Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-02-08

gated, and that the country might know upon what ground
stand He did not know that in any aspect Of the
youd be desirable hst the BILL had been submitted by
the honorable senator from Missouri, (Mr. BESroS) should
have received the sanction Of the Senate but he did that
in all probability far the constitutional questions involved
in this subject of annexation concerned,
might be presented in conexion with the proposition of the
honorable Senator views having relation to the nteposon
OF ymakg power only, and connected to some
tent, with the proposition which had just been submitted D
vested Of the Legislative provision which the bill proposes,
whether would be entirely acceptable to the Senate or mot
might nevertheless present the subject in such shape to
relieve of the constitutional lmpedimens which
attached it. 1t this of the that he thought
bill presenting such important and interesting questions
this should receive the consideration Of standing committee
of the Senate before should receive the final action of this
body. 'hl 3Aal 81 hitta3 sGs1s lH3
Mr. ALLEN said not the proper time to express
opinion in favor of in opposition to of the
propositions which had been the Senate this
great questont annexation Of Texas the United States
Without designing at that Time to do he would merely
press the hope that the Senate would take by which
they would in the end avoid the expression Of its opinion
question involving to great extent the interests Of this
country lie desired, whatever the opinion Of the Senate
might be the general question Of annexation, any
form Of the question: that that opinion shall be expressed to
the country and that the Senate should regulate its action
this particular proposition enable itself express its
views on this great question before the day which, by the
Constitution they required to adjourn They had
about twenysix days Of the session remaining, and within
that time they Cor their duty to do SOY
another great questionable Oregon bill They had also all
the appropriation bills important and essential to carry the
Government, and other bills Of minor importance and the
matter before the Senate should be referred to the Com
mee Foreign Relations ii than probable that,
so far MS this particular bill concerned would not be
allowed to enter into the consideration Of the Senate at all
because II might be kept back by the committee until aer the
report already made shall be taken up for the action Of the
Senate He did the least necessity for the reference
The committee had had the whole subject before them in the
form of joint resolution from the House, in the form of
solutions from the State Legislatures and numerous
rias from anumcrabe citizens, for and against
annexation for annexation for particular reasons and
FORE which the question could by possibility be made 10
sumo il has been taken before the committee and the
mittee in view the muhous FORMS had reported against
the whole subject from the beginning the end They had
reported in favor of rejecting the resolution of the House.
and of laying all the other propositions upon the table What
Is such action but declaration their part that the Senate
should wash its hands Of the whole subject He wanted
this proposition to enter into the contemplation Of the Senate
when they to consider the report of the committee,
which cut the Senate loose from all propositions The Sena
tor said that this bill could not SO be consider
ed because it offered substitute for the bill which the
committee had under consideration But go the right
Of the NATTER he would ask the simple question: for he would
like to have answer why it necessary to refer the bill
to any committee at this late day in the session The
composed of part of the Senate and the whole
Senate having to upon the subject those constituting the
committee would still have the right in the Senate to nves
gae and discuss the proposition and present their views
bon it in the form of speech instead of report There
point Of fact necessity for reference The subject
was famiarzed 10 the public mind and much all
the Senators and Representatives who there prepared to
to assume In this view Of the question, without expressing
opinion for against the proposition he would be under
the necessity of calling for the yeas and nays the propo
shon to refer.
They ordered '4'. G58
Mr. MERRICk remarked that there could be no man in
the Senae in these United States fully determined
not to give to this most important and deeply interesting qucs
ton the goby than himself He truly anxious and most
sincerely solcous to make up wise and Judgment
upon the issue presented the Senate and order to
enable him to do that he extremely DESTROYS to have the
ha,a stnf.l al
ect by the deliberate action and consideration of the abe and
best and most enlightened minds in this body He desired TO
the benefit Of all the light that could be shed by the hon
obe of this b and of the deliberate judgment the
committee having charge of this branch of the business Now
he understood and believed that the purpose Of the
Committee Foreign Relations suppress the consideration
of this bill.
Here Mr. BERRIEN rose TO ask the courtesy Of the Sena
tor from Maryland for single remark He (Mr b. desired
to obtain the floor for the purpose of saying that the honorable
Senator from Ohio M ALIEN had misconceved not the
move for he had not spoken Of that but the obvious effect
OF the motion which he mr. b. had submitted II could
not be contemplated by the Committee Foreign Relations
to withhold report upon this BILL if the reference made
TO them TO prevent the Senate from having whatever
benefit might derive from that report discussion that
was about to take place. He hoped was therefore, only
necessary for him that they had intention whatever
of delay .sa hrH
Mr. MERRICK said he trusted he should in considering
this subject rise above all pudces. He meant with the
blessing of God, exercise his Judgment the best Of his
ably-eeng only considering this subject his obligations
to uphold the American people upon this important question
But when he to make up his opinion upon question
involving great national interests and exciting universal
tion he wanted all the light and all the information that the
best nteects of this body of the country could give There
FORE with every possible desire CRAFTY the wishes of the
honorable Senator from Missouri and with every desire at all
times TO extend to him every courtesy in his power he could
not upon this occasion, do otherwise than for the refer
encc to the Committee Foreign Reaonsmore especially
he told that they had found their deliberations upon
this subject constitutional objection which would cut short
certain the discussion Of that subject as Il regarded
this bill He wanted the judgment Of those gentlemen and
he desired to have in the form of report from that ine
gent and able committee that he read in his closet by
the midnight lamp and by that light, well Others make
up the judgment which guide tho vote he give
upon this question He hoped the Senate would grant that
the reference might be made and he very that the
committee would bring in report upon the subject in
have the action of the Senate upon it.
Mr. WALKER said that he rejoiced that the great
American question of the remuneration Texas was being
originally by him mr. WALKED in his Texas letter of the
9Th of January, 1874. H#
He Mr.. W. then proposed than year since TO
admit Texas State Of the Union by the action Of Con-
gess under that clause Of the Constitution which authorizes
Congress admit States into the Union That clause
was not confined to then existing territory, but was with
out limitation and the trainers Of the Constitution had ex
pessy REVISED to limit the general power contained in this
clause TO the territory then embraced within the Union The
general power thon words and has
right to nterpoate restrictions, and especially restrictions
which the trainers OF the Constitution had rejected But when
this mode of admitting Texas State by Congress was
suggested by him Mr WALKEn) in January 1884, he was
held up as the author Of proposition, unwarranted by
authority precedent Sir, (said Mr.. W. Mr.. Madison
one of the principal founders Of the Constitution had expressly
sanctioned this mode Of admitting by Congress out of