previous to annexation, uses the expression, " No hostile foot finding rest within her territory for six or seven years." Yet all this time, Mexican villages east of the Rio Grande were governed by Mexican laws and magistrates, and the Secretary-at- War, in ordering General Taylor to advance to that river, warns him of the Mexican military establishments on this side of it. If no hostile foot had found rest in Texan ter- ritory for six or seven years, then most certainly the Rio Grande territory was not in Texas. ^Ir. Polk, moreover, tells Congress that, in December, 1836, a Texan law de- clared " the Rio Grande from its mouth to its source to be their boundary, and by the said act they extended their civil and political jurisdiction over the country up t-^ that boundary ;" and yet in this very same Message he announces to Congress that, "by rapid movements the province of New Mexico, with Santa Fe, its capital, has been captured without bloodshed." But Santa Fe was on the East of the Rio Grande, and far below its source, and therefore, according to the President, included within the Territory of Texas. And why was it captured if no hos- tile foot rested in it ?
Let us now inquire with what boundaries we received Texas. The terms of the joint resolutions were, " Con- gress doth consent that the territory properly included within and rightfully helonging to the Republic of Texa^ may be erected into a new State to be called the State of Texas, &c. ; " said State to be formed, subject to the ad- justment hy this Government of all questions of boundaries that may arise with other governments.'''' Here is no sanction of the act of 16th December, 1836, no claim of title founded on it, but an indirect admission that Texas has made unfounded claims, and we mean to take not what she claims, but what she rightfully owns ; and this we will settle with Mexico of course by treaty, the President and Senate being " this Government " mentioned in the resolution. The resolutions embracing this language were officially approved of by Mr. Polk, immediately on his accession to the Presidency ; and yet, notwithstanding they thus rejected all title to territory founded ^on Texan claims, reserving to the President and Senate the decision of