The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-12-16
NUMBER 26.

| ana ullrOVDhcu commencement OF nCStlllIeS ny
her, the expenses of the to which we have been
sub ected, and the success which had attended our
arms, were deemed to be Of q most liberal charac-
| ter
The commissioner of the United States was au-
thorizcd 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 thirty-tWo
degrees, and to obtain cessiOn to the United States
Of the provinces Of New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA;
and the privilege of the right of way across the 18th
mus Of Tchuantepec. The boundary of the Rio
Grandc, and the cesson to the United States of New
Mexico and Upper California, constituted an ultima
tum which our commissioner was under no circum-
stances, to yield.
That it might be manifest not only to Mexico. but
to all other nations, the United States were not dis
posed to take advantage Of feeble power by insist
ing upon Wrestling from her all the other provinces
including many Of her principal towns and cities,
which we had conquered and held in our military
occupation, but We're willing to conclude treaty in
a spirit Of liberality, commissioner author
lied to stpulate for the restoration to Mexico Of all
other cOnquests.
AS the territory to be acquired by the boundary
proposed might be estimated to be of greater value
than n fair equivalent for our just demands, our
| commissioner was authorized to stpulate for the
payment of such additional pecunary consideration
us was deemed reasonable.
The terms of treaty proposed by the Mexican
commissioners were wholly inadmissble. They
negotiated as if Mexico were the victorious not the
vanquishcd party. They must have known that
their ultimatum could never be accepted. 1t
quired the United States to dismember Texas by
suTGndcrng to Mexico that part of the territory of
that State lying between the Nueccs and the Rio
Grande, included within her limits by her laws when
she was an independent repablic and when she was
annexed to the United States and admitted by Con-
gross Of the States of our Union 1t contained
no provision for the payment by Mexico Of the just
claims Of our citizens. 1t required indemnity to
Mexican citizens for injuries they may have sus-
famed by our troops in the prosecution Of the war
II demanded thp RIGHT for Mavco n rbI1nrt
the Mexican tariff of duties on goods imported into
her ports while in our military occupation daring
the war, and the owners of which had paid to the
officers of the United States the military contribu-
tions which had been levied upon them and it Of
fercd to cede to the United States for pecuniary
consideration, that part of Upper California, lying
north of thirty-seven degrees. Such were the rea-
sonable terms proposed by the Mexican commission
ers.
The cesson to the United States by Mexico of
the provinces of New Mexico, and California, as
proposed by the commissioner of the United States,
it believed, would be more in accordance with
the convenience and interests of both nations, than
any other cession Of territory which it probable
Mexico could be induced to make
1t is manifest to all who have observed the actual
condition of the Mexican government for some years
past and at present. that if these provinces should
be retained by her. she could not long continue to
hold and govern them. Mexico is too feeble pow
er to govern these provinces, lying as they do at u
distance of more than thousand miles from her
|
would constitute but for a short time, even nomi-
naly part of her dominons.
This would be especially the case with Upper
CALIFORNIA; The sagacty Of powerful European ma
lions has long since directed their attention TO the
commercial importance Of that province, and there
can be little doubt that the moment the United
States shall relnqush their present occupation of it,
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 no foreign govern
ment should acquire it in either of these modes, an
independent revolutionary government would pro
badly be established by the inhabitants, and such
| foreigners as may remain in or remove to the coun-
try, as soon as it shall be known that the United
States have abandoned it, Such govern went
would be too feeble long to maintain its separate
dependent existence, and would finally become an
neXed to, or he a dependent colony of, some more
powerful State
Should any foreign government attempt to possess
it as colony, or otherwise to incorporate it with it.
self, the principle ayowed by President Monroe in
| 1924, and re-atfmed in my first annual message
that no foreign Power shall, with our consent he
permitted to plant Or establish any new colony or
dominion on any part of the North American con
| tnent, must be maintained. In maintaining that
principle, and in resisting 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 engaged.
The provinces of New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA;
are contiguous to the territories of the United States
and if brought under the government of our laws
their resources-mneral, agricultural, manufactur
ing, and comnercial-would soon be developed.
| Upper California is bounded on the north by our
Oregon possessions; and if held by the United
States would soon be settled by hardy cnterpris-
ing, aud intelligent portion of our population The
bay of San Francisco, and other harbors along the
California coast would afford shelter for cur navy
for our numerous whale ships, and other merchant
vessels employed in the Pacific ocean, and would
in short period become the marts of an extensive
and profitable commerce with China, and other
countries Of the East.
These advantages, in which the whole commercial
world would participate, would at once be secured
to the United States by the cession OF this erlitorv
while it is certain that so long as it remains part
of the Mexican domnions, they can be enjoyed
neither by Mexico herself nor by any other nation.
| New Mexico is frontier province, and has never
been OF amy considerable value to Mexico. From
its locality, it is naturally connected with our west
crn settlements. The territorial limits of the State
Of Texas, too as defined by her laws, before herad
mission into our Union, embrace all that portion Of
New Mexico lying cast of the Rio Grande, while
Mexico still claims to hold this territory as part of
her dominons The adjustment of this question Of
boundary is important
There is another consideration which induced the
belief that the Mexican government would accept
the proposition of the United States Numerous
bands of fierce and warlike savages wander it,
and upon its borders. Mexico has been, aud must
continue to be- too feeble to restrain them from COM
hitting deprodatons, robberies and murders, not
only upon the inhabitants of New Mexico itself but
upon those of the other northern States Of Mexico
1t would be blessing to all these northern States
to have their ctizens protected against them by the
power of the United States. AT this moment, many
MeXicans principally females and children, are in
captivity among them. If New MeXibo were held
and governed by the United States, we could eflec
tually prevent these tribes from committing such
outrages, and compel them to release these captiYes
and restore them to their families and friends.
In proposing to acquire New Mexico ana the Cal
fornas it is known that but an inconsiderable por
ton of the Mexican people would be transferred
with them the country embraced within these pro
vnces being chiefly an uninhabitcd region.
These were the leading considerations which in
duced me to authorize the terms of peace which
were proposed to Mexico. They were rejected
and, negotiations being at an end, hostilties
renewed. An assault was made by our gallant army