The Arkansas banner., 1844-07-24


 and us, for seeking Louisiana (including Tex as) from ambition and the love of aggfandlze- ment. But after Louisiana was obtained with out Florida, the latter was still regarded as So essential that, on a Inessage by Mir Jefferson of a confidential character, ill January, l8O6, t Congress itself, ill secret session, natured a [ law appropriating S2,000,000 to enable him to make the purchase; and the object of the law was concealed from foreign scrutiny and intrigue, by entiding 1t ''An act to defray any extraordinary expense which may be incur red in the foreign intercourse between the U. i States and foreign nations7-(4 1 Laws, page Is, Feb. 13, 1806)
 In order to aid in that negotiation, the fol- flowing memorable resolutions were passed in the House of eprese1taives, i'll seeretses- sion, and are, in truth, Iapprehend, the whole Foundation of the subsequent session of Tex as in 1879, whose demerits have been the ob- fleet of so much animadversion. There had been instructions before to make the Colora- do the western boundary, if every difficulty could thus be adjusted with Spain, and the Floridas obtained; but an absolute refusal to cede any part of Texas or Louisiana east of the Colorado-<See fully on this } State Pa pers, pages 626 to 666, containing letters from July, 1908, to May, 1905, to and from our Ministers at Madrid
 Here are the resolutions
 tReSo1Ued, T'fat dollars be appro- priated by law towards delraying the expen- ses whichSmay be incurred in the purchase of the Spanish territories lying on the Allan tic ocean and Gulf of Mexico, and eastward of the Mississippi, to be paid out of any mo- ney in the Treasury not otherwise appropri- ated, and to be applied under the direction of the President of the United States, who shall have authority, if necessary, to borrow the said sum, or any part thereof, in behalf of l the United States, at a rate of interest not eX- ceeding six per centum per annum, redeema- 1 bic at will; and shall cause an account there ofto be laid before Congress as soon as may be.
 SReSolUed, That an exchange of territory between the United States and Spain is deem- led by this House to be the most advantage ous mode of settlement of existing differences respecting limits between the United States and the court of Madrid; and that any ar rangement between the two governments which shall secure to Spain an ample barrier on the side of Mexico, and to the United States tEe countries aeaiefed bytba .Hi8sissip- Ipi, and to the eastward of 1t, will meet the depreciation of this Houseo-fSee House Journal for January II, 1906, Appendix, pages 437 and 458,3
 The negotiation was at once renewed, with a view to buy the Floridas, or get them in exchange, on those or better terns.-(See 3 State Papers, pages 539 and $40, March 13, i 1906, Madison to Bowdoin.)
 In truth, so vital to self-preservation and peace was the possession of them regarded, nof only in 1906, but in 1911, that the for eible occupation of them in the latter year was authorized by Congress, as will soon be more fully explained. And again in 1920, Mr. Monroe advised another foreible occupation fl Spain longer refused 10 ratify the treaty of eessioa in 1919, which the Senate had al- ready ratitied unanimously. After this retro- sPect, and much more that need not be de- tailed, can readily conceive that, not only u 1906, but in 1Sl9, when the extent and value of Texas were less known than now, and when the Floridas were so much nearer, some of 4he old and well-settled States and their possessions so highly appreciated on other accounts than their soil-tbat such resolution could be easier passed by Con- gress, and easier compiled with by the exeeu- live, than now.
 In the then infancy of the republic, and the comparative ignorance of the sources of some ot the tributaries os. the Mississippi, and the vast western extent of Louisiana, the west side of that river was much lower appreciated than t deserved; andonly one State was con- templated 10 be established on that side, and a large reserved territory to be held for the lndians.-(4 Jeff. Life, 5I.)
 But we had hardly parted with Texas be- fore the explorations and enterprise of our people, under the blessings of peace, unfolded more as to the extent and fertility of that re- zion, and tie remote sources of many of our beautiful rivers; and 1t was soon discovered that we had failed to retain even what Con- gress had originally intended in the resolu- tions should not be ceded-that is, all the land on all the tributaries of the Mississippi
 A large and valuable tract on the Red and Arkansas rivers was parted with, either through want of correct geographical infor- nation, or other causes now unknown, and conflicting with the resolution.
 Hence i'll few months inquiries arose in Congress whether more had not been ceded than was proper; and resolution was of fered by Dr. Floyd to ascertain if Spain had notempowered her minister to go farther west with the line, and if that fact was not known to the Secretary of State.-( Journal of House of Representatives, Jan 27, 1920, p. 176-7.1I
 Hence, too, as soon as April, 1920, Mr. Clay offered the resolutions now in my hands, calling inquestion the legality of the cession, as well as its expediency. 1 will read the first one
 "Rsgozeed, That the Consultation of the United States vests in Congress the power to dispose of the territory belonging to them and that no treaty purporting to alienate any part thereof, Is valid without the concurrence of Congress.n
 Hence, not only were efforts made by him and Mir Adams, as carly as 1925, to regain the whole country by purchase from Mexico, and efr