Washington telegraph., 1850-09-04
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WaShia gt0n. August ), 1850


To HIS ErceIiency Z. H. Bell, G0rernOI Of TeraS:
SIR: A letter addressed by you to the
late President of the United States, and
dated on the 18th Of June last, has, since
his lamented decease, been transferred
10 the hands of his successor, by whom
am directed 10 address to you the follow
ing answer:
In that letter you say, that by the au-
thority of the Legislature of Texas, the
executive of that State, in February last,
dispatched q special commissioner with
full power and instructions to extend the
civil jurisdiction OF that State over the
.unorganized counties OF Ell Paso. Worth,
Preside, and Santa Fe, situated upon
It's northwestern limits, and that the Com
missioner has reported to you. in an Off
cial form, that the military officers en-
ployed in the service of the United States,
stationed at Santa Fe. interposed adverse
ly with the inhabitants to the fultilment
of his object, by employing their inhu-
ence in favor of the establishment of a
separate State Government east of the
Rio Grande, and within the rightful limits
of the State of Texas. You also trans
nit copy of the Proclamation of Colonel
John Monroe, acting under the orders OF
the Government of the United States,
under the designation of Civil and Militia
~ Governor of the Territory of New
Mexico, and respectfully request the Presl-
dent to cause you to be informed whether
or not this officer has actedin this matter
under orders of his Government, and
ID |, I,n
approval of the President OF the United
States
In the events which have occurred, the
President hardly knows whether your
Excellency would naturally expect an
answer to tins letter from him. Ills pre-
decessor in office, to whom it was ad-
dressed. and under whose authority and
direction the Proclamation of Colonel
Monroe was issued, is no more, and at
this time, that Proclamation, whatever
may be regarded as its true character, has
ceased to have influence or effect. The
meeting of the people of New Mexico,
by their representatives, which it invited
is understood to have taken place, al
though this Government has as yet re-
ceived no official information of it.
Partaking, however, in the fullest de-
gree, in that high respect which the Ex'
ecutive Government of the United
States always entertains towards the
Governors and the Governments of the
States the President thinks it his duty
nevertheless, 10 manifest and acknowl
edge that feeling of respect by acknowl'
edging and answering your letter. And
this duty, let me assure your Excellency
has been so long delayed only by uncon'
trollable circumstances, and Is now per-
formed at the earliest practicable mo-
ment, after the appointment of those
Heads of Departments, and their accep,
tance of office, with whom it is usual, on
important occasions, for the President OF
the United States to advise.
In answer, therefore, to your first In
terrogatory, viz: whether Col. Monroe
in issuing the proclamation referred to-
acted under the orders of this Govern.
ment the President has directed me to
state that COL Monroe's proclamation ap
pears to have been issued in pursuance
or in consequence of an order, or letter
of instructions, given by the late Secre
tary Of War, under the authority of the