Washington sentinel., 1854-07-19

treaty settles. the disputed boundary between
the United States and Mexico. Boundary dis
putes between nations are generally very irri-
tating and troublesome, leading more directly
to war than almost any other cause. A dis
puted line creates troubles with border settlers
on the two sides and one act of i'll temper or
aggression provokes another, until finally the
respective governments become involved, and
war is the result. But it is said, the Bartlett
line having been legally established, should
prevent trouble. 1t is true, Mr.. Chairman, that
Bartletts line was adopted by Mr.. Fillmore's s
administration, but it is equally true that a
large majority of the two houses of Congress
believed it to have been wrongly located and
established; and if it shall not be settled by
some other treaty, it will, in my opinion, end
in conflict between the two governments. /
am not for war, If it can be properly and
honorably avoided. ! would give the $4,000
600 to have our boundary line amicably estab-
lished, if we were to get nothing else, rather
than have a war with Mexico, or even to run
the imminent hazards of one growing out Of
our delicate relations with that republic.
By the treaty, we get about thirty-three thou
sand square miles of territory-twenty-o
million one hundred and twenty thousand acres.
/ presume we may rate the land as being Of
some value, ! understand large portion Of
it is is fine grain country, and when brought
into proper cultivation, will produce an abund-
ant supply; besides, its grasses, at all seasons
of the year, will make it very superior stock
raising country. Then, Mr.. Chairman, may
we not count something on its minerals; from
its surroundings, is it not at least reasonable
conclusion that it will largelyadd to our mineral
resources and wealth / also attach value to
the railroad route it affords to our distant DOS
sessions on the Pacific. That may not advance
it much in the estimation of gentlemen who
are very pressing for other routes; but those
who look at the subject in its enlarged point
of view, will attach to it additional value, be-
cause it furnishes so good route, which can
be used in the event it becomes essential to do
so.
One of the strongest reasons, however, ope-
rating on my mind is, that we get clear of the
eleventh article of the treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo. Under that article we have assumed
certain duties to Mexico, in relation to Indian
depredations, which are subjecting us to very
great trouble and annoyance, and which will,
sooner or later, if we are not released from it,
subject us to heavy losses. Gentlemen, in this
discussion, have put constructions on that ar
ticle which release us somewhat from the re-
sponsibility claimed by Mexico. Will their
constructions prevail? Will it convince and
satisfy Mexico? / fear not. They seem to
forget that Mexico has as much right to con-
strue her treaties with us as we have. She is
one party, and we the other. Her construction
is as strongly in her favor as ours can be for
our release. Then what shall be done? Shall
we 60 to war about it? Leaving out Of view
the impolicy of engaging in an unnecessary
war, it would cost probably ten times as much
in money as this treaty proposes to give, be.
sides the unnecessary sacrifice and destruction
of life
But, Mr.. Chairman, with what grace can we
fight Mexico because of her construction ofthat
article, when our own government agrees with
her in that construction. Mr.. Fillmore, for
whom entertain great respect, construed that
eleventh article substantially as Mexico does,
and offered several millions of dollars for a re-
lease of our government from its responsibility
to Mexico under it. The amount offered by
him is variously stated at FIVE, six, seven, and
eight millions of dollars. / have no fear in
putting the offer made by him at five millions.
Gentlemen need not doubt that That offer
was made some two years ago, and we were
only to obtain, as q consideration for the sum
offered, discharge from, or abrogation of, that
article of the treaty of 1848, together with all
liabilities that had accrued. So, with that offer
before us, giving the highest evidence of the
construction of our own government as to our
liabilities, we could not very well war Mexico
out of it. do not pretend to say whether the
offer made by Mr.. Fillmore was the proper sum
or not; but, as member of the House of Rep
resentatives at that time, would have voted
him the money very cheerfully, and thought he
had made good treaty.
BY reference to the second article of the pre-
sent treaty, you will see that we not only OBJ
tain the abrogation of the eleventh article of
the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and the thirty
third article of the treaty between the United
States and Mexico, concluded on the 9th of
April, 1881 but we also secure release from
all claims which may have accrued under them.
The claims now amount to about $40, ,000, ,000--
many of them spurious and fraudulent have
no doubt; but however unjust they may be,
they will have been manufactured and fixed up
and proven in such way as to give us constant
annoyance and trouble, and regard it as very
fortunate that we have obtained full release.
Before yield the floor, / wish to call The
attention of the committee to the eighth article
of the present treaty, in which certain rights
and privileges are secured to our government
and people in the route across the Isthmus OF
Tehuantepec. Under it our government has a
bags, its mails, also the efecs of the United
States government and its citizens, intended
for transit, and not for distribution on the 18TH
mus, free of custom-house and other charges
by the Mexican government. Our citizens
will be permitted to pass without delay or
trouble, neither passports or letters of security
being required, together with other rights,
which / have not the time to enumerate. /
speak with pleasure of the fact that our gov.
ernment has not involved itself with any Of the
or companies who are exhibiting
so much interest in the defeat Of the recent
treaty. No, sir this treaty rests upon fair
and honest principles, taking sides for or
against none of the cormorants who are endea-
voring to suck up the very lise-blood Of the
government.
1t has been an object much desired by our
government for some years TO adjust ali dis
puted questions between il and Mexico. In
more than one instance difficulties Of the most
serious and threatening character have sprung
lp, which were complicated and rendered more |
difficult of adjustment by the seiGsh views of
outside influences Of rival companies and in.