The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-08


MONDAY. JULY 8. 1850.
-.
ATTITUDE or THE ExEcUrIvE.--- it rs oficialy
announced that as the Federal Government py
portion Of its army, is in possession OF the terri,
torv in dispute between the State OF Texas, and
some persons in place called New Mexico
that the President will maintain that possession
by force, against the claim of Texas.
MEssRs. EpIroRs:--The above extract i
from your piper of the 3rd inst, will You b,
good enough to inform the public when AMI
where il has been officially announced that III,
President will maintain possession of New
Mexico by force, against the claim of Texas!
If you win, you will establish for your pape
the character Of q truth-loving and h-telins
Journal, with a SUBSCRIBER. 1
The above note was received through tn,
Post Office on Saturday evening, and in confor
nifty with the request of our Correspondent
we proceed to furnish the required information
In his late message of the nth of June, the
President says: l! l .a tfa
81 have already in former message, referred
to the fact that the boundary between Texas and
New Mexico is disputed. ] have now to state
that information has been recently received, that
commissioner Of the State of Texas, has pro-
ceedel to Santa Fe with a view Of organizing
counties in that district, under the authority OF
Texas. While ! have no power to decide the
question of boundary, and no desire to interfere
with it as question of title, have to observe,
that the possession of the territory into which il
appears that Mr.. Neighbours has thus gone, was
actually acquired by the United States from Mex.
leo, and has since been held by the United States
and in my OPINION onght so to remain until the
question of boundary shall have been determined
by some competent authority. Meanwhile,
think there is no reason for seriously apprehend-
ing that Texas will practically interfere with the
possession of the United States" - 5ss
This is official Let us nowsee what is meant
by it. Undoubtedly it asserts an actual and a
rightful possession of New Mexico BY he United
States. Undoubtedly it asserts this right spe-
cially as against Texas forit sneers at the
recent attempt of the constituted authorities Of
Tex s, through Mr.. Neighbours to establish the
civil jurisdiction of Texas over the territory
east of the Rio Grande What next? The
President observes, awhilst i have. no pooer to
decide the question of boundary, and no desir.
to interfere oith II as a question Of tile, Ihave
to observe that the possession, dc, was actually
acquired blythe United States from Mexico, and
h. since been held by the United States, ard i !,
my opinion ought to remain until the question OF
bouid ry shall have been determined by som.
competent authority The President ds,vows
the orer or the desire TO interfere tcith the CUES
tion Of tile, but as to the possession, he dis
ayows neither the power LOT the desire to main
in il, ard by inevitable inference, asserts both
aid p rticul rly as against Texas, whose recent
attempt to est blish her jurisdiction over the
district of Santa Fe, the President speaks Of, as
utterly invalid--the mere effort of "a certain
Robert s. Neighbours, styling himself commits
sioner of the State of Texas" As to the kind
of power the President assumes to have in this
se--the mode of its exercise, and the desire
to exercise it, we have official evidence We
are Indebted to Mr.. HOWARD of the House and
Mr.. RUsK of the Senate for calling our atten
ton to the instructions given by Secretary
MARCY, on this very subject He says: al
regard to that part of what the Mexicans callet
New Mexico, lying east of the Rio Grande, tn,
civil authority which Texas has established o
may establish there, IS TO be respected, and in n,
manner whatever interfered with, by the mill
tary force, otherwise than to lend aid on prope
occasions, in sustaining it. Letter Secretar,
War to Com. officer at Santa Fe, Doc. II, p
$50. 80 ~ r.s& a.@ o." &c.
On the Goth March, lS49, the present Execu.
tive modified this order so as to prohibit coop
eration, and to adopt non-intervention by the
United States. Secretary CRAWFORD referring
to the proceeding order of Mr.. MARCY, says:
Il have to remark that it is not expected
Texas will undertake to extend her civil gov
errment over the remote regions designated
but should she do so, you will confne your &C.
tioa under the clause above cited to arranging
your command in such manner as not TO come
into conflict aoah the authorities so constituted
Same document, p. 272. ,hsa.,.s II.
The next step was taken eight months after
wards.
Mr. Secretary CRAWFORD in his instructions
to { l. GORGE A. MCCALL, d.ted Novemb r.
49, 1879. says: a.... =
Sir, as you are about TO JOIN your regiment,
now On duty in New Mexico, il has occurred to
me rs proper to make some observations on the
Pc uliar condition of that and another territory Of
The United States. - ~ /
III is not doubted that the people of New Mex.
leo desire and want Government organized, with
all proper functions, for the protection and securi
~ of their persons and properly
g The question readily occurs, how can that
Government be supplied! ! have already adverted
past and still existing difficulties, that have
terded, and may continue to retard the action of
the United States, in respect to this necessary and
first want; to remove il, may in some degree,
lie the part ofthe duty of officers of the army, on
whom, under the necessities Of the case, have
been devolved partial participation il their
civil affairs. 1t is therefore deemed proper that
should say that it is not believed that the people
Of New Mexico are required to await the move
ments Of the Federal Government in relation to a
plan of government proper for the regulation of
tieir own internal concerns. I
"The Constitution Of the United States, and
the late treaty with Mexico, guarantee their ad-
mission into the union OF our States, subject only
to the Judgment OF Congress. 49,, -. =
"ShouId the people Of New Mexico wish to
take any steps toward this object, SO. important