Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-08-17

been changed, nor the ground distinctly taken here that
during the with Mexico and up 10 the termination Of
tina, war all this territory extending from the mouth Of the
Rio Gsnde TO lis source In the possession of the Govern
ment Of Mexico and not Of Texas.
have already stated that far the province of New
Mexico concerned, ii was the department of New
Mexico" description known only to the Government Of
Mexico, and meaning thereby that was one of the
States of the confederation of Mexico Tbee Il another
thing which strikes me as Of great force in looking at this
message Of the President the facts spread
the records OF Government both executive and
lave, that this territory within the asserted limits of the
State Of Texas notwithstanding had been recognised and
acted upon such the exsence Of the war with MEXICO
and in all the Government papers that proclaimed the war
with Mexico and notwithstanding the fact that Texas is now
State of this Union, the message of the President is silent
omnousy silent throughout that Texas has asserted any
claim far less that this boundary rests on the laws and
tuon OF the State Of Texas and had been recognised by
this Government The whole Of these facts are treated az
though Texas for this purpose, in existence The
Executive after admitting that the Executive Government
bad power authority determine what was the true
line Of the boundary between New Mexico and the United
States before the treaty of Guadalupe Hdago nor any such
power now since the question has become one between the
State of Texas and the United States goes on to say
And he regard only the actual state Of things a. il
existed at the date Of the treaty. and bound protect all
inhabitants who were then established and who now remain
north and of the line Of demarkaion in the Mn enov
ent Of their liberty and property according to the provisions
Of the 9th article Of the treaty In other words that all must
be regarded New Mexico which was possessed and
occupied New Mexico by citizens Of Mexico the date
Of the treaty, until definite line Of boundary shall be estab.
Lshtd by competent authority"
Sir the declaration that there was no power in the Execu
tive to determine what the boundary was is put at
naqght by the subsequent part and not worth the paper ON
which it is written for, in this subsequent part the posi-
ton is distinctly taken that all must be regarded az New
Mexico which possessed and occupied by citizens Of
Mexico at the date Of the treaty Sir if competent to the
President to determine the status and deducs from that
duty to defend by ce, does he determine the question
of boundary and has he not done it He determines the
status at the time Of the treaty. by deciding who is in posses
sion, and in his language call in possession Of the Mex
cans must be treated part OF the Territory of New
Mexico. Why not the status the in regard to all
the country or the greater portion Of it lying between the
Nueces and the Rio Bravo When General Taylor marched
his to the Rio GraRde under the authority of the Pres
dent recognised by Congress- his first position was al the
mouth Of the Rio Gande, Point Isabel and his first des
patch thence informed the that point
ne was met BY depuation from the Governor Of Tamau
pasof which Department had once formed part and Of
which Mexico declared it then formed par-inorming him
that he Mexican territory, and that he advance
no further He advanced to Point Isabel and found
session Of Mexico and the Mexican officer in command he
port captain) set eato the vageGenea Taylor arriving
there in season to extngush and the Mexcans escaped
the river to the Mexican territory The possession of
Point Isabel at the time Of the entirely within the
terms Vt the message, discrimination of what the Execu-
tive held to be Mexican, and what Texan territory.
was possessed and occupied by citizens Of Mexico living
der Mexican laws and such the case, apprehend in
regard to the whole country between the Nueces and the Rio
Grande shall not now weary the Senate myself by
going into an argument upon these papers is sufficient
adduce hem to show that the Mexican entered into
by this Government for the establishing and enorc
ing the legitimate boundary Of Texas that the Mexican war
fixed the boundary, at least far it could he determn
ed BY the action OF the President recognised the Congress
OF the United States And let be left the American Senate
and the American people determine whether is to be toe
rated, that the President Of the United States addressing
himself to the Senate at this day, should inform them that
was bis duy under the constitution and the laws the
forces Of the United States in expeng the Government Of
the State of Texas it should be established within this
boundary.
Mr. President do not know and cannot pretend to know
WHETHER the bill which is proposed, and for which offer
this substitute, shall pass it will or will not avert the danger
OF collision between Texas and the troops the United
States But know that the substitute have offered will.
1t must do it, because yields Texas what she claims and
what In judgment, she is entitled to and give
peace upon that whole border But unless Texas should
acluesce in this proposition sdeto dismember her terrific
yotake off from her portion of that which she has always
claimed to be her territory for which she engaged with in
against Mexieo-unless she prepared do this for
moneyed consideration ask how the public peace likely to
be preserved do not know how the people Of Texas will
be likely to view this propositions but if they refuse accept
it. the result must inevitably be that will not stay for
hour the march Of her troops upon the territory alleged be
disputed On the other hand, recognition Of the claim Of
Texas asserted her statute books proposed by the sub
stue which submit would certainly achieve that de-
sirable result and settle the question. ..#
Mr.. FOOTE. entertain doubt that the honorable
Senator from Virginia perfectly correct in declaring that if
these resolutions adopted by both Houses of Congress-
the controversy between the United States and Texas
gard 10 this boundary line will be adjusted and war pre-
vented. l entertain doubt about it. and presume no
reasonable could entertain any doubt that point.
But the Senator knows bound 10 know for there
member Of either House who does not know, and an
intelligent in the country who reads the newspapers,
and is familiar with the current events Of this session OF Con-
gress, who does not know, that is utterly impossible
have these resolutions adopted by the two Houses Of Con-
gress The proposition has already been repeatedly voted
down, and is well known that there conscientious diff
ference Of opinion exhibited the subject both in the SEN
ate and in the House Of Representatives. Gentlemen
conscientious the honorable Senator from Virginia.
ghtened he and distinguished urists he enter.
tain and have expressed the opinion that the boundary line of
Texas not the line asserted heretofore and present.
hope, throughout. the Union by the Democratic party by
Mr. Polk President and by most Of the Democratic
statesmen Of the Union through their State Legislatures
Therefore follows that if adopt these resolutions
defeat the bha is certain. then treat 1t PROPOSE
ton to defeat adjustment. 1t is proposition to defeat
adjustment because ret Mise the honorable Senator from
Virginia Q reasonable man. enlightened man-one
who looks to slight extentto great extent Iknowto
the consequences likely arise from his action here and
say that he is bound know that these resolutions cannot
pass both Houses Of Congress- and therefore, also bound
know that the adoption Of his resolutions here will defeat
present proposition Tor adjustment.
Mr.. MASON As the Senator has alluded to me in this
way beg to assure him. whether not bound to
know what will be tue future action of Congress this sub
ject, that certainly do not know. am, however, flee
TO declare that far opinions have been manifested here
In the various votes taken subject of the Texan bounda
~, have TO apprehend that the majority will not
agree TO the boundaries Texas has asserted them But