The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-09

Is 10 DC found tt EASTERN OF M AS 10
the remaining indemnity TO citizens such has been
the success OF arms that have not only acquired
enough for that, but vastly more, even TO comprehend
great as they already have been the expenses of the
war, i should be judged that wise sound and
Just policy on, our part TO deiray them Here Mr.
President arises the questlonshall hold the line that
we now occupy, and which we cover by our military
forces, comprehending thirds OF the whole of Next
co, as is estimated, comprising the valley of the Del
Nore on both sides, quite up on the western side to the ST.
ezra Made, and comprising the southern side of our
llne-l mean Oregon-down to the southern extremtes
of the CALIFORNIA; and New Mexico; Shall we hold TO
that; Or shall we select other position more suited
to the objects we have IN view | NOT prepared to
discuss and decide that question fully have not the re-
quse information and if had, il would not be neces-
sary for the object which havo in view. What pro-
pose to consider IN the present stage OF the case-n the
absence OF such information, is this what are the general
considerations which ought to govern US in selecting
defensive line if it should be determined ,h is the prop
er course OF policy And this again. must be decided
from the objects which such has in view will
now proceed to state what these general considerations
to affect the objects which have in DECLARING war Ii
must iuh ITS three condonsthe repulsion OF the
m ny acquisition q The whole country east OF the
Del Norte-the establishment of that our bound
AIRY and an ample indemnify But far as these
considerations are concerned, ought not TO 80 an
inch further We ought by all means-by every con-
slderahonwe ought TO avoid the appearances 6f tax
ing possession of any portion OF the country as con-
question the principle OF wer OF conquest. shall
our policy in this particular fhe first and mos @por
tant consideration IN selecting boundary is this that il
shall be such from IT'S natural advantages and other
slderaons as shall involve the smallest sacrifice Of men
and money--in one word, which shall possess all the
natural advantages which such boundary ought to have
Tor defence, and at the same time be situated that sup
pies OF money and food can be drawn readily 10 support
the line, If assailed by Mexico The next considerations
N my opinion which ought to govern in selecting the
me Is ms ought TO De such as would be desirable Tor
us 10 possess, H. IN the ultimate ad usment OF differences
with Mexico that established shall become the com
mon boundary between the two nations And go fur
Their; it should be such shall deprive Mexico of the
nd
strength For while consider our own interests in esab
shins defensive line, in my humble opinion, ought
not to overlook the consideration of what is suited to
Mexico as well as to ourselves hold that ought to
be just and liberal to Mexico not only because she is
our neshbor-not only because she is sister republic
not only because she emuous now, and ever has been
OF following our cNample--no only because she is the
greatest power the continent almost if not quite next
to ourselves, OF all portions OF it which have become
subject to European possession These are high consd
eratons which every American ought feel, and which
every generous and sympathetic heart will feel. But
there are other considerations of potential weight on this
point which belong far ourselves than TO Mexico
Mexico is OF the greatest problems connected with
our foreign relations and in my humble opinion true
policy neither to weaken nor to depess her On the
hay is our interest to her respectable and strong
and capable of sustaining all the relations that ought to
exist between the two nations hold that there is a mys-
terous connection between the fate of this country and
Mexico and that her independence, and her respectable
ty, and her capabty of maintaining all these relations,
are almost as essential to to Mexico hold Mexico
to be forbidden fruit and the day that we consume it. the
penalty will be almost the political death OF our nation
The next consideration that the line should be SUCH if
it should be established between and Mexico finally as
would lead to permanent peace between the two
res and, finally, that it should be such as would lead
to as speedy peace as possible, and for that purpose it
question is, what line best fufls all these consdera
tons And here again, am not prepared to pronounce
1t requires a more exact knowledge of the
try--for take il all our maps more or less i'm
perfect-more thorough military knowledge on the
subject sub .t than possess ,s But while do not
to pronounce upon this am prepared TO suggestc line
which IN my opinion, embraces most of these consdera
tons and is as nearly perfect as, perhaps could be dec
ded upon and what specially recommends that line to
me is, as understand by the declarations of the chair
man Of the Committee on Foreign Relations, it is SUBJ
stantiay the which the Executive themselves think
OF establishing even should an offensive war be
fully conducted The line would suggest is this--be
ginning at the mouth of the Rio del Norte and continuing
up TO the Paso del Nore southern boundary of New
Mexico, which nearly coincide and then due the
Gull OF California, striking according to the maps be-
fore us, nearly at its head Now, Mr. President, pro
pose to turn round and to examine this line in reference
to the considerations which laid down those which
ought to govern us in the selection of line In the first
place, will enable us to all the objects for which
the war was declared The invasion is already repealed
1t will establish the Del Norte be the bounda-
Try OF Texas from its mouth TO its and will give
US ample means OF indemnity If the cost of the war
itself shall be considered of its objects; which, by
the-by in my humble Judgment am very far from being
disposed to counenance The next and avery important
object would be attained by taking that line, and that
1t would Involve the least sacrifice OF and money
maintain it. And here it has advantages First, there is
LEI DrOau ana naVgaDle river OF which
we would have the command In addition TO that being
the settled parts OF Texas where, in emergency the for
ces necessary to defend it, may be readily organized and
and provisions readily thrown this part of the line
have consulted the opinions of military of udg-
ment and experience, and they inform me that suitable
forhcaton would not require more than four regiments
and three forts put it complete state of defenceone
tort to be erected the mouth of the Del Norte
another near Camargo the third at the Paso del Norte
which last has extraordinary advantages, commands
the only passage no New Mexico, and commands the
whole OF that part of the country which have in
our military occupation. -Four regiments would be am
pie for this purpose after the first yearaer having ia
ken possession and erected the Notifications The other
portion of the line could be still easily defended
From the mountains which separate the waters OF the
Del Nore from those which fall into the Gulf of Caor-
ma or the Colorado, which is the same thing, up the
upper end of the Gulf of California is occupied BY
savage population through its whole extent and requires
no forts The remaining part is covered by the Gulf of
California. few small vessels-a single regiment
will be ample for its defence Hence five regiments, with
small naval force, would be ample to effect all the OBJ
lects which have in view maintaining this line
against any power which Mexico could possibly bring
against The next consideration the convencrts OF
the country which may be covered by the line Here
the advantages not less striking. 1t is contru-
Gus to us. It has one part upon the western bound
airy OF Texas and the middle the southern boundary
OF Oregon. But what gives it q still greater advantage
what is OF immensely more importance-what ought to
make desirable in the eyes OF Americans and not at all
valuable IN the estimation of Mexico the fact that
is uninhabted country ID area of six hun
one hundred thousand, Of all compilations and all de-
scnpons of people. Ii is little settedess So lin
deed than the country possession of SAVAGE neigh
bors If this country had the choice of two regions OF the
continent the inhabited and the other Motif con-
suited the genius of our governmental we consult the
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