The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-13

| States by France in 1903, has been always
claimend ms extending west to the Rio Grande
| Second That The Teras which was ceded to
Spain by the United States, by the treaty Of
1919, embraced all the country now claimed by
State of Texas between the Nueces and the Rio
Grande
Third. That the republic of Texas always
claimed this river as her western boundary
That it was recognized in the treaty with Santa
Anna, in May, 1886.
| And that this boundary was prescribed and
declared by law of Texas, entitled "An act to
define the boundaries of the republic of Texas,
passed 10th December, 1886
Fourth and last That taiS ioas THE TEXAS
which, by the act Of Congress of 29th December,
1845, was admitted as one of the States OF our
| Union"
Now, sir, that was the history of the original
province, afterwards republic, and now State OF
Texas. Whether correct or not, that was the
history of that Territory as declared by the Exc
cutye of this nation in 1916, carried back to
1903, and he rested upon it the constitutional
obligation Of the government over which he
presided to protect Texas in her integrity within
these limits Yet now the present President OF
the United States, for the purposes oft pre-
sent measure, declares that this whole country,
| from which these four new counties were to be
been regarded as san essential and integral part
of the department Of New Mexico" | wish to
expose this fact to the American people, and
more especially to that part of the American
people who have deep political interest in the
result of this measure.
In the message; of December, lS47, also, Pre-
sident Polk after tracing again summarily the
right of Texas to the Rio Bravo or Rio Grande
as her western boundary, informs the Congress
| of the United States that the Rio Bravo, as a
boundary was made an "ultimatuna," In the
negotiations pending with Mexico during the
! war, Mr., Trst the commissioner, was instructed
to make that an uliimatum in any treaty which
he might form with Mexico. What an uhima-
tum? Why, this boundary, which, twelve
months before, he had told the government Of
the SHIFTED States was not only the boundary of
Texas as he had traced it, as a province, from
1903, but was the boundary which the United
States was bound to make good to the State of
Texas And in the same message December,
l847) President Polk says:
aThe territorial limits of the State of Texas,
too, as defined by her laws before her admission
| into tile Union, embrace all that portion Of New
| Mexico living east Of the Rio Grande, while
Mexico still claims to hold this territory part
! of her dominions The adjustment OF his ques-
ton of boundary is important"
The war with Mexico was then going on--a
war wagcd because of the disputed boundary of
| the Rio Grande-the boundary asserted by Tex
| as denied by Mexico, and insisted on even to a
war by the United States.
These messages of the President were inten-
ded to set forth and enforce, before Congress and
the country, the right of Texas to the boundary
as claimed, Whether that be the true exposition
or not does not vary the present question. Yet,
| Al. fha If h1
boundary taken by the Executive years before
and pending the Mexican war, the present Pre-
sidcnt of the United States informs Congress
that all this country,has "heretofore been regard
ed as an essential and integral part OF the De-
partment of New Mexico.
Now sir in tracing this matter little further,
we find that General Kearney was ordered with
body Of troops to march into and tax. posses
sion of New Mexico on both sides OF the Rio
Grande and he did so. Now, in order to un-
derstsnd the spirit in which that order was given
pending the war, it is necessary to look to the
instruction given to the commanding officer in
! New Mexico after the peace. 1t will be found
| in a letter from Secretary Marcy to the comnlan-
ding officer Of the United States forces at Santa
Fe, dated October ~, lS4S, from which read
&rfollowing extract: Efag a sa
Rt.Texas claims as a part Of that State all the
4 leTTltoTN lliliR tuSu VI lNio tiiS
government here has not contested that claim.
Whether it is or not a part Of Texas, since the
peace il is essentially part of the United States;
and it is not only without but against law to
collect duties on merchandise or any kind OF
productions coming into New Mexico from any
| part of the United States. In regard to that
part of what the Meyicans called New Mexico,
/ lying east of the Rio Grande the civil authority
| which Texas has established or may establish
there is to be respected, and in no manner what
ever nterfered with by the military force in that
department other,ciSe than TO lend aid on proper
occasions in sustaining IT,"
In sustaining what! Sustaining the authority
of Texas in establishing her jurisdiction over
the territory within her limits. The instruction
there given to the commander of the United
States forces after the peace was, that he should
not only not interfere with the authority of Tex
as but:that he should, if necessary, sustain it
by the military power of the United States
Now, sir, how far the late Executive, Gen Tay-
LORI who is now no more was disposed to in
terfere with the status given to the subject under
the administration of Mr.. Polk, is rather dimly
Swallowed forth than clearly indicatedi in anything
that came from his administration; but have
here letter from Secretary Crawford to the
commanding officer at Santa Fe, dated in March,
lS49, in which he reviews the orders given by
Secretary Marcy to the commanding officer il,
lS4S After citing them perbatim, and review
ing them, he reinstructs the commander Of the
forces there as to his duty He says:
"With respect to that portion of the instructions
which is in the following words In regard to
that portion of what the Mexicans called New
Mexico, lying east of the Rio Grande, the civil
authority which Texas has established or may
establish there, is to be respected, and in
manner nterfered with by the military force in
that department, otherwise than to lend aid on
proper occasions in sustaining it,. / have to re-
to extend her civil government the remote
region designated but, should she do so, you will
confne your action, under the clause above cited.
to arranging your command in such manner as not
to come into conflict with the authorities so con-
st,uted On the claim of Texas to any or the
whole Of New Mexico east Of the Rio Grande, it
is not necessary to give an opinion, as Congress
and that State alone have the power Of ADJUST
ing it, 4H1
Ma. 80 ho-o on ordar 10 dictpctlv piyan hy