It is, therefore, beyond all doubt, that no point of the Mexican State of Texas came in contact with the Rio Grande. In what manner, -^len, had the Repuhlie of Texas acquired the immense extent of territory she claimed ? As it came neither by purchase, nor by treaty ; the title, if any, must have been conferred by the sword. On the 2d March, 1836, the ^Niexican State of Texas, bounded, as we have seen, by the Nueces, declared its independence. This declaration, while it changed the political relations of Texas, had no effect on its territory. On the 21st April of the same year, the victory of San Jacinto secured the separation of Texas from Mexico ; but it was a victory obtained over Mexican troops in the heart of Texas, not a conquest of Mexican territory. It was a victory, however, which emboldened the Texans to claim for the purpose of occupying at pleasure, whatever land they thought might be convenient. We find from the official report of General Jackson's agent, laid before Congress by the President, that almost on the battle-field, " immediately after the battle of San Jacinto," it was the intention of the Texan Goveraraent " to have claimed from the Rio Grande, along the river to the 30th degree of latitude, and then West to the Pacific" ! ! It was, however, on reflection, thought this was more than was necessary; and so, on the 16th De- ceraher of the same year, the Texan Legiskiture voted themselves parts of New Mexico, Coahuila, and Tamau- lipas, about equal in extent lo the whole of Texas itself.
This additional territory is bounded by the Rio Grande, and hence, and in virtue of this act of the 16tli Decem- ber, 1836, when the Texan Government did not own or possess jurisdiction over one inch of land on the Rio Grande, Mr. Polk ordered General Taylor, 15th June, 1845, to hold himself in readiness to march his troops into Texas, where " you will select and occupy, on or near the Rio Grande del Norte, such a site as will consist with the health of the troops, and^vill be best adapted to repel invasion, and to protect what, in the event of annexation, will be OUR WESTERN FRONTIER."