Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-04
THE NEW MEXICAN TREATY.

70 the Editors of the National LlteAigacer:
GENTLEMEN 1t is with design to discuss anmad-
vert ON the merits of the treaty with Mexico that ask
permission to make few remarks article which
appeared yesterday in the nteligencer with the sigma
Of b. Its provisions will doubtless receive the care
fu consideration Of the President and the Senate before
meeting with the approval Of either Concurring heartily
in of the views taken by your correspondent, will
be excused in presenting him considerations which
of the mistakes into which he to have
fallen. Iwould not 50 disparage the higher objects
American negotiation to suppose that the extension
Of domain and its agricultural and mineral character
the only stimulating motives for the acquisition.
The object of new treaty with Mexico to remove
the unfortunate and embarrassing difficulties which orr
ginated under the treaty Of Guadalupe. There was
wide and ifreconcilable difference in the interpretations
of the fifth and eleventh articles of that treaty The
first related to the boundary agreed by the American
and Mexican Commissioners which had become subject
of controversy the second gave rise to Mexican claim
on the United States as indemnity for Indian depreda
tions with offers from two American Ministers to pay
five and eight millions for discharge om obligations
under eleventh article Both Of these offers had been
refused and demand for thrty-ye millions preferred.
In addition the right which seemed to be conferred by
the fifth article Of military road railway to the Pa
cfc had by restriction become nullifed The twenty
FIRST article imposed both parties the solemn obga
on in the event Of disagreement, to negotiations
for adjustment before resort to the ultima ratio.
The Mexican treaty has accomplished these objects in
adjusting all the difficulties growing out of the Treaty
of Guadalupe and also alarge amount Of unsettled claims
Of American citizens against the Mexican Government,
for the greater part Of which demands had been made
Mexico the American Government having been commit
ted in advocating their justice.
cured by this treaty embraces very large domain
cuding the entire eastern half of the valley of the Colo
rado If the country be desoate it is said by
correspondent to be- for that the frontier the
more easily defended the interpositon of desert bar
rer between two contiguous nations being always deem
ed desirable desoaon has yet another stronger
recommendation in removing from the Freesoil commun-
iy oil apprehensons of the extension Of the Of
slavery in that direction.
For the accomplishment by the treaty of the higher OBJ
ects of the mission, in reconcng all conflicting rela
tons between two bordering republics twenty millions
is but small consideration B. is correct as to private
claims and if the treaty Of Mexico shall awaken the
attention Of Congress to the danger and corruption likely
to result from the facility with which private specuatons
in grants and charters have of late been made national
will have accomplished important reform in relation to
the advocacy of private claims by Ministers abroad and
at home leading to the enlargement of national issues
and the embarrassment and complication Of national
taliation.
desire not to animadvert the character justice
value Of the Tehuantepec Soo any other private
grant which may be protected by the Eve million provi
sion of the treaty. b. is right more than mis-
take; it fault on the part Of Government;
was insult to tho nationality of Mexico the part
the late Administration to interpose its power by be
coming the advocate and protector Of any such claims
They were subjects for the adjudication of the court
where the charters grants were made. Through tn
counsels Of Mr. Webster however these claims had bee,
taken from those tribunals and made national and it wa
least discreet and proper in adjusting the other AM
higher subjects of disagreement with Mexico, to recon
cle these. For twenty millions oil dscord has beei
hushed and it will now become Congress- in ratifyng tn
agreement made by Minister even should it be les
perfect than many might desire it to be, to guard by e
gislaon against the possibility Of any such misunder
standing hereafter, between the two neghborng coun
tries which may disturb threaten their peace, aga
render necessary negotiations for compromise 0
| adjustment . "C",
| WASHINGTON JANUARY %, 1854.