The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-12-11

OF the District of Columbia. and OF the Army
and Navy of the United States, the proper
measures have been adopted 10 carry this be-
niiccnt purpose into effect
By the latest adviceS from the Mexican
Boundary Commission it appears that the
survey of the river ella, from It's confluence
with the Colorado to its supposed intersection
with the western line of New Mexico, has
been completed. The survey of the Ito
Grande has also been finished from the point
agreed on br the commissioners AS 1.-The point
where it strikes the southern boundary OF
New Mexico" to point one hundred and
thirty-iivc miles below EARLE Pass, which Is
about two-thir,iS of the distance along the
course Of. the river to It's mouth.
The appropriation which was made at the
last session of Congress, for the continuation
of the survey, is subject TO the following pro-
vlSO;
"Prasided. That no part of this approprl-
alton shall be used or expended, until 1t shall
lac made satisfactorily TO appear to the l,resi-
dent OF the United States. that the southern
boundary Of New Mexico is not established
by the commissioner and surveyor OF the M
ted States farther north of the town called
'Pa>o' than the same is laid down in Dlstur-
ncll's map which is added to the treaty
Nv attention was drawn to this subject b,v
report from the Department of the Interior.
which reviewed all the facts of the case. and
submitted for my decision the question whetf-
err, under existing circumstances, any part OF
the appropriation could be lawfully used or
expended for the further prosecution OF the
work. After careful consideration OF the
subject, came to the conclusion that 1T could
not, and So informed the head of that De
partment. Orders were Immediately issued
10y him TO the commissioner and surveyor to
make no further acquisitions on the Depart
ment, as they could not be paid: and 10 dis
continue all operations on the southern line
of New Mexico But as the Department had
no exact information as to the amount of
provisions and money which remained unex-
pended in the hands OF the commissioner and
surveyor. it was left discretionary with them
to continue the survey down the Rio tirande
a, lar as the means at their disposal would
enable them. or at once To di>band the Com
mission. 4 special messenger has SINCE ar
rived from the officer in charge OF the sur
vcv on the river. with information that the
funds subject to hi> control were exhausted,
and that the officers and others employed IN
the scrcicc were destitute alike OF the means
OF prosecuting the work and of returning 10
their homes
The object of the proviso was doubtless to
arrest the survey OF the southern and western
lines Of New Mexico. in regard To which diff
Irrcnt nIimians have been expressed; for IT Is
hardly Ia lc supposed thu, there could be
any objection !" that part Of the line which
extends al"u. til" channel of the Rio Grande.
But the terms of the law are 50 broad a. to
forbid tn. Use of any part III the money for
the prosecution OF the work. or even for the
payment To thu officers and agents. of the ar
rrararcs o; pay which are Justly due TO them
earnestly invite your prompt attention to
this subject and recommend a modification OF
tn, terms "t the pr"NI>o. :" a. 10 enable the
Department L. U.s., As much of the appropria-
ton a. viii hr necessary /" discharge the eN-
i,tinr obligations Of the Government. and Il
complete the survey of the Eio Grandc 10 II,
mouth.
1t viii also lie proper to make further pro-
vision hv law for the tuitln.rnt OF our treat,
with Nr\iro. iur running and marking til,
residue Of the boun,!ry line between the tw'
countries.
Permit me To invite Your particular atten
tion L. the Interests OF the District OF Column
, tia. whi,h are ronhdcd by the Constitution
10 ,our peculiar care.
ANON, the measure. which seem 20 HE OF
= the creates, Importance 10 It's prosperity. arr
The Introduction q: a copiou> supply oi watrl
into the city of Washington, and the con
>trurtiou of suitable bridges across the Poto
mac. To replace those winch were dcStroveG
hv high water in the early part OF the present
wear.
At the last session of Congress an appropri-
alton was made To dciray the cost o. the sur
,c,s necessary for determining the best means
oi aiinrdinG an untaiIlng supply of good and
wholesome water. Some progress has been
mad" IN the survey. and as soon As II is COM
plctcd the result will bc laid before YOU.
Further appropriations will also be neces-
>ary tor the grading and paving the streets
and avenues. and incoSing and embelli>hing
the grounds within the CITY OF Washington.
commend all these objects. together with
the charitable institutions of the District, to
YOUR favorable regard.
frontier and that OF the adjoining Mexican
States, from the incur>ionS of the Indian
tribes. OF about 1000 men of which the
army is composed, nearly 5000 are employed
in the defence of the newly acquired terrific
~. (including Texas and of cmigrantS pro-
, cccding thereto. | am gratiiicd TO say that
these efforts have been unusually successful
With the exception OF some partial outbreak.
i'll California and Oregon. and occasional dep
relations on portion OF the Rio Grande
owing, 1t is believed, to the disturbed state of
that border region, the inroads of the Indians
have been ctlectnally restrained
Experience has shown. however. that
whenever the two races are brought into con-
tact, collisions will inevitably occur. To pre-
vent these collisions the United States have
generally set apart portions of their TERRITORY
for the exclusive occupation of these Indian
tribes. y difficulty occurs. however. in the
application of this policy to Texas. Bv the
terms of the compact. bv which that State
was admitted into the Union, she retained
the ownership of all the vacant lands within
her limits. The government of that State. it
is understood, has asst gncd no portion of her
territory to the Indians: but as fast AS her
settlements advance LAYS it of into counties.
and proceed, TO survey and sell it. This pol
icy maniie>tly tends not only to alarm and ir-
rltate the Indians. but to compel them to re-
sort to plumber for subsistence 1t also de-
prlvcs this Government of that influence and
control over them. without which no durable
peace can ever exist between them and the
whites. trnst, therefore. that a due regard
for her own interests, apart from considera-
tons of humanity and justice, will induce that