Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1847-10-14

New Mexico; 4 Of the two Calf rnias
The existing war has been undertaken sole
ly on account Of the territory of the State Of
Texas, respecting which The North American
republic presents as It's title The act Of the said
State by which it was annexed 10 the North
American confederation atter having proclaim
ed its independence of Mexico. The Mexican
republic Offering las we have informed your
excellency) TO eonsenl, for proper indemnfi-
ca'itn. TO the pnetensions ut the gusernment OF
Washington TO the territory ot Texas, the
cause CT the war has disappeared, and the
war ITSELF ought to cease, SAGE there Is no
variant for its continuance. 10 the other
territories mentioned in the 4h article in your
"xcellency's draueht, no right has heretofore
been asserted by the republic Of North Amer
ca, nor do we believe it possible for il. to asser,
any. Consequently it could not acquire them,
except by the right of conquest, or by the title
which will resui, from the cesson or sale which
Mexico might now make Ba, as we are per
saaded that the republic of Washington will
not only Absolutely rerel, but will hold in alb
horrenee tire first of these titles. and as, on the
other hand, it would be new thng and con
stra:y TO every idea of justice 10 make war upon
people Cor no other reason than because il re-
fused to sell territory which its neghbor sought
10 buy. We hope from The justice Of the cavern
ment and the people of North America thai
the ample notifications which we have 10 pro-
pose to the SESSIONS of territory Except that Of
the Stale Of Texas) contemplated by the said
article 4. will not be motive to persist in a
war which The worthy general of the North
4 Is, Tod oJ
In our conferences. we have informed your
exce|ency tina, Mexico cannot cede the tract
which lies between the left bank of the Bravo
and the right Of the Nences. The reason en-
tertained for this is not alone the full certainty
that such territory never belonged to the State
of Texas. nor is it founded upon the great val
he in the abstract which is placed upon it: 1t
is because that tract. together with the Bravo,
forms the natural frontier of Mexico. both in a
military and commercial sense; and the from
tier of no State ought to be sought. and no
State should consent to abandon its frnniier.-
But. In order to remove all cause OF trouble
hereafter, the government of Mexico engages
Rot to found new settlements nos establish
coianles in the space between the two rivers:
So that, remaining in its presen, unnhabled
both republics. Pursuant to our instruciitns.
the preservation of this territory is condition
sine qua non of peace. Sentiments Of hoaor
and delicacy (Which yonr excellency's noble
character will know how wortFiIy 10 estimate
but also ca 'cnlation Of Interests prevent our
government fron conserving to The dismember-
nent of New Mexico. Upon this point we
deem il superfaous to add anything to that
which we had the honor to explain to yea
orally in our conferences.
The cess!on of Lower California, which
would be Of little advantage 10 the republic at
North America. Offers great embarrass .ents to
Mexico. considering the position Of that PENN
sula opposite our coasts Of Sonora, from which
IT is separated by the Narrow gulf O. Cortes.-
Your e:xcellency has appreciated onr remarks
on this point, and we have been gra,lied to see
that yoa have yielded 10 them. The preserva-
ton Of Lower California, would be enough to
make it indispensable to keep part Of Upper
California; for, otherwise, that peninsula would
be without any means Of communication by
land with the rest of the republic, which is
always great embarrassment, especially for a
power like Mexico, which is not maratme-
The grant which is offered by our government
tor the proper equivaleni) of that part of Up
per California which extends from the 37th
degree upwards, not only allows to the United
States the acquisition OF an excellent coast, of
fertile lands, and also of untouched miues, but
also presents to it the advantage of extending
to that limit its Oregon possessions. The
wisdom of the government of Washington. and
the praiseworthy industry of the American peo-
pie, will know how to draw rich fruits from
the important acquisition which we now offer
it.
In the 9Th article of your excellency's
draught. the grant of free passage across the
isihmus Of Tehuantepec to the South Sea is
sought in favor Of the North American citizens.
We have orally explained to your excellency
that some years since the government of the
republic granted to private contractor priv
ilege with reference to this object, which was
soon transferred, with the authority of the
same government, TO English subjects, of whose
rights Mexico canno, dispose. Therefore your
excel lency will not wonder that upon this
point we do not accede to the desires Of YOUR
government.
We have entered into this plain statement
of the motives which the republic has for moi
agreeing to ALLEVIATE all the territory asked of
it beyond the State Of Texas, because we de-
sire that the North American government, and
people may be persuaded that our partial refu-
sal does no. proceed from feelings OF aversion,
created by the an,ecedenis in this war, or bv
the suffering which it has inflicted upon Mex
leo, but rests upon considerations dictated by
reason and Justice, which would operate in all
tine with reference to the most friendly nation
in the midst of the closest relations of friend
ship. The other changes (Which your excel
lency will find in our counter draughD are O
minor moment, and we believe there will be
no serious objection to them. The subjec
contained in the 18th article has before nov
been mentioned in your escellency's country
we iatter ourselves that the loyalty of you
government will not refuse 10 contract an en-
gage:nent so conformable to honor and tina
good harmony in which two neig hboring PEG
pie ought to live.
The peace between both countries will be
established with greater soldlly if a friendly
power England which has 50 nobly Offered
lis good offices TO Mexico and the United
States in the presen, contest, will now offer Il
grant its guaranty for the faithful fulflment o.
the treaty which NAV be concluded The