The daily union., 1852-12-14
The Boundary Commission.

I'm former article on this suhec, quoted the Ian
guage OF the treaty which defines the line 20 be and
marked between the United States and Mexico and we
also quoted the words OF the treaty show that the joint
commission was not clothed with diplomatic powers bat
was authorized only to discharge scientific task The
manner in which the administration through its agents,
has acquitted itself in this regard is important, not only
as an illustration of the recklessness and nefcencg OF
whg counses but in view OF the steps to be taken in
order TO protect the country from great loss.
The treaty, in defining the southern line Of New
MexIco, made no reference 10 latitude, would
have been done had il been the intention OF the
contracting parties to mark line the surface of the
earth spending with the southern boundary of New
Mexico, with reference TO latitude marked the
map But is was known that the map not correct,
and consequently that il was malhemaiicay impossible
to mark such line without disregarding IFS position
with reference 10 natural objects Yet the relation OF the
map line with regard to any single point might be pre-
served in running the boundary and that the treaty
dertook do by referring the southern boundary Of New
Mexico 10 FL Paso so that the initial point should be
fixed at the intersection OF that boundary with the Rio
Grande
II is well known that tie Rio Grande is not accurately
drawn the treaty map; but does the administration
pretend tina, its map position is 10 be taken the true
position Certainly not Yet the OF FL Paso is
much physical object the Rio Grande. Why, them
insist that the actual position OF that Town, with ref
erence TO latitude and longitude should be dsregsrded
when no attention is paid 10 the map position OF
the river These questions arise naturally that il is
difficult for the fact that they overlooked
or disregarded by Mr. Commissioner Bartlett, without
supposng degree Of ncapacty striking and remarka-
BILE in one charged with The responsible duties which
had been conded 10 him deep censure on the
administration that appointed him 10 supetsede able
and competent man--one known to the country and
enjoying its confidence. But the whg administration
not only removed Colonel Weller now a senator in
Congress, but attempted 10 justify that removal By gross
calumnies. II not only appointed Mr. Bartlett commits
soner but il has sustained hum n despite Of his mani
fest errors by which portion OF domain abou, the
size of Massachusetts, be surrendered and along
with il the passes in the mountains toward California
BY assuming that the thirty second degree OF latitude
rightly drawn on the map with reference 10 the southern
boundary OF New Mexico, the town Of FL Paso is
thrown about thirtyfour miles north OF its actual as
cerained position. Thus, Mir. Commissioner Bartlett
fancying himself clothed with diplomatic powers
signed, along with General Conde, the Mexican com
missioner an agreement TO the effect that the south.
ern boundary Of New Mexico strikes the Rio Grande
at hiry-lwo degrees twenty-five minutes nouh lali-
,ude. and extends three degrees from that point
By this unauthorized exercise OF diplomatic powers by
the commissioner, point mentioned in the treaty dis.
regarded for imaginary line not referred TO- and
it was proposed 10 surrender about five thousand four
hundred and eighty square miles of American territory
When this agreement concluded the commissioner
was acting without his colleague Mr. Gray the survey
or provided for by the treaty. When that officer was
informed OF the movement he protested against it. Then
the chief astronomer Colonel Graham, was made nc
quan,ed with the initial point agreed on and he too
protested agains, il wrong, according 10 the treaty
The result was that Mr. Gray was instructed by the
administration to sign the agreement which he knew
be wrong. and then he removed. Colonel Graham
also removed and the administration has been since
engaged il attempts to inure him and TO sustain MIR