The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-01-25
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
ANNEXATION oe TEXAS.

ANNEXATION oE TEXAS.
The House resolved itself into Committee Of the
Whole the state Of the Union, and resumed the
consideration Of the joint resolutions Tor The annex.
alton OF Texss 10 the United States
Mr.. STEPHENS replied 10 several gentlemen who
had preceded him and, in the course OF his remarks
he stated tnai he would be glad 10 have Texas On
proper terms but he would not assume her debts
The bare limitation Of them TO ten millions would be
reputation. No knew the extent Of her pecu-
MARY obligstioas-it was not known 10 that Govern
ment herself.
Mr.. G. }. INGERSOLL interrupted the geDlle-
man, and informed HIM that the Minister OF Texas
had estimated the debt at eight millions, but
ton millions named TO all.
Mr. STEPHENS said that this information was
comm unicsted In lS4l but it did not satisfy him as
to the present Indebtedness Of Texas He bad known
men who, at that period, were worth their tea or if.
ty thousand dollars, but were now bankrupt Ano-
other objection; The proposition from the Commit
tee Of Foreign Affairs for annexation, left The ques
ton Of slavery unsettled. As Southern man, and
as Georgian, il the sole object Of The was
extend slavery where II did not now exist he would
not support IT, OF all the plans which bad been pre-
scented for the annexation OF Texas he preferred that
the gentleman from Tennessee, Mr.. Milton Brown
for il designed To settle the question Of slavery and
not to assume the Texan debt He argued that Con.
gress in its legislative capacity, could acquire locgu
territory, Tin reply TO statements TO the contrary
they did not, however, propose TO acquire Territory,
but only designed To carry out the original design o
the Consttuton--to enlarge our confederation and
the number Of Slates--to admit new States ~ the
mode IN which some had come into the Union since
the original compact With regard to the objection
that the Constitution required a residence oi nine
years for United States Senator, and seven yesr
for Representative, and that this, were Texas ad-
mitted would proven her IRON being represented IN
Congress-bc contended that the true intent and sI
rt Of the Constitution did not make this denial app
cable TO a similar 10 that before them. When
Texas should come into the Union, she would be one
of the United States and IN that event new stale
Of things would ensue and they would be Obliged 10
look at it it was, and not 80 behind the existing
fact.
Mr.. McILVAINE opposed the measure, as cslcu-
lated 10 impair The prosperity Of the Union, and de-
siroy the form Of tho original compact-to destroy
the relative influence of the Government-to restore
tho political preponderancs Of the South which was
fast departing under the silent operation Of our gene
raj policy. He denied that the people had decided
favor OF anneIa alton Of Texas, and that Congress
had the power either express or implied TO acquire
terrilory-it belonged TO the treaty -msking puwer
alone 10 extend the boundaries ofvu Union by ac-
QUESTION of soil, etc. .......
Mr. WOODWARD coD,ended that Texas had
the efficiency 90 annex herself and that IL only
the part Of the Legislature 10 permit the act 10 be per
formed He advered to the contemporaneous hstJ-
ry Of the formation Of the Constitution for the pur
pose of showing the views of the trainers of that in
stiument in relation 10 the addition Of new Slacs,
and the exercise of powers by the several depart
ments OF the Government TO prove that Texas could
be admitted into the Union on subscribing the Con
sti,ulion, and obtaining the permission of Con
grsss, the case with North Carolina
and Rhode Island. Let her ratify and adopt the
Constitution Of the United States, and she would be
annexed when she declared herself one of the mem
bers OF the Confederacy. Here the power; 1t
was not in Congress in the treaty .msking power
The friends Of this did not claim any indirect
power, but naked, unique power to apply to Da-
ked unique object.