Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-02-06

south without water. Ii also extends 40 or so
miles north OF the same point"
Nor am left to the printed memoir as the only
means to contradict the map. In Blacks general
atlas, published in 1910, and one Of the hes, ever
published in America, which 1 obtained in the
Congressional Library, find that in this very
tract of country. which in our Congressional map
is represented as "fertiie, sceU Uooaed and tceN
,cdfered," that there is written on the same spot
"GReAr DesERr." The detachment of troops
which the Texans sent two or three years since
.otake possession OF Santa Fe, travelled through
'his same region OF country, ami they reported it
10 consist OF ihhospitable and barren mountains,
and extensive praires, one of which is 900 miles
across; and although they were amongst the
best hunters in the world, they were all near Pc
rIshlng in it with thirst and hunger.
This Congressional map purpor,s. however, to
take It's description from Arrowsmith, the most
celebrated Of London geographers. by good
fortune found the large atlas OF Arrowsmi,h,
published in 1910, i'm the Senate Library, and
have 1t here before me; and request gentlemen
10 come and see, that this very tract Of country
described as ''fer,ile, well wooded, and well wa
tered, there is written on this atlas of Arrow
smith, in large letters, ''GREAT DgsERT."~
On this Congressional map find the cabalistic
numbers, l, ,, 3, in different parts Of this same
tract of country, sgniiyng shereby that it will
make three States, whilst Texas proper, as now
settled and sold, will make the fourth State
The facts above stated prove that this Congress
sonal map mast hare been gotten up expressly far
ne use Of un|ledged and unsophtstieated Demo
crais"
Sir, intend to let gentlemen understand that
they shall neither cheat us nor themselves about
this Mexican and Indian portion of Texas. AL
| though there are some fertile valleys, and some
parts of it which will do for herding cattle. they
are already In the possession of Mexcans; but
by far the largest portion Of it is utterly value.
less We have an abundance Of as good or bet
! ter country between the western border Of Mis-
sour and the Rocky Mountains, where you might
! lay oil a State as large Virginia, and not find
| In II timber enough 10 fence forty acre field
have great respect Cor the industry and ingenu-
! ity oil the New-Englanders, who have created
popuious and fourshing community on the gra-
mite soil Of the North; but do not believe that
the universal Yankee nation could ever sprout a
free State in this unsod part of Texas.
! would here ask attention, for few minutes
to an argument, if so it may he called, which has
been much urged in this discussion. Some gen-
tiemen boast of an enlarged and liberal patriot
| ism, which constrains them TO 90 for the extern
sion OF our dominion and our free institutions
over the territory OF Texas, that it is practi
cable. Why, sir, has not Texas a republican
government like ours! And is she not capable
OF sclf-government If not, it is certain that
she is unfit TO be annexed to our Union. But
sir, insist upon gentlemen calling things by
|
our orn country, and not in ,hirsting after the
soil of another. This desire to own other lands
than our own has always, heretofore, been char
acterized as national ambition.
III can understand my own heart i; beats with
an enlarged philanthropy, which desires TO see
the blessings of free institutions and of self-go-
vernment extended to every nation our CONT
nent and on the globe. Yet, whilst | am thus
anxious TO see the benefits Of civil and religious
liberty conferred on other nations, and would be
willing that our Government should extend its
fostering hand Tor their encouragement and pro-
lection in all proper cases, feel called upon to
stop and inquire what is to be the effect upon our
own Government, and where is to be the end, of
this incorporation of other nations and provinces,
with differing national customs, feelings, laws
religion, and interests, into one mammoth Go
vernmen,! Must it not eventuate in the disrup-
ton of its parts? The annexation of Texas NAV
I or may not produce this effect. But if we adopt
! Texas, and with it that spirit of national anrran-
dizement and unlimited ambition which has been
advanced by some gentlemen. and especially by
my colleague, (Mr. Douglass when he said that
/ he wished TO see all foreign nations driven from
I this continent, and dominion only bounded
by the ocean, feel it imperative on me to inquire
what is TO be the result Of such policy2
"I.eut Emory, of the Engineer corps who prepared
inc Map IN question: publishes card in the National In
eigcnccr OF Friday correcting the above statement of
Mr. Hardin. The Atlas from which the Map vas COM
pied he says was not ArrowSmit's of S40 hut of
Pri H. S4l and that the description of country Civ
en- IN the Congressional map is copied verbatim from
that Atlas Its account of the fertility of the country he
says farther fully sustained by Kcnncdys History of
Texas. The numbers /, 2 and 3, on the face of the
Map, which spoken of by Mr.. Hardin Lieut. Emroy
states intended denote contents of the different
areas gwen IN square miles, in compliance with the d
rections OF the Senate, under whose order the Man
was prepared.