The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-11


and Bexar, and especially the act OF the 2ih OF May,
1898, establishing the dividing line between them viii
here content myself with the remark that by that act the
boundary declared to be direct line from certain
point the Rio Fro thirty miles above its junction with
the Nueces TO the town of Laredo the left bank OF
the RIO Grande. am not now discussing the question
as to the boundaries of the department called Bexar,
Texas, under the Spanish government during the
uhonary struggle of the Mexican people for independence
much less the idle and useless question TO the magin
airy boundary during the period that Texas and Coahua
constituted one State in the Mexican confcderacy care
not whether Coahuila and Tamauipas supposed to
have theoretical possessions this side of the Rio Grande
prior to the overthrow of the federal constitution OF 1921
II they had such possessions they lost them when
they lost their State sovereignty by acquescing in the
revolution, and submitting to the degradation of becoming
mere department in Santa Annals military desposm,
with their diminished and curtaed limits. By that act
OF submission they forfeited all right TO require their el
lowcizens on this side of the Rio Grande TO become
sufferers in their degradation The bond of union
was dissolved by their act, and by their wrong and
the people this side, the counties of San Patrico
and Bexar, had right to be represented they were
represented, in the convention which proclaimed the in
dependence and formed the constitution of the republic Of
Texas The question now to be determined s What were
the boundaries of the repubc-not the department-of
Texas have shown that the first invading army had been
captured and sent beyond the Rio Grande and that the
first day OF January 1886, there was not Mexican sol
der on this side OF that river While the Texans were
engaged in improving and remodeng their civil insttu
lions, Santa Anna was preparing and organizing new
army of invasion. He crossed the Rio Grande, and
entered the settlements of Texas with two invading
coumns-the in the direction of San Antonio, and
the other upon Goliad The slaughter of Travis and
his fellow patriots in the Alamo, and the murder Of
had entered into captulaton and become prisoners
of war, foreshad0wed the fate of all who might fall
into the hands OF the dictator The work Of destruc
ton continued, with fire and sword, until the two
hostile armies met on the banks OF the San Jacin
to. There, on the 2lst of April, 1885, the gallant lit
tie Texan army under the command of the distin-
gnished senator before me. literally annhilated the
Mexican forces leaving more than neha of them dead
upon the field. and capturing the rest not allowing even
one to to ten the t tale 81 the terrible m i,
merciless crimes The murderer of Fannin and his men
was now captive, pleading for his life at the hands OF
the Texan general. The generals of the two armies and
the executives Of the two nations, for such they
now acknowledged to be) Immediately opened negotia-
tons for treaty Of peace independence and boundaries
signed BY President Burnett and his cabinet the part
OF the republic of Texas, and General Santa Anna on
the part OF Mexico. The caption shows who were the
parties to this treaty | will read it,
"Articles of agreement and solemn compact, made and
adopted by James c. Burnett President OF the republic of
Texas and the members of the cabinet thereof
on the one part and Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna,
President of the republic OF Mexico. and Don Vncente
lisoa general OF division Don jose Urea Don joaquin
brigade, of the armies of Mexico"
After preamble the first article proceeds follows:
Therefore agreed by the President Santa Anna, and
the Generals Don vlncene Fisola Don Jose Urea, Don
Joaquin Ramires sesma; and Don Antonio ,Giaona-
lst That the armies OF Mexico shall with all practicable
expedition the territory OF Texas, and retire
Monterey, beyond the Rio Grande."
The second article provides that the Mexican army
I" shall abstain from all page and devastation" their
retreat will invite especial attention to the third, and
a part of the fourth articles, as follows
ed That the army of Texas to march weawardly,
and to occupy such posts the acknowledgement
think proper, the east side of the Rio Grande or Rio
ith That the President Santa Anna, in his official
character chief Of the Mexican nation and the gem
sma and Dom Amouo ona o
armies do solemny acknowledge, SANCTION and raiy the
full entire, and perfect independence Of the republic Of
Texas boundaries hereafter
agreed upon for the same"
The fifth article prescbes the boundaries of the rcpub
lie of Texas will read much relates to the south
western boundary:
seth That the following be, and the same hereby
established and made the lines of demacaton between the
republics of Mexico and Texas to wit The line shall
at the estuary mouth of the Rio Grande,
the bank thereof, and shall pursue the same
bank of the said river TO the point where the river assumes
the Of the Rio Bravo del Nore from which point it
shall proceed the said bank the head
of said rver it being understood that the terms
Rio Grande and Rio Bravo del Norte apply and desg-
nate and the same stream"
The sixth and seventh Articles relate to the release OF
prisoners and the restoration to Texas of all ortresses
artillery, and munitions of war; within her limits.
In article eighth Texas undertakes, in consideration
of the foregoing PROVISIONS to spare the life of Santa
Anna and his officers and to restore them to their liberty
Article ninth is as follows:
9th The release of the President Santa Anna shall be
made Immediately receiving the signatures of Generals
Don Vincenc Filisola, Don Jose Urea, Don Joaquin
Ramires Sesma and Don Antonio Gaona, this agree
ment and his conveyance to Vera Cruz as soon afterwards
as miy be convenient"
1t will be borne in mind that the generals named in
the ninth article were not prisoners and that after the
capture of Santa Anna, General Fsola succeeded to
his powers commander nchief of the Mexican army
The remaining articles relate to the mode in which these
were to be executed General Fsola and the other Off
GERS named in the ninth article did subsequently sign ant
rtfy this treaty, and in pursuance of it permitted
to retire with the forces under their command peace
and security beyond the Rio Grande. Here ends the
history of the second invasion of Texas by Mexico
Like the first it resulted in the total humiliation of the
invading army-its defeat and capture. Texas now
free and independent without hostile foot upon her soil
There not Mexican soldier to be found on this sid,
of the Rio Grande Those who survived the battle o.
San Jacno and returned to their country did SO By
the permission of the Texan army and under the sancy
of treaty stipulation that the Rio Gnde should foreve
remain the line of demarcaton between the two repub
lies of Mexico and Texas" II does to me that
might stop here, with safety and rest the question
the boundary of the Rio Grande upon the incontrover
BILE facts which have brought TO the notice of the Senate
But well aware that, while senator will
lrover the truth of any material fact which have
stated the fairness and mpartiay with which all m,
facts have been presented yet will be said that thu
treaty to which have alluded was not binding upon thu
Mexican nation, because Santa Anna prisoner o
war, In captivity at the time OF its execution do no
deem il necessary to make argument upon this point
80 far as Santa Anna is himself concerned for It cal
make no difference with the result General Filisoa
and the other generals who subsequently signed and at
fed that treaty in conjunction with him, were not prison
ers of not in duress captivity when the
executed it, They at the heat of their RESPECTIVE
commands, in the full enjoyment of all their faculties
and the free exercise OF all their rights, when the
signed and ratified the instrument They acted upo
their own judgments and OF their own voiton and max
of Santa Anna deprived him of the faculties of voitio
and action. Fiisoa succeeded his position of com