No. 263.
Mr. Romero to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Washington, June 2, 1884. (Received June 2.)
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to inform you that I have to-day received a note from the foreign office of the United Mexican States, dated Mexico, May 23 ultimo, in which I am informed that according to information possessed by that office the islands of Morteritos and Sabinos, referred to in my note to your Department of 24th May, belong to Mexico by reason of having remained when the dividing line between [Page 381] the two countries was laid down in conformity with article 5 of the boundary treaty of the 2d of February, 1848, on the right side of the deepest channel of the river, for which reason they have since then remained in the possession of Mexico, forming a part of the municipality of Mier, in the State of Tamaulipas.
It is true that by reason of a recent change in the currents of the Rio Bravo both of those islands are now on the left bank of the greater arm and deeper channel of the river; but as, in the opinion of the Mexican Government, the dividing line between the two countries is that which was laid down by the mixed commission, which met in conformity with the treaty of February 2, 1848, there can be no doubt with respect to the legitimate ownership of those islands.
I think it unnecessary to say to you that these islands are those numbered 12 and 13, of which Maj. William H. Emory, chief of the boundary commission of the United States, speaks in his Report to the Secretary of the Interior, dated in this city July 29, 1856, page 65, volume 1.
In view of these facts, the Government of Mexico hopes that the Government of the United States will recognize the right of Mexico to those islands which is derived from an existing treaty between the two countries, and from the demarkation of the line made in conformity with the aforesaid treaty and supported by an uninterrupted possession of nearly forty years.
Accept, &c.,