The New York herald., 1873-06-15
The Mexican Border QuestiOn-Thc
Grand Projected Lobby scheme OF


has communicated to the press, from st.
Louis, some very interesting opinions on the
Mexican border question. He thinks there
will be no trouble between the two countries
on account of Colonel McKenze's recent pur-
suit of the thieving Kickapoos across the Rio
Grande and his chastisement of the band on
the soil of Mexico, but that the Mexicans,
following this precedent, may, in their mill
tary operations, get into the habit of disre-
garding their boundary, and that these pro-
ceedings on both sides may eventually result
in war. Such contingency however, would
be hailed by many as desirable, because war
with Mexico must result in another large ces-
sion of Mexican territory as one Of the inevita-
bic conditions of treaty of peace.
But, peace or war, this observing traveller
from Cohahuila says that efforts are being made
by some of the leading parties on the Mexican
side of the Rio Grande, which may lead to
negotiations for another transfer of real estate
to the extent of four or five hundred thousand
square miles to the United States, and upon
plan which will enable Mexico to pay her
debts. This plan has been developed in the
Mexican Border Joint Commission appointed
to investigate and report upon the claims of
citizens of the United States against Mexico,
in consequence Of losses of property from
depredations by robbers from the Mexican
side Of the Rio Grande and the claims of
Mexicans to indemnity for spoliations by
raids from our side Of the river. It is reported
that in comparing the claims presented on
both sides there is demand ON ours for
twenty millions Of money in excess of the
budget Of Mexican claims against us, and if
this is not sufficient for the purpose the sum
can be conveniently enlarged to twenty-five
or thirty millions. The annexation scheme
involved, therefore, is exceedingly simple.
Our government is to assume the payment OF
this money to our claimants while Mexico Is
to settle the little bill with our government in
a cession Of territory.
This magnificent project embraces the Mex
ican frontier States Of Tamaulipas. New Leon.
Cohahuila Chihuahua, Sonora and Lower Cali
fornia, and the arguments already thrown out
in its favor are plausible and fascinating It
is contended that this cession of territory to
the United States will be fruitful of immense
advantages and benefits to both the high con-
tracting parties-that we shall gain half
dozen new Territories, rich in the precious
metals and in large areas Of fertile soil still
undeveloped, and that, with the general ac-
QUESTION o railway Of less than a thousand
miles will enable us within our own jurisdic-
ton to connect the Gulf of Mexico with the
Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean.
Mexico on the other hand, from this arrange
ment of reciprocities, it is pleaded, will be
relieved not only Of her border troubles, but
Of the fighting revolutionary factions of said
Northern States. She will doubtless gain,
too, as a goodwill offering, q much needed
supply Of ready cash for her exhausted treas
ury; and, with the extension Of our railway
lines southwark from Texas to the frontier Of
Durango and from California to Sinaloa, all
her products, mineral and agricultural, will
find ready market, and she will be enabled,
moreover, without expending dollar from
her treasury, to secure for herself q railway
system which will consolidate the Republic in
connecting the capital with its extremities on
every side.
Such are the arguments advanced in support
Of this plausible annexation scheme. But
where the parties who are to carry it
through? They are as yet in the background;
but in due season they will show their hands.
These interested parties are, first, citizens Of
Texas and others, as claimants against Mexico;
second the Lower California land and Colo
nization Company; third, parties connected
with Mexican railway, telegraph and mining
projects; fourth, legion of unscrupulous
and deep designing politicians, and fifth the
active and convenient mercenaries of the
Washington lobby. The Texas claimants are
interested in the project because it promises
them liberal indemnities in cash for all their
losses, and largely increased prices for their
lands, horses and cattle. The Lower Califor-
mia Land Company are interested because it
promises them great returns for their so far
proftless venture. Various railway pioneers
are deeply interested because this proposed
annexation if consummated opens the doors
to their several enterprises But we have le-
gion Of vigilant and designing politicians who
are or will be most active in pushing forward
this annexation project because of the immense
field for offices, patronage, speculation, spoils
and plumber it reveals to their longing and
admiring eyes.
Let US assume that we have. annexed the
Mexican border States from Tamaulipas to
Lower California. There are six Of them
Their first condition in the Union will be that
Of the apprenticeship Of the Territories Each
Of them will require Territorial government,
with its Territorial officers, executive and
judicial, appointed by the President, and its
Territorial Legislature, elected by the people,
to be manipulated by these aforesaid officers.
In the outset each Of these Territorial estab-
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