Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-12-16
VERMONT wArCHMAN & STATE JOURNAL,

but to all other nations, that the United States
we're not disposed to take advantage of feeble
power, by insisting upon wrestling from her all
the other Provinces including many of her prn-
cpal towns and cities, which we had conquered
and held in our military occupation, but were
willing to conclude a treaty in a spirit of Liberty,
our commissioner was authorized to stipuate for
the restoration to Mexico of all our other con-
quests
AS the territory to be acquired by the bounda-
ry proposed might be estimated to be Of greater
value lhon fair equivalent for our just demands,
our commissioner was authorised to stipulate for
the payment Of such additional pecuniary con-
sderaton as was deemed reasonable
The terms Of treaty proposed by the Mexican
commissioners were wholly inadmissbe. They
negotiated as if Mexico were the victorious, and
not the vanquished party. They must have
known that their ultmatum could never be ac-
cepted. 1t requires the United States to dismem-
Der Texas, by surrenderiug to Mexico that part
of the territory Of that State lying between the
Nueces and the Rio Grande, included within
her limits by her laws when she was an indie
pendent republic, and when she was annexed to
the United States and admitted by Congress as
one Of the States Of our Union. 1t contained no
provision for the payment by Mexico of the just
claims of our citizens. 1t requires indemnity to
Mexican citizens for injuries they may have
sustained by our troops in the prosecution of the
war 1t demanded the right for Mexico to levy
and collect the Mexican tariff of duties on goods
imported into her ports while in our military oc-
cupation during the war, and the owners of which
had paid TO officers Of the United States the
military c0ntrilStlons which had been levied up
on them; aud 4 offered to cede TO the United
States, for pecumary consideration, that part of
Upper California lying north Of latitude thirty
seven degrees. Such were the unreasonable
terms proposed by the Mexican commissioners.
| The cession to the United States by Mexico,
of the provinces of New Mexico and the Cali
fornias, as proposed by the commissioners of the
United States, it was believed, would be more in
accordance with tie convenience and interests OF
both nations, than any other cession Of territory
which il was probable Mexico could be induced
to make.
1t is manifest TO all who have observed the ac-
tual condition of the Mexican government, for
some years past, and at present. that if these pro-
vinces should be retained by her, she could not
long continue to hold and govern them. Mexico
is too feeble power to govern these provinces,
lying as they do at a distance Of more than a
thousand miles from her capital, and if attempted
ODE retained by her, they would constitute but a
short time, even nominaly, part Of her domin-
ions.
This would DC especially the case with Upper
California. The sagacity of powerful European
nations has long since directed their attention to
the commercial Importance of that province; and
there can be little doubt that the moment the u
nited States shall reinqush their present occupa-
ton of 1t, and their claim to it as indemnity, an
effort would be made by some foreign power to
possess it, either by conquest or by purchase. If
70 foreign government should acquire it in either
Of these modes, an Independent revolutionary
government would probably be established by
| bn inbo opts md
main in or remove to the country, as soon as it
shall be known the United States have abandon
ed it. Such a government would be too feeble
| long to maintain its separate Independent exist
cnce, and would finally become annexed to, or
become dependent colony of some more power
full State.
Should any foreign government attempt to
possess 1t as a colony, or otherwise to incor2o-
rate 1t with itself the principle avowed by Pres
ident Munroe, in 1894, and reaffrmed in my first
annual message, that no Foreign Power shall,
with our consent, be permitted to plant or estab-
fish any new colony or dominion on any part OF
the North American continent, must be maintain
ed. In maintaining this principle, and in resist
ing its invasion by any foreign power, we might
be involved in other wars more expensive and
more difficult than that in which we are now en-
gagged.
The PROVINCES Of New Mexico and the Cali
fornias are contagious to the territories of the
| United States and it brought under the govern.
ment of our laws, their resources, mineral anC
agricultural, manufacturing and commercial
would soon be developed.
Upper California is bounded on the north by
our Oregon possessions; and if held by the Unit
ed States, would soon be settled by hardy, en-
terpring, and intelligent portion of our popula
ton. The Bay of San Francisco. and other har
bors along the California Coast, would afforC
shelter for our navy, and our numerous whal,
ships, and other merchant vessels employed il
the Pacific ocean, would in a short period becom,
the marts of an extensive and profitable com
merce with China, and other countries Of thu
East.
These advantages, in which the whole com
mercial world would participate would at ono,
be secured to the United States by the cession O
this territory while il is certain that long as
remains a part of the Mexican dominions, the,
can neither be enjoyed by Mexico herself nor b.
any other nation,
New Mexico is frontier province, and ha
never been of any considerable value to Mexico
From its locality it is naturally connected witt
our western settlements. The territorial limit
of the State of Texas, too, as defined by her laws
before her admission into the Union, embrace al
that portion of New Mexico lying east of the Ri
Grande, while Mexico still claims to hold thi
= territory as n part of her dominions. The ad
t iustment of this question of boundary is impor
d
= tant.
There is another consideration which induce
8 the belief that the Mexican government Nigh
t even desire to place this province under the pro
: lection ofthe government of the United States.-
Y Numerous bands Of fierce aud warlike savage
e wander over it, aud upon its borders. Mexico
. has been, and must continue to be, too feeble I
+ restrain them from committing depredatlons, rob
= berries, and murders, not only upon the nhabitant
y OF New Mexico ITSELF but upon those of the otho
t northern States of Mexico. 1t would be bles
= sing to all those northern States to have their cit
e liens protected against them by the power of tn
t United States. At this moment, many Mexicans
d principally females and children, are in captivt
d among them If New Mexico were held an
s governed by the United States, we could effectu
i ally prevent these tribes from committing sue
e outrages, and compel them to release their cap
It tves and restore them to their families and friends
S In proposing to acquire New Mexico and tn
Y CALIFORNIA; it was known that but an inconsidel
S able portion OF the Mexican people would b
1t transferred with them, the country embraced witt
s in these provinces being chiefly an uninhabite
= region.
y These were the leading considerations whic
If induced me to authorize the terms of peace whic
1t were proposed to Mexico. They were rejected
Y, and negotiations being at an end, hostties wer