Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-01-21

ndu utleTUlIHCu MOI 10 ,JtSHt .JOF, ou' w 49,
by negotiation, to say the least of it, could as
well be left 10 tie United States on the same
conditions"
Mr.. Donelson took this course because he
did not wish to have a public alteration with
the Texan President " in regard TO an impor-
tant measure Of his administration" SUI
he thinks the Texan "claim" 10 the Rio
Grande ought to be maintained. The only
question was,
whether, under the circumstances, we
should take a position 10 make war for ms
clam, in the face of an acknowledgment on
the part of this the TeXan] government that
1t couH be settled by negotiation. | at once
decided that we should take no such position,
but should regard only as within the limits
OF our protection that portion Of territory ac-
tually possessed by Texas, and which she
dld not consider as subject to negotlatlon.-
The Congress of Texas would have passed a
resolution affirming the claim to the Rio
Gfande, If they had deemed it eXpedient In
this matter TO manifest their disapprobatlon
OF the treaty preferred by President Jones, or
to oppose the inference which might he drawn
from proclamation, that Texas admitted the
night OF Mexico TO keep an armed force this
side of the Rio Grande."-p. SO.
Mr.. Donelson thought it inexpedient "for
Texas TO attempt a forcible possession OF the
Rio Grande," because
Leaving out of view the difficulty Of con-
Quoting such an enterprise against the con-
sent OF The [Texan1 Executive, the influence
on the Mexican population 1.-THE entire popu-
l%ation] bordering the Rio Grande, would have
been unlavorable to the United States. These
people, long harassed by the military exac-
tons OF their own government, the Mexican
government, though Mr.. Polk insists that
Texas for more than nine years has exercised
sovereignty here. seek for nothing so ardent
ly as escape from violence. They have been
often visited by the Texans, who in revenge
of their slaughtered comrades, and of the faith
less conduct of Santa Aanna, have not been
disposed TO mitigate the blows of retaliation"
On the other hand, "TeXas, by remaining
passive, is gradually strengthening her ability
to introduce, by peaceful means, her authori-
~ as far up the Rio Grande as she may
please."-p. 80.
Mr.. Donelson then states the grounds on
which the claim to the Rio Grande would be
defensible.
l. The revolutionary right of the people
of Texas TO resist oppression and enforce
such a political organization as they deemed
necessary"
2. The acknowledgment of Santa Anna in
1886, by which Texas was prevented from
following up the advantages of victory, among
which was the opportunity g establishing her,
SELF on Tie Rio Grande."
3. "The capacity of Texas, if not now, at
least in a short time, to establish by force her
claim to this boundary. This capacity is fair
ly inter:ible from the offer of Mexico to re-
cognize her independence, and is seIf.evident
to all who have any knowledge of the rela-
tive power and position Of Mexico and Tex
as"
4. 1.-THE United States, in addition to the
foregoing grounds, will have the older one,
founded on the Louisiana claim"
5. But, all these considerations are but
subsidiary 10 tic necessity lChich exists for the
establishment of the Rio Grande as the boun-
Diary between the two nalions.'' Texas has
at pleasure taken possession of her the Mex
lean posts there, and has only suspended iu-
risdiction because it was nconvenient to
maintain it. On such grounds it cannot be
doubted that Mexico already considers the
whole Of the territory between the Rio Grande
and the Nueces as lost to her."
"There is a disposition in som members
to resort TO some action. the expectation of
Texas that the Rio Grande will be main
tanned as the boundary, but no provision ma
king this a sine qua non in our action hereat-
ter will be adopted."-pp. 81, 90.
Let us take a word of comment from an
other source. In 1896, General Jackson
sent Mr.. Mprft TO Texas, to learn the state
of things. Mr.. Morit thus writes, In August,
1886:
"lt was the intention of this the Texan
government, Immediately after the battle OF
San %Jacinto, 10 hare claimed from the Rio
Gramde along Tie rirer 10 the thirteenth degree
Of latitude, thence due ireSt to the Pacific. 1t
was found, however, that this would not strike
a convenient point in California, and that the
territory now determined on would be sufficient
for a new republic" "The political limits
OF Texas proper were the Nueces River on
the west,' &c. 1.-The additional territory
claimed by Texas since the declaration of in
dependence, will increase her population al
least Is ,O0O."-DOc. Of lilo. Of Rep, ID Sess.,
oath Cong, No. 35.
Mr.. C.. ]. Ingersoll, in his speech on the
Sd of March, 1915, said,
1.-The deserts between the Nueces and the
Bravo the Rio Grande are the natural boun.
daries. There ends the Valley of the West,
There Mexico begins. While peace is cher
ished that boundary will be respected. Not
till the spirit of conquest RACES, will the peo-
pie on either side modest or mix with each
other"
(TO be Continued.)