The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-18
The Mexican boundary Com mission.

The act making appropriations for the oivil aud
diplomatic service Of the United States for tho year
ending 3Oth June, 1858, contains clause in che
following words -
For running and marking the boundary Zine b.t~esa
tho United States and xico under tho treaty GuadS
upe Ilidalgo one hundred and twenty Thousand doua
proyd that part Of this appropriation shall
or expended until IL shall be made satisfactorily to appear
to the President OF the United States thst the southern
boundary OF New Mexico is not established by tho Com-
missioner and Surveyor Of tho United states athor north
OF the town called Paso than the Ia laid down In
Dihturnes map, which Is ADDED TO the treaty.
The Secretary of the Interior, in = lettor to tho
President, Gays that the provisions Of ths Law
appears that the southern boundary limo Of New
Mexico is made to about miles north Of tue
town of III Paso. The Secretary further adds
whatever differences Of opinion may have exist
ed in regard to tho proper position of the southern
and western lines of New Mexico which are IN ds
by the treaty parts of the boundary bet~een shs
United States and the republic of Mexico. there oer
tanly could have been doubt that tho Rio Grande,
otherwise called the Rio del Nortc, from some poin6
north of FL Paso to its mouth, is made by the treaty
part Of the dividing line between tho two ooun-
trisB. No good reasoa il therefore perceived Why
Congress should have desired to arrest the survey VI
that river, in regard to which no controversy oAn
possibly arise. Every legitimate purpose Of ts,ss
opposed TO the part Of the line in disoute would have
been accomplished by limiting the prohibition Of the
Of the money to the survey Of those parts about
which diversity of sentiment existed, leaving tho
Commissioner nc liberty to proceed with tho survey
of tho remainder OF the line. But as IL Was oomps
alton altogether, or to atach to IL such conditions
es they deemed proper, it is the duty Of tho Presi
dent to conform to its action, Notwithstanding any
doubts he may entertain US to its wisdom pro-
prety. In this case the prohibition il in the
broadcast ard most comprehensive terms IL pro yides
that no part Of this apptopri alton shall be used or
expended" except upon the condition TO which [
bave already referred, and although am satisfied
that the practical operation Of the proviso to sae
appropriation not fully considered foreseel,
do not sec how, by fair construction of the iA~,
any part of the money can be drawn from the
treasury, and am there fore compelled respectfully
to submit oyou the propriety OF ut susp sldsg
the operations of the commission, as there n
means ut your disposal to maintain is in tho isid.
In consequence Of the representations Of tho SEQ
retaiy, ard 10 follow out the requirements Of the
act tie President has issued the toowing:-
Executive CHAMBER, /
Washington October H. 1882. +
After careful perual Of the foregoing report and
anxious consideration Of the question involved In It,
am reluctantly constrained to In its result aud
consequently part OF the appropriation therein
feried to be drawn from the treasury Tho Score
tGry OF the Interior viii imne datsy notify the Secretary
Of state Of this decision that be may INFORM Next
govern Of the which compel this govern
ment to suspend the further prosecution of this work
until Congress shall provide the requisite means.
WILLARD FILLM0RE.