GADSDEN PURCHASE, The, a tract of territory, embracing 45,535 square miles, which was purchased by the United States from Mexico in 1854. This region, which is bounded on the north by the Gila River, on the east by the Rio Grande, and on the west by the Colo rado, was acquired by treaty and the payment of $10,000,000, and is now included in the south ern part of the Territories of Arizona and New Mexico. It is called the Gadsden Pur chase after James Gadsden (q.v.), United States Minister to Mexico in 1853, by whom, in December of that year, the treaty of sale was negotiated with Santa Anna (q.v.). Issues growing out of the execution of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo (q.v.) made this negotiation a matter of great importance, as well as a business of much difficulty. Disputes had arisen concerning the boundary line be tween Chihuahua and New Mexico, involving the possession of the Mesilla Valley, of which, though claimed by the United States, the Mexi cans took armed possession. The 11th article of the treaty, imposing upon the United States the obligation to restrain the Indian marauders on the Mexican frontier, had been neglected, and the reclamations 'in consequence amounted to between $15,000,000 and $30,000,000. By
Gadsden's treaty that article was abrogated and a new boundary was agreed upon, while Mexico also agreed to forego all claims against the United States for damages on account of Indian depredations between the years 1848-53. The settlement of the boundary dispute was considered in this country to be of greater moment than the requisition of the land, which was thought to be of little or no value for cultivation; and it was in the minds of enter prising Americans that through this region the Southern Pacific Railroad, already projected, might find an advantageous route, as in fact it did. In Mexico the transaction was vigor ously opposed, and on account of his part in the sale Santa Anna, in 1855, was banished from his country as a traitor. On the part of the United States, the Senate made some modi fications in the original treaty and then ratified it. On 30 June 1854 it was finally proclaimed. Consult Haswell,