Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-10-14
From the Boston Atlas, Oct. 9.
THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR
PEACE.

We have given up good portion of our pa
per to-day to the publication of the correspond
ence of the Mexican Commissioners with Mr.,
rrist, relative TO the propositions for peace
Throwing aside the diplomatic fooleres on both
Sides we are given to understand that Mr.. Trist,
in the outset claimed for the United States
large addition of Mexican Teritory,-the line
to run up the middle of the Rio Grande, to a Ger.
tain point, there to diverge off to the Pacific
Ocean, so as to take from the enemy New Mex
lco and the two CALIFORNIA;. The Mexicans, on
the other hand, were willing to make the terrific
ry ying between the Nueces and the Rio Grande
a sort Of neutral ground, to give up all claim to
Texas, and to give us a large slice OF Upper
California, including the bay aud harbor of San
Francisco, by the payment OF stipulated sum-
There were other minor considerations, which
we will not at present revert to. The Picayune
of the 2Sth ut. says
| =" 1t appears from a communication from the
Mexican Commits sioners, that Mr.. Trst receded
from his first proposition, in his territorial de-
nands, and that on this point the only material
difference was upon the cession OF New Next
CO; Nv Trist, according to the Mexican Com
nssioners, being willing TO recedc from his de-
mand Of the CALIFORNIA; below the 37th parallel
Of latitude and also expressing his willingness
10 refer to his government the difference in rela-
ton to the territory between the Nueccs and the
Rio Grande"
Such we believe to be the fact. The cession
of New Mexico to the United States was adher-
ed to by Mr.. Trist, and with like tenacity relus-
ed by the Mexicans. If the MeXicans had sig
niied their willingness to cede to us the territory
known as New Mexico, we have no doubt that
peace would have been made. They refused
and hostties were almost Immediately recon-
menced. The minor points might all have been
adjusted had it not been for our demand for Mex
lean MISREPRESENTATION territory Can any one
tell US why Mr.. Trust was so easily persuaded tC
renQush his demands for the CALIFORNIA;, ant
yet hold on with unrelenung graspto New Mex
ice?
There can be but answer. New Mexico
is not SO far North as the CALIFORNIA;. Its topo
graphy corresponds closely with the cotton anC
sugar growing STATES 1t is a land for slavery to
entrench itself The CALIFORNIA; present no sucl
paradise Of bliss and if the Missouri Comprom
ise should be voted, as We have no doubt it vii
be, "a Democratic principle" and Trst's lates
proposition be hereafter accepted by Mexico, thu
whole of the territory thus acquired, with the eX
cepton of u narrow strip in Upper California
between Oregon and the 37th deg. of latitude
will be given over to slavery We have no doub
that Mexico would rather cede to the Unitet
States both the CalilornGs-a country compare
lively barren, and without population - than Il
give up the valuable provinces OF New Mexico
and Santa Fe. And in all that relates to trad
and commerce, and particularly our whale fshe
res in the Pacific, the CALIFORNIA; would be c
higher value to us, q nation, than would tn
Southern provinces, with their Mexican and In
dian population, OF New Mexico and Santa Ft
Mexico is not, nor is it probable ever will be,
maritime nation. The United States is; henc
the comparative little importance Of the Califor
mas to Mexico, compared with the interior coul
try, comprised within the limits Of New Mexico
Why then, we ask again, should Mr.. Polk
Commissioner at once give up his demand for tn
CALIFORNIA;, and persevere, even TO the breakin
up Of peace negotiations and the recommence
ment of hosililies, in his dema nd for New Men
leo and all that Southern region of country?
there any man in the North so blind as not to Sc
the reasons? We have not room to-day to es
anime critically the correspondence of the hig
contracting parties. We have only to say, tht
in our opinion the war might have been honora
bly, terminated during the late armlstce, if tn
spirit of conquest had not influenced, in an ur
due degree, the course of our Minister. TIL
golden opportunity is for time, at least lost
Already have some two thousand of our bray
colntrymen fallen, since the negotiations wei
broken oil, and the Government organ assures
that fifty thousand more troops will shortly b
called to the field. We have only to say, in tn
respect, that while we would raise both men an
money, if necessary, to place in safety our arm
now in Mexico, and bring the war to an honorG
BILE and speedy close, we would not appropriat
dollar to carry on war for the acquisition {
new territory, or to rob Mexico of what Is justl
her own.