The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-08-29
Noon M Cbnrle.ton Meronry.l
me ROagadnru Of TeTOs.

I'll beHus u etuClualS tue KIM Oh govern
ment under which the Southern States
now live. Ii order that the reader may be
able to appreciate its position we will en-
deavor, in few words, to set forth those
facts which embody the merits orlhe Tex
as boundary question.
In 1886, after having declared her indie
pendence, Texas by an act Of Legislature,
defined the boundaries to which her revo-
LUTON extended. On the West this boun-
dary was the Rio Grande from its mouth
to its source. In the treaty made with
president Santa Anna, after the battle OF
San Jaclnto, the Rio Grande, from its
mouth to its source, is acknowledged 10 be
the Western boundary of Texas. This
treaty. was repudiated by Mexico, but it
shows the uniform pretension Of Texas.
When the latter applied to be admitted as
a State in the Union, she applied with this
boundary, and at the call Of Congress a map
was prepared g. laid before them describing
the Rio Grande as her only Western boun
dary. Upon the supposition that this was
her rightful boundary Congress stipulated
in the Resolution Of annexation, that from
all the territory lying North of SO degrees
80 minutes latitude, slavery should be ex4
cluded, but South Of that line, slavery
should, or should no. exist, as the people
Of the States 10 be organised should deter
mine. This line cuts what is called New
Mexico, now claimed as belonging TO the
United States, near the middle, leaving
Santa Fe on the Southern side. Here, in
the very legislative act, annexing Texas 10
the Union, was a distinct acknowledge
ment BY Congress that this whole region
belonged TO Texas, and Legislation with
respect TO slavery is plainly exercised
President Polk from these acts OF Congress
and of Texas, thought that he could not do
otherwise than assert the Rio Grande as
!, the boundary Of the latter, although Texas
was not at that time in full possession OF
apv part of the country bordering on the
! river. Hence, when he ordered General
TAYLOR to march and take possession on the
p Rio Grande, bis political opponents in
Congress assailed the measure as one oil
hostility to Mexico, denying that this re-
4 zion rightfully belong to Texas. President
: Polk and the majority in Congress though
h Texas.
Here the object Of the war, so far as
FTexas was interested, was fully accom-
e plished. Her boundary was enforced ol
il the General Government, and acknow
lodged by Mexico. On this map, the ter
le ritory living West of the Rio Grande !
designated as New Mexico, thus showiD'
of most clearly wharf.-the treaty meant wheI
~ speaking of New Mexico, and what wa
" understood to be conveyed and received a
rt belonging to the United States.
n 1t might be supposed that this woul
have precluded all dispute as to the bound
a aries Of Texas, beth with Mexico and tn
ed United States. And so it did, accordln
TO the construction of those who entere
is into the war to vindicate and settle tn
f. boundary of Texas, and Of those VIII
IN made the treaty. President Polk, at.sth
IN request of Texas, withdrew the Unite
ed States troops from the lower Rio Grad
IN and, when requested to do the same on III
i'll upper, he gave instructions TO the office
,ot in command at Santa Fe, to aid Texas
extending her laws and jurisdiction ov'
that district. Shortly after President Ia,
vo lor's administration came in, the Secretal
A.. of War, Mr.. Crawford, extended orders
the same effect. ,
"a. Z It was not until a fortnight before Il
in present Congress met, that orders OF a co
10 trary purport were issued to Col. MEGA
Here for the first time the Government
the United States avowed the policy viii
~. differently-and when a scouting party
IA Gen. Taylor's army was attacked and sor
, . of them killed by the Mexican forces, I
Ter President in a special message anDouuc
49, that "American blood had been shed
American SOIL" and Congress support
this declaration by voting that "war exI'
by the act of Mexico" The Mexican "
az was thus begun TO vindicate the right
Texas to the boundary Of the Rio Gran
from its mouth to its source. Forit
rested upon the same foundation. So
as possession was concerned she had
Is. more possession of the scene of Capt
III Thornton's unfortunate skirmlsh, than
the city Of Santa Fe, at the time Of anne'
-. ton. The United States army, represe
ing Texas as well as the other States, CT
.ovo quered and took possession of the coun
-J.. ~. ,,,bolo Cnnrcn of the |