Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-05-07
OUR MEXICAN BOUNDARY.

We invite the attention of our readers to the
letter of Mr.. Bartlett, late U. S. Commissioner
for settling the boundary between this country
and Mexico. 1t appears to us that he does no.
leave Gov. Lane single inch of ground to stand
upon. We think that his statement show con-
clusvely that the Mesilla valley is not part of
New Mexico; but this is not the most important
point in this controversy. Even admitting that
our right to the territory In dispute be cear and
uuquestionable' still it was not Gov. Lanes pro-
vince to take forcible possession Oft The legal
ly authorised officer of the government had cou-
coded it to Mexico, aud it was not for terrific
rial subaltern to disregard his decision. When
President of the United States undertook to cut
the gordian knot of diplomacy by sending army
into territory which was in controversy between
this country and Mexico. Mr.. Calhoun denounced
the act as high handed and dangerous usurpa-
tion. What would he have said had he been
spared to witness similar usurpation perpetrated
by frontier Governor?
The New York Tribune makes the following
comments Oh Mr.. Bartlett's letter
But who believes that the u S. Commissioner after
careful examination of The territory and the evidence
with regardto its political antccedents deliberately
which she had no valid claim Why should he have
done it Even had he been treacherous and venal
Mexico had no money wherewith to buy him. and he
could gain nothing by such perfdy but dishonor and
scration athome Is it usual for conquering nations
lose territory rghtfuy belonging them-setng their
new boundaries with the eonqueror2 How often does tho
lamb trouble the stream that the wolf drink it
above him
Gov Lane has made anaggressve demonstration under
giro xvhi ayofa tic
the agent of superseded Administration the point of
being himsel superseded in his turn In common de-
ceney he should have solicited and waited instructions
from the President before undertaking to settle by
boundary dspute-and settle it, too opposition
to the award of our Boundary Commissioner. The
Governor we doubt not, has resolved to make flying
leap from the conservative Whggery to the most
progressive and plundering Democracy and this is his
first sa,utatory experiment We wish him Joy Of its
success
1t not be forgotten that whatever mischief may
grow out OF this Boundary difficulty the Senate of the
United States early volunteered to be leading party
Mr. Bartlett going steadily forward in the determi-
nation and demarkaton of the Boundary prescribed by
the Treaty of ls4s until the Senate motion of Mr. Ma
sonof Virginia, and by nearly party VOTE peremptor
y stopped him and broke up the survey the asssr-
ton of his suhordaates that he had conceded too
much to Mexico in the of the Mesilla Valley
Had he been asked permitted to explain and defend
his conduct, the affair would have worn different as
pect; but he was condemned without inquiry and exc
cnted without trial. in violation of national compact
with Mexico prosecute the survey close without
delay interruption. Should hostile collision result
fom this breach ofath let the blame on the shou-
ders that ought O bear