The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-23
Mr. RUsR. There was nothing said about degrees in

this Question the treaty refers 10 Disurnefs map the
map rs shown TO have been mere compilation without
any investigation oil the territory ITSELF probably manu-
iaclured and made in the city OF New Yok-made In this
country, mere compilation from other maps Now, when
lhs commissioner went there with hls scienhc corps 10
order 10 ascertain where The real point OF departure upon
The Ro Giande he found by astronomical observations
that was three degrees west OF where il is placed upon
Dsurnells map. Now, understand that this is where
the d,lhcuy IS in this the commissioner supposed
he was bound TO go by the latitude and longitude II he
had started from the point designated by Dstunes map
he must have gone three degrees from the Rio Grande,
and therefore gone against the treaty. ior the treaty says
that he must start from the Rio Grande. Now. as un-
dersand he and his corps have found the actual latitude
and Longitude OF the Rio Grande and, ascertainlng
this latitude and longitude. commissioner has agreed
with the Mexican commissioner 10 establish certain
point as the starting point
II amounts TO this simply--Wheher DlsturnelPs map,
erroneous is found 10 be, shall be considered as
governing. ruling, and controlling the treaty. or whether
he treaty shall Dc executed according 70 the intentions ol
the parties to i,lhat is, that they shall start from
certain point asceftaned by latitude and longitude
am not prepared at this moment to into all this mat
ter, but shall be prepared to do future day And
therefore say now TO the honorable senator from Texas
Mr RusK, and others, that, al the proper time, shall
be ready to defend the position taken by our commits
soner. from the moment Of his embarkaon upon this
expedition to this time, during which period he has not
only encountered more difficulties than any individual
ever encountered before in the employment OF any gov
enment but has been pursued with more malice even TO
the last extremity, than have ever known 10 be
the before with so humble an individual. Now,
only ask on this occasion that the amendment, or
RUskl shall be so worded as not to involve this SEN
ate in declaration OF the fact that shall stand by
the treaty. and the latitude and longitude marked upon
Dsurnels map, in direct violation and opposition to
the actual astronomical observations which have deter
mined what the latitude and longitude OF the place
really are. Now, sir, lei The right be established II It
was the intention of the United States. when they made
this treaty with Mexico, that they to start from
certain point upon the Rio Grande-it matters not
whereand go to the head waters Of the Ga thence to
the Colorado, and thence TO the Pacific below Santiago
let II be so carried out And if Dlsurne who made the
map attached 10 the ueaty-the correctness incorrect
ness of which was not known to our commissioners
who negotiated this treaty with Mexico, to the
Alexcans thenselves-i he made mistake and placed
ri Paso thirty or forty miles, or perhaps a degree,
from where it actually is, and placed the Rio Grande
three degrees east OF where ii is found TO be, let not
that error, into which all the parties fell, be insisted
upon BY this Senate as operating against that justice
which has governed The United States It's Tela
tons with other nations therefore ask that this pro-
yiso shall be SO woded as not to maintain position
which, in justice and fairness, should never be main
tanned by The Congress OF the United States but let
be governed by principles OF proprcty and lberaly to-
wards neghborng nations
Now, 10 the conduct OF this commissioner II he has
erred, lei him be condemned; if he has shown want of
knowledge for the duties OF his station let him be
called when that has been satisfactorily shown But do
not adopt any provso here which shall condemn him in
advance before he and his friends have had oppou
nifty TO pat him rightly and correctly before the country
As 10 the proyiso care nothing about it if it shall be
so worded as 10 avoid what have referred To-
Mr. HUNTER rise 10 make an effort To prevent If
possible long and unnecessary debate upon this PROPOSE
10 Keep lbe regard deficiency
bill, il IL he possible 10 do ~
MIR RUSk. do not want 10 break il.
Mr. HUNTER am afraid we are about TO embark
in discussion only relation to the construction of
this treaty with Mexico, but in relation the proprety
OF the conduct OF this boundary commissioner hope
we may be able TO avoid any such debate, for it is not
necessary here. II understand the amendment OF the
senator from Texas Mr. RUsK it designed merely to
exclude conclusion; il does not give any opinion TO
the propeiy or the mproprety OF the initial point which
has been agreed upon. | confess do not much
necessity for the amendments but nasmuch 1t is such
il is, am disposed TO vote for il. as II concludes
question, but merely excludes conclusion. As the SEN
ator from Texas, Cr. RUsK out OF abundant caution
representing he does The State OF Texas desires very
properly that shall not conclude 10 the proprety OF
the initial point that has been fixed upon. no rea
why he should not be grauhed in relation 10 this
matter.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. | endeavored to get the floor
few moments since, and my object in doing was pre-
csely that OF the senator from Virginia Nr. HUNTER
do hope my friend from Texas Mr.. RUsKl will not go
into this matter one way or the other will be impos
sble 10 avoid a long discussion II he does so,
Mr.. RUSk. drew the amendment in such way as
10 raise question either in regard to the treaty or the
conduct OF tue commissioner or 10 reflect upon any in
divdua; not that not prepared to maintain certain
points the proper time, but do not wish TO raise them
in this way. | offered this amendment SO that might
afterwards be said to this government You agreed
by this appropriation to initial point different from
the designated ia the treaty II IS only TO avoid that
conclusion that have offered this provso | have all
the documents in regard 10 this matter, and am prepared
TO do justice TO all parties and, first oil all TO do justice 10
my country. All that ask, all that want, all that
would have the exact line agreed upon by The treaty,
and that mean 10 insist long as | can.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. ] am very happy to hear that
declaration think that the amendment prepared by the
senator from Texas [Mr. RUsKl contains no reflection
upon the conduct OF the commissioner. hope his friends
will not make points here for the purpose of having a
chance OF bringing forward Arguments aud speeches that
will lead 10 long discussion. 1 trust, therefore, the
que stion will now be taken upon the amendment
Mr.. SEWARD. | desire 10 know what conclusion
can there be If we do not pass this amendment do
not why we should pass H.
Mr. BADGER. must say | am IN the same con-
dilon 1 do not see why we should pass this amend
ment.
Mr. SEWARD. can see no good TO result from it.
MIR UNDERWOOD. u can do no harm.
The question being then taken upon the proviso offered
by Mr.. RUsK, it was adopted
REMOVAL or THE cHoCrAw INDIANS.
Mr. BELL. | am instructed by the Committee on In
dian Affairs to offer the following additional clause;
"For payment the assignee Of the for the
movs OF the Chocta Indians from the States OF Alabama
aud Mssssp ppi the balance OF claim account OF said
appropriation for the payment Of which passed the
Senate at the last session OF Congress, SS1,iz2"
The PRESIDENT The Chair would inquire whether
this is not 10 be considered private claim.
Mr.. BELL | only say that Il is founded upon an
estimate from the proper bureau
The PRESIDENT. All private claims are expressly
excluded. whether founded upon estimates or not
Mr. BELL This is also recommended by standing
committee OF the Senate-ihe Committee on Indian Al
fairs
The PRESIDENT. All private claims are excluded
even though they be reported by standing committee
Mr. BELL. would ask 10 have the rule read.
The thirtieth rule was then read as follows
"No amendment proposing additional appropriations
shall be received general appropriation bin, unless