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

matter OF no consequence But whatever the distances
was the intermediate territory, whether ten miles
inches in width, Mexico though driven to the wal
by the fortunes of war; could be induced to transfer
it to the United States In the last extremity the poin
was yielded by Mr. Trs He agreed to adopt the south
line Of New Mexico for the boundary between the
nations by the treaty all south Of that line was guaran
tied to Mexico and the disputed portion between the two
ines remained, and is now, part of that Republic
To remove all doubt should any afterwards arise as
what was meant by the southern and western limits Of
New Mexico named in the treaty in the same fifth article
these lines determined with sufficient exactness to
enable the ascertain and mark them with
unquestonable precision
The treaty declares that e
ssThe southern and lnts of Neao Mexico mention
ed this article, those laid doaoR The map entitled map
of the United Mexican States organized and defined
by various of the Congress of said Republic and
sruced according to the best authorities Revised ed-
ton. Published at New York, in l847 by j. Disturne
Of which map copy added to this treaty. bearing he sig
and seals Of the undersigned pienpoteniaries"
The fifth article further provides, that
In order to designate the boundary line with due pre-
csion upon authoritative maps and establish upon the
ground landmarks which shall show the limits of both
Republics US described in the present article the two
Governments shall each appoint commissioner and a
surveyor who before the expiration of year the
date of the exchange Of the notifications of this treaty
and mark the said boundary in its whole course to
mouth of the Rio Bravo del Nore They shall keep jour
nails and make out plans of their operations and the
suit agreed upon by them shall be deemed part of this
treaty. and shall have the force if it were insert
ed therein"
And that
"The boundary line established by this article shall be
regously respected by each of the two Republics and
change shall be made therein except by the
press and free of both nations lawfully given by
fha of zach in ;to
own constitution"
These the spulatons OF the treaty to the south
and boundary of New Mexico 1t is now
show what has been done under the treaty
relation to the boundary.
The omission to designate in the fifth article of the
treaty the point of intersection of the Rio Gande and the
southern line of New Mexico, by latitude and longitude
well supplied by the reference Disturnes map of
lS47.
The lines the boundary commissioners were required
to establish the ground for landmarks show the
limits of both Republics the lines the map re-
ferred to IN the treaty The point where the southern
boundary of New Mexico commenced, or the initial
point and the point three degrees of longitude to the
west at the southwestern angle of New Mexico both
fixed by the treaty map
If the map repudatel by the joint commission as
that map the only recognised and authorized guide
there be little doubt that the boundary agreed upon
BY them is incorrect Was the map, is asserted
oudated as to the boundary"
In letter from the American Commss ioner the Sec
'etary of the Interior dated December 49, 1850 inform
ne him of the proceedings Of the joint commission he
,ays:
The main point to be decided agreeably to the 9th
article of the treaty is that relating to the southern
boundary line of New Mexico The initial point which IS
where the Rio Grande strikes the southern line is easily
settled, as am strictly confined 10 particulqrmop"
After referring to difference of opinion between him.
elf and the Mexican Commissioner as to the distance the
inc should be extended west from the initial point he
,oes on to say:
Gen. Condo was DESTROYS to fix tie initial point first
which, according to The map that governs u.s. is about 800
~ north latitude | assened to this and expressed my
Willingness to have this fixed If he at the same time
would assent to the three degrees more ess Of the
outhern boundary Of New Mexico being allowed. in
listed they must 60 together. Gen. Condo exhibited
which he traced what he supposed would be the
boundary west of the Rio Grande. Such n boundary
would deprive the United States of of the
territory strictly belonging Gen. Condo said he
had instructions from his Government what to claim |
protested against this view Of the matter and said that
my only instructions he treaty. and The treaty map
Il. Disturnes Map Of lS47 and, incorrect
4 must BE- governed BIZ that alone"
Mr.. Bartlett wrote again to the Secretary Of the In
terror the 2sh Of December 1850 In this letter re-
ferring to his former one Of the lSth he says
Since then the Joint commission has held two meet
lngs 1T the first written opinions presented by
each Commissioner in support Of the views presented by
him and after discussion, IL mutually agreed
that the principal astronomers of each Commission should
measure on the treaty map" d. DisturnePs Map Of
l84 the distance above the 32d degree Of north latitude
where the Rio Grande strikes the southern boundary Of
New Mexico and at the same time the entire
length Of the southern boundary line Of New Mexico from
that point to its western termination.
Mr. Salazar, chief astronomer Of the Mexican Com
mission, and Lieut. A. W. Whippe chief astronomer al
interim Of the United States Commission Immediately
complied with request by measuring the point and
distance named and reported the to each Commits
sioner.
'Auother meeting Of the Joint commission then took
place ION the 18th of December when the report pre-
seuted. BY this the points defined follows: The
Rio Grande strikes the southern boundary OF New Mexico
at 320 2Y north latitude and from this point the same
southern boundary extends 30 west. These limits
therefore agreed upon"
The determination of the point on the earth was refer
red to the astronomers Of the joint commission by whom
it ascertaned and reported to the Commissioners
On the 18th Of April 1851, Lieut.. whpplc, the Ameri-
can astronomer in letter to Mr.. Bartlett, says:
"0n the 3lst ultimo l laid before Mr.. Salazar, the
Mexican astronomer, the results upon which depend my
determination Of the latitude. On the I'd instant Mr.
Salazar produced his We then agreed TO incorpo
rate our observations and BY giving equal weight to eah
thus 70 produce result for the initial point the Rio
Grande, whose latitude is go 22t north.
upon the 3D. instant met upon the right bank Of
the river found and marked the point ~ metre south
from the parallel which resulted from my observations
and the same distance north from the parallel resulting
from Mr. Saazars observations which point we mutually
agreed TO recommend to the joint commission to be adopt
ed as the boundary, in the parallel Of 800 22t.f
Lieut. Whippe says further on the 10th Of April:
1.-THE point above referred to being determined upon
the earths surface by the astronomers Of both commits