Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-01-15
Vol. g..
The War with Mexico.

pressed with the momentous Importance of
the questions presented to the nation by
the calamitous war with Mexico, comes
forward with powerful argument on the
subject of our Mexican relations-an argu-
ment unsurpassed in clearness and analyt-
ica precision. Mr.. GALlATIN was the in.
innate personal friend of JEFFERSON and
MADISON. and the official counsellor of
both during their respective administra-
tons. The admoniiions of one so expe-
rienced, the reasoning and conclusions of
Statesman so able, patriotic and deserving,
are worthy of the serious consideration of
the whole country.
Mr.. GAL1AT1N discusses the subject of
the war under several distinct heads, and
arrives at the following conclusions, to-wit:
THAT the annexation of Texas was an
offensive and unjust act towards Mexico
That the Government Of the United
States grossly erred in sending a Minister
to Mexico. instead of a Commissioner
THAT Texas never had any valid claim
TO the Rio del Norte as its boundary
THAT the United States ought not to
make conquest of Mexico; or insist upon
receiving from Mexico anyaother indemni
fcation than that due to American citizens,
by Mexico, before the war begun
That as a preliminary to peace. we
ought TO evacuate the Mexican territory
now in our possession"
Regarding the question of the boundary
between Texas and Mexico is one of vital
consequence, and believing that an enlight-
ened understanding Of it is essential to cor
rect views touching the wisdom of the cx-
isting war, he devotes good portion of
his remarks to its consideration. TO that
part of Mr.. GALLATIN's argument, we ask
the readers candid attention:
THE CLAIM OF TEXAS TO TIE RIO DEL NoRTE
as IT'S BOUNDARY EXAMINED.
From what precedes it appears that the
Government of the United States consid-
cred the refusal of Mexico to receive a
resident envoy or minister as a sufficient
cause for war, and the Rio del Norte as
the legitimate boundary of Texas. The
first opinion is now of no Importance; but
the question of boundary, which was the
immediate cause of hostilites, has to this
day been the greatest impeachment to the
restoration of peace. l feel satisfied that
if this was settled there would be no in.
superable difficulty in arranging other
pretensions.
The United Safes claim no other por-
ton of the Mexican dorinons, unless it be
by right of conquest. The tract of coun-
try between the Rio Nueces and the del
Norte is the only one which has been
claimed by both parties as respectively be.
longing either to Texas or to Mexico. As
regards every other part Of the Mexican
possessions, the United States never had
claimed any portion of it. The iniquity
of acquiring any portion Of it otherwise
than by fair compact. free ~ consented TO
by Mexico, is selfevident. 1t is in every
respect most important 10 examine the
grounds on which the claim Of the United
States TO the only territory claimed by
both nations is founded. 1t is the main
question at issue.
The Republic of Texas did, by an act of
December, 1886, declare the Rio del Norte
to be its boundary. 1t will not be serious.
Iy contended that nation has right, by
law of its own, to determine what is or
shall be the boundary between it and an
other country. The act was nothing more
than the expression of the wishes or pre-
tensions of the Government. Its only
practical effect was, that, emanating from
its Congress or legislative body, it made it
imperative on the Executive not to con-
clude any peace with Mexico unless that
boundary was agreed to. AS regards
right, the act of Texas is perfect nullty.
We want the arguments and documents by
which the claim is sustained.
On first view the pretension is truly
startling. There is no exception: the Rio
Norte from its source to its mouth is de.
cared to be the rightful boundary of Tex.
e as. That river has its source within the
: department, province, or State of New
Mexico, which it traverses through its
whole length from north to south dividing
= it into two unequal parts.
The largest and most populous, including
Santa Fe, the capital, lies on the left bank
of the river, and is therefore embraced
within the claim of Texas. Now this pro
G vince of New Mexico was first visited ant
y occupied by the Spaniards under Vasquc:
Coronado. in the years 1910 TO 1859.
was at that time voluntarily evacuated, sub
sequently revisited, and some settlement
made about the year 1888; finally conquer
ed in 1895 by the Spaniards, under the com
n,.nd of Onato An insurrection of tn,