Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-04

" SIIdIl, i dblUT Vi lNOIlOIh DOiOuSur I1dpUST,
Turner OF Patrick, Witchcr, Lanier, Cooke,
Moore, White, Stephenson-3.
(Mr. TAYLOR explained, that he was not
averse TO the annexation OF Texas; he was not
averse to the principle OF Milton Browns resou-
ton. He thought it constitutional 10 annex ter
ritory, when required by the necessities of the
country MIR. Jackson could not, as before ex-
planned vote; otherwise he should have cheer
fully voted against he'fesolulion.-Mr Garnet,
In voting iorthe resolution, represented the wishes
OF his constituenls-Mr. Stephenson was not
aVerse TO annexation upon constitutional and ho-
norable grounds. He could not, however, vote
Tor the resolution, as he thought it violated these
grounds.j
Mr.. GORDON moved The following substi-
tule 10 The second resolution from the Senate:
RESOLVED, that the admission Of Texas on the
conditions and guarantees set forth in the joint re-
solution passed by the House Of Representatives
on The 18th day OF January 1915, and sent 10 the
senate Tor It's concurrence, in the opinion of the
General Assembly, are just and proper and will
be approved the people"
MIR. TAYLOR Of N. B. called for the reading
of Milton Browns Joint resolutions SO that the
House might understand the terms OF admission
Of Texas.
Mr.. WITCHER offered the following as a
RcSOtred By the General ASsembiH Of Virginia,
That it is their deliberate opinion that large
majority of the people OF Virginia desire the i'm
mediate annexation Of Texas 10 the United States
by any lawful and constitutional mode, and that
the conditions and guarantees sci forth in the Joint
resolution passed by the House OF Representa-
tives, and sent 10 the Senate OF the United States
for It's concurrence in the opinion of this General
Assembly, are just and proper, and will be ap-
proved by the people-lhis General Assembly,
however, forbearing TO express any opinion as TO
the constitutionalily of annexation by the mode
of Joint resolution of the two Houses of Con-
sress.
Mr.. w. knew all the time that gentlemen OF
The other side would not lie satisfied with the
original resolution Of the Senate, but would ask
for something more. Accordingly, we have seen
The gentleman from Louisa move resolution,
which commits this House TO the very mode of
admission OF Texas, stipulated BY Milton
Browns resolutions, as constitutional. His (Mr
WIS., substitute embraced the terms of Milton
Browns resolutions, bnt expresses no opinion as
10 the constitulonaily OF the measure. If Mr.
Gordon's resolution be adopted, il forces our Sc
majors 10 perurc themselves or resign their seats
provided they do not think Mr.. Browns project
constitutional. He appealed 10 gentlemen to
unite upon his scheme, 50 as 10 carry the greatest
moral force to Washington. Mr.. WIS opinion
was that Congress could admit foreign territory
BY Joint resolution; but it was his individual OPT
non and, therefore, moi entitled 10 much weight.
Mr. w. had been originally opposed to annexa-
ton, because OF the motives which iginiated il;
but he was satisfied that large majority of the
people Of Virginia were in favor OF annexation,
though he had his fears Of The effects Of anneXa-
ton, which he depicted. He, therefore, had no
wish to embarrass the subject If the real design
be to instruct our Senators 10 vote for annexation
it would be better TO unite upon his proposition
and leave il 10 our Senators to Judge of the con-
stitulonality of Milton Browns project and, if
consistently with their judgmcn. vote for it, in
stead of passing BY a party VOTE with the aid OF
few Wings the substitute Of Mr. Gordon which
sanctions the consiitulionaliiy Of Milton Browns
projcct, and may thus force our Senators to resign
or perjurc themselves. He thought his (Mr
WIS., amendment was a compromise, upon
which all might unite.
Mr. GORDON was clad 10 hear that the gen.
tlemen from Pttsylvania and Norfolk Borough
had ioregone their constitutional objections, and
were OF opinion, that it was constitutional TO an
mex territory By Joint resolution OF Congress. The
former gentleman had asked this House TO refrain
from ins.rucllng our Senator'S on constitutional
rsla,ure of Virginia should not dare to speak our
sentiments on grave and constitutional questions?
Mr.. G.. urged strongly, that the Republicans were
far from wishing TO make party capital out ofthis
question. They looked alone 10 the achievement
of this great measure Mr.. G., at length, justified
the importance of annexing Texas, against which
the abolition and the manufacturing interests OF
the North had combined Mr. G.. could see no
reason, why The gentleman from Pitlsylvania and
those who thought it just and proper 10 admit
Texas b. joint resolution, should oppose bis (Mr
Gordon's) resolutions. He appealed 10 gentle
men, without distinction OF party, to come up ind
vote for his projet.
Mr.. COOKE was inclined 10 think, that Virgi
mia was in favor Of annexation, and good might
result from this Legislatures discarding the pas
sions of the moment and spreading forth before
our Senators calm expression other sentiments.
Mr.. C. thought the substitute OF Mr.. Witcher
would have more influence in inducing our Sena-
tors 10 vote for the annexation of Texas, which
Virginia, he believed, desired.
MIR. BOWDEN replied 10 Mr.. Witcher. The
House ought to be satisfied, from The remarks of
Mr.. W., that il was all-mportant that Milton
Browns proposition, as IL 1caS, was the only plan
which could possibly succeed. He called on
gentlemen 10 pause upon the precipice, and TO de-
liberate upon the mighty issue now at stake
From information on which he relied, he was
convinced that the annexation of Texas depended
upon the vote of our Senators. II was vaIly
necessary that we should adopt Mr. Gordon's
project, which does not refer to the constitutional
question, but merely expresses the opinion, that
The terms of admission laid down in Milton
Browns proposition are acceptable TO the people
of Virginia In answer 10 MIR. Witcher, Mr.. B.
said that the Republicans had moi changed their
ground, bul the ground had changed under them.
A proposition had, since the action oil The Virgi-
mia Senator'S passed the House OF Representa-
tives, admitting Texas, by Congress, as Stale
and il was important that we should modify our
action, so as TO meet the new aspect OF affairs
Mr. b. strongly urged the propriety of annexing
foreign territory by Congress. II we wish 10 an
mex Texas, we must express our opinions 10 our
Senators upon The constitu,ionaliiy OF The pro.
posed mode of admission Mr.. B. ably reviewed
the whole subject, set forth the great benefits OF
annexation, and eloquently appealed 10 the friends
of the Union 10 unite together and push forward
The adoption of Milton Browns proposition, which
alone could be carried.
MIR. BROADDUS Of Caroline thought the
House had gone far enough in adopting, by
large majority the Senate's resolution expressing
the opinion that the people OF Virginia were in
favor of annexation. Mr. B. thanked the gentle
man from Louisa for having boldly avowed that
Texas "would be acquired any how" whether BY
constitutional means or moi. That avowal would
open the eyes Of the House 10 the designs of the
"Texas party" in this House. The1node OF an
nexing Texas by joint resolution was an after
thought, when it was found that il could not be
annexed by lreaty-Mat having failed Mr. B.
argued at length against the constitutionality OF
annexing foreign territory by Congress. He
shouid vote for Mr.. Wchers substitute, though
he referred the Senate's ID resolution.
Mr.. TAYLOR rose, in justice to Mr.. Gordon,
and said, that he had not understood The gentle
man from Louisa as Mr.. b. had done. MIR. T.
would 20 as far, il not farther, than Mr.. Gordon.
Mr.. Taylor then expressed himself in favor OF
Mr.. Witcher's substitute, mol for the sake OF our
Senator's, but in order 10 unite gentlemen here, 50
thai they might express the feeling Of Virginans.
Mr.. T. thought the substitute of MI. Witcher
would be as authoritative upon our Senators as
any instructions we could adopt.
Mr.. MARSHALL Of Fauquier, from an i'm
peratve sense of duty, moved the indefinite post
ponement of lhe subject, This was a national
question, and the peoples Representatives at
Washington were fully prepared 10 vote upon il.
Moreover, it was now the Isl day of February,
~ tha caSSinp still