The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-04-27
THE TROUBLES in MEXICO.

The Picayune of the 20th contains a letter
from ''Paso del Norte," dated the 23d March,
explaining the difficulties in that part of the
world between Gov. Lane, of New Mexico, and
| the Governor of chihuahua. The Picayune
also publishes the proclaim alton of Gov. Lane
| on the subject. The mail came in the very
short time Of Is days from Ell Paso TO San
| Antonio, Texas. From the proclamation of
| Governor Lane. which bears date of March
18th, it appears that strip of territory, about
thirty four miles wide and one hundred
and seventy-eight miles long, is claimed by
| the United States and by Mexico under the
| treaty OF Guadalupe Hidalgo. This embraces
| the Mecilia valley. The Governor alleges
that this country was, up to the year 1851, &C.
knowledged to be within the limits of Neu
| Nerico--;hat in 1851, the State of Oh ihuahua
assumed jurisdiction over it without authority
and against the remonstrance of large por
| ton of the inhabitants the Mexican Com
missioner, under the treaty ofpeace, proposed
| TO abandon part of the disputed territory by
| dividing it between the United States and
Mexico, and that the United States, in 1852,
| virtually asserted its authority over it-that
the claim of Chihuahuais is based on the agree.
ment Of the Board Of Commissioners, which
has been virtually nulifed by the United
States, and that each party to the treaty re.
serves TO itself the right to reject or adopt the
decisions of the Board-and that the people in
the disputed territory have not been protected,
and from the condition of Mexico are not like.
ly TO be; and that a large portion fthem now
claim the protection Of the United States.-
For these reasons, therefore, and beca use the
boundary question is eearded as indefinitely
posrpored, the Governor takes possession of
the territory aforesaid, as he says, on his off,
cal responsibility, and without orders from
Washington.
The Mexicans have the line, laid down by
Mr.. Bartlett, in their favor; but Governor L.
asserts that in placing his initial letter above
the Mecila, Mr. B. made great mistake,
and one which he has no idea the United
States will assent to. The letter in the Plea
yune says that Mr.. Bartlett was out-generalled
by the Mexican Commissioner.
Now then-affairs standing just there-Gov.
Lane, after issuing his proclamation. demand
ed possession Of the territory, which the au-
thorites of Mexico refused to surrender and
they Immediately garrisoned Mecilla with 100
regulars and 125 national guards. 1t was ru.
mored farther, that the American citizens had
been ordered ts leave Meeilla but this was
not well affirmed.
Gov. Lane called on Col. Sumner for the
aid OF the forces under his command to help
him IN taking possession of the territory but
this the Colonel declined. He also called on
Col. Miles, who also declined 10 assist, as in
sTucted BY his superior, Col. Sumner The
writer of the letter, however, thinks that divi-
ded and weakened as Me xico is, if Gov. Lane
calls out the volunteers of New Mexico, he
can easily take possession of the territory
The same writer says that there was great dis
satisfaction there at the decision of Mr.. Bart.
lett. 1t is claimed, that instead OF placing his
initial letter for the Western departure, above
| Mecilla, he should have placed il about eight
miles North of Ell Paso, in the middle Of the
Rio Grande.
1t is not improbable that an engagement be.
tween the Mexicans and Americans may be
the next news; for Gov. Lane is prompt mo.
wing man.