The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-18
z rhe mexican boundary Commlssion

we lay before our Icduels Tue suUlOlncu 1eteT HOm
Mr. Gray. the surveyor of the Mexican boundary com
mission who much to his credit placed on record his
dissent from the line adopted by the commission, and
who has felt himself called upon 10 reply 10 certain pa
pes read before the scientific societies OF New York by
the late commissioner, Mr.. John r. Bartlett
That Mr. Bartlett should try thus to sustain himself
and the administration which appointed him. natural
enough That neither the country, Congress- nor
the Executive, will sustain him in the course he adopted
as commissioner, suppose to be certain. In fact,
Congress has already passed judgment that question
II has, in substance, declared Mr. Barletrs boundary
line TO be bad patriotism, bad geography, and bad
law. Yet the Historical Society of New York--cer
talnly highly respectable body-hought fit 10 thank
Mr.. Bartlett for the paper he read before them which
was, 10 say the best OF it, argument and not strong
argument TO put the Congress of the United States The
wrong, and to impair and leopard the territorial rights Of
the country The resolution of thanks offered by
reverend gentleman, whose violent attack upon the
DRY of Thomas Jefferson, though written ten years
ago, still remembered. Notwithstanding This awkward
fact, hardly suppose that the Historical Society
by the adoption Of the resolution TO do SO unfit
thing as take sides political controversy and much
less take sides against their country and the plain
right of the case We could have wished, however, that
that learned body had been in this matter prudent and
considerable desired to be courteous of lis ectu
rers and as il doubtless is learned geography in gene
raj, if not to the geography OF New Mexico in par
licular Had such been the case il would have omitted
it's vote of thanks to Mr. Bartlett else have adopted
il with such suitable modification the circumstances
demanded.
THE MESILLA vALLEY.-LETTER FROM MIR.
GRAY.
WASHINGTON, May, 1853.
TO the Editor of the Republic
SIR You will oblge by inserting in your journal the
following;
1t is my purpose into newspaper discus
sion with Mr. John r. Bartlett late boundary commission
err, upon the subject of his mistake in fixing the initial
point" for The southern line OF New Mexico 81 deg q
minutes north latitude believing tina, the space occupied
by might be usefuly filed Nor is my intention
take up the glove in defence OF Gov Lane, although he,
being far of on the frontier, should least have oppor-
tunity OF explaining his acts before he is condemned.
Gov Lane certainly has the right that Mr.. Bartlett
claimed when his acts in that by the
public The only authority we have for certain
made M. Bartleu's own assertions relative to The
Territory OF New Mexico in dispute, single ref
alone, think, will be sufficient for the present
show the character of Mr. Barletts reasoning,
Before the Geogra phical Society OF New York. Mr. Bart
let's late lecture contains the ioowing
"Bu small pamphlet deserves here to be noticed and
which would respectfully recommend to the careful pc
rasal Of Gov Lane Of New Mexico his entitled, Expo
scion sueinta yseueiHa de Ia Jopntia del Nespa 1ico
hscha por deputndo Contss Don Pedro Bapsa Pno
eon arrgto sus intruecio~a Cadz, 1875 meaning "a
brief exposition Of the province of New Mexico made by
its deputy the Corez'
This pamphlet does not define the boundaries of New
Mexico, because with several other northern Provinces
had acknowledged boundary but in place where
the deputy recommending certain places for the eslab-
shment Of prt'idtos-i military possthc first is
La MssWa del Pueblo del Paso; that is, in La Me-
sia, in the town Of FL Paso Here is acknowledgment
from public officer, that the disputed valley and
town of Mesa in the town of Ell Pase, place which
has always been and is now, acknowledged 10 be in Chi
huahua.
"A more familiar knowledge OF the official documents.
books, and maps OF country by its public officers would
greatly facilitate the despatch public business and might
sometimes the trouble OF issuing Illuminating procla
nations aud embarrassing the government
Such gentlemen, IS correct history and present
of the Mexican boundary question. What have
facts from published Official documents, from authorized
maps"
Did rot Mr.. Bartlett tell few days ago. paper pro-
sented before another society that Mesla lle
table land y and how is il to be econclled with the above
conclusion The proper Interpretation OF Juno la Me-
sla dol Pueblo del Paso Is in the m table land the
fowa Of the Pan! and that what it means. preside
established In the little table land just the town
OF Paso The rows Of Mesla was only first settled few
years ago. and has reference TO La Mesla" above
mentioned. What becomes of Mr. Bsfliett's conclusions
relative to the town and valley Of Mesilla being in Chi
huahua 7
His whole "laots" and relative the
ton of maps and my conclusions equally perverted
iancifu, and fsacous.
The Historical" and Geographical" Societies of New
FORK rank high; but their many distinguished and inel
gent members cannot Tall the that
experienced by admitting and ENDORSING paper purpor-
ing to be founded in facts, but which, upon close exam
nation, is observed to be conceived in an
committed.
II would be better, probably, If Mr. Bartlett would pur
the honest trade OF selling books and maps than by
attempting to interpret them. lie might. in time, obtain
that familiar knowledge which be advises would
greatly fac ate the despatch OF public business and ight
sometimes save" trouble When again selected to estab-
lsh "iniiia poi~t," this familiar knowledge would be
OF advantage TO him.
would respectfully mend the careful pcru,an
OF Mr. John X Bartlett his report the Secretary the
INTERIOR Mr. Stuart His many misconceptions misquo-
tations and false conclusions will in dne time be
attended TO- Mr.. Bartlett will recoecl there is Senate
committee which has not yet got through with him. and
which might require his services again when Governor
Lane geu the stand.
have no fear oil the responsibility took In pointing out
the mistake made by Mr. Bartlett the situation of
the southern boundary OF New Mexico. Neither am in
the least troubled the decision OF government In
this matter. think there VIII be engineers and con-
scicntious found to differ from Mr. Bsrletrs views
At rate, Congress- and committee OF senators At
as intelligent MT Bartlett, influenced by Just pr oper
motives entitled TO respect in their expression of
opinion after mature delberaton The report of the Com
mittee OF Foreign Relations Mr. Bartlett may not have seen
careful pcrusa OF might him reflect in bis m ad
Of holding out Inducements Mexico claim that
which In nowise belongs to her That country already
distracted by enough deuons, and il would better TO
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. Bartlcu's in
huence, or mine either