The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1850-08-16
Gbs fartoster @u3t;tr.
TnR TkxAs BouNDARY QUESTION,


that the position assumed by the Execu'
tive has me, with the appreciation nl the
moderate men 10 bp,h houses OF Con-
Oress and will be sustained by them.
Alter stating the difficulties existing
between Texas and New Mexico and the
proceedings in the former State, the
President feheafses his duties as defined
ia the constitulion of the United States
and several acts Of Congress. by which
he is made the conmander.in chief of
the army and navy Of The United States
and Of the militia when called into actual
service and Is directed to employ these
against any combinations OF persons en-
gagged in obstructing the laws Of the u
niled States in any State or Territory
He then states that by the treaty with
Mexico, ali Inhabitants of the teriil"ry
acquired by conquest fiom that cnnnty
are entitled to tho protection Of our laws,
and while he does not assume To decide
the question Of boundary between the
State Of Texas aud the territory Of New
Mexico he deems It his duty to prevent
Texas from usurping jurisdiction over
the disputed territory until it is decided
by the proper authorities.
Tho President then urges upon Con
gless the necessity Of an immediate set
tlemebt Of Ills boundary question. llc
thinks its reference to Judicial tribunal
would not be- advisable. on account OF the
great length of time, which would he re-
quired for adjudication. lie is also Of
the opinion that the appointment of Cum
missionsrs is not necessary. as Congress
can act as well now as when they should
make their report. However, he ex
presses his willingness In acqnesee In
any mode which the wisdom OF Congress
may devise.
Mr.. Webster's letter IL in reply tn a
communication Of Gov Bell, complain.
ing of the action of Col. Munrue in New
Mexico. The counties in dispute aIe +
Paso, Wurth, Presidio and Santa Fe.-
He says that The military power was mo-
authorized TO take the lead u any ineus
ures for the formation Of State Gov
ernment nor 10 recommend anything a.
fit to be adopted by the people. Thei
whole duty was confined to what the!
might be able to perform subordinate Il
the wishes Of the people. IL was OK
peclcd that they would aid the inhabIt
ants IN forming G,verument Of thei
own, the military officer being better ac
quainted with the forms of civil aud pop
ular proceedings. We give the matt
part Of Mr.. WeGsler's letter in full
To Judge iu,olligently and fairly u
these transactions, we must recall TO Ou
recollection the circumstances oI the cas-
as they then existed.
Previous TO the war with Moxicu
which cummenced in May, 1916, and re-
coived the sanction Of Congress on lh'
18th of that mouth. the Territory of New
Mexico formed department Of State o
tho Mexican Republic. aud was govern
ell by her laws.
Gen. Knarney. acting under orders
from this Government, invaded this de,
partment with All armed force; the gov
ernor fled athis approach, Ond the troops
under his command Dispersed, aud Gen
Kearney entered Sauta Fe, the capital
on The 18Th Of August, 1916, and tool
possession Of the territory in the nam,
Of the United States. On the 22d u
that month he issued proclamation t,
the inhabitants, stating the fact that h.
hud taken possession Of Santa Fe, at tn
head of his troops, aud announcing "hi
intention to hold the department with il
original boundaries ION both sides If tn
del Norte, and under the namO Of No'
Mexico"
Bythut proclamation he promised t
project the inhabitants uf New Mexico
inlheir person and proporIYosainsI thel
Indian enemies aud all others; aud assur
ed them that the U0itel States intended
TO provide for them free government
when tho people would bo called upor
to exercise the rights Of ireemon in eec
ting g,heir own representatives To the Ter
ritorial Legislature. On tho same dal
he established Territorial Constitution
by an organic law, which provided fo
executive, Legislative, and jldicial do
partmenls of the gnvernmenl; define,
the right of suffrage, and provided i,
the trial by jury, and at the same tim
establish code Of laws This constj
tuiion declared that "the country here
loiore known as New Mexico shall b
kno Sn hereafter mud designated as III
territory Of Now Mexico, in tho Unite
States Of America" aud the members ,
The lower house Of tho Legislature wer
appurtioDed among the counties eSlal
llshed by the decree Of tho deparlmel
of Mexic0, Of june II, 1914. which cou
ties. II is understood, included all Il
territory over which Texas has lately o
tempted 10 organize counties and eata
lsb her own Jurisdiction,
On the 22d OF December. 1916, a col
Of this constitution aud code WAS tran
mit,od by President Polk 10 the Ilou
of Representatives., IN pursuance "f
call upon him by that body In the me-
Al. ..t.