Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-12-24

- - " uNuty with Texas. COM
P'o"cuu'ns. As 'ne SAID incorporation would do
a portion Of the Mcxican dopartmen,s ~ NJ
Mexico, chihuahua, Cuahmla, and To,,.,,I;,,,,.
would be an act Of direct aggression upon Nry.
lc9' Tor all the consequences Of which the Uni.
''e - S'alcs would stand responsible.
'he same effect, thai great democratic lea.
Iot' 'he ilon' Sas Wright, (whose late death
io nus peon so justly lamentcd by men Of all par.
"osp w"o =, was present during the whole debate
upon tne IeXas Treaty and gave hisyote against
It's rauhca.on' declared TO his constituents. in n
sPcIcn ueh'ered at Walenown as follows:
Il lell It my duty TO vote against The ra,ifico.
ton oi the treaty for the annexation. IbaI;ov.
ed that the treaty, from the boundaries ,ba, r,,s,
be implied from It, embraced country Iowbich
Texas had no claim, over which she had neycr
asserted jurisdiction, and which she had no right
to ccde."
But many years before the date Of this de.
bate the records Of the United STATES had horne
testimony to the true boundary of Texas. In
1886 an Agent was dispatched by the President
ofthe United States (Gen. Jackson) to examine
and report upon the condition of Texas, which
had then established an independent government;
and in his report, dated August Of that year, he
reported that the political limits of Texas prop
er, previous to the last revolution, were the Nu-
eces on the wesr along the Red River on the
North; the Sabine on the east; and the Gulf Of
Mexico on the souih."
At the time of the Consummation Of the act
of annexation, Mr.. Donelson being the Charge
d'Ataires of the United States 10 that young re-
public, communicated freely with his govern
ment as totheposOn oflhings in Texas. From
his Iatta,g
showing what was the fact us to the limits of the
territory actually occupied by Texas, even at
that time:
CORPUS Christi is said to be as healthy as
Pensacola, convenient place for supplies, and
the MOST western point now occupiedby Texas"
Letter 10 Secretary Of Stale, June 80, l845.
"The occupation Of the country between the
Nueces and the Rio Grande, you are aware, is
a disputed question. Texas holds Corpus Chris
ii. Mexico holds the Brasos de San,iago."-
Letter to Gen. Taylor, Jane %. 1916.
"Ihe joint resolution Of our Congress left lbc
question an open one, and the preliminary prop
oslElon made by this government, under the au-
spices Of the British and French Governments,
as the basis of deinIve treaty with Mexico,
leit the question in the same state, And al.
though this government the Government Of
Texas has since indicated point on the Rio
Grando for The occupation Of our troops, did
not consider this circumstance as varying the
question, since the President [of Texas but
few weeks before issued proclamation suspend
ing hoSliles between Texas and Mexico, the
practical effect of which was to leave the queS-
uon precisely as it stood when our Joint resolu-
ton Passed--Mexico in possession of one por-
uon Of The territory, and Texas Of another"
"Ihe proclamation of truce balwcen the
Two nations, founded on propositions mutually
acceptable 10 them, eayinglhe question of boun.
Diary not only an open one, but Mexico in pos
session OF the east Bank of the Rio Granda,
seemed TO me inconsistent with the expectation
that IN defence Of the claim Texas our troops
should march immediately to maj river. What
the Executive of Texas had determined not to
light lor but TO settle by negotiation, to say the
least OF II, could as well be left to the United
States on the same condi TONS"
=" lhe question was whether, under the cir
cumSlanccI, we should take position TO make
war lor this claim, in the face of an acknowI-
edgment on the part Of this Government that il
could be settled by negotiation. at once dcci-
ued that we should take no such position, but
should regard only as within the limits Of our
protection that portion of territory actually pos
sessed by Texas, and which she did not consider
as subject TO negotiation. ."--Leiier 10 Mr.. Blu.
chaaaA, July IL, l843.
"Iour purpose will be the defence OF Texas.
If she is invaded By Mexico, and you will be in
position at Corpus Christi, San Antonio. and
oIhct points on the Nueces, ready TO act accord
ing to clrcumslancos."-1o Gen. Taylor, July
7, 1845.
These extracts taken together establish, upon
the evidence OF our Government itself. through
It's Diplomatic Representative in Texas, that
Mexico was in possession of the territory west
ol The Nueces iexcept the county CT Parico)
and Texas OF the territory east of the Nueces,
with the addition OF Paricio; that Mexico was
admitted by our own Envoy to be in possession
OF the east bank of Rio Grandc, and thai Corpus
ChrIsl was the most western point then occup-
ed by Texas. These admissions from n source
so welI-inIormed, so free from bias in favor of
any interest but that Of the United States, lin
GLIDING leXaS,) are fatal TO every prctcnson Of
territorial right on the part of Texas between the
Rlo Grande and the NueceS, the small county
OF Palrlclo perhaps excepted
All that remains, therefore, 10 sustain the pre-
tension OF our Administration that the boundary
OF Texas extended 10 the Rio Grande, and thar
by her annexation the Rio Grande became tho
boundary Of the United States, is the act of the
Legislature of Texas declaring its boundary to
extend 10 the Flo Grande. Ii that act could bo
considered Of any effect whatever, it would at
most leave ground for controversy and nego,ia-
non, as was assumed by Mr.. Doneson. But
that act itself was mere nullty.
TO thai effect we have the opinion of Sena.
tor Woodbury.. (now an Associate Judge Of the
Supreme Court Of the United Slales,) in his
speech in favor of roIifying The treaty of An
nexaton.
"IeXas, by mere law" said he, "could ac-
luIre no but what she conquered from Mex
Co. and actually governed. Hence, though her
law includes more than the ancient Texas, sho
could hold and convey only that, or, at the III.