The Arkansas banner., 1845-01-08
SPEECH OF COL. FLOYD,
OF JOHNSON counTY,

on He day ot December, lS4l. MR. SPEAKER:
 It Is hot my purpose, on this occasion, to be at all troublesome to the House, but the question under discussion, demands at our hands, a more serious consideration than might be supposed at the first blush of the subject. It IS objected, by some, that it is entirely unnecessary to instruct our Senators, and request our Representative in Congress, to use all their influence with the Congress of the United States, to secure the annexation of Texas, as it is contended that they are fully advised of the sentiments, feelings and will of the people.
 would ask, sir, how have our Senators and Representative arrived at the knowledge of those facts' It is only in our State eec- tlon that any thing al all can be understood to mean or qualify instructions.
 l would ask, is such knowledge peremp- tory in it's character, or IS it so to be under stood? No, sir. l say it is not It is only the voice of the people constituting their agents and Represetatives, to act for them, and speak, in their name, their will as ex- pressed concerning all those National sub jects, which are of greater moment to the people of the whole Union ill their National character
 Then take the ground, that in the Legis- lature is lodged the great principle of repre- sentative sovereignty and from that body alone, do our Senators in Congress, look for all their instruction, by which they shape their whole legislative action. And the rep resentatlye in Congress is always willing to take the request of the Legislature, as the ex- pressed will of the people, Again, when the Legislature speak, and instruct those who are in the exercise of delegated power, il Is the voice of sovereignty-the voice of an in dependent, sovereign State, speaking forth her will, among the sisterhood of independ- ent sovereignties. And, as such, should be entitled to respect and consideration.
 Thus much, conceive to be enough upon this point, to show the necessity, as well as the right, that all independent States have, to make known their will upon any subject that concerns their interest.
 l will now proceed, sir, in as brief man. ner as l am able, to give my views upon the subject under consideration.
 The question of immediate annexation of Texas, regardless of the consequences, has been fully discussed before the people. And they have spoke in d voice that cannot be misunderstood. They have said that Texas must be annexed to the United States, regard less of all ulterior consequences, even should war be the result
 In whatever light this all-important sub ject may be regarded, it is of vital interest to the people of Arkansas, and not only to them, but it IS equally as much so to the United States
 Yet the position of Missouri, Louisiana and Arkansas, lying side by side with Texas, is such as to call forth, from this body, full and fair expression of opinion in relation to the subject.
 It is fact, familiar to every one, that the occupation and settlement of Texas, was chiefly by the Anglo Saxon race, from the United States; who were encouraged to en- igrate there by almost every inducemcnt, which could be held out by Old Spain, and the Mexican government.
 Don Augustin lturbide, the first Emperor of Mexico, on the 3d day of January, 1929, gave the imperial sanction to law inviting emlgrants to come, and take possession of the Territory of Texas. The protection of liberty, property and civil rights, was to be secured to the emigrants, as well as the right to large portion of the soil. And from | time to time, other inducements were held out to citizens of the United States, to emi- grate thither, and partake of the protlered bounty held out by the Mexican government.
 The consequence was, that our people | flocked there, in numbers, under the promise, both expressed and implied, that the Consti- tuition of 1924, should protect and guard their civil and political rights
 But, sir, what was the consequence The usurper of human rights, and human liberty the tyrant SANTA ANNA, placed his foot upon the Constitution of 1924, and set at defiance every obligation made with the Texian peo- pie, no matter how sacred and wished to create one grand consolidated coniederacy. upon the republican Constitution of Mexico And when Moses Austin, the representative of the Texlan government, appeared in the city of Mexico, to remonstrate for his peo- pie, he was imprisoned for nearly a year. And thus the tyrant disregarded the civil and religious rights of ireemen. And, sir, the Texians, like their noble and brave ancestry, in whose veins coursed the blood of those who fell at Bunker Hill, and Y ork Town, were unwilling longer to endure Mexican aggression They revolted, and threw of the yoke of slavery, that ground them in the dust to make them yassals. And what did we find to be the result of their revolution : They have maintained their independence, and, for near nine years, have successfully battled against the forces of Mexico. And ill the mean time, they have established d republican government; and have secured to themselves the enjoyment of all those bless ings that freemen love to boast of; and they are competing with the best governments upon the face ef the globe, in point of the science of civil government They have thrown around themselves for their guard and protection, all the light and experience that We, as government have obtained for years
 The question to us, at this time, of the greates. moment, Is the geographical position of Texas, considered in relation to it's polili- cal, commercial, social, and military aivan-