The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-14


the remarkable Issue which had been presented and TO
me quarter rom which il came. We we're told that a
large majority OF the people would prefer disunion to
the annexation Of Texas
Mr. ADAMS said he had used the words "a large
portion OF the people" 4,~
Mr.. PICKENS said the gentleman, Of course. must
have spoken IN reference to the sentiments Of the people
IN the part Of the country which he had the honor TO
represent and il must be recoected that these were
the people who had so lately sung halicujahs TO the
Union lie reJoced that The issue thus boldly and
fairly made Upon that issue he would the ques-
ton and those who had made it, would, he trusted,
have the courage to maintain it. when the question
should come up for consideration the long session
lie was glad also to find that the gentleman still
garded the Constitution, and appealed to its binding
force The restrictions of the Constitution were not
often regarded IN that quarter and he hoped they would
not be forgotten when other subjects should come
before the House As to the resolution he was in favor
Of its adoption. He believed. and indeed, he knew
from the highest source that the correspondence was in
condition TO be made public. He hoped that the in
formation would. without delay, be laid before the peo-
pie together with the issue made by the gentleman from
Massachusetts
Mr.. PErRIKIN moved TO lay the resolution on the
table.
Mr.. REED called for the yeas and nays, which were
yeas 74-nays, l49 So tho motion to lay on the table
was rejected.
The question being on the amendment,
Mr.. HOWARD said he did not deem the amendment
important
Mr.. GRENNELL proposed the necessity of inform
ing the people whether correspondence this subject
had any existence. This correspondence looked TO an
event which the people contemplated with and
horror. He would leave no discretion with the Pres-
dent this subject. Besides its domestic bearing il
had bearing upon our relations with Mexico and pos
sbly with more European powers 1.-THE Speaker called
the gentleman " order aud said he should restrict the
debate to its proper limits.
Mr.. BYNUM opposed the resolution, as being mex
pedlent at this time, for various reasons. He could
not vote for the resolution without the restriction
Passed without the amendment the resolution would
be trespass upon executive power and executive dis
creton and the gentleman from Massachusetts, was the
last man who ought to bring forward proposition
touching the constitutional power of the Executive.
He did not think this proper time for regulating the
question OF the annexation Of Texas. He occa-
for alarm excitement on the subject When the
subject came properly before u.s. he hoped we should
meet it like statesmen.
Mr. WISE said he understood the decision Of the
chair TO be that it was not in order TO go into the merits
Of the question. He wished know whether he could
reply to the gentleman from Massachusetts, (Mr.
Adams.)
The CHAIR said the gentleman could not. The re-
marks Of the gentleman from Massachusetts trans
crossed the rule and suffered to DO made through
the inadvertence OF the chair.
Mr. WISE thought the decision Of the chair correct |;
but he regretted that he had not the right to reply to the
gentleman from Massachusetts who had been permitted
to discuss the question single-handed He believed
with the gentleman that it deep and vital ques-
ton, and he was fully prepaid to discuss it. He was
sorry that the gentleman from Massachusetts, had made
this question Of Union Disunon. He stood upon
the constitutional provision that "new states may be
admitted into the Union"
The CHAIR interposed to restrict the gentleman.
Mr.. WISE concluded by Withdrawing his objections
to the resolution
Mr.. BELL said that many gentlemen had voted
against laying the resolution the table under wrong
impression.
was evident from what had passed that this subject
of very deep, delicate and irritable nature,
that it would not be acted without producing deep
agitation and excitement. The subjects already before
required all our attention, and he hoped we should
have little month to deliberate upon them. These
subjects involve the welfare and perhaps even the lber
ties of this country Did not the bill which
ported this morning involve enough Of interest to en-
gross the attention Of this House! II the resolution
was adopted what would prevent discussion of tho
subject when made TO the call No
rules Of order and authority Of the chair would pre-
vent debate which would involve the merits OF the
question, and bring gentlemen into angry collision
He moved that the House proceed TO the order OF the
day. Lost
Mr. HALSEY spoke upon the subject Of the power
Of the Executive this subject and denied the right
of Congress to make the cab peremptory. The con-
sttuonal guards thrown around the Executive power
ought not to be abandoned for any temporary purpose
Mr.. GUSHING asked upon what authority it had
been stated that correspondence had taken place
between this Government and that of Texas
Mr.. WISE said it could not be expected by any one
that he would answer the question. But he would say
that neither the Secretary Of State any officer Of the
Government had given him the information.
Mr.. RIDDLE said he was prepared as well as the
gentleman from Virginia TO enter upon this discussion.
now hereafter. He precludcd from doing 1t
now but he would take occasion to say that he
wholly opposed to the annexation OF Texas.
Mr. CALHOUN, of Ky, said THAI, at proper time,
he also ready to meet the question.
Mr.. DAWSON said now was the time to briag this
question before the people when they were calm and
unexciicd He respectfully, asked the gentleman from
Massachusetts to accept tho amendment OF his col
league. He hoped that the question would be discussed
with view to the preservation OF the Union; and he
trusted that the time, all the desired nfoma
ton would be brought before the public.
The amendment was agreed to and the resolution,
amended, was agreed to.
The third resolution calling for the correspondence
between the government Of the u s. and that Of Great
Britain relation to the North Eastern Boundary being
taken up,
Mr.. HOWARD moved an amendment calling for
information in relation to the alleged aggressons
mted upon the citizens of the U s. IN the disputed
territory,
Mr. ADAMS accepted the amendment and the re-
solution agreed to-
. Mr. ADAMS offered resolution calling for copies of
all the acts of the seves states relative to the suspen
sion Of specie payments
An order adopted for the appointment Of Joint
Library Committee the part Of the House.
Mr. GHOLSON offered resolution resembling the
order for the government Of the Committees OF the
House so Gar as relates TO the duties Of the Committees
of Elections, agreed to,
4 resolution offered by Mr.. SNYDER, calling for
certain information, was agreed to.
Several resolutions offered, which lie day,
and which wc shall give III next.
The House then adjourned.
pa letter Of the 18th u from Naples, published in
tho AugsbuIgh Gazette gives intelligence OF the 10Th
from Palermo TO the effect that the cholera tho
decline in that city, where the number OF deaths amount
10, ~ marc hOO nor Thu number of fatal