Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-08-02

ne WG,{%Hd.n6e NJ ItI0s'
II" next step was The resolution offered bv me
and adopted on the ID March 1887, being sane
toned by the votes OF the Senator from Missouri
VII. Benton and the Senator from Kentucky
Mr. Clay:l
"Rs0lItd, That The State Of Texas having es-
iabl>hed and maintained an independent Govern
meat, capable Of performing these duties. foreign
ana domestic, which appouain 10 independent Gov
enmentS, and it appearing thai there is no longer
any reasonable prospect Of tie prosecution ot
the war by Mexico against said State il is expe-
dent and proper, and in conformity with the law
vi nations, and the practice OF this Government III
like cases, that the independent political existence
oil SAID State be acknowledged By the Government
OF the United States"
Inc same year, in pursuance OF an act of Con-
sress Tor that purpose, Minister was sent bvus
TO The Republic OF Texas, and her Independence
iuily recognised. In the language OF the Pres
dent Message, which, We have seen, was approved
by Mr.. Van Buren,
The TILE Of Texas TO the territory she claims
Is Identified with her Independence She asks us
10 acknowledge that tile 10 the territory, with an
'hoWed design 10 tIeat Immediately OF lis transfer
TO The L. States"
Well, we oil recognise her independence,
winch Was identified with her title 10 tie territory,
anu We dld lhu> ckn"wl2dgc that title. And now
why cannot Texas transfer title which we al
NIT To be valid and perfect ! H. as we nave con-
ccdcd, The tile oi iAc tcniorv belongs 10 Texas.
why can She mol transfer that which is her own
Wehave, however zone sill father in RECOGNISING
The li@hi o Texas Ia the territory in question On
. the 10Th April! lS3e. there was formed with Tex
as treaty OF boundary, in which her right IL the
territory was fully recognised. This convention
declared that The treaty OF limits made and con-
cluded on the l2h January. lo2S, between the
United States OF America or The ole par and The
united Mexican States OH the other is binding
/ upon The Republic of Texas the same having
! been entered into al time when Texas forncd
Il part Of the same united Mexican Slales:" it
WAS agreed 10 mark the boundary between the
TWO countries Is designated by the said treaty.
and the right OF each oi the contracting parties
80 exercise jurisdiction respectively on either
side Of this boundary was fully recognised To
unite With nation in recognising and establish
Ing lis boundary, and corcedng its rights OF Iu-
ri>ciion oyer the territory with the designated
limits is 10 admit in the most solemn manner
he right OF eminent domain which carries with
it the right Of cession and transfer Ii wholly
excludes any pretended claim OF Mexico; iorii Goa
ccdeS ana establishes lie line OF limits a. the
boundary, nol OF Mexico, but Of Texas: and this
was an act ottle administration OF NJ. Van BIZ
rem. and affirmed ty the Senate and Congress OF
The United States
England France, and Holland. have also all
concluded treaties with the Republic OF Texas,
iuy recognizing her pcndcnce, and in perfect
and il econciiahe conflict with any supposed
right 10 that territory on the part OF Mcxicn--
Great Britain also through her diplomatic repre-
sentative. has most fully recognised the right OF
/ Texas 10 the soil and emncn, domain, and called
upon her 10 confirm 10 her subjects large
grants OF public lands. embracing millions "l
acres, extending 10 the very banks Of the Rio del
+
grants to the soil of The Republic unless her right
OF territorial ownership AMI jurisdiction is ALSO
late ami perfect! Now, il Texas can grant the
soil Of the Republic to British subjects, why can
she NOT transfer the soil and jurisdiction To- the
Government; OF the tncd States! And England
At least is e>topped from denying her right 10 make
the transfer
( independent, however, of al these acts and
treaties now proceed 10 establish the right of Tex
as, the Government de jD5c, as we'll a. ID iocfo Cd
that territory. Ii is the present Government OF
/ Mexico that claims right 10 Texas; and il,
+ a. ! shall prove this Government never did
exercise, ana never hod any right la CNGi-
else, any jurisdiction, over Texas, tho ars,-
/ ton mn>f lc regarded a. decided in our fave.
! On the iih of October. 1921 WIS established
The Cor>'ilutiop OF The Mexican United States,
being ccniencracy oil sovereign States in that
! lcspoc; very nearly resembling our own. In this
! Constitution :; was dc,lareA 10 be Federal" ard
that the parts oil this Federation are the State>'
/ &c By Il last article OF the Constitution il WAS
] declared that 50 much thereof aS establishes the
form OF Government" ard division Of the su-
prcmc powers oi the F'dcrati00 and Of the SfatsS
can Rcr0 b. Ij1mcd."
Texas together with Coahua) was a State
and her Constitution, which IVES sanctioned ~
/ the Mexican conicdcracy declared that said State
sis free and independent OF the other United Mex
al.
dominion' ami that 'thc sovereignty Of the State
resides originally and essentially in the general
mass cfihe individuals who compose H." What
ever doubt, then, may exist III the minds OF some,
a. TO whether our Government is or is not
"Fcdcra,ion" league OF sovereign States, all
such doubt in their case is removed by the eX-
press words Of lie Constitution of Mexico. Tex
as. together with Coahuila, was one otthc sove-
rem safes OF the Mexican Federation; and in
The pc0rlc OF the STATE was admitted 10 reside he
only ultimate sovereignty. Her conneXon with
the Mexican league was not as province or d;
territory. bul aS free and sovereign State: and
the revolution was not chy, but against her
In ls.} and 1885 Santa Anna al the head, not ot
the people, but o1 a merccnary army oVcrthrcW
the Mexican Constitution and Federation OF 1921
drove the Congress Of Mexico and the legislature
of Texas and C0ahuila, al the point OF the bavo-
net out OF the halls OF legislation. The people OF
Iacaeca>, OF coahuila, and other States resisted,
but were oycnhrown: and this daring usurpcr,
having annlhilacd The States by a military cdict,
and dccrccd Il general disarrning of the people,
proceeded to execute the decree in Tex. and
reduce her from free and sovereign STATE OF a
Republican Federation, TO mere snbec, Depart
mtnt OF central dcspo'ism. War WAS made
anon the people OF Texas. They resisted, and,
BIZ council of deputies OF the PEOPLE, established
provisional Governments which, on the in
November 1872 issued thc following manifesto:
"WhcrcaS, General Antonio Lopez de Santa
Anna and other military chieitain>. have, by force
of arms. overhrown the Federal Constitution of
Mexico and dissolved the social compact which
existed between Texas and the other members OF
the Concderacy. now the good people Of Texas,
avains themselvc, OF their natural right, @Icmn-
iy dcrlafe-
"Frst. That they have taken up arms in TO-
fence of their rights and liberties which wee
threatened BY cncroachments OF military dcspotS,
and in defence Of the Republican principles ot the
Federal Constitution ii Mexico Of 1921
Second That Texas is no longer morally or
ciyilly bound by the compact Of Union; yet,
stimulated By The generosity and sympathy COM
mon 10 free people, they offer theii support
anu assistance 10 such Of the members OF the
Mexican Coniadcracy as willtak uparms against
military despotism
Third That they do not acknowledge that the
present authorities OF the present nominal Mex
can Republic have the right 10 govern within the
limits OF Texas.
Fourth. That they will not cease TO carry on
war against the said authorities, whilst therroops
are in the limits OF Texas.
Fifth That they hold it TO be their right Grr-
ng the DISCRIMINATION Of the Federal system, and
the reian Of despoli>m, TO withdraw from the
Z Union. 10 establish an Independent, Government,
or = adop, such measures as they mardcem best
calculated 10 project their rights and Liberties; but
that they viii continue faithful 10 the Mexican
Government 50 long "a that nation is governedby
/ the Constitution and laws that were framed for
the go:ernment Of the political association.
f The warwas immediately prosecuted b. Santa
+ Anna on The people Of Texas. On bis part II
: was war OF conquest carried on by 4 military
i. usurper, against the Constitution he had sworn
e 10 support, and against the people oil Iexas-,
: whilst on their part, it was war IN defence o'
Y the Constitution and OF theI rights and iihei-
d iic> 50 so!cmnly guaranteed. The conflict pro