Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-02
lrExAa AMI MEXICO.

ei~J
Buchanan says:
"The fact is but too well known to the world that the
Mexican government are not now in condition to sa-
tsty these claims by the payment OF money Unless
the debt should be assumed by the government OF the
United States, the claimants cannot receive what IS
justly their due. Forum atey the joint resolutions OF
Congress, approved March LIST, 1915, "lor anneXing
Texas the United States, presents the means OF sa-
tsying these claims in perfect consistency with the
interests well the honor OF both republics 1t has
reserved to this government the adjustment of all
questions of boundary that may arise with other 60
vernments The question of boundary may, therefore,
be adjusted in such manner between the two republics
the burden ofthe debt due to American claim
ants, their own government, whlstIt Will do no IN
Jury to Mexico.
In order to arrive at Just conclusion on this subject,
is necessary briefly state what at present. are the
territorial rights OF the parties
The Congress of Texas, by the act oil December IL,
1886 have declared the Rio Del Norte, from its mouth
TO its source, to be boundary OF that republic r.
"In regard to the right OF L exas to the boundary OF
the Del Nore, from the mouth TO the faso there can
not it is apprehended, be any very serious doubt 1t
would be easy establish, by the authority OF our most
eminent statesmen-at time, too, when the question
Of the boundary of province OF Louisiana was better
understood than is at presenthat to this extent at
least, the Del Norte was its western limit.
The Secretary Of State then refers to the negotiations
OF Messrs. Monroe and Pinckney with the Spanish go
vernment show that previous to the treaty OF 1873
with that Government, by which Texas ceded, the
United States claimed that the Rio del Norte the
boundary OF Texas.
at cannot be doubted that the Florida treaty of 22d
February, 1919, ceded to Spain all that part OF ancient
Louisiana within the present limits OF Texas; and the
more important inquiry now is, what Is the extent OF
the territorial rights which Texas has acquired by the
sword in righteous resistance to Mexico. In your
negotiations with Mexico, the independence OF Texas
must be considered settled fact, and is not to be called
"hmay, however, be commended on the part OF Mexi-
co that the Nueces and not the Del Norte is the true
Na boundary Oi Texas | need not furnish
arguments to controvert this position. You have been
perfectly familiar with the subject from the beginning,
and know that the jurisdiction OF Texas has been eN-
tended beyond that river and that representatives from
the country between it and the Del Norte have parc
pated in the deliberations both OF her Congress and her
Convention Besides, this portion OF the territory was
embraced within the limits OF ancient Louisiana.
"Ihe case is different NTH regard to Ne,D MeGicO.
SANTA Ee, lis capitat, aoaS settled by the Spanards
more than t,oo centuries ago, and that province has
been e0ef since an Their possession ana thdt Of Tie re
pubticof MeTico. The Teams ne0er hare conquered
on taken possession Of it, ha0e its people eucr been
represented in ay Of their Legislative assemblies
conUenf0ns. The tong and galley Of -Nelo
MeGco Santa Ee, as situated on both banks Of the
Upper Del Norte, and IS bounded on both sides by
mountains. 1t is many hundred miles remote from
other settled portions OF Mexico and from its distance
ii is both difficult and expensive to defend the inhat
against the tribes OF fierce and warlike savages
that roam over the surrounding country. From this
cause it has suffered severely from their ncusions-
Mexico must expend far in defending SO distant a
possession than she can possibly derive benefit from
tinuing 10 hold it.
Besides it is greatly to be desired that our boundary
with Mexico should now be established in such man
ner preclude all future difficulties and disputes be-
tween the two republics A great portion Of Ne,o
Merico being This side Of tie Rio Grande, md in
cuded 1ithin the limits atreddy cLded by IeTdS it
may hereafter, should 1t remain Mexican pr0oince
become subject OF dispute, and OF bad feeling
between those who, trust are destined in future to be
always friends
On the other hand, if, in adjusting the boundary the
province OF New Mexico should be included within the
limits OF the United States this would obvate the danger
of future collisions Mexico would part with remote
and detached province, the possession OF which can
never be advantageous 10 her and she would be relieved
from the trouble and expense OF defending its inhabitants
against the Indians. Besides she would thus purchase
security from their attacks, for her other provinces
of the Del Norte, it would at become the duty Of
the United States to restrain the savage tribes within
their limits, and prevent them from making hostile in
cusions into Mexico. From these considerations, and
others that will readily suggest themselves TO your mind
would seem to be equally the interest oil both powers
that New Mexico should belong tothe United States.
But the President desires to deal literally by Mexico.
You are therefore, authorised to oer TO assume the
payment Of all Tie Just claims Of citizens against
MericO, md IN addition, 10 pay So 00OO00in tho
Mexican government shall agree TO establish the boun
dairy OF the countries from the mouth of the Rio
Grande up the principal stream to the point where it
touches the line of New Mexico thence west OF the
river along the exterior line othat province and SO as to
include the whole within the United States until again
inersees the river thence up the principal stream of
the same to its source and thence due north until it in
tersects thetorty- second degree ofnorth latitude.
A boundary still preferable TO this would be an extern
sion OF the line from the north west corner OF New
Mexico, along the range OF mountains until it would in
tersect The forty second parallel:
Should tie Hericdn authorities prone un,oiiiing TO
eriend boundaries beyond the Del NOrte are,
in that epe, instructed to offer to assume the payment
Of all the Just claims Of citizens Of the United States
against MeTicO, should she agree that the line shall
be established along the boundary defined by the act of
Congress Of TEXAS, approved December 49, 1886 to wit
beginning at "the mouth Of the Rio Grande; thence up
pfr Mt In ats
due north to the ory-second degree OF north latitude"
1t is scarcely to be supposed, however, that Mexico
would renqulsh five millions OF dollars for the sake of
retaining the narrow strip OF territory in the valley OF
New Mexico, west OF the Rio Granoe; and thus place
under two distinct governments the small settlements
closely identified with each other, the opposite banks
OF the river. Besides all the Inconvenience her from
holding New Mexico which have pointed out, would
be seriously aggravated by her continuing to hold that
small portion OF it which lies west of the river.
There is another subject OF vast Importance to the
United States which will demand your particular at
ention. From information possessed by this depart
men it is to be seriously appehended that both Great
Britain and France have designs upon California. The
views OF the government of the United States on this
subject you will find presented in my despatch Ihos
O. Larkn, Esq, our consul at Monterey dated October
H. IS45 a copy of which is herewith transmitted. From
1t you will perceive that while this government does not
intend to interfere between Mexico and California il
would vigorously mtepose to prevent the latter from
becoming either British or French colony. You will
endeavor to ascertain whether Mexico has any inen-
ton OF cedng it to or the other power; and if any
such design exists, you will all your energies to
prevent an act, which ii eonsummated, would be so
raught with danger 10 the best interests of the United
States On this subject you may freely correspond with
Mr. Larkn, taking that your letters shall not fall
into improper hands,
The possession OF the bay and harbour OF San Francis
co is all important to the United States. The adyanta-
ges to us OF its acquisition striking, that would
be waste thine 10 enumerae them here. Ii all these
should be turned against country by the cesson OF
California to Great Britain, principal commercial III
val, the consequences would be most disastrous.
The government OF California is now but nominally
dependant Mexico and ii is than doubtful who
Their her authority will ever be restated Under these
circumstances it is the desire ofhe President that you
should your best efforts to obtain accession of that
province from Mexico to the United States. Could you
accomplish this object, you would render immense SER
your country, and establish envable repua-
compared aoith the oatue Of tie acquisitions Still the
attempt must be made with great prudence and caution
caInr thoie