Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-03-15

whole spirit Of the instrument Why not rather seek ior inc
Old paths and walk in them, that may have peace and
st and quiet and that union and harmony may prevail
throughout the length and breadth of the land
Having briefly could considered the question Of the
constitutional power Of Congress to pass this resolution ana
concisey possible suggested the reasons when nave
the conclusion that such power 70 20 iounu v
Constitution, proceed advert very summary 70 Inc ="
naming objection to the resolution VIZ .; !.
Ill Ii there be power conferred BY the oonsuuo. =
admit Texas into the Union, in the form Of treaty o. an
act resolve Of Congress-, il is unse and dangerous
ercise it,. !. -
We do not require Texas place tor our people Icsu.
nv or its soil for our farmers planters 70 u
NOW vast rich and fertile territory within the limits OF inc
the United States yet unoccupicd Millions and mons OF
of the public lands IN different states remain
and he price Of the lands low We do not require the adj
dtion Of the territory Of Texas to enable agiculturs to
find land cultivate have enough and more than enough
1, supply their and those Of their chens children for
years and why should be anxious 70 annex
territory already almost boundess domain The
Of present and rapidly increasing population do not
demand il.
our immense possessions in order that farmers and aborers
may find employment expedent obtain Texas
for such purpose What the condition of its public
domain We have heretofore understood from high authority
that most if ALL Of the good lands of Texas have been
patented granted by the different authorities which from
time have had the control Of them Il is probable
that the whole Of Texas proper which is OF any value has
been made the subject Of grant, and, if SO, Of what
benefit would the annexation of that country he to those who
wished purchase good lands at reasonable price Their
Government has not kept it has been said any complete re-
cord of grants and alterations which have been made, and
every thing connected with the subject doubtful and uncer
tain Should Texas be annexed not know, have
the of knowing from her archives, what poron OF
her lands is under governmental CONTROL while the probabl
ties and strong that every acre which Is worm any
thing il in the hands Of patentees or grantees
IL however, there be land there unsod and oil ya'ue IS II
all virtually under mortgage and for an amount uncertain
and indefinite The records Of Texas in this particular
tnc har, xlol,f
unknown to herself and part of the terri
tory claimed be within her limits is in the possession of In
dams and another part in the possession Of Mexico 80 that
by the acquisition Of Texas obtain territory CT whose
gnorant-covered with patents and grants
der mortgage the amount of which unknownthe title in
dispute, and to be obtained if at ALL by with another
Power. Surely il there be necessity there be wis
dom in purchasing such domain But is has been said
that the resolution does provide for the ceon Of the pub
lie lands of Texas to the United States for the payment Of
her debts by this Government On the contrary that is
of the conditions Of annexation that shall retain all the
vacant and unappropriaed lands within Its limits to De
piled first payment Of its debts and liabilities and that
the latter become charge upon the Go
venment of the United States All this appears very well
paper but what will the other nations Of the earth to
who incorporate Texas into the Union, and receive from her
all her public edces, Notifications, barracks ports and har
bors navy and navy yards DOCKS magazines, arms,
mens and all other property and pertaining to the pub
lie defence belonging her. and deprive her Of the power of
imposing duties imports the highest and best perhaps the
only security for her public cedtorswhat will they to
refuse to pay her debts if take from her the
of payment and yet decline to provide for her lawful
engagements Did her creditors rely upon her power and
disposition levy duties pay their honest and just debts
and do not propose voluntarily deprive them Of this
source And if do this, do not honor and justice and
moral honesty demand that should give them equva
lent for And, if refuse, shall not be regarded
nation eager to obtain possession of foreign country, and
leaving her creditors deprived of the which they
justly relied to discharge their demands Are prepared to
encounter public obquy for the purpose Of acquiring territory
which already subject q
gage OF unknown amount ncumbered with liens indefinite in
number and amount and the possession Of which cannot
obtain without protracted and bloody contest
My friend, the Senator from Pennsylvania, who has
pied seat for time, (athough, fear, if
shall prove be true shall soon be deprived of the plea
of having him for neghbo said that he should have
preferred that the resolution should have been drawn to
subject the public of Texas the control of the Gov
eminent of the ed Sates and her Indian relations also
but he added h she admitted these matters could
be arranged consent between the United States and
Texas and I'D "details be satisfactorily settled by friendly
rangement hope my friend from Tennessee Mr FosTEn)
heard this decb faton for recocct that few weeks ago,
upon the introduction by him Of joint resolution nearly den
teal with the under discussion he said, or under
stood him say that he would for the admission OF
Texas without guaranty that part of her debt should be
paid by the United States, and that this with hm SINE
qua Did he hear the doctrine advanced by the Senator
from Pennsylvania that Texas and the United States might
hereafter agree modify the provision TO the public lands
Thatt in this respect at least public act which might
be varied in its terms by mutual consentepeaed changed
vi
Texas be subject the action of Congress Does not the
Senator perceive that if by such consent Texas might cede
her public lands the United States she might also by
rangemen with the United States have her debts paid or be-
charge upon this Government And what would ther
become of the condition guaranty Indispensable IN his view
TO the proposed annexation, viz that the United States should
be made responsible for the debts Of Texasf Gone,
initiated, vanished And how can he vote for resolution
which will not give the security which he deems essential
IT, however, the territory should be first acquired 0y treaty.
no act OF legislation vary the terms The sure guaranty
which he demands would be found the requisite vote OF two
thirds OF the Senate change fundamental article IN the
treaty Of annexation. And by insisting upon the exercise Of
the treaty rover, in the first instance, acquire the territory
he would obtain what might he considered perfect security
for the object he wished to accomplish, viz entire exemption
om any liability the part Of the United States pay the
debts Of Texas The Senator from Pennsylvania reminds
that he did REFER his remarks any future arrangement
for the payment of the debts Of Texas but TO regarding
her public lands and her Indian relations Certainly he did
speak Of any such arrangement her debts but if the
argument he sound one, that after her admission into the
Union she may agree with this Government to surrender hc
public ands and can lawfully into such arrange
mcnt, Also with her assent (Which she will not pro
baby he disncincd to give assume her debts
We do not require Texas from any we-founded appre
hension that will become dependant upon, ally, OF
under the control Of Great Britain any other Power. Thu
point very fully considered the session. in the de
bate on the Texas treaty and conclusvey showr
that there not the slightest for alarm that anony
ous letters and opinions q Interested men in Texas
To be considered entitled weight Opposition TO the clea
and explicit dsavowa of the British Government repeated,
made furnishing the highest evidence that there was no fn
daon for the eaouses and apprehensions which had beer
entertained Of her designs upon Texas Since that time no
thing has ansped vary the then existing state Of things +
this particular Texas If not amoArd an ine
pendent naton with all the rights and privilege Of such
- A. -.