The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-26
DEFERRED DEBATE.

g trolnced in the debate on the bill for mail-routes
T boundary question had been at length and ably de-
t,d Inv many members more competent than himself to
10 !, insfee Some of the assumptions, however of the
IonoyabIe member from Ohio mir. VINroN] were not
v,rnted by the facts of the CASE well known all
Texas He says, IN substance mat Mexico had posses
ian Al The disputed territory between the Nueces and the
Ro Granie; and that, no matter to whom 1t might uti-
aey be found to belong, possession alone made It an
Of aggression the part of the United States to march
nm army on one foot of the territory Now, he (Alr P
ncared TO the House. upon his honor representative
Of western Teyashat Texas held, and had all along
heidi possession of this territory only excepting the small
town Of Laredo, in which there were few soldiers, but
M where east of the Rio Grande any Mexican force
nSr,paneatB maintained adequate TO keep possession.
That Texas entitled to it by negotiation and by mill
,rv possession years before the United States troops
marched Corpus Christhat no troops OF Mexico had
ever held continued possession with the trng excep-
lion named) since he had been resident of Texas AL
attempts at maintaining Mexican posts east OF the Rio
Gande had been frustrated by the Texans and the Mex
cans driven west OF the Rio Gande No Mexican force
could maintain themselves, frequently attempted
ATeNas would have rushed TO to drive them back
There desire on the part of MIR. p TO hurry the
bill through to avoid discussion No, he feared no DIS
deemed involved IN this bill His desire TO have the bill
assed because it was necessary act of justice to
his constituents and the State of Texas 1t appeared to
him that nothing in this bill was new to the House Day
alter day, week after week had been spent by the House
on the subject which to-day attempted to be re-
ewed this bill, which already had absorbed the at
enon OF the House to the almost entie exclusion OF all
business Texas had furnished the theme for the small
wits and light debaters of the House almost every day of
the session This was notifying and painful enough
when II involved no measure of immediate importance
to her citizens II, however, Mr. Speaker, every ques
ton concerning her interest 10 be made the sport
OF party, IT seems the intention of portion of the
House to make it, would sooner subjec, my rights to
the despotism OF Turkish Sultan than be partaker of
such freedom. pill passed at an early period OF the
last session, when Texas had no representative in either
banch OF the national legislature, to the contracts
under the republic for carrying the mail The increased
mail matter, by reason OF annexation, and the war which
followed, made it losing business, and the contracts
with few exceptions, could not be renewed. All the
small routes were abandoned. route by water from
New Orleans 10 the same point, now objected to,
tanned in this BILL had been established. This, however
bill passed the House and Senate at the close of the
last session, containing the route objected to, and
was only lost by few minutes required for the
signatures, Of the Speaker and Clerk, when the
Hast year no mail facilities worthy of the name The
Excitement has been greater and more general the sub
ect and Justly so, in the district represent, and
throughout the State, than have ever known on any
subject during our separate government Heretofore it
may have grown out of unavoidable circumstances.
Should it continue, that apology will longer avail
The mail conveniencies had been continued during
the darkest days of the republic of Texas. After be-
coming portion OF this great republic, this deprivation
customary, ordinary but great convenience, is the
more keenly felt. Texas knew that large party OPP,
poSeu Her dlisSiOH iilO tue CiOi Tidu size UeieVed
that after admission, that party, large portion Of it,,
would continue to harass and oppose all measures in
tended to benefit her, for any political purpose whatever
am free 10 say they never would have been troubled
with Texas She would far sooner have trusted to the
|ae OF her interests, she had well done
Independent republic
Here Mr. GENTRY interposed (NIr P, yislding,) and
ETon Texas: He Mr.. RI had ' mais statement upon
Ps honor Certainly such statement. thus made, would
command his (Mr G.'s) implicit confidence. But the
Gentleman was making the statement IN that imposing
Form, he desired to understand distinctly what he meant
He understood him to aver upon his honor, that Mexico
did not have military occupation there, and that Texas
did; or that Texas had extended her jursdction and
superseded the jurisdiction of Mexico
Mr.. PILSBURY replied: | am ready TO answer
THAT or any other question. | shall never state
anything other than the truth concerning the in
erest OF my constituents, and that truth | will
be unworthy the confidence of the constituents |
have the honor to represent | repeat, that Mexico
had no permanent military force east OF the Rio Grande
except what have stated already. That Texas had a
oe at Corpus Christi, and other points of the frontier
ements, that secured the whole of the east valley Of
The Rio Grande; that in every the maraudng bands
hal occasionally came to this territory, were driven
Pack by the Texans that the force SO stationed for
years sufficient with the aid OF the inhabitants who
were armed and ready moments CALL for long years.
70 drive back these marauders, with heavy loss, beyond
he Rio Grande; that the Texans travelled this country
at will, located lands, and exercised civil jurisdiction in
he habited parts, and protected them by sufficient mill
|ary force.
Here Mr.. GENTRY again nterposed with the remark
mat he understood there was cusom-house at Brazos
Mr. PILLSBURY admitted that the egress and ingress
rom Matamoros was by st. Jago II was the only place
Hnere there was sufficient depth OF water. No force,
pwever had been maintained there or at any other OF the
places mentioned That they were never interrupted
rose from their nsgnifcance and because the policy of
me government had always been to restrain the people
|o Texas from lnurng the Mexican population without
in a tpt,
|S cannot admit that we have right to carry the
|aal to the Rio Gande ! cannot almit--nor do be-
ee that Texas ever intended to stop short of the Rio
'ande. No power short of one that was able to ami
nIa'e her. could make her retreat from this boundary
nus iiouse-ths Congress and the Executive may at
Tempt 1t; but there Is destiny they cannot change.
rom present appearances before they act this question
Wi have been settled bya population difficult to dspos-
ess. Texas would have left this boundary to
fhy arbaton had not she relied upon the Justice of
| f clam, and upon the strength and magnanim-
Ky Oh the United States to maintain il. But, sir |
ave no fears IN regard to the issue of this cues
| ION, believe large majority of the government
md people OF the United States will exact from Mexico
H for which much toll, treasure and bood has beep
expended to purchase Should however these anticpa
hons fail account OF the involvement of our inter.
Hesls IN great political movements the introduction OF
winch INTO this House has thrilled through the south as
ne man; II by the voeso northern wings and northern
democrats, the compromises of the constitution are dis
e5arded IN respect to territories, shall be sheltered
1ler the greater magnitude of this solemn question: and
Il e sheln OF tne cohSiituuoh no longer covers Ia
project, we shall be osnd with the whole south. ready
protect ourselves whatever may be the hazard and
whatever may be the consequences The passage OF tn
I'll is only act Of sheer Justice. | would appeal to
sympahes of the House, did believe such an emo
|Von could rise above political expedency. would rather
yppeal TO the justice OF the House not to keep this
urinary and necessary measure banded about IN the
ouse subject for the eers and of statesmen
ms lloor repeat, that we know we came into the
non against the wishes of many gentlemen on this
k.2r' and the people OF many sections of the Union
fng however, State, we feel that il is due to our
aracer-io the motives for anne yaion and the nrnce