Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-02-15
LOUISIANA RESOLUTIONS.


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We have given the instructions Of the Louisiana Legisa
tue the Senators and Representatives from that State upon
the subject of annexation Strong the majority was by
which they passed, yet il may be well to remark that
the vote their final passage does not fully exhibit the
opinions Of members in favor Of the measure, simply because
the poviso contained in the resolutions unacceptable
ten Of the Democratic members who voted against them
II there in which the whole moral influence
OF the peoples will was literally concentrated and brought
bear upon their public agents, it is in the nsrucng resou
tons under consideration How the Senators from tina
State claim exemption from their binding obIgaon-ar
obligation rendered absolutely Imperative when we consde
that the people of that State unanimous as their Legs
lature upon this questons really than we can con-
ceive, Standardization Of Tuesday.
II must be apparent to every one who has read
the proceedings of the Legislature of Louisiana
which form the basis of the commentary above
quoted from the Constitution, that the writer OF
the article has totally Inexperienced the nature
and intention of the resolutions of which he speaks
They were neither introduced nor passed in the
form OF instructions, but, on the contrary, such
purpose was distinctly and emphatically disclaimed
even by Democratic members who took part III the
debate that led to their adoption. Such was the
tenor of the remarks, in opening the debate, of the
gentleman who reported the resolve from the mi
norty of the committee to which the Texas ques-
ton had been referred The majority reported
that it was inexpedient to take any action on the
subject of annexation and the minority present
ed counter report expressing it as their opinion
that majority of the people of the State were in
favor of annexation, By any lamfui and constit,e
tional means This report was first taken up, and
the debate was commenced, as above asserted, with
disclaimer that the resolve was designed to ope
rate instruction either TO the Senators or Rep
resentatives of the State in Congress. The debate
extended through a long sitting, without resulting
in any action; and on the succeeding day Wing
member submitted proviso TO be added TO the
pending proposition, which, as thus amended, as
sumed the following shape:
Resolved de- That it is their deliberate opinion that
majority of the people Of Louisiana in favor OF the
mediate annexation of Texas to the United States by an,
lawful and constitutional means Provided, be STIPULATED
in the of nexaon that Texas shall enjoy all thu
rights and privileges secured to that portion Of territory
coded by France to the United States under the name
Louisiana, and lying south Of SO degrees 80 minutes nor
latitude"
This proviso, which was offered as compro
mise, was opposed by many of the Democratic
members, on the ground that Its effect would be Il
destroy the original resolution, and therefore strenu
Gus efforts were made to get rid of it. A motor
to rejectit was voted down, yeas 30, nays 81. The
next movement was the offering Of a substitute reso
luton, which read as follows;
Resoled, That our Senators in Congress be instructed
and Representatives requested to their utmost en-
deavor all constitutional and legal tcays to procure
the immediate annexation Of Texas to the United States
This proposed substitute was rejected, yeas %
nays 81. Another proposition was then offered re
questing the Senators and Representatives of thu
State in Congress to use their efforts to annex Tex
as whenever it could be done honorably, and whel
the amount of her debt should be ascertained, &c
This was laid on the table, yeas AZ, nays IL. AM
then the proposition above first quoted, which tn
| Democratic mover stated to have been CAREFUL
drawn with a view to avoid instructions, and which
| he also contended, recommended annexation by a
lawful and constitutional means, so that the right
of Merico should NOT be franpied on--his resolve
with the proviso attached, was adopted and subse
quently received the approval of the Senate Thi
is BRIEF and we believe correct, history of tn
Louisiana resolutions.
As respects the unanimity of the People OF Lou
isiana the subject of annexation also asserte
by the Constitution, may be permitted to say
that If such be the fact have yet had evidence
of their having given clear and unqualified expires
sion to such sentiments. The majority obtained in
the State for Mr.. Polk did not much, if at all
exceed the amount of the fraudulent vote polled in
the Parish of Plaquemines alone-a fraud that was
admitted and condemned, in the debate above
alluded to, by the Delegate from that parish.