Litchfield enquirer., 1848-04-06
The Mexican Territories,

Truman Smith, of Connecticut, recently de-
livered in the House, on the subject of "the
physical character of the Northern States of
Mexico" nc. with consideration of the ag-
ricultul al and other resources of such States,
and the condition of the inhabitants, their
characters, institutions, manners, &c, Sc.
The subject is one ofgrave interest to the peo-
pie of the United States, and M. Smith de-
| serves their thanks for the industry with
| which he has investigated every reliable
source of information. and the judgement and a.
| bility with which he had treated the whole
question. 1t is we'll that the curtain of fancy
should be drawn from the visionary Ell Dorado
| of our conquesis-or purchases-in Mexico;
| it is right that the enchantment which dis
lance, and hundred receptions, have lent to
the view of the Aztec paradises, should be
dispelled; it is proper that the American peo.
pie shonld be made acquainted with the true
value-or the worthlessHess-ofthose vast ter
ritories which they have bought at such a
mighty expense Of the gold and blood of the
republic. fit shall appear that we have pre-.
|
rate, it will be most advantageous to UNDER
stand the fact as soon as possible. Nations
gain their experience, like individuals, by pay
| ing for it-and we who have heretofore en- JOY
ed an uninterrupted career of good fortune in
| all our bargains and political adventures, ought
TO be thankful to learn so early IN our career,
tina; covetousness and ambition have each the
same faculty OF over-reac4sing themselves
and that the conqueror and the Spectator now
stand an equal chance Of coming opt Of their
enterprises with greater balance OF loss than
gain.
The subject Of the physical character Of the
northern territories of Mexico, and of their pes
cuiar resources, Is one that we had long made
an object of study. intending at proper mo-
| ment 10 lay the fruits of our researches before
our readers. in more particular and detail
ed manner than we yet have done for we have
often touched the topic in a general way.
Mr.. Smith, however, has handled he subject
with 80 much efiect-he has viewed the whole
territory so much in detal-he has Incorporate
ed so many facts, sustained by so many, the
most recent and indisputable authorites-he
has presented the whole picture so strongly,
and truly to the eyes, that no one, DESTROYS 10
,"ohe ur his mind as to the real value of the
lands we are to acquire from Mexico, will
have to go further than his speech, which we
commend to every AMERICAN READER.
The view of the wretched quality of the
| Law 81 Ioh oh 81 no
he paints with mastery hand and powerful.
ly impressive is the conc luson he draws o! the
evils that may follow the annexation OF such
territories and the admission Of such people
| to the privileges of the UNION
We find that Mr. Webster, in his late elab-
crate effort before 4he Senate, beslows sim
liar praise on Mr.. Smiths Instructive speech
which he commends in the highest terms TO
the public attention.
Says Mr.. Webster, he seems TO have exam
ined all the authorities, to have convcrsed with
all the travellers, to have correspondent with
all our agents.
We shall have occasion, hereafter, to make
good use of Mr.. Smiths facts. At present, We
have only space to take a single brd's-eye
view, and make hasty calculation of the guam
| tity of cuitipable land contained within the
whole area Of the expected Mexican cession OF
| The line OF the ella.
The value of this territory, viewed in refer
enee to its agricultural capabilities, may be in
| ferred from what is said by the lamented Har-
| din nc ourtad NV M Smith in ra9ari 10 ha
portions of Mexico which he saw, during the
march, with Uoors column from San Antonio
de Rexar, ria Monclovia and Parl as, to Buena
Vista, where he fell. 'There 10 not an acre IN
two hundred,' wrote Col. Hardin, more prob.
ably not one in fve-hundred, of all the land
we have seen in Mexico, which Can ever be
cultivated the greater portion of it is the
most desolate region l ever cnuld have imag-
ined.' Now it is true, beyoud any reach OF
contradiction, that the portions of Mexico
seen by Col. Hardin ale infinitely superior in
agricultural resources, to the northern regions
which the treaty cedes US.
We should speak of them in quite fiatterine
manner, should we say they were capable OF
furnishing one acre of good land in thousand
but we will be content with Col. HaTdln's
more probable est imate,' for the South. OF one
in five hundred.
Our seven hundred thousand square miles
will give, in round numbers 45o'Ooo'ooo' Of
acres and these at the above rate, will furnish
100000 acres of good land, such as an Amerl-
can farmer would be willing to cultivate, as
soon as he could learn. or condesend to, the
labor of irrigation, for without that. they can>
not be cultivated. Now we are to pay Mexi-
co. for these la IDS, $40 900 900. by the treaty.
which would make these good lands cost US
somewhat exceeding $22 per acre.
If we take into consideration an expense Of
some 81 SC. 100000 for the war, we must add
$l66 more per acre for these good lands ma
king them cost US, in all. $tss per acre and
| this price too. which, when We get them, We
| shall find belong nearlv all to private owners,