Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-12-23

been, and was at the time when invaded by Gen.
Taylor part of the Department OF ramaulipas,
and subject to the jurisdiction OF the Project oil
the Northern District OF that department.
In the course of the war between Mexico and
Texas, incursions had been occasionally made by
each party into the territories Of the other. A
Mexican officer had, once or twice, obtained TEN.
porary occupation of San Antonio, within the
limits of Texas and the Texans had on one oc-
cosion taken Loredo itself, and more than once
had carried their arms not only to the left bank
Of the del Norte, but even beyond that river In
both cases the aggressive parties had oeen repul-
sed and expelled. The last Texan expedition Of
that kind took place in Dec, 1872 and termina-
ted in their defeat at Mier.
That the country, adjacent to the left bank of
the river, was exclusively in the possession of
the Mexicans, was well known to our Govern
ment.
When Gen. Taylor marched to the del Norte,
he issued an order No. 30) translated into the
Spanish, ordering all under his command to Oh.
serve with the most scrupulous respect the rights
Of oil the inhabitants, who might be found in
peaceful prosecution Of their respective occupa-
tons, as well on the left as on the right side of
the Rio Grande No interference, he adds, will
be allowed with the civil rights or religious priv
ileges Of the inhabitants
ln June, 1915, Gen. Taylor lad been directed
10 select and occupy, on or near the Rio Grance
del None, such a site as would be best adapted
TO repel invasion and To protect our Western bor-
der. But on the 9Th of July following, the Sec
rotary Of War Mr.. Marcy addressed the folio W.
ing letter to him
This Department is informed that Mexico
has some military establishments on the East
SIDE OF the Rio 'Granda, which are, aud for some
time have been IN the actual occupancy of her
troops. In carrying out the instructions hereto.
fore received, you will be careful to avoid any
acts OF aggression, unless an actual state of war
should exist. The Mexican forces at the posts
IN their possession, and which have been so, will
not be disturbed as long as the relations of peace
between the United States and Mexico contin-
ue"
On the Both July, JS45, the Secretary again
addresses Gen.. Tayisr as follows: "You are ex-
Pected to occupy, project and defend the terrific
ry OF Texas to the extent that it has been occu-
pied by the people OF Texas The RIO GranGe
is Claimed to berthe boundary between the two
countries. and up to this boundary you are to ex
tend your protection, only excepting any posts on
the Eastern side thereof, which are in actual &C.
cupaney of Mexican forces or .lferican SETTLE
mems, over which the Republic Of Texas did not
exercise jurisdiction at the period Of annexation.
or shortly before. that event. 1t is expected, in
selecting the establishment for your troops you
will approach as near the boundary line the RIO
Grande, as prudence will dictate With this
view, the President desires that your position for
a part of your forces at least, should be west of
the River Nucces."
The Mexican settlements thus excepted, are
not those over which Texas did not claim iuris-
dlcton, butthose on the East bank of the Rio
Grande, over which Texas did not exercise juris
diciion at the period mentioned. The President
had no authority to give up the boundary claim
ed by Texas; but il Is clear that at that time
when war was not contemplated, the Admnstra
ton was of opinion that ill the question was de-
hnltlvely settled, the occupancy by the Mexicans
VI the territory adjacent 10 the left bank of the
Del Norte ought not to be disturbed. Neither
the subsequent refusal by Mexico to receive
residing Envoy. nor the successes OF the Ameri-
can arms have effected the question of right
The claim Of Texas, whether to New Mexico, or
TO the lower portion of the Rio Norte, was iden-
icay the same, as invalid and groundless in one
case as i'll the other. Why distinction has been
made by the Executive has not been stated The
tact is that he has established temporary gov
ernment for New Mexico, as country conouer.
ed and without any regard TO the claim o. Tex
as; whilst or the other hand, he has permitted
that State to extend its jurisdiction over the com
try lying on the left bank OF the deltNorte, which,
like New Mexico, bad been conqpered by the
arms Of the Unite1 States. NotS shadow Of
prbof has been adducod to sustain the preten-
siens of Texas 10 that district; and Justice i'm
peroasly requires THAR. should by the treaty OF
peace be restored to Mexico
1t so happens hat the boundary, which may be
traced in conformity with this principle, is nat
urai one, and that, as measure of expediency
none more eligible could have been devised. A
desert Of one hundred and twenty miles sepa
rates the most Southwesterly Texan settlements
OF Corpus Christi and San Patricio. from those of
the Mexlcans, on the left bank of the del Nortc,
than which no boundary could have been devils
ed better calculated to prevent collisions hereaf-
ter between the two nations. 1t will be sufficient
tor that purpose, to draw nominal line through
the desert, leaving all the waters that empty i'll
to the Rio Norte to Mexico, and all those that
empty into the Rio Nue.es to Texas, together
with such other provisions, respecting fortifca-
tons and military posts, as may be necessary for
the preservation OF peace.
The line OF the Rio Nore is ono, from which
Mexico would be perpetually threatened, and
from which the adjacent towns on the eastern
bank may be bombarded. Such an intolerable
nuisance would perpetuate most hostile feelings.
| with such narrow river as the Rio del Norte,
ana with JOINT right OF navigation, repeae ed col
lslons would be unavoidable.
Among these, when there was nothing but a
foidable river 10 cross, slaves would perpetually
escape from Texas: and where would be the
remedy? Are the United States prepared to i'm
pose by treaty on Mexico, where slavery is un-
known,the obligation to surrender fugitive slaves
Mexico Is greatly The weaker power, and re-
CURES boundary, which will give her as much
SECURITY as practicable. 1t is not required, eth
er for The preservation oil peace, or for any Other
legitimate purpose, that the United States should
occupy threatening position 1t cannot be ra
ilonally Supposed that Mexico will ever make al
aggressive war against them; and even i'll sucf
case, the desert would protect them against al
INVASION. If war should ever again take place
between the two countries, the overwhelming su
penorty of the Navy OF the United States vii
i enable them to carry on their operations wherev
or they please. They would, within month
/ re-occupy the left bank OF the Rio Norte, an
within short time, effect landing and carr
the war 10 any quarter they pleased.
Must the war be still prosecuted for an biec
of no intrinsic value, to which the United State
have no legitimate right, which justice require
t them to yield, and which even expediency doe
not require?
Remainder nerl peek.)
W.. l.. l.. n Al L