The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-14

turned OUTPUT as | consider IL as dead, and as |
hold TO the maxim de mortuS n1lSI bonttm" | will
waive what | about TO say II turned out,
however, 10 be a convention OF the smallest party
in convention in the world not capable of
giving single electoral vote for President Vice PTes
dent We see then, that convention may set itself
forth in the most glarng phrdseologY, as most magn
cent convention representing vast body OF the peo-
pe and after all may turn out To be more numerous than
its constituents, as 1t turned out IN that case.
Now, sir, apply the principle TO this case This docu
ment sets forth that il is from the people OF New Mexico
in convention assembled. The gentleman from New
Hampshire says opposing the respectful reception
of petition from the people OF New Mexico | beg the
pardon we are dong no such thing. We
are smpyqueslionng the fact whether The people OF New
Mexico have petitoned on this subject The main point
of dsputon whether II is petition by yerabe con-
venton fay and properly gotten up and entitled to repre-
sent any portion OF the. people OF New Mexico Now, |
beg the gentleman for moment TO reflect upon the injustice
he has done in charging thus upon us m charging US
with having attempted to tample upon the rights OF the
people of New Mexico, who he takes for granted have
actually assembled in convention and as convention
have actually sent this petition to US There IS no proof
of it, The gentleman speaks of Its being the newspa
perS have not seen them ! ask for proof that any
public meeting has been held No proof has been ad-
duced at all.
But, saws the gentleman it is the doctrine of the Mich
olson ete-therefoe it does not behooye to object
it, Has he inspected this memorial II he has, he has
made strange mistake Dd The Nicholson letter pro
pose take from any portion OF the people OF THIS Union
any portion of its rights Did II propose congressional
legislation upon the subject OF slavery Did II not deny
the power of Congress to legslae upon the subject DID
it not assert that Congress had jurisdiction whatever
upon the subject And yet this memorial, IN the face Of
the Nicholson letter. dares to ask Congress 10 lessaie
upon the sublectdares to ask that portion OF the peo
pie of the nation shall be deprived OF their rights, and
urges upon Congress 10 egslae to that effect. Now sir
this is the most singular use of the Nicholson letter
ecollect OF having heard and am sure that when
the gentleman to reflect upon the subject he will
be struck with the injustice OF his remarks upon that let
ter
remark more and | am done look upon this as
grave matter Ii is introduced with great formay-in-
oduced by the oldest member of the Senate; sustained
by another senior member OF the Senate, gentleman OF
great character and experience We bound TO recog
Mise this matter OF grave and serious import. We
are bound to look into it and sir, find that there is
proposition seriously made TO despo portion OF the people
of this Union of what term their State rights We find
another proposition, sir which in my opinion is equally
objeconable-a proposition inlurlously affecting what
believe to be the rights OF the State OF Texas. Now, sir
lightly TO deal with such matter as this Are
rob certain portions OF the Union OF their Stale
rights? Are 10 extngu.h the rights of the State of
Texas Are we to deal with such matter lightly!
Without any evidence, either of an official n semi
official character, we 10 take II for granted that the
document Is genuine! Are we TO presume that It
is entitled TO be called memorial of the people
of New Mexico | do not believe, sir. that the
people, that any considerable portion OF the peo
pie of New Mexico, have undertaken at any time 10
lend their sanction to such a document as this The
supposIiion is most abhouen to my feelings and to the
feelings OF every cannot believe that any consld
cradle portion OF the influential people of New Mexico
have come here Tor the purpose OF deprlvng the
State OF Texas OF portion OF lis ancient dominion.
feel that am doing justice to The people OF New Mex
eo Justice to the people Of IeSa and Justice to the
conclusive evidence before take for granted that
there has been actual assembly OF large number OF
individuals, representing the people OF New Mexico, who
have deliberately, after full consideration, taken Their
stand upon the great question to which the attention OF
Congress invited. For, sir, il mist appear TO all,
thai is of the utmost Importance for to settle this
matter, aud ascertain whether this document has been
got up by few interested individuals for the purpose OF
imposition, TO create an excitement at this critical
moment, and give an artificial consequence to par
whether II
is document which is the result of cool delberation
and profound consultation upon the part of the people OF
IT, he s second
It would be entitled TO considerations and we should be
inclined 10 award ii serious consideration: All that,
have said, sir, has been said with view of eliciing
formation, OF asceralnng the true character of the docu
ment OF endeavoring to find out, if | can under what
circumstances it has been sent 10 us whether these
meetings have taken place, or whether certain individuals
have undertaken TO declare, the of the people Of
New Mexico, what they would not declare Tor them
selves 1t IS sir, believe, very important that
should look into the facts OF the before decision
shall not venture to make any motion with regard
It's non-recepon shall leave that 10 those cy
perienced than myself am well satisfied that there
will be opportunity in this body for those who feel in
the least degree inclined to avoid responsibility upon this
point, or any Other to do so and am very glad that
opportunity has been afforded to us of recording
votes wish the yeas and nays to be taken upon every
question with reference 10 this matter, thai il may be pre-
scented TO the people OF the United States the present
generation, and to all poserity, its true light that each
senator may be held Immediately responsible for his
duct TO his own constituents and also TO the people OF
the country.
Mr. BERRiEN I do not rise for the purpose Of en-.
terng INTO this debate. The yeas and nays have been
called for upon the original motion They have not
been ordered upon the motion 10 amend the original
ton. | ask
Mr.. RUSk (interposing) The gentleman from New
Hampshire proposes TO withdraw his amendment
Mr.. HALE AT the suggestion OF the honorable gen.
tleman IRON Teyas-who states me that this question
involves another and important question relative the
boundary OF Texas, upon which my motion would lad
TO pre.luigment i withdraw my amendment.
The PRESIDING OFFICER proceeded to put the qucs
tion upon the printing, when the yeas and nays were
deTed.
Mr.. CALHOUN. | shall vote against the motion not
only for the heretofore assigned but because
entirely concur with the views expressed by the senator
IRON Mississippi and the senator from Florida, that The
whole affair IS IN doubt ana uncertainty. We have no
evidence, whatever, that the persons whose are
attached 10 The document question are authorized to
speak for the people of that Territory and under that
view of the subject shall vote against the motion
ne yeas ami nays then taken, and resulted as
follows;
lEAS.-Messrs Allen. Atchison. Atherton Badger Bald
wln Benon Bradbury, Beese, Bauer, Cameron, Clarke
Clayton; Corwln, Dwtou, Dickinson, DIX Dodge Douglas
johnson OF Louisiana, Me,calie, MHier Niles, Peace
Spruance, urgeoO Underwood Upham and Walkers
NAlS-MessrS Beulen, B1laut. Calhoun, Davis oil
Mississippi, Downs, Fzparcs Fartc Houston, Hunter
hing Kusk, Iurney, WeStcOt, and Nalec-ii.
So the memorial was ordered to be printed
The question being thea put upon the reference, it was
referred to the Committee on Territories
Mr.. DICKINSON presented the petition of the Stock.
bridge tribe OF indians asking Compensation for certain
lands purchased BY the United States from the Delaware
tribe IN which they held an interest; which reerrel