Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-12-16

dltufe OF the same, or any part thereof" The OBJ
Ject OF asking the appropriation was distinctly
stated In the several messages on the subject
which | communicated to Congress- Similar ap-
preparations made in 1903 and 1906, which were
referred to, were intended to be applied in part
consideration for the cession of Louisiana and
the FIordas. In like manner it was anticipated
that in settling the terms of treaty of "lmits
and boundaries" with Mexico, a cession OF terri
tory estimated to be of greater value than the
amount OF our demands against her might
be obtained and that the prompt payment of this
sunni part consideration for the territory
ceded-on the conclusion of treaty. and its
ratification on her part, might be an inducement
with her 10 make such a cession OF territory as
would be satisfactory to the United States
AND altho' the failure to conclude such treaty
has rendered 1t unnecessary to use any part of
the three millions of dollars appropriated by that
act, and the entire sum remains IN the Treasury,
it is still APPLICABLE to that object should the con-
tlngency occur making such application neces-
sary.
The doctrine of no territory is the doctrine of
no indemnity, and if sanctioned, would be a pub
lie acknowledgement that our country was wrong
and that the war declared by Congress with ex-
traordlnary unanlmity, was unjust and should be
abandoned; and an admission unfounded in fact,
and degrading to the national character.
The terms of the treaty proposed by the Uni
tea states were not only Just to Mexico, but con-
sldermg the character and amount of our claims.
the unusti6abe and unprovoked commencement
OF hosttles by her, the expenses Of the war to
which we have been subject, and the success
which have attended our arms, were deemed to
be Of most liberal character.
The commissioner of the United States was
authorized to agree to the establishment of the
RIO Grande as the boundary, from its entrance
into the Cult to its intersection with the southern
boundary of New Mexico, in north latitude about
thlrty-two degrees, and to obtain cessation to
the United States Of the provinces of New Mex
leo and the CALIFORNIA;, and the privilege of the
right OF way across the sthmus of Tehauntepec
The boundary of the Rio Grande, and the cessl-
ton to the United States of New Mexico and
Upper California constituted an utmatum which
our commissioner was, under no circumstances to
yield.
That it might be manifest not only TO Mexico
but 10 all other nations that the United States
were not disposed to take advantage of feeble
power by insisting upon wrestling from her all
the other provinces, including many of her prin-
clpal towns and cities, which we had conquered
and held in our military occupation but were
willing to conclude treaty in spirit of Liberty,
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 thon fair equivalent fer our Just demands,
our commissioner was authorised to stipulate for
the payment Of such additional pecuniary con-
slderauon as was deemed reasonable.
The terms of treaty proposed by the Mexican
commissioners were wholly inadmissible They
negotiated as if Mexico were the victorious, and
not the vanqushed party. They must have
hnV"n uiat tLoiI ultllHdtuu veuld no,-o~ be
cepted 1t requires the United States to dsmem-
Der Texas, by surrendering 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 &C.
Cup1ton during the war, and the owners Of which
had paid to officers of the United States the
military contributions which had been levied up
on them and it offered to cede to the United
States, for pecunmry consideration that part of
Upper California lying north of latitude thirty
seven degrees. Such we're the unreasonable
terms proposed by the Mexican commissioners.
The cesson 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 cesson OF territory
which it was probable Mexico could be induced
to make.
1t is manifest to all who have observed the &C.
tual condition Of the Mexican government, for
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
to be retained by her, they would constitute but
short time, even nominally, part of her domin-
ions.
This would be especially the case with Upper
California The sagacity of powerful European
nations has long since directed their attention tC
the commercial Importance of that province ant
there can be little doubt that the moment the U.
nited States shall relinquish their present occupl
ton of 1t, and their claim to it as indemnify ar
effort would be made by some foreign power tc
possess it, either by conquest or by purchase II
TO foreign government should acquire it in eithe
of these modes, an independent revolutionary
government would probably be established BY
the inhabitants, and such foreigners as may re
main in or remove to the country, as soon as
shall be known the United States have abandon
ed it. Such government would be too feeble
long to maintain its separate independent exist
ence, and would finally become annexed to, o
become a dependent colony of some more power
full State
Should any foreign government attempt t.
possess it as a colony, or otherwise to incor7o
rate 1t with itself, the principle avowed by Pres
ident Munroe, in 1924, and reatirmed in my frs
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 O
the North American continent, must be maintain
ed. In maintaining this principle, and in resist
ing its invasion by any foreign power, we Nigh
be involved in other wars more expensive an
more difficult than that in which we are now en-
gagged.
The Provinces of New Mexico and the Cali
iornias are contiguous to the territories OF tn
United States and if brought under the govern
mont Of our laws, their resources, mineral an
agricultural, manufacturing and commercia
would soon be developed.
Upper California is bounded on the north b
our Oregon possessions; and if held by the Uni
ed States, would soon be settled by hardy, Ell
farnriSinr and intpllrent norton of onr nonult