f the del Norte, which, like New
Mexico, had been conquered by the arms of the United States. Not a
shadow of proof has been adduced to sustain the pretensions of Texas to
that district; and justice imperiously requires that it should by the
treaty of peace be restored to Mexico.

It so happens that the boundary, which may be traced in conformity with
this principle, is a natural one, and that, as a measure of expediency,
none more eligible could have been devised. A desert of one hundred and
twenty miles separates the most Southwesterly Texan settlements of
Corpus Christi and San Patricio, from those of the Mexicans, on the left
bank of the del Norte, than which no boundary could be devised, better
calculated to prevent collisions hereafter between the two nations. It
will be sufficient, for that purpose, to draw a nominal line through the
desert, leaving all the waters that empty into the Rio Norte to Mexico,
and all those that empty into the Rio Nueces to Texas, together with
such other provisions, respecting fortifications and military posts, as
may be necessary for the preservation of peace.

The line of the Rio Norte is one, from which Mexico would be perpetually
threatened, and from which their adjacent town on the eastern bank may
be bombarded. Such an intolerable nuisance would perpetuate most hostile
feelings. With such a narrow river as the Rio del Norte, and with a
joint right of navigation, repeated collisions would be unavoidable.

Among these, when there was nothing but a fordable river to cross,
slaves would perpetually escape from Texas: and where would be the
remedy? Are the United States prepared to impose by a treaty on Mexico,
where slavery is unknown, the obligation to surrender fugitive slaves?

Mexico is greatly the weaker power, and requires a boundary, which will
give her as much security as is practicable. It is not required, either
for the preservation of peace, or for any other legitimate purpose, that
the United States should occupy a threatening position. It cannot be
rationally supposed, that Mexico will ever make an aggressive war
against them; and even in such case, the desert would protect them
against an invasion. If a war should ever again take place between the
two countries, the overwhelming superiority of the Navy of the United
States will enable them to carry on their operations wherever they
please. They would, within a month, re-occupy the left bank of the Rio
Norte, and wit