The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-08-15
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
AND TEXAS.

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the President of the United States, communica-
ting correspondence between the Federal Exec
utive and the Executive of Texas. The Presi-
dent takes the ground that what is commonly
called New Mexico is Territory of the United
States, placed by the Treaty under the protec-
ton of the General Government, the Executive
Department Of which is solemny bound to en-
force the provisions of the Treaty which secures
to the New Mexicans the free enjoyment Of their
property, liberty, and religion; and that should
Texns attempt by any civil posse, armed or un-
armed or by her militia, to extend her laws
over the Territory, and enforce them, or to OBJ
struct any law of the United States, she becomes
trespasser and must be resisted by the civil
and if necessary the whole military power of
the Federal Government
This position Of the President is firmly, but
mildly taken, and fortified by arguments that must
.af,,ana II 70 the good .-----s Q great maSori.
ty Of the American People, in all sections A few
hot-headed politicians clamor against the message,
as proclamation that the President has drawn
his sword against Sovereign State. Texas has
drawn or threatened to draw her sword against
the United States, and the President simply calls
her attention to the fact that, as the Chief Elk.
ecutive officer of the Federal Government, au-
thorized and obligated to employ the military
power, if necessary, to repel any invasion of its
Territory, or to put down any obstruction to its
laws, he must draw the sword If she attempt to
execute her threat. Less than this he could not
do. To neglect the high duty of taking care
that the laws be faithfully executed" would be
perjury, and justly subject him to impeachment
Texas is now forewarned. If"Texan militia
march into New Mexico, "there to execute or
enforce any law of Texas, they become at that
moment trespassers they are no longer under
protection of any lawful authority, and are to be
regarded merely as intruders."
The course of action which the President has
distinctly marked out for himself, Is the same as
that resolved on by the late Executive. In the
early part of General Tsylor's term, it seemed to
us that he had no clear conception Of the rights
and duties of the United States in relation to
New Mexico The orders transmitted from the
War Department, to the commanding officer in
the Territory, directing him not to resist the
efforts Of Texas to establish her Jurisdiction, IA
vored her aggressive designs upon New Mexico
The country was startled and every citizen who
questioned the fraudulent claim Of Texas, was
displessed with the attitude apparently assumed
by the Chief Executive The Cabinet could not
remain insensible to Public Sentiment; and the
Executive must have reoonsidered aud modified
its decision for, in q message communicated to
Congress June 18th, it distinctly stated that the
Territory in question was acquired by the United
States had continued in the possession Of the Uni
ted States and ought to continue until the bound
airy should be determined by the competent au-
thority. 1t is we'll understood that General Tsy-
lor was about to publish a message reinforcing
this view, and announcing his purpose to main
tain the authority of the Federal Government in
New Mexico by all the means placed by the
Constitution and laws at his disposal; when death
removed him from the scene Of earthly action.
But, in another respect, the closing part of
President Fllmore's message shows departure
from the policy OF the late Executive Gen Tay
lor had advised Congress to forbear ell action in
,relation to New Mexico, till her application for
admission as State, suggesting that the question
Of Boundary might then properly be determined
by the Supreme Court. Mr.. Fillmore thinks the
question which first demands the attention Of
Congress is this very question of boundary, as
suming that "no Government can be established
in New Mexico either State or Territorial, until it
shall be first ascertained what New Mexico is,
and what are her limits and territories This he
would have determined, not by the Supreme
Court, or by Board of Commissioners
modes being open to the objection Of too much
delay-but by an act of Congress, and the assent
Of the Legislature of Texas-and he favors the
policy Of giving to Texas an indemnity, not un-
reasonable and extravagsnt, but fair, liberal, and
awarded In a just spirit of accommodation" For
one, 80 fully convinced are we of the utter ground
essness Of the claim of Texas we should prefer to
see the question adjudicated by the Supreme Court
but we have no doubt that the policy recommended
by the President will meet the views Of the ma
jority In both Houses Of Congress. We regret
that he did not adhere entirely to the policy Of
General Taylor; but we rejoice that so far as his
own action is concerned, he has proclaimed bis
purpose to protect New Mexico by all the power
of the Government, till the conflicting claims re-
speeting her Territory be settled by the cOmpe.
tent authority, whatever that may be. In this
determination he will be sustained undoubtedly
by the American People.