Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-02-12

boundary, but having nothing the least value TO her tina
river believe she would have readily accepted that slupendoa
desert beyond If it had been offered.
The President demanded his uimafun, the Rio Grand
up to the line of New Mexico thence beyond that river in
cludiDg New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA; which were to b.
ceded 10
waive the inquiry how far it consists with the magma
nimy and honor of great and powerful nation to
by the sword from weak neghbor portion Of her territory
not because nsnsbe the question, but because suc
considerations have little weight with those who are bent
conquest But assuming the that Mexico conquered
and have the power hold military possession OF any par
Of her territory may DESIRE propose to show that wiihou
disposition give aid and comfort to Mexico but look
ing solely TO interest," we ought not to desire the
boundary demanded by the President and real welfare
would forbid the acceptance Of New Mexico il offered
gift.
In adjusting boundaries it has always been regarded of the
utmost importance make them CONFORM as lar possible
to the natural geographical divisions of the country and
obtain the most formidable barrier which the will admit
better to the harmony Of boh and to avoid those
border collisions which have often disturbed the peace
nations. river like the Rio Grande not wider than the
Potomac, is not desirable boundary between nations dis
similar IN color in lineage in language In laws, and IN their
religion and also deeply imbucd with deadly hate arising
from this which continue to exist for century
come Denscy settled on both banks and easily fordable,
1t Is not sufficient barrier prevent those endless collisions
which must frequently arise One wrong, or anced wroag
beges retaliation, which, in turn must be reyenged Hence
border war; the and most cruel Of all wars will ensue
and be fatal to the peace Of BOTH The proposed line beyond
the river is ideal surveyors line, and of douby
Objectionable.
The boundary which would suggest line commencing
on the Gulf at the Arroyo Colorado, centre Of that
pendous desert between the Nueces and the Rio Gande
and running by straight line to the intersection Of the thirty
second degree of latitude with the twenty degree of ong
ude west from this Capitol thence bearing of north
and dividing the waters of the Rio Grande from those which
flow eastwardly to the Gulf the thirty degree Of
latitude; thence with that parallel to the Pacc ocean. This
desert is the true geographical division, gigantic barrier
which, since tho purchase of Louisiana has been
gaded by wses statesmen the boundary between
the two nations most advantageous to both, and is
mended by weight of authority entitled serious
consideration, and which ought be disregaded AS
early ls03 Mr. Jeerson then President endeavored to
obtain it. In 1906, the House Of Representatives requested
him secure it possible. In 1916, Mr. Madison again
made the attempt In 1918, Mr.. Monroe tried ii, with no
better success And to show that desert then deemed
Important refer to passage from the proposition made by
minister at Madrid
81 propose that the desert which is form this bar
rer be Of thirty leagues BREADTH that is fifteen leagues
the right bank and fifteen leagues the lett bank the Colo
rado and extend length from the mouth Of that rve
as high towards its source the deg Of north latitude
within the desert person shall be admitted settle
tabish themselves And each party may establish military
posts its portion of the desert for the purpose keep
ing of ntruders and settlers of every kind - State Pap
p. 522
Again. in 1929, President Jackson through Mr.. Van Bu-
ren Secretary Of State, instructed Mr. Ponset our minister
to Mexico, possible, purchase Texas and in his letter.
particularly describes the ne boundary which is regard
ed the most desirable 10 us, and which to in the
of the desert grand prairie which lies Of the
Rio Nueces, and is represented be nearly hundred
miles in width and to extend north the mountains This
sir is substantially the line have suggested, and Mr.. Van
Buren, presents strong arguments in its favor. He says;
Whout such boundary, it is impossible prevent that
frontier from becoming the seat OF extensive system OF
smuggling alike injurious the true interest Of both countries
and present frontier 1.-THE Sabine) continue
to be receptacle for smugglers and outlaws The
present OF things well calculated ncessan
difficulties and bros with the citizens of the adjacent parts
Mexico, which may grow into national complain
ngs and heartbunngs and perpetualy foster and name
spirit Of jealousy to which negborsar already much
inclined 1t the centre of country unnhabable
the Gulf and her inaccessible so poor
furnish inducement for land intercourse Ii
would cause wide separation and difficulties of int
between the inhabitants of the countries and
excements and chickering's invariably produced by the con
guou operation of conflicting laws, habits and intere
In addition to these, will also refer the able speech Of
the honorable gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr C. j. In
eLasoLL) the xson resolutions in ls45. In speak
ing Of the importance Of this boundary, he says:
he stupendous deserts between Nueces and the
and the MsursnaA There ends the valley the
there Mexico begins Thence, beyond the Bravo begin
Moorish people and their Indian associates whom Mexico
properly belongs who should that desert n
they could side, too ought STOP there
intermnabe conflicts either going south or
their coming north Of that gigantic boundary e peace is
cherished, THAT BOUNDARY Not till
will the people side
lest mix with each other and whenever they do
the other race must be conquered, ii not exnguished"
Also, toa speech in the Senate by Mr.. BENTON on the
Tyler treaty. Speaking Of this boundary, he says;
This is the boundary between the United States and Mex
leo pointed nut by the finger Of Nature agreed upon by
nent statesmen proper for Mexico for ourselves and
written down in the book Of fate and the law nature as the
and permanent boundary between the first Powers
Of the Ngw WORLD Soon late that boundary will be
tablished
The Rio Grande del Norte (Grea River Of the Norh is
Mexican river by position and possession and the Mex-
may forever belong The Mississippi and all its wa
ers, ours aud TO the dsmcmbcred parts return
The country east OF the Nueces land including
son geographical anes SOIL products, and natural de-
pendence appurtenant to the valley of the Mississippi and
must and will go where congruty and homogenaly attract
IT, No wise man, IN an age OF commerce. great river
bey ond its natural 0nticr) for national boundary il
boundary fruitful OF expense aud Of every species collision
and cousion mountain and desert plain is far better
and these have between and Mexico aud il would be
unwise for US to project segment or a salient angle Of
our frontier across this plain and mountain into the natural
limits oi Mexico, as would be in her make the
lection OF segment angle Of herself the same plain
and mountain into our natural dominion"
Unwse wopll be, beyond question yet the Presidents
umatum projects that segment salient angle for the pur-
pose Of including New Mexico.
But will not rest here. produce an authority which
gentlemen the other side dispute II is
no less than Old Hickory HIMSELF and which hope Young
Hickory will respect and adopt Gen. Jackson in his letter
to A. " Brown, IN February, ls43 speaks of his efforts
purchase Texas and urges the annexation, because of the
importance, IN military point Of view, Of obtaining the
boundary which would then be ours He says Of that boun-
Diary
sye barren aud uninhabiabc plains With such barrier
our west, invebc The whole European world could
not IN combination against make impression
Union. From the Rio Grante over land, large
by water, which by vigilance could always intercepted
IL Icxas essential as