Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-10-07
THE WESTERN BOUNDARY OF TEXAS.
EHos THE RICHMOND WHO or WEDNESDAY.

RICHMOND WHO or WEDNESDAY.
| Yesterday we received from Mr.. Senator MASON
the proceedings of the Senate on the ratification Of
the Treaty with Mexico. This document contains
many important papers never before published, and
among others the despatch of Mr.. Buchanan TO Mr..
Sliden dated November 10th, ls45. This paper
has never been before the public, though extracts,
which were purlolned by correspondent ola North
ern paper, have been. Its bearing upon the ques-
ton of'the western boundary of Texas is of the
very highest consequence; and, though it makes its
appearance at this late day, trust it will not be
too late to have its proper effect upon the public
mind.
The partisans of Mr. Polk, and his apologists
for his involving this country in an unnecessary
and unconstitutional war, have always rested their
defence upon the alleged fact that the territory on
the eastern side Of the Rio Grande was American
territory. This despatch OF Mr.. Buchanan wholly
refutes this position He expressly recognises the
right of Mexico, and directs Mr.. Siidel 10 offer
Mexico millions five millions for the claims OF
our citizens and five millions in cash) for all the
territory east Of the Rio Grande. After presenting
various considerations to show the worthlessness
of this territory TO Mexico, the Secretary OF State
proceeds:
But the President desires to deal literally by Mexico.
You are therefore, authorized offer the payment
Of all the just claims Of citizens against Mexico and in
addition, pay five millions of dollars in the Mexican
Government shall agree establish the boundary between the
countries from the mouth Of the Rio Grande up the pn
cpal stream 10 the point where touches the line New
Mexco thence west of the river along the exterior line Of
that province and to include the whole within the Uni
ted States until again inersecs the rivers thence up the
principal stream of the to its soure and thence due
north until it ntssects the AID degree ofnorth latitude
GA boundary still preferable to this world be an extension
of the Line from the northwest of yew Mexico along
the range Of until would interect the forty second
parallel.
"Shoud the Mexican authorities prove unwilling to
tend the boundary beyond lhe Del Non you are, in that
event. instructed to or to the payment Of all the just
claims Of citizens of the United States agant Mexico, should
she agree that the line shall be established aong the boundary
defined by the the Congress Of Texas Decem
ber l9,h 1886, to wit beginning thsmouh of the Rio
Grande; thence up The principal stream said river to its
thence due north the AID degres of latitude"
In another paragraph the Secretary of State au-
thorizes Mr.. Slidell to give twenty-five millions for
California. We copy the paragraph
"The Government Of California is iut nomnaly de-
pendant upon Mexico; and is than doubtful whether
her authority will be renstaed Under these crcum
stances it is the desire of the President that y shall your
best efforts obtain cesson of that province from Mexico to
the United States. Could you accomplish this object you
would render immense service 10 your country and establish
envable reputation for yourself Money would be OBJ
ect when compared with the value Of the acquisition Still,
the attempt must be made with great prudence and caution
and in such manner alarm the jealousy of the Mex
can Government Should you, after sounding the Mexican
authorities the subject discover prospect Of success the
President would hesitate to give in addition the
sumption the just claims Of czers Mexico twenty
millions of dollars for the ceson Shoula you deem expe
den you are authorized offer this Or boundary
ming due from the southern extremity Of New Mexico to
the Pacific ocean, from other point its western boun-
dary which would embrace Monterey within limits II
Monterey be obtained you may, necessary, in addi
ton the assumption Of these claims offer twenty millions OF
dollars for any boundary commencing at any point the
western line of New Mexico and running due to the Pa
cfc include the bay and harbor Of San Francisco
The larger the Territory south Of this bay the better OF course,
when speak Of any point the boundary of New
Mexico, understood that from the del Noe to that pon,
boundary shall according to the s offer which you
have been authorized make. need scarcely add ,ha, in
au,horiz ng the offer Of five Millions TWENTY-FIVE Millions
twenty millions Of dollars, these be considered
maximum II you accomplish either Of the objects
contemplated for less amount much satisfactory will
it prove to the President"
The Secretary having thus cut up and carved out
the Mexican territory, offering much for this and
so much for that, Mexico declined to trade. Mr..
Polk forthwith issued his order for our army to
march upon the Rio Grande. If the history OF the
world furnishes an example of war more grossly
unjust, more clearly prompted by spirit Of rapine
and plunder, we have not read Of it. II stands up
on the same footing with the partition OF Poland,
which has received the execration OF the whole
civilized world.