," was
at Corpus Christi, a place which was in the actual possession of that
state.

It must also be premised that, in the joint resolution for the
annexation of Texas, the question of the boundary between it and Mexico
was expressly reserved, as one which should be settled by treaty between
the United States and Mexico.

The only arguments in the President's message, which sustain the right
of Texas to territory beyond the Nueces, are contained in those
passages, in which it is asserted, that the jurisdiction of Texas had
been extended and exercised beyond the Nueces: that the country between
that river and the del Norte had been represented in the Congress and
Convention of Texas, had taken part in the annexation itself, and was
now included within one of our congressional districts.

But it is not stated in the President's message, how far beyond the
Nueces, the jurisdiction of Texas had been extended, nor what part of
the country between that river and the del Norte had been represented in
the Congress and convention of Texas, and was then included within one
of our congressional districts.

Now the actual jurisdiction beyond the Nueces never extended farther
than the adjacent settlement of San Patricio, consisting of about twenty
families. That small district, though beyond the Nueces, was contiguous
to, and in the actual possession of Texas. On this account it might be
rightfully included within the limits, which we were bound to protect
against Mexican invasion.

But what was the country between this small settlement of San Patricio,
or between Corpus Christi and the Rio del Norte, over which it might be
supposed from the message, that the jurisdiction of Texas had been
extended; so as to be included within one of our congressional
districts? Here again, Texas had erected that small settlement into a
county called San Patricio, and declared that this county extended to
the Rio del Norte. This, like all other declaratory acts of the same
kind, was only an assertion not affecting the question of right. The
State of Texas might, with equal propriety, have declared that their
boundary extended to the Sierra Madre or to the Pacific. The true
question of right to any territory beyond the Mexican limits of the
Department of Texas depends on the facts: By whom was the territory in
question actually inhabited and occupied? and had the inhabitants united
with Texas in the insurrection against Mexico?

The whole cou