The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-09

least, 10 unbecoming in one who nils the position Oh
President OF the United States He says that in the let
ter (Mr Webstees letter. to the governor Of Texas
his reasons are given for believing that New Mex
leo is now Territory Of the United States. with
the same extent which belonged to it Uhils IN
the actual Possession Of MeIieo. and before the late
waY. What, let us ask does this mean Does Mi.
Fillmore mean that the possession OF Mexico on
the 10th of May 1916, gave title to Mexico, and that
the rights OF Texas were that time confined only TO
that space OF country from which the revolutionary forces
had driven the Mexican troops Does be mean TO say
that New Mexico was name applied TO definite and
distinct tract OF country and that Texas after an
nexaton was an intangible, underlined hing, no to De
measured by metes and bounds We ask, but we can
not answer these questions; for MIR. Fillmore seemed 10
have been inspired in this (hs rs message too much by
disposition TO mysify his meaning. II will be Iemsm-
bered that some time after the OF the Mex
lean war; and when the wing party ascerained that their
predictions OF ruin from the tariff bill Of 1886 would not
be verified, they made the "war issue against Mr. Psks
administration, and charged that he had without the
authority of Congress, sent the troops OF the Uni
ted States beyond the Nueces. The wing party, both
North and South with great unanimity, asserted that
the Nueces the western limit OF Texas, and that the
territory between that stream and the Rio Grande was IN
the rghul possession Of Mexico Even after peace had
been declared and during the canvass OF ls4s ina, posi-
ton was maintained In the northern States the abolition
lists and solers maintain il to this day. and assert
that Tex does not extend beyond the Nueces Accord
ingly. we find that Mr. Fillmore, after many circum
locuons and arguments made up OF detached parts as
sers, after quoting the 5h Sth, and OH articles 81 the
treaty with Mexico, that sit is plain, therefore, ON the
face OF these treaty spuatons, that all Mexlcans estab
shed north or EAST Of the line Of demarcaon 1.-THE treaty
line) already menioned come within the protection OF
the 9th article" Sc. The 9th article here alluded TO
stpuates that 'the Mexcans who, in territories afore.
said (he territories previously belonging to Mexico, mem
toned in the h arcle shall not preserve the character
OF citizens Of the Mexican republic confomably to what
is stipulated the preceding article shall be incorporated
into The Union Of the United States, and be admitted at
the proper tme Sc Now it is evident that the Pesl-
denfs words are calculated to intimate the fanatics Of
The North that the territories specified in the treaty
mn, confined 10 the country north of the treaty line
but that they extend to the country east Of the treaty
line so that those fanatics may frame thereon an
argument that he still considers the country west OF the
Nneces as improperly embraced in Texas His whole
message is ostensibly directed 10 the Santa Fe coun
try; but at the same time il endeavors to propitaie
those who hold that the east bank OF the Lower Rio
Grande belongs to the United States, and not TO Tex
as We should scarcely have expected such course
Of argument from the Chief Magistrate. II he means
to say that the boundary of Texas is limited by the Nue.
ces he should say andif he means to say that there
is a distinct Territory, known New Mexico in which
he intends to maintain by force if necessary, and without
further authority from Congress) the possession OF the
I'm tied States he should specify the extent OF that Terri
tory SO that every citizen Of Texas and every nhaban
OF New Mexico may know whether they are subject 10
the jurisdiction of Texas, are subjects OF Mr. Full
more and his brevet colonies at Santa Fe Neither Mr.
Fillmore nor Mr. Webster has dealt explicitly with the
country in this matter They have reasoned more like
mere lawyers with bad case than eminent states
men in a free country.
We have thus far followed the meanderings Of the
message without reaching the real principle conrover
sy-tas right Of Teras to the country east Of the RIO
Grande The President refers TO Mr. Websters letter
as containing his reasons for believing that New Mexi
co extends east Of the Rio Gande Looking to that let
ter we find that only pretends the letter Of
Governor Bell. Of Texas which asked whether Colonel
Munroe, in issuing his proclamation calling
ton at Santa Fe, acted under the orders OF the govern
emit and whether bis proclamation is approved by the
President The answer to the first nierrogaory is too
much Of sophism that will prove very satisfactoryto
the good sense Of the American people II admits that the
order or letter OF instructions Ii Col Mccall instructed
| him that il the people Of New Mexico should manifest
wish 10 establish government it would be his
duty and the duty OF the other officers at Santa Fe
..not 10 Mpart, BUT TO ADVANCE THEIR WISHES" The
very next sentence says that hs order does not appear to
authorize any exertion Of military authority. OF any off,
cal or suen personal interference" Surely Mr. Webster
has not sufficiently investigated the positions he has taken
Surely he has duly analysed the case when he
military officer is commanded BY his superior 10 adUanee
the ises OF people, and adds, in the same BREATH that
the command does authorize personal inter-
ference Colonel Munroe and Lieutenant Colonel Mccall
were officers OF the army. acting under the code for the
government of the army What had they to do with the
people of Santa Fe, and the political action Of that peo
pei Why instructions given TO Colonel Mccall,
unless for the purpose Of regulating the military conduct
of himself and OF his associate ofcersi He has
ried his courtesy TO the last administration too far in
thus attempting TO cover their position But is
less to argue this point statement OF the facts
which Mr. Webster takes TO withhold will explain
the whole matter Mr.. Polk, in February ls47. informed
the governor Of Texas that the military government,
established under his authority Of
the army. would cease with treaty of peace In isis
after The treaty Of peace. Mr.. Marcy, then Secretary of
War; directed the military governor at Santa Fe that the