Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-16

indisputaHe right to the territory which never sur
render.
Mr. BENTON. rise, sir merely to protest that bought
in this petition which deemed the most udious
Certainly my opinion that it would avoid single
word being said about it Of this kind II presents questions
which will occupy consideration sir when anthem.
There is necessity for anticipating their discussion. did
not even make statement Of the Of the petition be-
cause that statement could be better made than in the do
cument itself simply asked to have it read and il was
read asked TO have printed and referred making one
word of remark. All this doing just little could
be done comply with the parliamentary FORMS of getting
subject before legislative body.
But it has been assaied and ephe.s applied il. The
Senator from South Carolina has said il natural for
me TO think of he petition as did, and for him think of
he did Sir the only opinion expressed about il was
that it PETITION for the rights Of the petitioners and
specially wored and presented and that the petitioners
subject tie mputaon nsoence but since the impua
ton has been made and persevered n will say that if
part Of that paper could be esteemed nsoen it must be that
which relates the subject Of slavery. If will say that
perhaps without knowing it. these petitioners have used upon
this subject the very words of the petition Of the General AS
semby Of Virginia, in their petition to George the Third, be-
fore the breaking out of the American revolutions and.
although Geoge the Third did grant their petition,
heard that he said it nsoen in the General Assembly
present it. @7
Mr. CALHOUN I made no charge against the manner
of presenting the memorial My objection to the Pc
ion itself The Senator in that petition dsespect
oneha Of the people of this Union but the greatest
dsrespect The Senator endeavos asmate the
Of the petitioners George the Third but they antago
nisic; they bear comparison. Sir, we of the Southern
States claim he right under the constitutions go into that
territory with property. These memorialists
quered peopconquered by tie Of the United States
and especially by troops drawn from the Southern States and
for them turn round and propose e exclude is
the very height Of nsoence, If the Senator from Missouri
does not see il.
Mr. BENTON. wish to know what the Senator means !
will give him time to reply
Mr. CALHOUN. My meaning is clear to every Senator.
do not intere,e with the Senator from Missouri have
stated the ground upon which consider the petition dsre
spectful is drespectul, coming from conquered peo
pe and because nfringes constitutional rights If the
Senator does not that there foundation for my opinion,
it is no fault Of mine.
Mr. BENTON What is the question, Mr. President
The VICE PRESIDENT. The question is on the print
ing of the memorial.
A voice emo OBJECTION to that"
Mr. BENTON. there is no objection, then, what are
we debating about Is it possible that the grave American
Senate at the commencement OF brief session, is engaged
debating about nothing all Is that occupation to-day
Sir, this TO very lame and tame conclusion of
what commenced sd fercely just now. Laughter But
the term insolent has been applied those who present
this petition Sir Ieny the imputation. assert that only
the constitutional of these people have been represent
ed 10 this proceedi&. Conquered unconquered-a por
ton of New Mexico Texas-take them you please
say they have Constitutional right to present their petition
here. And say tore sir, am quite that every sub
ect which these mmorasts have presented in that petition
fair subject of egsaton and they have presented them
in respectful temj They have done what they had right
do And WI not hear the term "insolent" applied to
them when haS presented their memorial without saying
and repeating in manne such shall be heard that the
expression is grabuitous and unfounded.
Mr. CALHOUN. The Senator ought to understand that
make aremark against the petition ITSELF not against
its reference printing, the Of presenting it.
had right remark every part Of that petition. There
is nothing supplementary unusual in my course. But
he think that himself and the Senator from Della
(Mr CLArToS) responsible for every word and
expression hat contains That is not my view OF it at all
did not s the petition was unconstitutional for petitions
may be presented here constitutional unconstitutional but
do say tbs the petition undertakes exclude onehaf the
Union neark from territory that belongs the States coec
lively the constitution declares the territories to be the terri
tories Of the United Saesthe States in their federal capa
city, And say such petition, coming from people
Gently ssbdud by arms, and under CONTROL inso
lent and wther the Senator from Missouri thinks not
il is to me matter Of perfect indifference.
Mr. WESrCOTT. II seems to me, Mr.. President, that
the mpoae Of this document presented to the Senate is
much overrad Its character is msconceived DESIRE sir,
to attract the notice of the Senate and Of the country lis
true character do intend that through newspaper
ports of what here to-day, the public mind shall be
med Intend to disabuse it in advance Of the idea that
this petition speaks petends to speak, the voice of the
seventy five, the hundred thousand souls states
New Mexico. Il is presented here assuming and it states,
that by he people Of all New Mexico express their wishes
Conges the subject of their territorial government II
pupos from the people Of New Mexico assembled
convention In this, regard it abuse Of the right Of
petition, AID attempted imposition upon Congress
Why, sir when how, and by whom delegates elected
to this couention Who authorized its convocaon Was,
in fact sub a convention held | find nothing au-
hentic in he paper to satisfy this fact The Secre
ary did nd read the this petition and have
for to hi DESK and ask the attention the Senate to the
signatures
First Owever let refer the preliminary heading It
reads, "Pon Of The people Of Neu MereO, &C. and then
the petition states Ne people ofNe,c Merico respectful
~ pefitio, Congress- sc. "7he" people Of New MEXICO
all the pepIe-the whole seventy FIVE or hundred thousand
souls And how is signed 1t states that it j. from the
ycople Of New Mexico, assembled in convention; and is
signed By Mexican Spaniard in very ilegble scraw,
which make out 10 be "ose Marnez Presente del con-
dodo,' Sc: and by 81. NJ. Gddngs Secretary" and then
follow Ter signatures Of Spanish Mexican Names and co
American English. Without any dsespect the Senator
from Missouri (Mr. BEsroS, the Senator from Delaware,
mr. CLnToS,) do not hesitate say that it is manifest
that the assumption Of these fourteen people speak be-
half Of the whole people Of Mexico attempted imposition.
Who authorized them speak for that people They say
hey we assembled in convention. Who elected delegates
TO such convention Who called it From all have seen
heard this subject feel justified ia expressing the be-
lief that his self styled convention gathering Of
few peote about Santa Fe. IL is dated Santa F October
Ia ls4s There nothing in the conclusion Of this petition
showing in what character the twelve persons who sign
il, beside the president and secretary, signed il.
Who are those persons Are they citizens Of the United
States made by the treaty with Mexico what they
Do they sign as individuals delegates This does not
appear Who is this President "ose Martinez" and who
is the M. Giddings" who signs as secretary should
like be informed these points, judge whether this is
is got up concern for, il is should print
il. "W the people," these fourteen persons call them
selves Had the ten, fifteen, twenty thousand Ameri