The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-01-03
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.


HOUSE VI ~ ~ I~o'
TEXAS.
Mr.. C. ]. INGERSOLL arose for the purpose Of
moving that the House go into Committee Of tho
Whole, for the purpose OF considering the various
propositions which have been submitted for the au-
pexatiun Of Texas TO the United States
The SPEAKER informed him that the business
first in order the resolution offered by the gentle
man from Alabama, (Mr. Houston) yesterday, 10
take out Of the Committee Of the whole, at three
O'Clock to-day, the bill providing for the gradual
ducton Of the price of tho public lands to actual set
tiers and culliyators
Some conversation ensued as TO the order of bust.
ness, when
Mr. HOUSTON withdrew his resolution, for the
present
And on the motion 70 go into a Committee Of the
Whole on the state of the Union,
Mr.. ROGERS called for the yeas and nays which
were ordered and, being taken, resdlted-yeas lO7
nsys63.
so the House resolved itself into a Committee Of
the Whole the state of the Union, Mr. HoPKNs
in the Chalr.)
Mr.. {, J. lNGERSOLL moved that the Commit
tee take up the joint resolution, heretofore submitted
by him from the Committee Of Foreign Affairs for
the annexation of Texas 10 the United States
And the motion was sustalned-ayes 30, noes not
counted
The resolutions were read, and provided that an
nexatlon shall take place the basis Of the treaty
signed by John c. Calhoun, Secretary Of State, ON
the part of the United States and Isaac Van Zandt
and J. Pinckney Henderson, on the part Of Texas,
on the 18th OF April last; and make il understood
and intended that what whatever was stipulated TO
be done immediately, or at fixed time after the ex-
change Of the ratlhcatlons of the aforesaid compact
shall be done Immediately, in a like period after
the supreme authorities OF Texas shall have formal
ly agreed TO these resolutions
Mr.. WELLER submitted substitute for the reso-
lutlons Of MIR C.. j Ingerso
hlr. DOUGLASS offered an amendment TO the
amendment for the reanne 1aton of Texas TO the
United States in conformity with the treaty of 1903
Tor The purchase OF Louisiana and on this question
Mr.. Z. }. lNGERSOLL addressed the committee
and, in the course Of his remarks, he said that this
measure had been urged 10 various messages of the
President Of the United States 10 both Houses Of
Congress; IN the Legislatures Of many of the States,
and IN the press, and almost every where public
ument had been well ascertaned on this question;
but 1t was curious fact that the subject of the an
nexation of Texas TO the United States had bsen
more discussed IN the circles of Europe than in or
own House of Representatives. So far as related to
II being party question, il was canvasSed by
both parties IN the State elections and lie might
be excused for saying that throughout the
canvass IN his own district he never addressed a
meeting OF the people without telling them that, il
reelected, he should consider himself instructed to
proceed, as strenuousy as he could, for the imned
ale annexation of Texas to the United States. The
hrst argument IN favor Of this was that the
public sentiment had up to IT, with eItraordina-
ny pTomptltude and dstInctness Of eIpresslon A
year or two ago there was little or no public sent-
ment ON this subject. 1t was, however, alluded 10 in
manlfestoes of certan members If Congress wberei
was conde nned as having tendency TO extend slave,
ny and cause dsunon; but he believed be might say
In truth that twelve months ago there was SO little
understood the subject that there was very little
public opinion about it. L. the question had
been submitted in the House twelve months ngo
1t would undoubtedly have been rejected BY a
considerable majority and yet such had be. the PFC
grcss OF public sentlment-and he appealed to all
whether he was not warranted in the aft rmatioa-
that LOUISIANA did not come into the Union with
more unanImiiy among the people than ould Texas;
ana ne spoke from recollection when he said that the
latter would have preponderance of public sent-
nent IN It's favor over either the acquisition Of Lou
lsiana from France in 1903, or when as State, she
was admitted into the Union IN 1912. He regarded
.s as southern measure, and would rather so con-
slder 1t. The Northeast boundary was settled by
Massachusetts, and Maine. This was boundary
question as well as slavery question, and he would
speak without reserve on it. If those whose exist
ehce depended on the institution Of savery-f those
most interested IN The matter preferred the treaty
plan, then he was willing TO take It, This
however, was national question-and so was the
northeastern boundary; but there was such thing
as conforming national questions to local views He
was mol tenacious as to the resolutions he had sub
mntes out was willing TO agree to any-aImost any
practicable measure to effect the object and to produce
unanmlty. 1t had been feared thai annexation would
produce conflict Of arms between the United States
ana Mexico; to relieve such impressions he was au-
'ho-zed, on high official responsibility to declare
lha'' Whatever may be the aspect of affairs be-
tween Tue TWO countries at this time, Che did
not speak of the recent revolution he was anhorzed
say and was happy to do So that there was no rea
son Whatever TO believe that rupture with Mexico
would be the consequence Of the anne cation of
le1as lie obtained this information from a source
where there ought to be no deception and there wss
urea Rrita do. ~
emancipation OF slaves in Texas; however much she
ueslred 10 prevent annexation, he was also author
'Ieu 10 say, on the same responsibility that there
was no more reason to believe that there would be a
rupture between Great Britain and the u. States
IMAM between the United States and Mexico should
the measure now before them be contaminated
AS 10 france, there was little apprehension that in
such an event, that country would interfere but bv
documents which he believed had been submitted To
Congress, appeared that there had been no reason
aoie ground for fear in this particular. The greater
danger was that we would not be at peace among
ourselves. After speaking for an hour on the sub
Ject, he said, in conclusion, that il The treaty had
been ratified last year, there could be no doubt mat
10 tten days afterwards, scarcely one word would
have been said against it, and The whole country
would have been satisfied
Mr.. BELSER followed He smoke with refer
ence to the subject generally, contending that the
Legislative power had the right to annex foreign ter
rltory but at present he satisfied that a TO.
r'ign Government could asa State, ask for admis.
sion into our Union. The resolutions which he
caused to be published yesterday, simply proposed 10
extend protection over the people of that territory
and authorized the President to appo nt Governor
Tor Texas and the adoption of such other measures
as may be necessary for Territorial Government
lie thought that the resolutions of Nh IngersoIl
ought not to be adopted neither those submitted by
MT Weller, as they would not answer the purpose
OF supersediog the existing Government of Texas.
Mr.. BAYLY arose. and, after declaring his inten-
lion no, TO address the committee, moved that the
committee rise which motion prevailed and
The SPEAKER having resumed the Chair
Mr., TlBBATTS introduced, on leave, a bill 10
authorize the people Of Texas to form Constitution