Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-02-24

w more than enough to indemnifyus for the ex-
penses of the war, fit should be the Judgment
of this body that it would be sound, wise,or
just policy on our part to seek such indemnity.
Here, then, VIC have the question presented,
shall we hold to the line we now occupy, and
which we cover by our military forces, COM
pretending two-thirds of the whole of Mexico
embracing the valley of the Rio del Norte on
both sides as far upwards as the Sierra Madfe,
and down to the extrcmities of Upper Califor-
MIA and New Mexco-shall we hold all this, or
shall we select some other position better cal
cuated for the object we have in view Sir,
/ am not ct all prepared to discuss this point.
have not the requisite information, and,if had
it would not be necessary, with the object | have
In view. What propose to discu IS, in the abb
scnce Of such Information, is, what considera-
tions ought to govern US il this point were de-
tcrmIned--lit were determined that defen-
sve line is the course of policy to be pursued:
and this again must be dedCcad from the objects
contemplated by the war;
He would proceed to state what, in his opin-
ion,those considerations were; the first of which
necessarily must be to eiisct the objects they
had in view in declaring the war, viz. to repel
invasion, TO acquire the territory as far east as
the Del Nortc, to establish that as our bounda-
nv, ard to compel the payment of the indcmn-
ties due 10 our citizens. And as far as these
considerations, they ought to go an inch beyond
them; they ought to avoid the appearance even
of taking possession of any portiun Of the coun-
try in the way of conquest. But what was to
be demanded by these considerations might be
enlarged by others, which he would now pro-
coed to state. And first, as to forming our
boundary, he considered that it should be done
in such a manner as would involve the smallest
possible sacrifice of men and of money; and that
should possess all the natural advantages that
such boundary ought to possess, in order that
supplies Of mea and provisions could readily be
drawn from the adjacent country. The next
consideration, in his opinion, which ought TO
govern them in selecting the line was this: 1t
ought to be convenient, and such as it would be
desirable for Us to possess if, upon the ultimate
adjustment of our differences with Mexico, il
should become the common boundary between
the two countries. And he would go further:
he would saw that it should he such a lire as
would deprive Mexico in the smallest possible
degree of her resources an. her strength for,
while we consulted our own interests in estab-
fishing defensive line, we should not overlook
what was due to Mexico. He held that we
ought to be just and liberal towards Mexico not
only because she was oar neighbor; not only
because she was sister Republic: not only be-
cause she was emulous now, and ever had been
emulous of free institutions: not only because
she was next to ourselves the greatest Powers
which had grown up from Spanish or other Eu-
ropean origin: though these were high consid-
erations which every American ought to feel,
and which every generous and sympathetic
heart would feel, yet there were others which
referred more Immediately to ourselves. Mex
leo was one ofthe greatest problems among ma
tons, and in his opinion. the true policy of this
country, was not to repress her power, but, on
the contrary, to render her strong and capable
of sustaining all those relations which might
exist between her and other nations. He held
that there was an intimate connexion between
the fate of this country and that OF Mexico, and
that her independence and responsibility and
capability of maintaining all those relations,
were almost as essential to us as they were to
Mexico. He held that Mexico was to US for
hidden fruit, and that, if we should consume
that fruit, it would almost tantamount to the
political death of our own institutions.
The next consideration was, that the line
should be so set that, if it should be finally es
tabished as the boundary between this country
and Mexico. 1t would lead to permanent peace
and that it shonld lead to as speedy peace as
possible; and for that purpose it should be emil
nently pacific.
Now continued Mr.. CO. the question IS,
whkt would be such line as would fulfil all
these acquisitions ! And here, again, am not
fully prepared TO pronounce an opinion; for 1T
requires more accurate acquaintance with the
country and more accurate military knowledge
than possess to determine this question. But
while [ do not feel myself prepared with the
necessary information to enable me to pronounce
upon this with accuracy, am prepared to srg-
guest a line which embraces most of those con-
siderations as nearly perhaps as could be desir-
ed: and, if understand the wishes of the Ex-
ecutivp, as interpreted to us by the chairman
of the Committee on Foreign Relations, it is
such line as the Executive itself considers a
proper one. The line which would suggest
is one beginning at the mouth of the Rio Del
Norte and extending up to the pass of the Del
Norte and thence due west to the GnIf of Cal
ifornia. Such line will strike the Gulf near
iy at its head. Now, propose TO examine this
line IN reference 10 the considerations which |
have already laid down as being those which
ought to govern US in determining upop line
of defence.
In the first place, it will enable us to fulfil
all the objects for which the war was declared
The invasion having been alioady rerelled,
will establish as our boundary the Rio del Norte
from its mouth to its source; and gives us am
pie means of indemnity even if the cost of the
war itselfbe regarded as one of its objects which
with my present impression, an. very far from
countenancing.
The next and important object is to facilitate
the mainta Eaace ofthe line, so as to involve
the smallest amount of means necessary for Its
defence. And here the line have indicated
presents an excellent aspect. 1t will be near
to the settled parts Of Texas, where upon an C.
mergcnc-. the forces necessary to defend it,and
provisions for those forces, can both be expe-
ditiousiy raised and thrown upon the point where
they are needed. In regard to this line have
consulted military men, and they nave informed
me that it would not require more than FIVE reg
iments of troo1s and three Qualifications TO de-
fend it-one of these Notifications to be erected
near the mouth of the Rio del Norte; near Cam