The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-19

and the right OF Mexico 10 the possession OF the ter
ritory in question. We now see that the reasoning
of Mr. Trias and his commissioners, instead of pro-
iueing any effect upon Mr.. Lane, has only been the
occasion Of a new note from that gentleman, in
which besides the specious arguments which he uses
to justify his conduct, the American functionary
speaks in language so offensive as almost to be in
sulting.
1--WE lay before our readers this communication the
perusal of which is not little calculated to irrtats
those who remember the endless offences which the
Mexican republic has received from the American
nation, and who have bitterly depored the shameful
resignation with which these have been tolerated for
period of five years.
The following is the communication in question:
GOVERNOR LANES MANIFESTO.
DoNA ANA, TERRITORY OF New
MEXICO, March %, 1858.
TO THEIR ExCELLENclEs MEssRs. ANTONIO
JACQUES AND THOMAS ZULoAGA, Commissioners
OF the State OF Chihuahua, III PasO-
GENTLEMEN-Ih have read the communication Of
your excellencies, under date of the 10Th instant
with all the respect due your elevated positions and
the Importance OF the subject OF the said communi-
cation.
The mere fact, without any other reason, that the
President ana Congress of the United States have
dsapproyed and repudiated the provisional boundary
hne which has been run from the Rio Grande to the
Gia is OF itself ample justification of the act OF
tie government of New Mexico in promulga the
proclamation OF the 18th inst, and the want OF spe
rial instructions from Mexico does not in the slightest
degree invalidae this official act. Whatever your
excelencies may have heard to the contrary from
persons as Ignorant as presumptuous, it is the
less true that my authority is to be found in the laws
and constitution OF the United States in the law of
nations in the treaty with Mexico, and in the duties
OF my Office as Governor of this territory.
might, in truth, moreover add, that even though
this line had been drawn in conformity with the
treaty OF peace, (and one, however daring and re-
CARELESS VI faith would venture to affirm it, still,
the government Of the United States having refused
to recognize this line, this OF itself imposes upon
every oicer, civil and military and upon every citi-
Zen ofths territory, the obligation Of following line
OF conduct consistent with that resolution.
am well aware that in other places, other opin-
Tors have been entertained and adopted the basis
OF official conduct, and it is singular fact, that the
good inhabitants Of the territory in dispute should
have been informed of this circumstance before it
reached my ear.
have designated as provisional the line now ex-
listing from the Rio Grande to the ella; and, in my
opinion, 1t Is nothing more. Ii run, eT parte by
Mexico with the sanction of Mr.. Commissioner Bart
lett, against the consent of Major Graham, (and,
believe, against that of Lieutenant Whippleo and
under protest OF Surveyor Gray, whose consent was
necessary to make the liue valid.
If your Excelencies and the undersigned under the
impulse OF convenience, should establish another line
Of division, (Which we could do without any impro-
priety) this would be provisional boundary line
with the same authority as the line already rum but
1t would remain invalid until it should receive the
SALcIlOn DCtn OF MEXICO auq Tie United states.
1otr EXceliencies have reminded me of the faith
due treaties and the obligations imposed by national
honor Allow me TO state in reply TO your Excel
kneies, that the right or necessity of volunteering
such admoLitions Is not recognized by the govern
inert OF the United States or its officials Neither of
them has any intention of violating the clauses Of
treaty Of peace or Of sacrificing the honor of the ma
ton; and the truth is that the only violation of the
said treaty that has come to the knowledge Of the
undersigned, has been perpetrated by Mexican citi-
Zens
In the proclamation mentioned facts which be-
heve to be true, and which to this moment con-
slider so. 1t may, however, be my duty to give an
explanation relative to what have said in reference
TO the revolutionary condition of your country.
assure your excellencies that nothing was farther
from me than any intention OF wounding your sea-
Gbility; | merely made ment on of notorious fact
(whose evidence is to be found sufficiently conclusive
IN the extraordinary powers vested in your excel
lences) as one OF the motives Of the proclaim lton
without supposing that similar allusion could Of
fend the most delicate susceptibility.
Your excellencies will allow me to state that the
civil discord which unhappily now predominates in
the Mexican Republic, Is cause OF sorrow and not
Of rejoicing for the government and the majority Of
the nation of the United States In lieu of desiring
the ruin OF your country they anxiousy desire the
integrity, prosperity and felicity of Mexico with
free trade and friendly relations. They covet no
territory justly belonging to you and if such were
the case your excelences are well aware how easy
1t would be for them to acquire it, The proclama-
ton already referred to has been published with an
competent counsels; and it being the obligation Of
each one TO whom it is directed to obey its man
dates, any failure W comply Herewith might bring
upon the gully the penalty OF tue law. Thia inpor.
tGnt fact should be made known to the Inhabitants
Of the district in question, for if may venture an
opinion, they are i'll advised as to their duties and
rights.
A copy Of the proclamation has been forwarded to
Gen. Iras, Civil and Military Governor Of Chihua-
hua, begging him to order provisional delivery Of
the territory in question. Other copies have also
been forwarded to the President Of the United States
and to the commander Of the regular troops in this
Territory
1t is not for me to foresal the decision of the Pre-
sdent OF the United States in the premises; but your
Exceencies knew before the publication of the
proclamation, the conduct that would be followed by
the military commandment of this department. The
conrse of his successor may be widely different.
IL Is not my duty as Governor Of this territory 10
enter into any discussion to the points involved in
this question of limits but your Exceences have
introduced some of these points ia your communica-
tons, it might perhaps be construed into want Of
courtesy on my part were not to refer to the same
Your Excelences have affirmed that the southern
boundary line OF New Mexico terminated at New
Mexico twenty-five miles north of the provisional
fne OF Mr.. Bartlett while decree Of the Mexican
Congress fixes the line at FL Paso; this decree has
never, to my knowledge, been revoked.
In your communications your exceences frankly
ADMIT that Chihuahua never exercised its jurisdic-
ton over the territory in dispute before the running
of Mr.. Bartlett line, Notwithstanding IL was en-
treated by the inhabitants so to do. And why did il
not exercise its jurisdiction? will answer for your
excellenoies--it was because il was well known that
the territory belonged to New Mexico, and not to
Chihuahua
The error committed by Mr.. Bartlett, when he de-
Aermined the said ine induced Chihuahua into error,
and i is now incumbent upon Chihuahua to cor
rect it,
/ here annex copy Of the decree for your infor-
nation
DECREE OF July 6, 1924.
chihuahua IL declared State OF the Confedera-
taor, and New Mexico territory, belonging to the
same
DECREE BEARING DATE July 27 1924.
Oeniorcatiog Of The Territory Of the Prorince of
chihuahua.
The sovereign General Congress OF the United
States Of Mexico has decrecd as follows
Inc territory Of the province of Chihuahua will
contain everything comprised between the straight
mes drawn from east to west from the point or viii
Ia8e known as Paso del Nortc on the one side With
the jurisdiction which IL has always had, and the
hacienda OF Rio Flordo, in the direction of Durango
with its respective appurtenance."-[5ce Decree Of
che 6th.1
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