Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-12-22

try, induces me TO make an explanation to
him as TO a point which he seems to misun-
derstand in relation TO what | said about this
petition. / can readily suppose that Senator
did not hear me correctly, as he sits so far
from me, though | spoke audibly and dis
tinctly. His misconception has probably
arisen from what others said.
/ have not charged Of intimated that This
paper was simulated or forged that the sig
natures were not genuine, or that there may
not be such veritable persons in Mexico hav-
ing those names. What | said and still say
was this: these eleven Mexicans and ,hree
Americans (including Mr.. Giddings) were
not The people of Mexico. Now, if that hon
orable Senator will inform mi that he has
any information that he relies on that a con-
vention of the people Of New Mexico-I
mean Of all parts of it, Of all sections Of it,
assembled upon public notice, and that dele
gates were duly elected 10 such convention,
| shall be satisfied. l should place implicit
credit in that honorable Senator'S statement
as 10 the result Of the authentic information
he has | do not desire particulars, except as
to one point, and of that | would now require
Of the Senator, We're the people Of the remote
counties, or districts, or political subdivisions
Of Netc Merico represented in This convention,
and hour?
Mr.. CLAYTON. The honorable SENATOR
and all present have been put in possession
of all the facts that have come 10 my know
ledge. They have not The private letters re-
ceived by me from several citizens Of that
country, but they have been informed sub
staniially of their contents. The letters
which have been addressed TO me are letters,
sir, that went even into the discussion Of the
subjects contained in the memorial. l do
not know the individuals ; l never saw one
ar 49,, l., 49,, l;Co Shot | raoolloct Tka ma
tition comes to me, however, as we'll authen-
iicated as all other petitions are. i have as
much evidence as TO the genuineness of this
petition, and the facts stated that a conven-
ton was assembled, and that the petition re-
presents the wishes of that convention, as |
ordinarily have In presenting a petition here.
OF course | am liable 10 be imposed upon at
any time. A gentleman may send me a Pc
tition here from Maine, Missouri, Oregon, or
Florida, and | hold myself, having no reason
TO doubt the genuineness of the signature al
tached TO the petition, bound to present it
here. never, sir, should hesitate, unless |
had some reason TO doubt the facts stated, 10
present the memorial. Now, | know MOTH
ing at all about the fact whether the people
of New Mexico was represented there.
take it for granted that there was a very large
convention there, and that the persons who
have signed their names 10 this petition be-
lieved that they were Untitled to call them
selves the people Of New Mexico.
Mr.. FOOTE. Did the newspapers pubs
fish anything concerning that convention!
MIR. CLAYTON. Yes, sir, the newspa~
pers published the whole proceedings weeks
ago throughout the country.
They published the memorial and all, long
ago. Among other papers, it was published
in the N ational lnteligencer at the time
Nobody ever doubted it. | heard, sir, that
this was a proper memorial, got up by a con-
vention of the people Of New Mexico. Well,
now, sir, what is the proper course frs the
Senate TO take with the memorial before il 7
Is the Senate 10 esteem the fact as a hum
bug! Or is the Senate to take this paper
and refer it, as they usually do, and leave the
committee, if there be any question in rela-
ton to the genuineness of these signatures,
to investigate and report upon the matter =
1t would undoubtedly be the duty of the
committee 10 make a report upon the subject.
| do not believe that any man can doubt the
genuineness of this paper. ! cannot con-
ceive that all this is mere humbug, when |
reflect upon the fact that / have letters ad-
dressed 10 me from persons who have recited
what was done at that convention, and have
; gone into an argument 10 show that they
were entitled 10 what they ask.
Mr.. HALE. Mr.. President, as the sub
ject has excited some debate at this unusual
ly early stage of its progress, | do not know
but Inc present is as good a time 10 meet the
| peculiar views of Senators upon this ques-
lion as any time which may hereafter pre-
sent itself. 1t is an unusual mode, it seems
to me, TO introduce this delicate subject at
such a time. But, inasmuch as the petition
! which has been presented is itself teTmed
: %insoLent, | do moi know but that / may ex-
: pose myself to the same charge by the mo-
: lion that ! am about to make, or the amend
! ment which | am about 10 propose to the
e motion of the Senator from Missouri. 1t is
d that the petition be committed to the Com.
D mittee on the Territories, with instructions to
; report a bill agreeably to the prayer Of the
= petitioners.
$ And now, sir, let me say one word in re.
. gard to the character Of this memorial. The
: objections of the honorable Senator from Mis-
: sissippi Mr.. Foote] and of the honorable
Senator from Florida [Mr. Westco,,] are,
. that this memorial does not come authentica-
G ted as the proceedings of a regular conven-
: ton. The honorable Senator from Missis-
sippi Mr.. Foote] has intimated that this
7 matter of conventions had got TO have a pref
9 ty definite and settled meaning among u.s.
e He says that when we speak of a convention
: we mean delegated body representing con-
S stituencies, due notice of the same having
e been given and regular preparatory meetings
holden. think, sir, if the honorable Sena-
Tor will look back upon the history Of this
o country, which enjoys a much higher state
of civilization, and a great deal more learn
! ing on this matter of conventions than the
people of New Mexico, he will find that the
subject is not yet thoroughly understood even
S in this country. If this matter is not sufi-
S GENTLY understood in this country, how could
5 the new population in New Mexico. that
I have not been drilled in this matter Of con-
e venlions, have understood it thoroughly!