Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-06-07
hicL we might well be proud and "G d NV we
soi %o r. be tarnished We have sao mf. o. az

-, ~; rod Of cxistence AZ natlon about 10
amer on "n,ans estate toweftoi IN resource nh
ons of Justice and good faith winch form the mons
Mnsabe basis Of nation character, greatness ana
pos and without which no people could long P,ess
bssbiessinrs of selfgovernmeut Republican COVE
,nent was Based on the principles Justice aud ior "
be administered any other, either IN It's md 10
nestle affairs, to undermine It's iouhoa''o" ~
hasten its overthrow. ;, ..: rTsY,s bv
,oh,se was 4 Question which might well merit tue
consideration Of the Government OF the u o'es -,
INV s,cn which looked either directly or indirectly !"
obtaining possession OF 1t IN any oa'es = ybic il
wonld commit US to take part IN the contest III wo
, a. present ENGAGED ought, in his oplnon 10 oe Stca
div resisted IT, in the existing condition OF thnss we
acknowledge her independence, would Decoe ho' VI"
I n,,tter of bride but somewhat OF obligation on our
nart to maintain it by military force an extremity
which gentlemen oug ht to pause before they were PIE
pared 10 precipate the country ImproVidenty into
r. said Mr. B we shall receive unquestionable lnior-
nation that Texas can maintain her independence asas,
the authority Of the Mexican Government, none "oulu
be more willing 10 her recognized as tree and In.
dependent State than HIMSELF but until then, we owed
it 10 our character naton to our love OF justice ana
moderation and TO Republican form OF Government,
to do nothing which would conproIIt the one or endan'
ger the other.
Mr. Walker said the arguments made by some Sena-
tors were calculated 10 place him III position whch ne
had occupied, and demanded reply Honorable Sc
majors had spoken as houghhe (Mr. W. had made some
proposition 10 dsember Mexico, to violate the ialh OF
treaties, and tarnish the national honor Mr.. W; hau
made no such propositions Mr. w. said he would vio-
late reaty-he would never desire 10 .arhisn te Nd
tiona honor suy single star that beams in the ban
of the Union The question is to inquire, through
the appropriate committee, into the existence OF 60
vernment de facto in Texas The sole question is has
can Government been overthrown there? And whe
Their this revolution in the present case, in single
campaign in the three days at Paris, has been
effected, leaves the question unchanged MIR. Walker
n,n hoct thg
fields Of speculation, into which they had wandered
and ask them to meet the question now proposed whe,
Their the Senate ought not to inquire into The fact OF
the existence Of government de Jaeto IN !exas:-
If in Texas there be successful government in opera
ton; then we shall violate the fundamental principle
of the law Of nations five continue TO recognize the eI'
isence of the Mexican authority in country from which
it has been expelled But the recognition said should
come from the Executive or upon his suggestion. Had
the President proceeded 10 recognize the independence
of Texas dictate our course here on this subject
some Of those very Senator's who object to my notion
would have at once denounced Us usurpaton, soch
course upon the part Of the Executive But the Senate
has right to act on this subject, not only as baeeh
of the Legislature, but US branch Of the Executive
Department, in controlling our foreign relations
No treaty can be made with any foreign power, 40
envoy accredited there but through the direct action
of the Senate, branch Of the Executive Depart
,nent and it is here9e peculiarly appropriate that the
proposed inquiry should commence here. But We are
told the proposed inquiry is 'adecate under existing cir
the captive chief of the Mexican Government: Mir. w.
said that to his mind such idea irresstbly luo
crous. When usrious Franklin presented his ere.
dentas the first American ambassador to France, old
think it indelicate to send such al envoy on such
embassy? And when the young Frankns from Texas
shall present their credentials they may already have
done similar embassy shall we be told that the IN.
aury is indicate whether they do in fact represent
Government de aco not? But if the inquiry is indie
fcate part would it not be much more the
part of the heretofore and perhaps
at the present moment into actual conferences with the
minister Of Santa Annas There another strong lea
son for immediate action. The Senator from Massachn-
sets had stated that foreign power endeavorng 10
obtain cesson Of Texas from Mexico. II Mexico could
cede Texas to that foreign power, would be
the moment If she made such cession when we refus-
ed even TO inquire into the proprey of recognising the
independence of Texas, mi ht not Mexico and such TO-
reign power to whom Texas ceded then declare her
because we shall haze cansideH the
This circumstance alone demanded immediate action
Mr.. Llnn-Mr. President, when Santa Anna descend.
ed upon Texas like Hyder Ali the plains of the Car
natc, spreading destruction and desola,on before n
when he sormed the Alamo and put its noble and tae
voted defenders to the sword; when COL Fannin who
after fighting gallany overwhelming force Of his
mics, was seduced into honorable captuation whcr
this capulaton basely aud treacherously violated
and his followers assassnated when property was plum
dered and laid waste when women and children were
flying to the swamps, forests and cane-brakes fo
shelter and protection against the power Of these ruth
less INVADERS then in the hour of their darkest hopes
willing to vote an acknowledgment Of tie indepeHd
ence Of Texas because at that moneat it would have
served their good purpose. But now the
10 changed they have met their proud and vain glorious
enemies, and completely trumphed; they have trampled
their enemies in the dust, and worked out their own
SALVATION. TEXAS IS ISDErENDEST, and it matters
but little, whether pass through the forms of
admitting or not She is too prosperous for take
much interest in the matter
After further remarks from Messrs Preston Cal
houn, and Mangum,
MIR. Rres concurred in the necessity Of caution This
Government should act with moderation, camness, and
dgnity and because he wished the Se1ae should act
with that becoming moderation, camness, aud dignity,
which ought TO characterize its deliberations nterna
tionu subjects it his wish that the subject might be
referred II 1t was postponed, it would come up again
for discussion from morning to morning. to the exclusion
thing to prevent the presentation Of petitions every
ing, toexclte discussion 1t was for the purpose of avoid
ing these discussions that he should to refer at
once to the Committee on Foreign Relations. prom
nent member OF that committee had been lsRg and init
matey acquainted with the subject Of our foreign rela
TONS aud there were members representing all the
different sections Of the country to whose charge he be.
ieved the subject could be safely committed 1t would
from the Of debate this morning. that zen.
temen supposed the question Of the recognition of the
independence of Texas its admission into this Union
was directly before the Senate and gentlemen had
volunteered their opinions in advance Of the report Of
the committee He did not vote to refer it to the CON-
mttee To receive its quetus but that they might give
their views upon it, did lie feel if he called
upon 10 express an opinion upon The proPrety Of the
measure 1t strange that Sengtsrs who stated that
their opinions were made up should oppose the reference
Mr.. Calhoun explained. He stated that lie was not
prepared to take either course that he kad
ed But he said, that the questions both of he recog
milton of Texas and her incorporation into the UnioE
would soon be brought before them. He stated that the
Texans having the power could make good terms with
Santa Anna, or with the opposing party in Mexico; and
that they acted with prudence Congress would
be called upon to decide whether they should be ncor
Porated into the Union. The gentleman from Virginia,
ne presumed, would not oppose this He was not so
prudent as to wait for che Opinion of The committee He
aaa 1oe Eess confidence in the committee but having
made his mind long ago he did not reiv on the on
mons Oh any one 1t aot that be considered action