The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-14

The Mesiiia valley--Let3er from MIR. Gray.
WASHINGTON, May, 1853.
I'd The Eaaor Of the Republic: L ~ UEEFG
sIn: You will oblige me by inserting in your
journal the following: d
1t is not my purpose to enter into news.
paper discussion with Mr.. John R. Bartlett.
late Boundary Commissioner, upon the subject
OF als mistake in fixing the "Initial Point, for
the southern line Of New Mexico at 800 %,
north latitude, believing that the space occu-
pied by us might be more uscfulIy filed No,
is It my intention to take up the glove in defence
OF Governor Lane although he being far off on Inc
'ron''e3, snoosd at least have an opportunity of
explaining his acts before he is condemned -.
governor Lane certainly has the same right ,bs,
Mr. bartlett Claimed when bis acts in that rer;o,
were scanned by the public. The only autboritv
| we nave ior certain statements made. are Mr.
bartlet's own assertions relative to the Territorv
Oh New Mexico now In dispute. and single refer
ence alone, think, will be sufficient for the pre.
sent 10 chow the character Of Mr.. Barilett's
reasoning.
Before the Geograp hical Society of New York
Mr.. bartiett's late lecture contains the following:
'But small pamphlet deserves here to be no.
ticed, and which would respectfully recommend
to the careful perusaI of Governor Lane, of New
Mexico. 1t is enttled-'Ezposicion sucinta pse,a.
ella de la prouinca del Nuera Merico hecha DR. su
depufadoen Comics Don Pedro Baptisfa Pine con
arr'gto sus intrucciones: Cadiz. 1912; meaning ca
brief exposition of the province of New Mexico
made BY it's deputy to the Cortcz.'
This pamphlet does not define the boundaries
OIL new Mexico. because, with several other north
ern provinces, it had acknowledged boundary,
but In one place where the deputy is recommends
ing certain places for the esta blshment of pres dios
!; e. military posts. the first is una en- La NesiAa
aa fueolo del Paso; that is, zone in La MesIla in
the town OF III Paso.' Here is an acknowled ernent
from public officer that the now disputed valley
and town OF Mesia was in the town of Ell Paso a
place which has always been, and ia now sc-
knowiedged to be in chihuahua
IA more familiar knowledge of the official docu-
ments, books and maps of country by its public
omcers, would greatly facilitate the despatch of
PUBIC business, and might sometimes save the
trouble OF issuing Illuminating proclan1ations and
embarrassing the Government.
sucn' gentlemen, is a correct history and present
state OF the Mexican boundary question What |
nave stated are facts from published official docu
ments, or from authorized maps"
Did not MIR. Bartlett tell few DAYS ago, in a
paper presented before another society, that oMe-
silla" meant s'ttle table land - and how is il to
be reconciled with the above conclusion? The
proper Interpretation of "uno en- la MesiIla del
Pueblo del Paso'' is, one in the Htle table land
Of the Io,on Of the Passl and that is what it
means. preside established in the little
table land just beloto the town of Paso The totcn
of Mesilla was only first settled few years ago,
and 1t has no reference to ola MesilIa" above
mentioned. What becomes of MIR. Bartlctt'e con-
ciuslons relative to the town and valley Of Mesilla
being in Chihuahuai
His whole "facts" and statements relative to the
construction of maps end my conclusions, are
equally perverted, fanciful, and faIIacous
The Historical and "Geographical, Societies
hirh.
guished and intelligent members cannot fail TO
see the injury that must be experienced by admit
ting and endorsing a paper purporting to be
founded in facts, but which, upon close exaui
naton is observed to be conceived in error to cover
a fault committed lsar
II would be better, probably, if Mr.. Bartlett
would pursue the honest trade of sailing "booka
and maps" than by attempting TO interpret them
He might, in time, obtain that esfamiliar know
edge" which he advises "wou!d greatly facilitate
he despatch OF public business, and might some
ZINES save" trouble. When again seleHed to
establish an "InttiaI Point" this familiap know
edge would be of advantage to him.
VI would respectfully recommend to the careful
,erusal" OF Mr.. John R. Bartlett his report TO the
Secretary of the Interior, Mr. Stuart. His many
Interpretations, and false conclu-
lions will, in due of time, be attended to-
MIR. Bartlett will recoect there is Senate commits
zee which has not yet got through with him, and
which might require his services again when Gov.
srnor Lane gets on the stand.
l have no fear OF the responsibility took In
pointing out the mistake made by Mr.. Bartlett as
10 the true situation of the southern boundary of
New Mexico. Neither am / in the least troubled
rs to the decision of our Government in this mat
ter. think there will be some engineers and con.
scentous men found to differ from Mr. BartIett's
views. At any rate Congress, and committee of
Senator'S at least as intelligent as Mr.. Bartlett,
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 perusaI of it
might cause him 10 reflect in his mad career of
holding out inducements to Mexico to claim that
which in nowise belongs to her. That country is
already distracted by enough deIusions, and it
would be better to let the good judgment of Mr.
Pierce and the wise men Of bis Cabinet decide
upon the course to be pursued, and which they
undoubtedly will do without Mr.. Bsrtlett's infu.
,nce. mine, either.
would not have occupied so much OF your space
,pon this matter, but justice to myself and TO the
public makes it necessary for to ia Ike at least
passing notice of the seven or eight columns used
y Mr., Bartlett in explaining the unfortunate
mista Ike ne made, and wherein be aIIudes to me-
ma my OPINIONS in spirit of perversion and IL
ioerailty' AT the proper time the 'scorrect his
ory' oil this boundary question will be known.
ma although 'truth IL stranger than felton, to
ne eyes OF some suii M. John R. Bartlett will
ind it much better to have adhered to the forrer
han the latter.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
A. GRAY,
Late U. S. Surveyor Treaty Guadalupe HidaIpo
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fThe Navy Depnrtment-Constru VS.