Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1847-03-18
EXTRACTS FROM THE
Speech CT Mr. Culver,
ofNew York,


ofNew York,
in the L. S. House OF Representatives, Wed
neFday, January %, lS47.
The House being in Committee of the
the Whole, and having under consideration
the Naval Appropriation Bill
Mr.. CULVER, speaking Of that part OF
the Presidents Message which alludes 10
causes Of the War with Mexico, said
His firstsitem is, that under the treaty
of 1903 with France, we claimed down TO
the Rio Grande.' Yes, but did our al i,
versary admit tho claim ? Did not Mr..
Don Onis, the Spanish Minister, always
deny, and stoul!y resist it? 1t is one
thing to claim, but quite another to get
your claim admitted. But grant that we
did claim or own under tae treaty of 1903
did we not sixteen years after in The Flor
ida treaty cede away, and for valuable
equivalent forever quit claim whatever
right or title we had 10 all west of tho Sa.
bne We took Florida in exchange
If then, We can go back and predicate IL
| tie on such claim, Spain or Mexico can
do the same to.FIorida. What an argu-
ment for President to use. Who ever
supposed man could 60 back 10 the deed
of cesson!
Again sir, for another argument in de-
fence of our title OF the Rio Grandc, Mr..
Polk says !; Texas always claimed the
Rio Grande as her western boundSry.'-
most respectfully deny il. Texas did
not always so claim. In 1884, Texas
being an integral part of Mexico, Gene
raj Almon,e WAS sent out as cotnmiss-
Toner on the part of the Republic 10 as
certain, among other things, the bounda-
ries OF Texas. He put i, between certain
parallels of latitude, which did not
bring it within one hundred and fifty
miles of the Rio Grnndc. Moreover,
the acts of the Texas and Coahu;la
Congress, when they we're united in one
department, defined the Nueces as the
boundary. These facts have seen stat
ed under Gen Amontc's own hand
But Mr.. Polk says, again. Texas by
her own act of Congress in 1886 defined
tha, river as her western boundary
Suppose she 1id-and suppose that act
for tho time being, gave her title-did
she not nine years after, in lS4S, by as
senting to the joint resolution, agree to
waive the question of boundary and al
low US 10 settle it for her by negotiation!
This was, pro tanto, repeal or modl(ica-
ton of her act.
But deny. sir, that her ex-parte act of
1886 ever gave her one patch or shred OF
title. Mexico was not party 10 that act
she always resisted it. One party CAM
not thus manufacture title for himself;
Now let me give my friends case. Sup
pose the member from Texas, Mr.. Pills
bury and myself own contiguous farms.
We occupy side by side twenty years.
He takes i.into his head that he will have
fifty rods on the south side Of my farm
He enters and claims it. resist. A
fight cusues. call Oh him for his title.
| appeal to him and ask him, have ] moi
always lived on and occupied ii! yes.
Have you ever occupied i, at all!' No.
Have ever given you any scrip o.
wri,ing1' NO Have you ever tried tt
Gust me by sorce 7! Yes, twice. Di'
not each time resist you-shoot you
negroes, and sue for trespnss 2 YeS,'-
.WcIl thea where is your title Oh
says he in my Office in pigeon-hoIe
there is certificate, q solemn instrument
under my hand and seal, certifying thai
| own fifty rods further on 10 your farm.
Whuta title I! What rush Of lawyers
he would have TO bring a suit for him or
such proof! And yet this is the kiEd o
proof certain Tennessee lawyer is urg.
ing in support Of our title to the Rio
Grande. maintain that national bound
aries cannot be altered or territorial jurls
d,ction acquired, but in one of two way
by treaty or by conquest. Mr.. Poll
was aware Of this, and makes lamc at
TEMPT IL! each for tile. He soys, Tcxa!
revol,ed in 1886, and carried her rcvoIu
ton beyond the Nuces.' hy. he stop:
shor, of telling how fav. He means Il
have it inferred she carried ii to the Ril
Grande, but he had not the eff onlery lc
say it. True, Texas did carry her revolt
cross the Nutcts;' it is amusing 10 sec
his .xcellcncy ringing the changes Hhou
the occupation and jurisdiction OF Texas
10 the disputed territory lie tells u
Of collectors. custom houses, post Offices
post routes-of her courts. senatorial un'
congressional Districts Really, on
would be led thank the valley OF tn
Rio Grande all alive with these Trx2
demonstrations. But tho huzZing all cea
scs when you ask him to be liitI" sPo'
ciic. sCusrom honsrs!' Where
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