Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-02-14

,,,ithis,.t the conditions stated--no more and no
less--leaving the South, the East, the West,
and the North, to know that, at this session
of Congress, and upon the conditions stated,i
majority of Congress were in favor OF texas
annexation; otherwise they were not. But II
these conditions were not met, the question
would 90 over, still as open as before-still
surrounded by all its embarrassments, and big
with the fate of the best government In the
world.
The proposition was based upon the known
fact that, without this compromise line, or
something like 1t, we had no prospect OF I'M
mediate annexation. With such a line, 1t was
almost certainly in our reach. That In fact,
this was bill for Immediate annexation, In
proper sense of the words. as already explain
ed. That. once separated from this slavery
question, it would be the most popular pollti-
cal question in all sections that was ever pre-
scented to an American community, he had no
doubt.
Again: the southern delegates, if hostile
themselves 10 Texas, with such line as
may be offered us, ought to be willing to let
it go before the people of the South, rather than
reject Texas altogether. And if this bill were
passed and we preferred to await the decision
of the people Of the South upon the conditions,
er bills after it, (Which, it had been shown.
them, bat still leaving .hs door open 10 Isrus,
to let her, and-the people Of the South, have
time to say ay or no. Whether or not Mey
will consent, with Missouri, whose resolutions
upon this subject declared that though she de-
sired annexation without conditions, yet, if
not to be obtained without them, then Texas
with fair compromise.
For one. Mr.. II. said he wished to see the
question terminated; and he could not doubt
but his southern friends and associates would
rather let the true issue be made and present
ed to the public mind fairly and directly AL
though he dreaded to witness the agitation
that would accompany its discussion, and the
dangers to the Union asst IS, sure he was that
| it could not be avoided, and no time could be
more proptious one than the present, for de-
lays would increase the perlls, not diminish
! them. The southern people were warmly at
tached to the Union, and the result would
show it; so were the real people everywhere.
! He felt bound to do what he could to prevent
discord and hence he came at once to the re-
sponsi5le position he had ventured to take.
He, however, had not taken ground against
the South-not against his own home and his
own secton-no, not at all, not at all; but in
their behalf-in behalf of common country,
whose senators Che thanked God for it) still
formed, as he prayed they might always be, a
council of brethren, representing the same
country, and aiming to serve, protect, and de-
fend the United SSGtes.
Mr.. II. said if he had time, and could do il
without appearing to be unmndful of the Sen.
ate's patience, and ungrateful for their atten-
ton to his remarks. (aready much more ex-
tended than he expected he would give some
of the reasons which had suggested the hope
the belief, that the southern people would
concur in fair compromise Of this point, since
it had been insisted upon; but he must re-
serve them for some more fit occasion-per-
haps until this matter was put to the people.
But at present he would conclude by exhibit
ing, though in short and summary manner.
those considerations which had led him to
adopt the 31th degree of north latitude for the
compromise line, as it might otherwise appear
to have been arbitrarily or capriciously fallen
upon. Hehoped these considerations without
heightened comment, might attract the notice
of senators, and claim their more experienced
sanction; and that their more profitable refec-
ton upon that part of the subject might bring
it to happy termination Of some sort; and
when he said this, he intended to embrace all
sections and all parties.
Divestng himself of prejudice as far as his
nature allowed of it, with the map before him,
he had endeavored to see at what points the
true interests of the nation indicated shat this
line should be run; and where it would be
likely to meet the reasonable expectations of
both Of the great sections, without sacrificing,
to degree which was inadmissible, the rights
of either.
He saw that the extreme southern line OF
Texas ran with the 26th degree of north lati-
tude, and the extreme north line with the AID
degree Of north latitude; and the 34th degree
of north latitude was a line half way from
each. He saw that a line running with the
34th degree of north latitude would carry US
from east to west, the whole length thereof,
precisely and exactly along the southern boun.
Diary of those lands which the United States
had conveyed to the Indian nations removed
| since 1880, from the east to the west side oil
the Mississippi river, with solemn guaran-
ty to each tribe that they should never be dis
turbed. He saw that that part of the Red riv-
er which belonged to Texas would lie south
of a line that ranalong the 34th degree ofnorth
latitude; and by leaving it in the southern ter
ritory, we should be making the whole of that
stream Gas it ought to beg the property OF
States having like interests and similar do
mestc institutions; for it was known to the
Senate that the Red river ran through parts OF
Arkansas and Louisiana. He saw that the
Indian nations, which had been settled by the
Uuited States on the west Of the Mississippi
river, had not extended their possessions to
wards the west beyond 100 degrees of longi.
tude; but, on the east, they were located up
to, and all along, the western borders of the
American States, as far south as 81 degrees
north latitude, and as far north as 40 degrees
north latitude, and perhaps there were a few
settlements one degree, or more, further north;
but, as before stated, none of the eastern In.
dams were settled under treaty west of loo
degrees longitude. He then saw large ex-
tent of country bounded all the way on the
west side, and as far as 100 degrees of longi.