Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-01-31
The Claims of Texas upon New
Mexico.


iained an able article upon the message OF TIE
President, in which cordial assent was given
to the Message, with the exception OF the part
which relates to New Mexico. The Tribune OF
Saturday has another article on the same sub
eci, which we quote at length:
"NEw MexIco.-The documents transmitted
to Congress by the President, in answer to the
requisition of the House, with regard to New
Mexico and California, officially establish that
the people of New Mexico have had very mar
row escape from the clutches OF slavery, II H.
deed they can yet be SAID to have escaped. IL
appears by Secretary Cfawfords despatch OF
March Goth last, to the U. S. Military Command-
ant at Santa Fe, :hat = Uiliidm l.. .haTcy,
Mr.. Pok's Secretary OF War, ana member Vi
the Cass Democracy of New York, which Is "as
much opposed 10 slavery az any body" only 1t
doesn't approve OF agitation, nor of irritating the
sensibilitIes of sour Southern breihren,' OIL
claily instructed the then U. S. conmandant at
Santa Fe as follows:
0} = In regard to that part of what the Mex
leans call New Mexico lying East OF the KIo
Grande the civil authority which Texas mas es-
tablished or may establish there, Is to he reSpec-
ted AMI by no mems TO be inrertered with oy
the military force IN that Department, otherwise
than to lend aid on proper occasions Ill sustain
ingn
THAT part of what The .Nerieans call New
Mexlcu'-ls Humboit Mexictn: Are all the
eminent geograpners on earth Acxcans: GOV.
Marcy has to begn with gross mlsrepresen'a-
ton in order TO confuse bis own consciousness
of the niquy Of his order
TIE order itself is very plain. 1t directs the
u. s. Military officer in command in New Mex
leo not to protect the people of that country a.
galnst the odlous claim OF Texas 10 exercise DO
miuIon over ihem-but To respect That Gain,
aud 50 lend aid on proper occasions Ill sustaining
It,"
Such were the instructions under which our
Military officers in New Mexico were acting
down TO The accession of Gen. Taylor TO the
Pres .dency Had Texas then put forth the eX-
ertons she is about to make IN assertion OF
her claim TO the better part of Ne" Mexico, the
whole available force Of the Federal GoVern-
nent would have been excrled in her support
New Mexico must have succumbed, carrying
Texas and slavery up 10 the l2l degree OF North
latitude.
Had Gen. Cass been chosen President, this
order would sui have Iemaile ed IN force, this
policy would have been persisted in, and New
Mexico must have fallen. Sic Is saved thus lar,
and we trust permanently, by the election OF
Gen. Taylor. rmee weeks sitter his accession
10 the WhIie House, the above order from Poik
and Marcy virtually ove-ruled and resclnded
by new despatch iron the War Department
March 20 49, saying:
have To remark that II Is not expected Texas
viii undertake to extend her civil government
over the remote region DIES gnated, but should
she do So, you wIl confne your action under the
clause above cited to arranging your command
IN such manner as not 10 come INTO conflict with
The authorizes 80 constituted. On the claim Of
rexas to any or the whole of New Mexico east
OF the Rio Grande, it Is Mt Necessary 10 give an
opinion as Congress and that State alone have
the power of adjusting H.
This Is not pam spoken as we could wish
It, but the Iutsnlis good. and II is more clearly
expressed IN The instructions gwen by The same
Del artnsnt to Col. Geo. \. Mccall, Nov. i9ih
la-tl 10 urge the people Of New Mexico to torn
a State Constitution sud seek admission iutO the
Union. Nov the people ct New Mexico refer
red To, VIGOROUSLY i've on his sile of the Rio
Grande. ard there are al The military posts
known u our Government To talk OF organl-
zng a State of New Mexico, and 10 instruct our
officers 10 promote such organization, Is TO IT,
struct them how most effectually to resist the
claim of Texas to that country and 10 Go their
best to thwart It. Wesee clearly that the Pres
Idrnt and Cabinet are meaning TO 30 the night
thing that they mean To protect and preserve
New Mexico from the professions Of Texas;
hat they taking that course winch IN their
lud gment will best subserye the end which they,
as "e, feel TO be That ct justice, We wish,
however, they might, aud we trust they yet vii,
see that tniduy IN the assertion aud Jus,Ihca-
ton Of risht has sonell lcs the effect of CONN.,
vance at wrong, and That not alone IN The batte-
field, but IN the council urd cabinet also, he
walks safest who walks b,ldest. and shuns The
tazes OF dissinulliiou AMI the llJyrlnths of
crooked policy
Wh'e We agree with Inc general tone Of the
ibuve We dissent from the Tribune in the init
nation which It gives, That General Taylor's
Mess g. is not sufficiently PLAIN spoken. No
lne. we think, read III. message AMI the
accompanying documents, without being assured
hit Gen. Taylor Is hostile 10 the claim of Texas
o New Mexico, or any plrt OF II. BIT then
len. Taylor Is a practical man: he understands
as position. lie Is aware OF The claims which
feXas SETS Up. and also :ilt, whether rI-ht or
wrong, there Is large party IN both Houses OF
Congress that from conscientious, political or
party motives, side with Texas In her demands.
-.itidS.