Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-10-14

Mr.. Speaker, assure you this House, and the nation,
that the assertion OF the annexation resolutions that Texas
owned territory north Of thy-six and half degrees north
latitude, abou which Texas dreamed Of doubling
gave popularity in Texas the Of annexation
feel confident that the OF annexation would have
been accepted without such assertion II assisted in
quieting all the dissatisfaction which might otherwise have
arisen out OF that other provision OF the eso-
tons, giving to this Government the right Of adjusting all
questions OF boundary. MY colleague (Mn PILsBURYl
and myself both members Of the Senate Of republic
Of Texas when the annexation resolutions presented
the then existing Government OF Texas for their consent and
believe may say for him. certainly say for myself
warm both in favor Of annexation that but for
such provision satisfactory guaranty regard
to boundary the plan then proposed would have met
sanction. As chairman OF the Committee on Foreign
Relations OF the Senate Of Texas il my fortune to intro
dce and report TO the favorable consideration Of the Senate
the joint resolution which passed the Congress of Texas
giving the consent of tho Government OF Texas to her annex
alton TO the United Satesa which could not have
supported but for this provision in regard her territorial
rights proposed be degarded and annued or some
other provision OF similar import. As evidence of the
weight given to this declaration of the United States the jour
mails Of the Senate of Texas will show that on the very day
that the Joint resolution giving the of the Govern
ment of Texas to annexation reported to the Senate
bill was also introduced into that body to set apart that
portion OF the public domain lying between Arkansas and
Red rivers for the payment Of the national debt of the repub
lie Of Texas That portion Of Arkansas river here alluded
Is as far north as the thirty eighth degree Of north latitude
4
New Mexico east Of the Rio Gande The object of this
joint resolution was to prevent private surveys from being
made IN this portion of Texas thus proposed be apart
for according TO our landed system in Texas every individual
who has land warrant against the Government has his own
surveying done BY officers ected by the people for that
pose. This bill passed the Senate Of Texas without diy
sion and believe unanimously and but for the shortness
OF that extra session. the sickness of the season. and the
expressed by that might be construed by
Of the United States into reputation by Texas Of that
provision Of the annexation resolutions which declared that
sal the vacant lands lying within its limits should be appro-
priaed to the payment Of the debts of the republic of Texas
(Which, however, was by intended it would also
have passed the House of Representatives mention this
fact to show that Texas did that this declaration
of the Congress of the United States that the territory of
Texas extendedno Of thirsx and half degrees IF north
latitude meaningless, but that made in good faith
and that "that faith would be kept"
In coming to just conclusion upon this question, am
graiifed that not without the aid and light of prece
dents occurring another quarter of this Coniederacy The
Northeastern boundary long disputed question between
the Uned States Government the one hand and the Br
tsh Government the other. The State Of Maine claimed
what the British Government would concede to her. Cit
zens OF Maine nsoens called "manidcs :; they were
seized and mmued in British dungeons and British troops
polluted the soil which Maine claimed tile right but
like Texas had not the power the time exercise ursdc
on Massachusetts claimed jurisdiction over the disputed
territory but Maine had formerly belonged Massachu
sets and Massachusetts, in urendaring claim to the
territory Of Mane had reserved interest in the vacant and
unappropated lands OF Maine, she also interested in
favorable settlement of that question In 1912 Lord Ash
burton arrives in the United State fully authorized by the
British Government to settle this vexed question:" AL
though the Department of State Of the United States had
then at lis head Daniel Webster distinguished citizen of
Massachusetts, what does the sold Bay State say in regard
to the proposed negotiation call the attention Of the House.
and particularly the honorable gentlemen om Massachusetts,
to her language. 1t is as follows:
Reso1ea, Thst compromise which comedies any terri
tory west OF the treaty line Of 1885, be consttuouay
made without the of Maine and Massachusetts and
wealth will eeeriuly cooperate with Maine support Of
their mutual interests and rights"
"Copropreors Of the soil " 1t seems that goodod Mas
sachusetts loves land well Texas This resolution was
approved March B. ls42 by :" honest John Davis then
Governor Of Massachusetts, and distinguished member
of the United States Senate from that State.
After this show of fight on the part of old Massachu
sets, Mr. Webster writes to the Governor of Maine for the
assent OF Maine settlement OF the boundary question.
The Legislature of Maine accordingly convened and what
dses Maine say regard TO this matter And this deca
ration Of the Star the East also call the attention Of
the House, and particularly the honorable gentlemen from
Maine. Il is as follows:
"Whereas the Government of the United States pos
sessng the constitutional conclude any such nego
claims without the OF Maine, has invited the Govern
men' Of Maine 10 cooperate to certain exten; and in Ger
long Duration Therefore, Re,0t7eG, &c.
The result Of the whole that treaty Of boun-
day ratified between the United States and Great Bri-
tain, which asse;ed b. commissioners the part Of
Maine ard Massachuseis Of the provisions OF which
reatv is as follows, viz
"Thc Government Of the United States agrees with the
States Of Maine and Masacu'es pay In, the further
sum Of three hundred t,od dollars In equal oietes on
Of their the ne Of boundary described in
this treaty, and consideration OF the conditions and eauiva-
ents received therefor from the Government OF her Britannia
Majesty"
Now sir, wish to PROFOUND few questions, predcated
upon the positions assumed above laid down by Maine and
Massachusetts, and sanctioned by the Government Of the Uni
led States which hope will be answered before attempt
made lay hands upon the constitutional limits of Texas
l. Ii the Government of the United States could
render, without her assent, portions Of Mane which const
u,ed part Of the original territory Of the United States how
she surrender appropriate TO heref any portion Of
Texas that into the Union certain conditions Of
which that the United States might adjust questions Of
boundary with "0fer Governments, with herse-the
legal maxim being the expression Of thing is the ex-
cusion Of others !"
>. II the eafyGting power Of the United States could
curta Maine Of limits that she merely claimed, hut
had reduced into actual possession and occupancy how
the Legislature power Of the United States deprive
Texas of limits which she claimed from the first moments of
her Independent existence bot which she well Maine
had reduced into actual possession and occupancy
3. IL the United states could not deprive Maine OF any
portion Of her territorial claims, although Maine had pro-
vision in her constitution setting forth her limits, how the
Government deprive Texas Of her territorial claims
forth in her constitution, and that constitution approved and
sanctioned by the Congress and President the United
States
4. With how much caution and orbearance should
the United States act towards Texas, who introduced
the family Of the Unon than one of its original
bers-ore particularly when the debts Of the oriainsl mem