The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-12


are expanded by the growth Of fifty years
those interests have grown and multiplied with the
increase OF our territory That we may have an idea Of
their present and probable prospective magnitude let
glance AZ our territorial growth from the period OF the
acknowledgment by Great Britain OF our nationality
BY the deniiye treaty at Paris, in l7ss recognising
our Independence, We had the Atlantic the east, the
highlands, great lakes, and forty-nnth degree parallel
on the NORTH the channel of The Mississippi and thence
with the thirty first degree of latitude as the main course
OF our southern boundary
The territorial purchase effected during the admnisra
tion OF br Jefferson gave us the sovereignty u Louis
bracng tie island OF New Orleans, and including The
whole country dependent that river and lis tributaries
within the limits OF Its coast taking at The same time our
boundary on the southwest to the Rio Grande, or Rio
Bravo del Norte embracing The territory within the pres
! ent State OF Texas.
Such shown be the limits Of he ancient province
OF Louisiana in the diplomatic correspondence of
voys TO the court of Madrid Messrs Pnkney and Mon
roe, who placed the matter beyond reasonable doubt in
their communications OF the 9Th and Goth April 1905, to
4 the Spanish Secretary of State Ceyalos; and the same
grounds respecting our southwestern extension as held
by Mr.. Monroe, whilst Secretary Of Stale under Mr.
Madison, IN his answer OF the 10th June, 1916, TO the
Chevalier DC Ons in which he stated that with respect
TO the western boundary OF louisiana" this government
has never doubted, since the treaty OF ls03 that 1t ex
tended TO the Rio Bravo The discovering of The Misss
spp as low down Arkansas, in 1873 and TO it's mouth
in 1880, and the establishment OF settlements on that
river, and the bay Of St Bernard the western side OF
the Colorado in 1855, under the authority OF France.
when the nearest settlement of Spain in the province
OF Panuco. facts which place the claim OF the United
States on ground no, 10 be shaken"
By the treaty OF 1919 with Spain acquired East and
West Florida and Texas ceased to be integral part OF
the territory OF the United States by our taking the Sa
| bine Tor boundary; which, extending to Red rver,
source and thence with the forty second parallel line Of
latitude TO the Pacific fixed the boundary line between
the United States and Spanish domnions
Texas, which had passed from the sovereignty Of
Spain by revolution in Mexico, having no political affn
tiles with the form of government established in Mexico,
detached herself by successful revolution, gallantly
maintained her independence and as sovereign State
entered The coniederacy in 1885, under the resolution OF
annexation.
By the treaty concluded at Washington in ls46. be.
tween the United States and Great Britain, the disputed
sovereignty of Oregon, which had been held in joint
cupaon under the conventions OF 1918 and 1927 the d
vldng line between the two na,ons was established at
the 49h parallel OF latitude running 10 the straits OF
Fuca and thence TO the Pacific
/ By the treaty Of ls4s at Guadalupe Hidago, between
the United States and the Mexican republic, California
and New Mexico were acquired, establishing as our
boundary line the Rio Grande the southwest the Ga
TO its junction with the Colorado, and thence the
32d deg Of latitude 10 the ocean. The Atlantic the
east; the Pacific on the west; the Gull OF Mexco-he
peninsula oil Florida reaching almost to the iroplc OF
CAMERON the south the sea- straits OF Faca, the
north the great lakes, the 49h parallel OF latitude the
dividing line under the Ashburton treaty OF lS42 TO the
Atlantic again. constitute the outline OF our present huge
dimensionsying between oceans CULTS, and seas and
which contain than three million hundred aad
sixty thousand square mes-nearly equal 10 all Eu-
ropewith seacoast OF five thousand hundred and
twenty miles, or about one-flh The circumference
oil globe. From thirteen political dependencies
have grown 10 this colossal extent and within this circle
stand thirty sovereign States in the performance Of
Their high iunctions-unitlng, cementng them
federacy il the constitution OF the United States Ia no
tIberal, temporizng spirit IL formed but, the
contrary, II was the creation OF noble, patriotic impulses
u was designed TO maintain, protect pefpeuate public
liberty and human happiness and, OF ts trainers
ioetod has been found adequate to the great purposes
OF its creation, and coexensiye with the swell Of popu
a,ion that may seek our shores.
4 In this spirit ask legislation upon the bill presented,
discussed obligation
you TO mature II into a law,
4 POSTAL Yet other considerations OF State,
more important, because immediate and indispens nsabe,
appeal TO in favor OF the early completion OF the work.
i Asa
MILITARY ROAD it should engage our attention, as
measure OF protection 70 citizens between the Mis-
sisspp and the Pacific,
This portion Of the conederacy embraces nearly two
millions OF square mes-more than three-h OF our
territorial extent.
The number Of Indians within our limits il estimated
by The Commissioner OF Indian Affairs in his last annual
report at -four hundred thousand of which eighteen thon
sand six hundred located OF the Mississippi; in
Minnesota, and along the frontier OF the western States
10 TeXas, comprising mostly the emigrated tribes
hundred and ten thousand; on The plains and Rocky
mountains and within any OF organized Terrilo.
RES sxtyihree thousands ~ Texas, tweniynne thou.
sand New Mexico. iorty-hve thousand Utah, twelve
thousands Oregon and Washington, twenty three thou.
sand; and in California, one hundred thousand.
The contemplated railway would enable the govern.
ment 10 WELD its military power with extraordinary
rapdy and economy, and keep 10 check the dangerous
mouRains and Nevada chain would reduce the public
expenditures for the transportation OF troops and mill.
tary supplies, diminish the number and cost OF Indian
and other agencies, and dispense with host OF officers
which is to be apprebended, when far beyond the
immediate surveillance oi authority, would result n
speculation, Il no, peculaton and corruption.
Not only IS II important IN keeping the Indians in
check, and preventing tragic scenes like Gunnsons and
others, but IN ahordng that protection which, gov
eminent, bound 10 extend 10 the settlers who
seeking their way Tor homes in this great interior
gion
Not only i il necessary a Of internal defence
against the savages, and one OF eminent economy n that
respect, and at the time benehcen those over
whom The government throws the military shield, bat IN
OF foreign The SUBJECTS presented TO in such
form as Il seems TO me- can leave no doubt
for hesitation.
The constitution Of the United States was adopted BY
the people n order TO form more perfect Union esiab-
lsh justice insure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defence, promote The general welfare y and ts
perpetuy provided for 10 its declared intention Of
securing the "bessngs Of liberty 20 ourselves and our
poserty Here is the indeleasble estate Here is the
distinct path OF duty marked out 10 The be-
fore us Is one emphacally required al your hands BY
fleets and armies might Ia vain assa upon the Pacific
or Atlantic. From 10 ocean this means oil
communication would our troops and munitions OF
war, and enable by rapdity Of overland communoa-
non, to use the military power with such celebrity TO de.
iy successful invasion from any quarter The Command
ern-Cbie al Washington could issue his orders, and
move bis armies with much despatch from this the
other side Of the continent as the captains OF Europe did
10 the field OF their extensive operations during the
of The first French revolution Indeed, II would do more
70 preserve peace with nations, 10 protect from
European interference aggression than army, navy
and Notifications combined, useful and necessary though
they be- For these you have already expended upwards
str g. .lxl.