The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-08-15


ThE TExAs BOUNDARY QUESTION Massage
Of fle President w have received the special
Message of President Fillmore IN regard to tie
boundary line between New Mexico and Texas,
communicated % Congress on the 9Th inst. We
are able 70 give this morning the concluding and
most Important paragraphs. He says:
Ihs Executive Government Of The United States
has no power or authority to determine what was
The true line Of boundary between Mexico and the
United States before the treaty Of Guadalupe Hi
dalgo, nor has i any such power now, since the
question has become question between the State
Of Texas and the United States. So far as this
boundary is doubtful, that doubt can only be re-
moved by some act Of Congress- to which the
assent Of the State Of Texas may be necessary or
by some appropriate mode Of legal adjudication,
but in the meantime ii disturbances or collisions
arise Or should be threatened, it is absolutely
incumbent on the Executive Government however
painful the duty, take care that the laws be faith
fully maintained; and he can regard only The
actual stale q things il existed the date Of the
treaty, and is bound to protect all inhabitants who
were then established, and who now remain north
and east o. the line Of denlarkaton, in the full
enjoyment OF their liberty and property according
to the provisions Of the 9th article Of the treaty. in
other words, all must be now regarded as New
Mexico which was possessed and occupied as New
Mexico by citizens oil Mexico at the date OF the
treaty, until definite line Of boundary shall be
established by competent authority This asser-
ton OF duty to protect the people OF New Mexico
from threatened violence from seizure be car
ried into Texas for trisl for alleged offences against
Texan laws, does not at all include any claim OF
power the part OF the Executive to establish
any civil o. military government within that Ter
rltory. 1H0t potcef belongs exclusively to the
Legislative department, and Congress is the sole
judge OF the time and manner OF creating or
anthoFising any such governments.
hope shall not be regarded as stepping aside
from the line OF my duty, notwithstanding that
am aware that the subject is now before both
Houses, il express my deep and earnest conyic
ton OF the importance OF an immediate decision
or arrangement, settlement of the question Of
boundary between Texas and the territory of New
Mexico. All considerations OF Justice general
expediency and domestic tranquility call for this
II seems 10 be, nis character aud by position the
hrss Or one Of the first, Of the questions growing
out Of the acquisition OF California and New Mex
ico and now requiring decision.
NO government can be established for New
mexie1s either State or Territory until il shall be
iirst Aseefiailed what New Mexico il, and what
are nef limits and boundaries These cannot be
nAea pr known iili the line OF div sion between her
aud Texas shall be ascertained and established
and numerous and weighiy reasons conspire M INV
1udgemeni, % show that lhs divisional line shenl1
ne established by Congress-, with the assent Of the
Government y Texas, In the first place, This
seems by far the mosl prompt mode of proceeding
by whieh the end can be accomplished lie iutlieiei
pfoeeedlngs We're TesoTtet 10, such proceedipns
would nseessarily be slow, and years would PASS
bys N all probability, before ihe controversy could
be ended. So great a DELAY In This caa., il 10 a.,
nvoieds il possible. Such deIay wonld bs every
way incunvenient, aud might be- the occasion Of
disturbances and collisions. For the same reason
would with The utmost Differences TO the wisdom
Y congress, express donht OF the expectancy of
the appointment Of Commissioners, and of an ex.
summation, estimate, and award Of indemnity TO
pe made by them. This would be but species OF
afeiifauon, which might fast as long as suit at law
20 lar as am able to comprehend the case the
general iaets are all now known, and Congress is
81 capable o. deciding on il, justly and properly
as y probably would be after the report Of the
commissioners. Ii the claim of title on The n,rt
= AeAss appears to Congress to be well founded
~ Mnoie Or IN part, It is in the competency of Com
gfess % oner her indemnity for the surrender Of
sa..n IN case like this, surrounded as il is
~ many cogent consideration All ealIir,, ~. .,s'
cable adjustment and immediate ~ a,ia'-
SoVe1nment Of the United States would bs ;,s,;
ne nea, ~ my opinion, IN allowing an inaannn;,s, :.
hexas, not unreasonable and extrayaonn, !"
liberal, and awarded in just spirit Of
think no event would be hailed viii
qualification by the people of the United State
than The amicable adjustment Of questions If al
hcplly, which have now, for a long time api,atsd
NE country, and occupied to the exclusion Of other
SUBJECTS, the time and attention Of Congress.
's Na"s itNeiy communicated the results of
ny own reflection, on the most advisable mode
g adjusting The boundary question, shall, never
s,s,sss, eneerially acquesce in any other mode
when ne wisdom oil Congress may devise
And in conclusion, repeat nv conviction. that
every consideration Of the public interest, mani
lesss 'ne necessity q provision by Congress for
me settlement OF this boundary question, before he
Pfessn, session be brought to close The settle
meat o. other questions, connected with the ssa1me
s5uelse' %itnin the same period, is greatly to be
desired bns the adjustment OF this appears. 10 me
10 o. u the highest degree important. In the
,faiA o. such an adjustment we NAV well hone
there wsH follow areturn Of harmony and good
WI 81 increased attachment to the onion, and the
gsasfAi satisfaction Of the country.
ns,.a MlLLARD FiLLMoR.