upon the mind Of any
one, ii must DE IeiHOfSu WITCH III 10 NHCu
that as late as lS43, Mexico recognized the Rio
Grante as The Western boundary Of Texas in an
armistice that was entered into between Texas
and Mexico for the ccssatioa Of hosili,ies ard
he President OF Mexico in announcing il, ordered
the Mexican forces 10 retire TO The West bank Of
the RIO Gel Nora
But Texas has not merely an ab-;rac, right to
the coun,ry West OF the Nueces. She has actual
possession, and exercises legal jurisdiction over
a considerable portion Of that country. IL was
represented in The Convention that adopted the
Constitution Of tn Republic in 1886; and ha.
also Teen represented in The Texan Congress-
Counties have been organized there, courts have
been established and Texan laws enforced.
have thus, Think, conclusTely demonstrated
thai the Rio Gfapde always was The Western
boundary of Texas. Texas is now one of The
United States. The soil Of Texas is, therefore,
The soil Of the United States. Texas declares in
her Constitution that the Rio Grande is her West
crn boundary, and Mexico has acknowledged il.
The soil OF the United States therefore, extends
10 HE Rio Grande, and it is Just as much Tue du-
u Of the United States 10 defend every inch OF
that soil as that Of The District of Columbia.
GILES OF AMELIA