The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-14
IN SENATE.
The journal having been read
+. DECEMBER 10, ls4s.

swearing, in certain cases; in which they asked the
currence of the Senate.
EXECUTIVE coMMuNIcATToN
The VICE PRESIDENT presented communication
from the Department of State, respecting the number Of
passengers arrived in the United States during the year
ending on the 3oh September, 1885, which was laid on
the table.
On motion by Mr.. ALLEN,
ordered, That VIM. Tracy have leave to withdraw from
the files OF the Senate his petition and papers
NEW MExIco-sLAvERY.
Mr. BENTON presented petition of the people of
New Mexico assembled in convention al Santa Fe, ask
ing the organization of Territorial government in that
territory and that Congress may provide against the III
PRODUCTION of slavery therein.
In presenting the petition, MIR. B. said
Mr. President senator from Delaware [Mr CLAY
TONI and myself have received communication IRON
New Mexico, taking into consideration the condition OF
that country, That communication they have forwarded
to our care to be presented to the Senate OF the United
States and they pray for the establishment OF civil gov
ernmen over them The petition Is entitled lhe people
OF Mexico assembled in convention, TO the Congress OF
The United States of America" signed by the president
and secretary of the convention and by other members
OF the convention, dated at Santa Fe, October Ii, lSlS
In compliance with that rule OF the Senate which re-
qures the substance OF petitions 10 be briefly stated when
presented have said these few words and now ask 10
have the petition itself read, because it brief (and
il could not well be SOL and because there is sub
stance in their request which could not be given by any
account OF its contents.
The petition then read by the Secretary, as fol-
lows
Petition of the people Of New rico assembled
ton, to ihe Congress OF the United States Of Ameca
Mexico,
Congress Tor the speedy organization, by law, oil terrific
nal government fos AS
ment purely civil in lis c6aracief
We respectfully represent that the organic and statute
lembet I'D si6 for the temporary civil government Of
Now Mexico copy of which is despatched-witi some
We desire tbs following offices be filled by appoint
aen of the President OF the United States. by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate Governor Secretary
OF State Unired States Marshal, United States District A
We desire have all the rights OF appeal from the
courts OF this Territory the Supreme Court OF the United
We respectfully but firmly protest against the dnem.
been OF our territory in avor OF Texas for any
borders and, until the time shalt errive for admission
into the Union as State desire to be by Con-
gress against their introdaclion among MS
We desire local legislature such prescribed in the
laws OF New Mexico, September y, 1916 subject the
We desire that interests may be represented by a
delegate who to be enIided to have seat upon the floor
OF The Congress OF the United States
Ia consideration of the fact that New Mexico contains
unreasonable request and we confidently rely upon
cong TO provide for us laws as liberal as any enjoyed bX
Santa Fe, Oct, ii, 1913;
Secretary. and others.
MIR. BENTON then moved that the petition be printed
and referred TO the Committee Territories and that
acopy OF the laws which had heretofore governed the
Territory in question be also referred
Mr. CLAYTON. AS one of those to whom this petit
and TO say that have laboed faithfully during the last
session of Congress TO organize civil government
tins territory OF New Mexico and shall continue to labor
In Inc same cause IN future. to concur IN the ref
be made.
Mr.: CALHOUN rose and said rise Mr. President,
to make objection 10 that reference but to express nv
opinion, that for this Territory, under all the crcum-
stances OF the case to send such petition us is not
respectful bnt on the contrary it nsolcnt in
character They were conquered by the very whom
they wish to exclude. cannot wonder, however, at its
presentations coming from the quarter from which it has
Mr. BENTON. | suppose, sir, that myself and the
senator from Delaware can be equally charged with the
presentation OF this petition. suppose may believe
ourselves called upon, when the rises in his
place and chaacerizes nsoent such petition as has
been readthat called upon in the opinion of all
present. to rise and dsclam for those who have signed
maj petition and sent to the least disposition 10 be
lnsoent or dsrespectin We think there is nothing of
that kind visible upon the face OF the paper and that
Is grauitous and unounded TO apply such epllhet 10
Mr.. RUSK rose, but welded TO
Mr. CALHOUN who said 1t is not at all strange ha,
the senator from Missouri that the senator from Della
ware should look upon ii in that light look upon the
rights of the southern States the citizens of which are
proposed to be excluded from this territory. maintain
as high constitutional principle that right to 20
there is as unquestonable az our right TO hold our
property In our Safes for the territory belongs TO
US; 1t belongs to the United States; it belongs to Car
DINA, and to Virginia. much il does TO New York
or to Massachusetts The senator differs from me upon
this point and therefore he does consider it in the
same light with myself; but these my sincere con
victons.
Mr. RUSk. do not think il, SIR a time TO 20 into
Inc discussion OF the considerations TO be acted
upon when the petition comes from committee nas-
much, however, has been subject of remark wish
70 say single word 1t proper as a citizen of Texas
hat should assert upon this floor her indlsputabe title
10 ai upon this side OF the Rio Grande-a title which
VIII De found to be borne out by the law of nations and
by The facts as they exist shall not at the present mo
nent enter INTO discussion OF the merits of the petition
those individuals are no doubt anxious, aud it is RICH,
and proper that they should be, for civil government To
be established over them 1t is due them as a part of
The United States that civil government should be es
tabllshed over such portions do belong To Texas
Al the same time, shall interfere with the establishment
Oh new government over that portion of soil which has
cost the blood and treasure of the State which
can well imagine, sr that few individuals anxious
obe members OF Congress, individuals to appro
pirate 10 themselves large and valuable territory which
mas cost them not months service, should be vey will
ing TO take part of the State OF Texas and constitute il
toa separate and distinct government under this COVE n
ment and by which they could be able to reach the offices
TO which they aspire. However sir shall cast no re-
hecuons upon the petitioners or thsir motives They
have right to petition but we must maintain The rirbs
which belong ~ '7"'
Mr.. BENTON brought this petition up in manner
winch, IL was not the most udcious was Certainly So
IN my opinion, TO avoid having one single word aiJ
about at this time. 1t presents questions which will
occupy, sir, much OF consideration when we orrv
at them their regular Order and there is no necessity of
taking them up by way of anticipation. did not even
make the statement of the contents of the petition he
cause that satemen might be less productive Of
debate. | asked TO have it read, and it was read |
asked that should be printed and referred making
one word of remark All this was doing Just as little
forms. '