Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-02-01
ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, ls45.

lie read IRON the National lnelgencer OF this morning the
brief notice of the remarks which he had yesterday made il
Committee of the Whole the state of the Union which
notice concludes thus His general position was that witt
Texas free rom slavery and the Of Mexico obtained
he ready TO vote for xation tomorrow"
lie had in the of his remarks said what may be CON
sdered OF similar mportat if slavery in Texas were to-
tally and forever abolished, and the voluntary consent q
Mexico could be obtained, he would for the annexation
esas tomorrow not BY any OF the bills resolutions
before this the other House of Congress- all Of which were
beyond the constitutional powers of Congress But he would
vote Tor the acquisition of the territory by treaty. duly nego-
faed and ratified and for the Of the people Of Texas
with the people of the United States by measures for obtain
ing the Of bo.h which neither of them had ever
delegated to the Congress Of the United States the power
for them.
Mr. ADAMS reminded the House that he had yesterday
Pciy stated that this had been his opinion in the Of the
purchase and acquisition of Louisiana that this opinion
stood recorded the journals of the time but
Mr. RosULUs M. SAUNDERS interrupted him. and objected
70 his proceeding further whereupon he concluded and took
his seat.
TEXAS ANNEXATION.
Mr. DROMGOOLE moved that the rules prescribing the
order OF business be suspended and that Honse resolve
itself into Committee of the Whole the Of the Union
and resume the consideration of the Joint resolution reported
from the Committee Foreign Affairs for the annexation of
Texas to the United States.
The motion prevailed, and the House resolved itself into
Committee Of the Whole the state of the Union according
~, Mr. HOPKINS, OF Virginia, in the Chair
Mr.. STEPHENS, who entitled to the floor ecc,pied
his allotted hour though under severe ndspoion in an i'm
pressive Speech which he avowed himself strongly in favor
OF the abstract of annexation but stated the grounds
OF MS objection TO most OF the methods which had been
gested for efiectng IT,
He succeeded by Mr. WOODWARD, who went into
an elaborate argument in defence of the constulona of
nexng by joint resolution and in defence of the strict con-
structlonists for asserting to this mode
Mr. RAY NEk borrowing moment by permission of Mr..
CAusiS, who had the floor, complained with much warmth
that no Southwestern Whig who opposed annexation
mad had an opportunity of explaining the grounds OF his oppo
siton to the He wished the people know that
by some system OF management here Southern Wing had
been suffered to open his mouth.
The CHAIRMAN called him to order for these remarks
and indicated the course of the Chair.
Mr. CAUSlN occupied the fragment Of time yet remaining
before two o'clock 1.-THE hour fixed for the termination of the
debate in earnest speech against the proposed
Mr. RATHBUN moved that the committee rise with view
OF having call of the House, but afterwards there
general expression of dsaPprobaon against it. withdrew the
motion.
The CHAIR stated that the question would be put first on
the amendment submitted yesterday by Mr. OWEN, the
solution reported from the Committee Foreign Affairs, and
which Mr. DousLAss accepted modification of the amend
ment moved by him on the 23d of December
his amendment proposed to strike all the resolution
reported by the Committee on Foreign Affairs after the enact
ing clause, and insert that which follows
That the Congress doth that the territory rghy
included within the limits Of Texas be erected into State
TO be called the State OF Texas with republican form of gov
ernment TO be adopted by the people of Texas with
OF the existing Government upon the following conditions and
guarantees which, when adopted aforesaid shall be obga
well upon the people upon the
First That the said State be formed subject the adjusts
ment BY the Government of the United States all questions
boundary that may arise with other Governments
Seeond That the Constitution of the said State of Texas
with the proper evdenoe OF It's adoption BY the people thereof
he transmitted TO the President OF the United States that the
same may be ai before Congress next session.
That Texas shall retain her public lands apd other
property and remain as at present. responsible for her
Fep That IT, hereafter with the consent Of the Legisa-
ture OF the State proposed be admitted States be
formed within the jurisdiction Of said State said States
shall not exceed three in number, in addition the said State
without the institution of slavery the people, each
said States respectively the time Of their application
Congress Tor admission, determine 81
And on the question agree to Mr.. OwEs's amendment
above, there appeared yeas 90, nays l07.
The question then the amendment moved the
18th of December by Mr.. WELLER proposing strike
all Of the resolution reported from the Committee Foreign
Affairs after the cnactng clause and inserting the following
That from and after the passage Of resolutions (the
authorities of Texas concurrng therein the territory
Republic Texas be and the same hereby
annexed to- and made portion of the TERRITORY of the United
States.
Sec. . find bel further reaoped That the people nov
residing upon the said territory, and within the limits Texas
shall be Incorporated into the union Of the United Sates and
protected in the free enjoyment Of their liberty and property,
and admitted be consistent with the principles
Of the Federal Constitution the enjoyment Of all the lights
privileges and immunties of citizens of the United States
See. s. find be further resolved That the said territory
hereby annexed shall be known Territory OF Texas -
and until otherwise ordered the laws Of Texas existing
shall remain in full force and all executive aud Judicial officers
OF Texas Except the President Vice President and heads
Departments shall retain their offices, with all authority and
power appetanng thereto and the courts Of justice there
tabished SHALL for the present remain organized
sSec L. .7nd6en further resoved That all titles and claims
TO real valid under the existing laws Of Texas shall be
deemed and held by the Government Of the United States
Sec S. .4d be further resoived That the public lands
IN the said territory be and the hereby pledged for the
payment Of the debt however created anterior the passage
OF these resolutions for which the faith Of the
Texas has been given, amounting supposed, mil
lions Of dollars
Sec. Ind be further resotred That commissioners
shall hereafter be appointed under such restrictions Congress
may impose 10 examine and report the claims which be
presented against the Government, Of Texas order that the
proceeds Of the public lands aforesaid may bo applied 10 the
extinguishment thereof
Sec. T. lind be IL Jiier rcsoy1ed That commissioners
shall hereafter be appointed who shall the boundaries
and divide said territory such and form as Congress
may direct
Sec. Ind be further resolved That as yooo as The s,
preme authorities OF Texas shall signify their suya az these
resolutions the shall be deemed and held 10 he the na
mental law of the land"
Mr. HAMLIN, of Maine moved to amend this amendment,
Mr. WELLER by adding to the second section thereof the
following
" And the upon which said territory shall he admitted
States into the Union shall be determined Congress ~ lie
time OF admission and in accordance with the Constitution
This was ost, only thy-fve members voting for it,
Mr.. ELMER moved to amend the amendment Of Mr.
WELLER, by striking out all afer the word "That" with
which il commences and inserting the following
The Congress doth that the territory rigitluly
included within the limits Of Texas be erected new
State, be called the State OF Texas with republican form
OF government TO be adopted BY the people OF Texas with the
consent Of the existing Government upon the following
tons and guarantees which, when adopted aforesaid
De obligatory as well upon the people of Texas upon the
United States.
First That said formed subject TO the adjustment
by the Government OF the United States of all questions Of
boundary that may arise with other Governments.
Second That the Constitution of the said State NJ Texas
nf