The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-01-12


San saieIy mold possession Of Corpus Christi.
and all other points up the Nueces. and Il
Mexico attempts to dislodge Won. drive bsr
beyond the Rio Grande' "''
Here we have the repeated cohesion Of an
agent on the spot, who guarded every poin,.'
and attempted to make the most of his case.
thatTexas had no possessions west Of Corpu,
| Christi. and that other points up the river
Nueces and that we could rightfully an
proach the Rio Grande, where Mexico was in
possession, only 10 case Of repeling an al
tack, and pursuing her defeated forces.
The President in his message has referred
to the offer of Mexico TO acknowledge the
independence OfTeras on certain conditions.
and maintains that that act of Mexico is bind
ing upon her, though it was not accepted or
carried out by Texas. shall not al this
time attempt TO cOntrovet this doctrine, but
will content myself by saying, that if the irea-
| ty be valid for one purpose. it is for another.
II II settles the question of Texan indepen-
dence, it establishes the fact that Teras had
no settled western boundary like that of the
Rio Grande. The preliminary treaty, if such
it can be called, provides in its Sd and 4Ih ar
ticles. as follows:
80 Limits and other conditions 10 lie mat
Ter Of arrangement in the final treaty.
| II. Teras will be willing to remit disTut-
ed points respecting territory and other mat
tersto the arbitration Of umpires'
| This preliminary treaty, signed by the
Terau Secretary Of Stale, and approved by
their President, docs not presume thai The
western boundary of Texas is the Rio
Grande. On The contrary. it admits that the
boundary is in dispute, aud is Il fair subject
for reference 10 an arbiter.
| But LEI N he counmenf of NJ, nrn,l
son on this subject. Texas Wishing 10 have
the United States take military possession
up to the Rio Grande; but Nr. Domeson. in
his note 10 Mr., Buchanan, Jan. lib, I645,
| says:
| "A proclamation OF a truce between the
two nations, Mexico and Texas.l founded
on propositions mutually acceptable to them
leaving the question of boundary not only an
open one. but Mexico in possession Of the
East hank of the Rio Grande. seemed 10 me
inconsistent with the expectation that, IN de-
fence OF the claim Of Texas, our troops should
march Immediately to that river. With the
Executive Of Texas had determined not ro
fight for, but 10 settle by negotiation, Ia say
the least oft, could be as well left to the u
nited States on the same conditions.
! But the proof Of the fasity Of the Presi-
dents position does not stop here. Not on
| ly the documents submitted with his annual
message, but the documents submitted with
his war message in May last, contain a per-
feet reiutuatiOn of his declaration. The fol-
lowing general order shows SO conclusively
that Mexico was in possession in the valley OF
the Rio Graude, that l will give it notice:
"WAR DEPARTMENT. July 3, 1876.
"Sir: The Department is informed that
MericO has soTe military Embellishments on
the east side ofhe Rio GrGHde, arIIich are. and
for some time hare been, IN the actual OrcRpai,-
CT of her troops. In carrying out the iEs,ruc-
lions heretofore received You will oe careful
TO avoid any acts Of aggression. unless an ac-
iual state of war should exist. The Mexican
forces al 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 continue.
WIN. L. MARCY.
Brig. Gen. II. TAYLOR"
General Taylor. in his official dispatches to
the Department Of War. under date ofFebru-
AIRY &c, l94G, says:
IL have taken occasion 10 represent 10 some
citizens Of Matamoros that the United States
Government, IN occupying the Rio Grandc.
has no motive Of hostility tuards Mexico. and
ilIat the army will. in no ease, go beyond the
river, unless hOsriliries should he commenced
by the Mexicans themselves; that the Mar
cans Ering on this side rCouid not be disturbed
in any 1rdy By the troops that they will be
protected in all their rights and nsages: aud
that every thing which The army may need will
be purchased from them at fair prices ! al
81 stated that until the matter should he final
~ adjusted between the two Governments.
The hGrbor Of Brasos Santiago wouId beopen 10
The free use Of The MericGHS as heretofore The
same sieirs tcere impressed upon The Nc1icon
custom house officer ut Br0s9s Santiago by
Capt. llardee. who commanded the escort
which covered the reconnaissance # Padre
Island.'
General Taylor. in his subsequent letters,
! informs the Executive that, on his way from
Corpus Christi 10 the Rio Grande, he " as met
by the Mexican cavalry. whose commander
informed our officers that our crossing the
Arroyo Colorado would be considered as an
act Of hostIlities; that he was also met by
civil deputariou. protesting against his occn-
plying the country; that in approaching Point
Isabel, he found the place in flames; that the
port captain cOmmitred the act; that they
found tlro or three inofensire .Uericans there.
the esthdring left for MatamoroS.'
These dispatches from General Taylor.
leave no doubt as &c the possession or the
country in the valley Of the Rio Grande. The
Executive says that Mexico has military posts
there, and General Taylor says that he found
Mexican soldiers in the country; that there
was Mexican custom House at BrazOs San
tiago; that the Mexicans had free use Of the
portland harbor; that the port captain at Point
Isabel had fired the town that The Mexicaus
no were living on The east side Of the Rio
Grande should not be disturbed; and. finally.
that they might understand his policy. he is
sued his proclamation To that effect, and, as
they were Mericans. he issued his procla-
nation in their lang udge.
All these facts show. beyond doubt. as Il
seems to me, that our claim TO the wole coun-
Try 10 the Rio Grande is based on no solid
foundation. All these facts were Of course
known to the Executive, for they are found
in documents submitted by himself TO Con-
gress. And yer the President. rrampling up.
on the rights Of a coordinate branch OF the
Government aid so violating the constitution
he had sworn 10 support, orders The army into
the country Of nation with whom NE ere 70