Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-07-06
The Boundary Dispute with MEXICO.

the commissioners appointed for that pur-
pose. IN accordance with the treaty entered
INTO by the two powers upon the termina-
ton OF the late war. 1t is claimed on our
part, that this line was fixed upon in con-
sequences OF an error in the maps, which
assigned to certain towns and localities in
Mexico different longitude and latitude
that which accurate instrumental surveys
have shown to belong to them. In con-
sequences of this mistake, the boundary
line was run thirty-four miles further north
than had been intended by the obvious
language of the treaty. thus unintention-
ally cutting off from our own dominious,
and assigned to Mexico, strip of terrific
ry which in reality belonged TO this coun-
try. The whole extent of the tract thus
enormously set off to Mexico is about one
hundred and thirty miles in length from
east to west, and about thirty four miles
IN breadth from north to south. 1t lies
upon both sides of the Rio Grande and
embraces what is known as the Mesilla
Valley, a portion which is represented to
be remarkably fertile The Mexicans had
taken possession of the disputed tract, but
the governor of New Mexico refused to
recognise their title, and claimed iurisdic-
ton over it for the United States.
II is now understood, since additional
light has been thrown upon the affair,
that our government rejects the bounda-
fy line which runs by geographical blum
der. and claims the true line-that is, the
one described and intended in the trea-
ty. Mexico upon the other hand, absurd
iy insists-at the least so far as any au-
thentic information of her intentions has
beenreceived-upon taking advantage ofthe
mistake, and upon retaining the territory
which geographical blunder has wrong
fully assigned to her. A few days since
it was announced that the Mexican COVER
nor of Chihuahua had despatched con-
siderable number of troops for the pur-
pose of holding the disputed tract, if need
be, by force. On the part of our govern
ment the necessary arrangements were
made, upon receiving this intelligence,
for asserting the rights of the United States
In such manner as the circumstances of
the case might require. There seems to
10 fear:in quarter that there will be any of
that any BICYCLING or hesitation in maintain
sngour rights against foreign encroachment
which marked the feeble policy of the late
whig administration.
- Yesterday (June lOth) another des-
patch was received announcing that the
governor of New Mexico, upon sober Sc.
Cond thought had ordered the Withdrawal.
OF his forces from the disputed territory.
1t this is true, then the only chance for
any other than peaceful termination Of
his trivial dispute must be supplied by the
oh Of : L 1
insist, either through caprice or logged
ness, upon retaining territory which clear
ly does not belong, and never was intended
to belong to Mexico, under the treaty, and
II he should undertake to maintain his alb
surd pretentious by force. it is manifest
that hostile collision between the two
countries must be the consequence of his
folly. From his past course it is obvious
that he will be guided in this matter by
no principle or sense of right, but will
adopt that line of policy which he may
deem on the whole most conductive to his
own advantage and continuance in power.
BY his suppression of the freedom of the
press, his dissolution of Congress-, and
other arbitrary acts, Santa Anna has ac-
Tuired an absolute and almost unlimited
sway in Mexico. With his usual cunning
he has attached the clergy to his interest
by exemPting them from his schemes of
forced contribution. The army is on his
side almost to a man, as the only leader
capable of commanding their obedience
and respect. He has it therefore in his
power to give peaceful or warlike direc-
ton to the policy of the State, just as his
individual interest or caprice may dictate.
The rumor about his seeking an alliance
with Spain is too absurd for belief. S.n- |
Ia Anna is tar too shrewed not to see at a
glance that such union would be only
an alliance Of criPples. If he thought
war would strengthen his hold upon power
by diverting the attention of Mexico from
his arbitrary acts, and believe also that it !
would be possible for him to get out of it
with whole skin, he might go to war;
but 1t is more probable that his discretion
or his avarice will prevail over passion and |
hatred, and lead him to perfer the pecuni
airy profit of peaceful negotiation to the
chances of another Punishment.
The ART OF TH1NK1NG.-One of the best