OCR Text |
Show would seem necessarily to be an impairment of navigation where the river forms a boundary line. In this connection, it may not be inappropriate to say that the investigation carried on by this Department shows that no vessels flying the Mexican flag are known to operate on any part of the Colorado River. As bearing upon our relations with Mexico and the possible effect of this legislation thereon, I invite your attention to the International Boundary Commission, United States and Mexico, appointed and organized pursuant to the provisions of the Convention with Mexico of March 1st, 1889, Article I, of said convention, is as follows: All differences or questions that may arise on that portion of the frontier between the United States of America and the United States of Mexico where the Rio Grande and the Colorado River form the boundary line, whether such differences or questions grow out of alterations or changes in the bed of the aforesaid Rio Grande and that of the aforesaid Colorado River, or of works that may be constructed in said rivers, or of any other cause affecting the boundary line, shall be submitted for examination and decision to an International Boundary Commission, which shall have exclusive jurisdiction in the case of said differences or questions. In view of these provisions and of the important irrigation projects now and hereafter to be carried on by the United States Government, I seriously doubt the wisdom of a surrender by Congress, at this time, of all control over the waters of the Colorado River. Very respectfully, Acting Attorney General. |
Source |
Original book: [State of Arizona, complainant v. State of California, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Coachella Valley County Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Los Angeles, California, City of San Diego, California, and County of San Diego, California, defendants, United States of America, State of Nevada, State of New Mexico, State of Utah, interveners] : California exhibits. |