Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-09


second parallel Of north latitude from the Rio Grande to the
middle of the Gulf OF California and thence down the
middle of the gulf the Pacific ocean or II tbs cannot
be obtained to run il due ost from me sonh@et angle q
Nsw Mrico to the middle Of the gulf Either Of these
would include within limits the whole course OF the
Gila
From information derived from Major Emory, the
valley Of that river presents favorable route for rail-
road to the Pacific but this would sometimes pass
the one side and sometimes the other Of the bed of the
stream For this it is deemed important that the
whole valley of river should be included within the
boundary of the United States. You therefore
thorized and instructed to make the first if this
not be obtained the second modification above suggested
in the line but still with the understanding that neither
these changes is to be considered qua non,
nor is it to delay the conclusion Of treaty.
In case Lower California cannot be obtained, then
the line might be The parallel Of taytpo degrees,
due from The southWes Of New rieo to the Pa
cfc ocean If The latter Inc should be adopted, must
be taken that San Miguel shall be included within our
limits"
Mr.. Buchanan the 18th July, in a letter to Mr.
Trist dwet upon the Importance of obtaining the sd
degree instead of the southern line of New Mexico:
- The reflect upon the subject the better
CONVINCED of the importance of running the boundary
line between the Grande and the Gulf OF California
along the thrty-second parallel of north latitude We
cannot learn that the boundaries of New Mexico have
been authoritatively and specifically determined and
difficulties might hereafter arise between the two Govern
ments in asceraining rhe The southeastern angle Of Ne9
Uerico is situated.
2. A conversation with Major Emory since the date of
my last despatch has convinced still Of the inn
portance of this modification.
You will, therefore, in the copy of the proet of
treaty which you instructed present to the Mexi
Penpotentiary, if this be late substitute the
following instead of the fourth article:
g Article A. The boundary line between the two Re-
publics shall commence in the Gulf of Mexico three
leagues from the land opposite the mouth OF the Rio
Grande thence up the middle of that river the
thirty parallel of north latitude from thence due
along this parallel of latitude the middle of the
Gulf of California; thence down the middle of the same
to the Pacific ocean.
" 1t is not intended that you shall make the parallel Of
S2 instead of the river ella, qua but yet it is
deemed of great Importance that you should obtain this
modification if it be practicable.
If Lower California be obtained then the line
on the parallel of $40 light be extended the Pacific
ocean, taking in that event. to to citizens
in accordance with your original instructions in all time
come, free and uninterrupted and from the
through the Gulf of California from and their
possessions north of the said division line
Major Emory, whilst in California, has accurately
ascertaned the latitude of two important points in that
country The latitude of the town Of San Diego 32o
AZ 59" The harbor is miles south of the town
The latitude of the mouth Of the ella where it empties
into the Colorado is 80 49,
These repeated references to the and to the southern
line of New Mexico claim the particular attention of the
Court.
Mr.. Buchanan and Mr. Trist speak of two lines pro-
posed for the boundary These lines well under
stood by both that to them sufficient; any
PLANTATION unnecessary. As each had map before him
with the lines they referring to marked upon it,
they were not speaking at random.
OF of these lines the southern limit of New Mexi
co, which first proposed in the American proet they
probably did not know the precise minute of Latitude
had not then been automatically determined but they
new it than onethird of degree north of the
k.~T- a ILL i.
BY the Secretary Of State modification of the proet
was the thirty secOnd degree of north latitude
The difficulty predicted by the prudent foresight of Mr.
buchanan in regard TO the southwestern angle of New
Mexico, might, and very probably would have arisen
had not been obvaed by the provision inserted the
reay which secured to New Mexico three degrees oong
ude along its southern line But as to the parallel of
hat line there was neither doubt misunderstanding
the part Of the negoators the Government Of either
nation.
Mexico agreed to accept the line at first proposed by
the United States the southern line of New Mexico but
could not be induced to adopt any line further south In
their rejection Of the 32d degree of north latitude they
we're immOvabe. On this subject Mr. Trst remarks in
letter to the Secretary Of State dated January II 1SiS
The boundary (which has been agreed upon subject
the approval Of the Executive Queretaro will be the
defined IN Me PROFIT Whch brought out with slight
have governed me in this, aswell IN the not insisting las
first had determined do upon The parallel Of R.
degrees from the Rio Bravo will be fully explained
iereafter, time not permitting me to do now"
On the 10Th Of January Mr.. Trst gave Mr.. Buchanan
detailed account Of his negotiations with the Mexican
authorities
nUpon entering on the negotiation, had, in pursu-
Of the views presented in your despatch OF the 18th
fully determined to insist upon that parallel from the
o Bravo to the Pacific, as sine qua non. Al
though there told that il not then intended that
should do So presumed that the dispositions entertain
ed by the President the present time required that
should do But, in forming the determination TO
insist upon this line had not adyerted TO the fact that
constituted insuperabe obstacle to the negotiation
Of treaty, matter what its might be in other
respects. This the case, il the difference be-
tween the territory which that line would give and
that comprehended in the boundary Of the pre should
be uncomfortable. rqdtfeTed whether wds
TO RENDER TREATY NPRAcricABLE.
The States Of Sonora and chihuahua, which adjoin
New Mexico had soemny protested against the transfer
Of single foot Of their territory and against the validity
Of any such transfer il made This therefore sine
qua with the Mexican Government and which II
absolutely impossible that it should depart FROM
il strongly disposed do So because
would have rendered the ratification Of the treaty an
impossible thing Not only would the delegations of those
States have opposed it. but II could not have obtained
single vote in its favor
Thus unsurmountable was the obstacle to the adop
ion Of the parallel Of 32o as the boundary"
Mr. Trist, finding II impossible to obtain the sd de-
yree for the boundary fell back upon the line in his ORR
zinal projet-the southern limit Of New Mexico, which
vas finally adopted Upper California and New Mexico
came within the American line. The whole Of Lower Ca
ornia Sonora and Chihuahua retained by Mexico.
The boundary between New Mexico and chihuahua be-
by the treaty 40 far as that line extended the boun