Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-04-27
'aciiic Ocean, under date of July 18th, 1876, he

oHg'ren' na'ion' to possess itself entirely Upper Caor
Commodore Sloat, in his general order of july
Ith, 1896 says, " 1t is not only our duty to take
california, but to preserve it afterwards as a
part OF the United States, at all hazards" In
regard to New Mexico, General Kearney, in his
letter to the Department of War, under date of
August 9th, 1896 he says:
" On the 22d, issued proc nation claiming the wboe
Of Now Mexico with its then boundaries territory oftbe
United states Of America and taking under protection"
II the wish and intention Of the United states says
General kearncy in his proclamaton provide Tor New.
Mexico free goye9men with the least possible delay, SIM
var to those in the United States and The people of New
McSco WIN then be called the ghts Of FREQ
10 eleeng their own representatives the Territorial
have not time, Mr. President, to pursue this
branch OF the subject further. The extracts |
have read show beyond all doubt, that the war
was waged for the acquisition of Mexican terri
tory, by conquest, and not to compel Just and
equitable settlement of the boundary between
the two countries
Mr.. President, a few words upon the claim of
Texas TO the left bank of the Rio Grande shall
close my remarks. In 1924, Mexico by her
representatives in Convention assembled form
ed and adopted a constitution similar to ours
and became u republic Texas, at the time, did
not contain the required population to become
State, but was Professionally united with neigh
boring province of Coahuila, to form the State of
Coahuia and Texas, until the latter should
possess the necessary elements to form a sepa-
rate State for herself In 1888, the inhabitants
ofTexas, having ascertoined their numbers were
equal to most, and exceeded those of several of
the old States, held Convention and formed and
adopted constitution upon the principles of the
Mexican republic, and applied to the General
Congress for admission into the Union. Their
application was rejected and their agent impris-
oned. In 1884, the constitutional Congress of
Mexico was dissolved by Military order of
General Santa Anna, the constitution overthrown
and the State Governments abolished.
In September, 1885, General Cos invaded the
the province of Texas by land, with orders to
disarm the citizens, and require an unconditional
submission to the Central Military Government,
under the penalty of expulsion from the country.
A battle ensued, which terminated in the defeat
of the Mexicans. On the 9TH of November,
1885, Texas declared that,
Whereas, General Antonio Lopez dc Santa Anna, and
other Military ciehaus, have by force of arms oyehrown
the federal constitution of Mexico and dissolved the social
compact which existed between Texas and the
beers of the confederacy good people of Texas avail
ing themselves of their natural rights olemnly declare
LIST. That they have taken up in defence of their
rights and liberties.
ID. That Texas is longer morally bound by their com
pact of union.
3D. That they do acknowledge that present author
tiles of the present nominal Mexican republic, have the right
to govern within the limits of Texas"
This was considered an absolute separation
from Mexico and on the I'd of March, 1886, del.
egates of the people of all the districts declared
Texas a "free, sovereign, and independent State"
Under the constitution of 1924, New-Mexico,
Tamaupas, Coahuila, and Texas were States of
the Mexican republic; each having its fixed and
well defined boundary the Nueces being the
southeastern boundary of Texas. But Texas, as
| have before said, not having a sufficient popu.
lation for a separate State, was Professionally
united with Coahuila, and called the State of
Coahuia and Texas. After the abolition ofihe
State Governments, Texas acted for herself, asa
separate power. She had no connection with
Coahuia or the other Mexican States. She de-
clared that the authorities of the nominui .Neri-
can republic had no right 10 govern tcittin The
limits of I'erdS. What, Mr.. President, at that
time were the limits of Texas? Mrs Mary
Austin Holley, in her history of Texas, publish.
ed in 1886, says
"Texas is situated between 81 3Om and 30 3On north
latitude and os Son and 90 80 longitude. Its
boundaries are the Red river separating from Arkansas
the norh the gulf of Mexico the south Sabine river
and on the east and the river Nueccs separating
1t from IamauIpas and Coahuila, on the west"
Mr.. Murray in his Encyclopedia of Geogra-
ply, published in 1888, gives the Nueces as the
western boundary of Texas. Mr.. Morft, an
agent sent by General Jackson to Texas, IN 1856,
to ascertain its political, military, and civil con.
diton, says, in his report, that
Thc political limits of Texas previous the last
revolution, were the Nueces river the along
hsa river on the north the Sabine on the east and the Gulf
MIR. Morhl, in speaking of the Texan Govern
nent formed by Convention, further says:
ms convention took place by wrts of election issued
the provisional government, and 1t is said that all
Texas were represented in it, from the western set
rivers"
The "extreme western settlement of Texas
was at San Patrlcio on the Nueces.' Now, sir,
by what authority did Texas, at the time she
became one Of the States OF this Union, claim
the Rio Grande as her western boundary? Had
she conquered the Mexican States of Coahula,
famaulpas and New-Mexico, and subjected
them to her jurisdiction and laws? No, SIR, she
had done no such thing. Her extreme western
settlement ives San Parico, on the right bank of
the Nueces.
Mexico, as | will show from our own docu-
ments, was, at the time Of annexation, in the
quiet and peaceful possession Of the left bank of
the Rio Grande. claiming It as part OF her re.
public. Mr.. Doneson, our Charge d'Affairs in
Texas, in his letter to our Secretary of State,
Mr.. Buchanan, under date Of June %, 1916,
says:
1t is the policy OF those who the side Mexico in
ponsibity of for the cOunty between Nueces and
the possession of both parties Texas ia peace Cor
Pus christi Mexico has held Santiago. Both parties have
had occasional possession of Loredo points,
All that Texas held IN peace West Vi the Nue.
ces was Corpus Christi.
On the 10Th of June, 1915, Mr.. Donelson, in a
despatch to Gen. Taylor, says:
"Corpus Christi is said to be healthy Peuslcola-a
convenient place Tor supplies, aud is the point
now occupied by Texas"
Again IN the same despatch, he says:
Texas holds Corpus Christi Mexico holds Sanago near
the mouth of the Rio Grande."
AgalD, sir; on the 9th of July, 1915. Mr.. Do
nelson, in another letter to Mr. Buchanan, saws:
" You are already advised of my letter 10 General Tayor
Of tho 18th umo, IN which leave the question of marching
the ho orlando to be decided by Developments vet to be
made II Mexico passes that stream, menacing Texas or
otherwise threatening to disturb the territory of Texas
stood when our joint resolution passed. light to repe her
commences, and may force her west of the Rio
Gnnde.n 49,
Crossing the river without menacing Texas,
or threatening to invade her territory, would be
no cause Of complaint Pray, sir, # Texas ex-
tended to the lett bank of the Rio Grande,
would not passing that river be an invasion of
her territory? Most certainly it would. But no
force was TO be used unless she attempted to go
further, threatening to disturb the territory Of
Texas.
But to proceed. Mr.. Donelson, on the lllh
Of July, le45, in despatch to Ar. Buchanan,
says:
ounded propositions equally acceptable to them leaving
he question OF boundary only one put Meaeo In
possession OF the bank of the Rio oranIe 10 me
Inconsistent with the expectation that ~ deshCe OF tue claim
II Texas troops should march Immediately 10 that veI
Here, sir, is the express declaration OF our
Charge d'Affaires in Texas, that Mexico was in
he actual possession of the lett bank of the Rio
Grapde. and that Texas had never been able to
h,,t ha -