The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-01-26

y
risdiction over the territory at least as fal
west as the Colorado. and to prevent the
III. States from ceding any part Of it? Fol-
Iinstance, sir. the u. States may wish, az we
have taken Florida as far as the Pcrdido
sabject to future negotiation, 10 make thi,
arrangement; to cede TO Spain certain
proportion West. for East Florida. Now
sir, ask, when we have made this country
a state, ii we can do this. | believe it will
be said by every person, that we cannot, af-
ter she becomes state, alter the bouHda-
ries without her consent. do apprehend,
therefore, there will be difficulties on the
subject hereafter, ifthe United States should
attempt to settle the boundary in a manner
disagfeeable to the state; because. if they
cannot extend their jurisdiction west of .
| meridionai line passing through Nagado-
ches, the territory will be in extent east and
west, but about 100 miles, and north and
south, about 100; and this will make them
comparatively small state.
As the United States have settled pro-
visional line, to wit /: meridionai line thro'
Nagadocbes, it should not be in the pewer
OF the new state to extend its Jurisdiction
beyond that line. Provision might be made
IN this way-Thc western boundary might
be made to conform To the present provi ION
al line; and provision might then be made,
that chere should be reserved to the United
States the privilege OF adding to it whatever
land it should acquire westwardly. Such a
provision would leave us "a liberty to settle
the limits without the interference OF that
state. and with ut. l apprehend, much diff
hculty' This was done in relation to the
state OF Ohio. Unless he right had been
reserved, he CON ent of the state would have
been necessary to a cession, or other alter
alton OF its boundary Such course in this
case, will be perfectly safe for the United
States, as well as Tor the new state. wish
we may, So regulate the territory, a. that
there may not in future be any collision be
tween the state and he United States. -
The province of Texas is in the vice -royal-
Ity OF New Spain. We know that the Vice
roy sen his troops to oppose the passage of
our troops; and a provisional line was es
! tablished New Spain is very powerful !;
and should be very sorry that the new
stale should have power 20 embroi the u
States with it. would ask the chairman of
the committee who reported this bill, what
were has views respecting the western boun-
dairy; and how far it was his idea that the
new state should extend; & whether would
not ctmport with his idt.,s, hat The change
which have suggested should be made !.
could have wished, that The bill was in
such stage of ITS progress, that | could
unless am sati h;d that we shall not be in
VOWED IN difficulty b" the consequences
have stated, hal! be an willing to pass the
bill and mus. vote against it.
M JohnSon said he had listened to the
objections against extending the right of
Sci government to the territory of Orleans,
vita great anxiety. So long as the measure
was subject to modification and amendment,
3said he) felt disposed remain silent
But the question nov presented is, shall
the bill pass---by which the territory will be
authorised TO form state government up
on CERTAIN conditionss The conduct of the
U. States towards this erritcry, has been
magnanimous, liberal, generous. The con
duct OF the people deserved t. This dispo
sition ON the .art of the United States, has
created in that people love of ndepen-
dence and aconhdence that every rea,ona-
Die request would be complied with. These
people ask a tavor--what is it! The power
TO erect themselves into an independent
state is this unreasonable i? Is it unnatu-
RAJ that freemen should seek the right of
political selt-government at their expence,
and not ours! Do they present a paper il,
one hand. and threat in the other? No,
sir they approach you respectful memo
rlaiists, asking favor and not even demand
lhg right What reasons Of state, then,
OF THIS important territory ? The princi-
Piles Of every state constitution il the Union,
the political creed So Often pr fessed on this
10 r, the sentiments f freedom as oftenex
pressed and the artcIes of the federal con
s itu'ion, which Circuh scribe our powers
al unite TO enforce the claims of this terri.
tory to state sovereignty. canno,. | will
not. therefore, withhold my SANCTION from
the wishes of these people. BY a change
OF conduct on my part, will not be nstru-
mental in changing to ennii the deep-root-
ed at achmcn of these people 70 his coun-
try, and our republican inst .utions The
3Oth day OF April, 1905, the United States
acquired the territory OF Loui iTnl, the Or
leans being part, by a convention entered
into with France, at Paris, which Convent
on vas ratified by the President t the Uni
le' states ana the Senate, and the Con
gress made provision for the purchase m
nsY. he people OF the Orleans territory
have been Incorporated into the Union Dv
purchase and adoption, and are entitled to
all the rights of American citizens. the
third article OF said treaty specifics That
the inhabitants OF Louisiana, the cedsd
territory, shall be incorporated into the
Union Of the United States, aud admit.
ted as soon as paSsible, according to the
principles OF he federal CONSTITUTE N. TO the
enjoyment oil all the rights. advant iges and
,mmunities OF citizens of the United States.''
We are thus sdemnly bound by Compact %
admit this ter tory into the Union, as stat
as soon a5 possible, Cousistent with the con
sutution 8 nc United States. What prip-
c'pie OF Ne constitution will be violated by