The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-27
The lGcsilla ValRev.


SR-You viii 0blige me by inserting in your
journal the following -
II is not my purpose to enter into newspaper
discussion with Mr.. John r. Bartlett, late Boundary
Commissioner, upon the subject OF his mistake IN
fixing the initial pont" for the southern line OF
New Mexico at thirty-two degrees and twenty-five
minutes north latitude, believing that the space
occupied by us might be more usefully hlled. Nor
is it my intention to take up the glove in defence oil
Governor Lane, although he being far on on the
frontier should at least have an opportunity OF ex'
planning his acts before he is condemned.
Governor Lane certainly has the same right that
Mr. Bartlett claimed when his acts in that region
were scanned by the public. The only authority we
have for certain statements made are Mr. Bartletts
own assertions relative 10 the territory OF New Mexico
now in dispute and a single reference alone, think,
will be sufficient for the present to show the cha
racter OF Mr.. Bartletts reasoning.
Before the Geographical Society of New York Mr..
Bartlett's late lecture contains the following =
But q small pamphlet deserves here to be noticed ard
which ! would respectfully recommend to the careful
PEI usal of Governor Lane. OF New Mexico. 1t is
titled Exrosicen snta ysc,ciRa de Ia pro,incid del
BGrsc Pine drTe9to i'.'rueciones 1872
meaning "a brief exposition Of the province Of New
Mexico, made by Is aeputy TO the Cortez."
This pamphlet es not dedne tbs boundaries OF New
Mexico because with several other northern provinces
IL had rowedged boundary but 10 place where
The deputy recommending certain places the estb
hshment Of preSidios; l. e military posts the d-st is
la KtSild del Pteto del Pdso that is, one in
La hesia, in the town OF III Paso Here an ackno VI
edgement from public officer that the Disputed
valley End town of Mssila vas 10 the town Of Fl Paso
place which has always been anc is ackno vledsed
TO he il Chihuahua
more familiar knowledge OF the Official documsnts
books and naps of country BY it public officers, would
greatly facilitate the despatch Of public business and
ght sometimes the trouble OF issuing fun mating
procsmatiops and embarrassing the governnans.
s9ea gentmen ia eorrsc history aud nresent state
Of he Mexican BOUNDARY question. What have stated
are facts ftcm published Official documents, or from
authorized maps.
Did not Mr.. Bartlett tell US few days ago, in a
paper presented before another society, that Me
silla" meant little table land" and how is it to
be reconciled with the above conclusion? The pro-
per Interpretation of Juno en- Ia Mesa del Pueblo
del Paso Is, one in the little table land of the town
of the Pass and that is what it means. preside
established in the little table land Just below the
town OF Paso. The town of Mesilla was only first
settled few years ago, and it has reference to
LA Mesilla' above mentioned. What becomes Of
MIR. Barletts conclusions relative to the town and
valley OF Mesilla being in Chihuahua!
His whole 'facts' and statements relative to the
construction OF maps and my conclusions are equally
perverted, fanciful, and fallacious.
The Historical and "Geographical' Societies
OF New York rank high but their many distinguished
and intelligent members cannot fail to see the injury
that must be experienced by admitting and endorsing
paper purportng 10 be foundedin facts, but which,
upon close examination, is observed to be con-
ceived in error to cover fault committed.
1t would be better probably, if Mr.. Bartlett: would
pursue the honest trade Of selling books and maps
than by attempting to interpret them. He might in
tiMe oDtdln tnat ''laMlllar knowledge WHEN ne
advises would greatly facilitate the despatch Of
public business, and might sometimes save trouble.
When again selected to establish an "intia point,
this familiar knowledge would be Of advantage to
him.
IL would respectfully recommend to the careful
perusa' of Mr.. John r. Bartlett his report to the
Secretary Of the Interior Mr. Stuart. His many mis-
constructions, Interpretations, and false conclusions,
will in due course Of time be attended to. Mr. Bart
lett will recolect there is Senate committee which
has not yet got through with him, and which might
require his services again when Governor Lane gets
on the stand.
I have no fear of the responsibility took in point
ing out the mistake made by Mr.. Bartlett as to the
true situation Of the southern boundary of New
Mexico. Neither am in the least troubled as to the
decision Of our government ia this matter. think
there will be engineers and conscientious men
found to differ from Mr.. Bartletts views. AT any
rate, Congress, and committee Of Senators at least
intelligent as Mr.. Bartlett, influenced by Just and
proper motives are entitled to some respect in their
expression Of opinion, after mature deliberation.
The report Of the Committee of Foreign Relations
Mr.. Bartlett may not have seen. careful peruA
OF it might cause him to reflect in his mad career of
holding out inducements to Mexico to claim that
which in n0wise belongs to her. That country is
already distracted by enough decisions and it would
be better let the good Judgment Of Mr.. Pierce and
the wise men OF his Cabinet decide upon the
to be pursued, and which they undoubtedly will do
without Mr. Barlett's influence, or mine, either.
l would not have occupied so much Of your space
upon this matter but justice to myself aud to the
public makes it necessary for me 10 take at least a
passing notice of the seven eight columns used by
Mr.. Bartlett in explaining the unfortunate mistake
he made, and wherein be aludes to me and my
opinions in spirit of perversion and iberality.
AT the proper time, the correct history of thi,
boundary question will be known; and although
"truth is stranger than fiction to the eyes Of some,
still Mr. John R. Bartlett will find it much better to
have adhered to the former than the latter.
Very respectfully, your obedent servant,
A. B. GRAY.
Late U. s. Surveyor Treaty Guadalupe Hidalgo.