Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-24
THE MESILLA VALLEY.
FOR THE NATIONAL ISrErLreEscEr

FOR THE NATIONAL INTELLIGESCER.
lengthy communication appears in the Washington
Union Of Saturday last the subject of the Mesill'
Valley question 1t happens, however that the gist:
and pivot of the question is found in single of
that communication, aud that Of the shortest which
is as follows:
Look at the map and the southern boundary of
New Mexico, laid down relatively E Paso which is
expressly mentioned in the treaty and to other we'll
known places, and from these the ground
they appear the map and there fix the initial point"
1t is seldom that newspaper writers on topics of dis
pute conne their issue within such limits 1t will
be worth while, therefore, to make of this unusual
opportunity for the sake Of advancing somewhat
general intelligence Of the merits OF the case.
The writer in the Union demands that for the purpose
of laying down the southern boundary of New Mexico
it only necessary find the map distance between Ell
Paso and the dotted boundary, and apply that the
earth surface running due north from the Of FL
Paso. He would throw astronomical determinations al
together aside But let ask what right have we
Mexican soil for any such purpose, or if we had what
point in the scattered town Of that would it be pro-
per to start from Has the treaty of Guadalupe given
any directions procedure of this Sort and If it
has notwhilst it is precise every other point
does the consequence follow that it did contem
plate any such
There need be no difficulty in this matter. Following
the call Of the treaty, map in hand, we start from the
Gulf Of Mexico three leagues from land abreast Of the
mouth Of the Rio Grande; follow up the main channel Of
that river till arrive at latitude the earths sur
face answering the latitude Of the point of intersec
ton of the southern boundary of New Mexico with the
Rio Grande found in Disturnes map, where we make
stop and fix initial point" In oil this there is no
trespassing Mexico; measurement her soil no
disobedence of the treaty either by defect
All we have know in addition is that the town Of Ell
Paso is somewhere the south of the latitude of this
initial point, matter how much how little, mile
or a thousand miless
Now it only requires to be further asked did the
Boundary Commission follow this plain and strict line Of
action II they did, enough said !" if not they failed
Of their duty.
One thing in this matter is clear: the only authority
for the location of the southern boundary Of New Mexico
west Of the Rio Grande is Disturnels map 1t may be
wrong every where else it is right here for the treaty
has constituted it. The situation OF Ell Paso the
map may be wrong much if only il be south of
the boundary line Santa Fe may be wrong; Chihuahus
may be wrong; San Antonio may be wrong, but the
treaty has made the boundary line the map rrerags
bly, right. Further Dsturnells map is map IL its
constitution be annihilaed and that will be done IL we
candestney ignore its arrangement of parallels and me-
rdians for they make what preend to be- and what
for the Of locating the southern boundary Of New
Mexico il is to all intents and purposes final authority
COMMON SENSE