The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-20


ant question shall come before us
Mr DODGE ! did not intend to intimate that The
any narrow or sectional views He had always regarded
that gentleman as statesman who scared above any
thing OF that sort and the frontier people have always
viewed hm as one OF our best friends He speaks of
other Territories much more popuous than Minnesota
which are without government and laws and expresses
fears that when bulls Tor the organization of these come
I up, gentlemen VIII not manifest like feeling of con.
Citation Speaking for one, tell him shall 90 for
extending government and laws to all our Territories
wherever situated No fear of popularity shall deter
from doing my duty to the country and every part OF
It, and trust in proper spirit of conciaon and har-
mony. That miserable sectional question which seems
exclusively to govern the action of some gentlemen will
not influence mine. y
Inreply 70 the remarks Of The gcn,lAe from se~sh
Carolina, Mr. BuTLER,l have to saythat Wiscsusis
country embraced by the ordinance OF 1887, as would
lowa-a much larger portion of that the side
OF the Mississippi; but Congress had nterfered and pre-
vented both from doing. We are fond of ebow-room,
and like large States 1t is not the fault of the people of
Wisconsin Iowa that their limits are not even more
extended than they are But it would, indeed be hard
that the cartalment OF their limits should be urged
as reason why Minnesota should not have govern
ment, even though itwere violation of the celebrated
ordinance OF 1857 to create the sixth State in the district
Mr.. BUTLER This portion of Wisconsin was cut off
at the instance and earnest request of that State that
the line should be established as have described Ii
for their interest to exclude this Territory because
she could not well extend State government over it
think it was for this reason that excludes but
Mr.. BADGER. should be very glad If the honorable
senator who reported this bill would inform me upon
what principles TINS government is proposed to be es
tablshed; what number of officers, and how created &c
Mr. DOUGLAS. II is precisely the same form of gov
eminent which we gave to Wisconsin, when she had not
many they have here precisely the same form OF
government as we extended to Iowa when she had as
many they have here; and precisely the same form of
government as we extended to Oregon last year, when
she had greater number than they have here This is
a similar form TO all these; it is the usual form of Ter
rtora government-there is no peculiar provision in the
Mr. JOHNSON of MARYLAND moved TO take up the
bill for the relief Of Frederick Dawson, James Schott
and Elisha Dana Whitney; which, on his notion was
made the special order for to-day II eieafe
Mr. NlLESexpressed the hope that the motion would
prevail, and that the Senate would the
sideradon Of the bin to reduce the rates of postage
The question being taken upon the motion OF Mr..
| JOHNSON, ii was agreed to- ll'h Z" aa7ii @-E4d I
The Senate accordingly committee of the whole,
proceeded 70 the consideration Of said bill 'pi.fe
| Mr.. PHELPS i have regarded this bill, Mr.. Pres-
dent, as nvol wing principle of great Importance and if
passes fear it will establish precedent which will
great question: How far the United States became respon
sibe, in consequence Of the annexation of Texas, for
the debts Of that republic The report of the committee
on that ground-that the United States are in sense
responsible for the debts, though the bill itself contem
plates that il the debt be assumed by the United States
the State of Texas must in the end be responsible The
claim of these petitioners s only portion of large
amount of debt which stands upon similar footing
The precise extent of that debt believe nobody knows;
the State of Texas is not Of the extent of the
debt which is neither liquidaed ascertained 1t be-
comes, then, very important question, whether we
Liability for the debts of that republic ! h asg an
| was induced at the. last session, Sir, in conse-
quence Of what fell from the senator from Mary
land Mr.. JoHNsoN.l to devote little attention 10
this subject; and Lam very well aware that if should
go into full discussion CT the subject, should not be
therefore, is TO present the view OF the subject which
suggests itself 10 me will endeavor to do it
cisely as will be Ineligible 4 !, n X, aol.en N
the absorption OF this republic may use that phrase
and her becoming identified with the American republic
the asumen. is founded in misrepresentation Of the pres
emf condition Of the State Of Texas Her sovereignty is
not extinguished her ability to contract is not extn
her of raising revenue with the small restrictions
before the annexation Under these circumstances, in
my judgment. Mr. President the principle does not apply
If this State, independent sovereignty, had become
exlnct If her separate and independent existence had
been lost with her capacity to contract and means to
OF il into one and new republic, and the annihation
of the old the consequence follows that the United States
would become responsible for the debts of that State A
Well, sir, another ground upon which it is suggested
that this government is responsible for these claims,
grows out OF and depends upon the fact that Texas
pledged her revenues, and among them her revenue
from mposts, TO those credits 1t sad that have
taken from her the thing pedged--as have acquired
the powero raising revenue to the exclusion OF the
power q Texas, therefore, upon the principle OF having
taken the thing pledged, take it subject TO the
nant, and are bound toFedeen it. VIZ, Is .a5jAts.aalt
Sir, my Judgment this pledge bears no sort of an
aogy legal pledge, and think is truly impossible
toe apply the doctrine in relation to legal pledge TO
transaction OF this kind It'll nothing more, in my udg
ment than executive contract between the State of
Texas and our own government. ao4a 80
/ But, Mr.. President, shall be obliged to suspend my
remarks Sin in consequence OF ndisposition a.
i Mr.. JOHNSON inQ uired whether the senator from
Vermont wished have the bill lie and receiving
an affirmative answer, he made motion to that effect ;
which was agreed to- ae. 81 iaUl.l f.l3ttH l,I
| s.i REDUCTION RATES OF POSTAGE -ta
The Senate then resumed the consideration of the bill
to reduce the rates of postage. "
| Mr. NILES moved further to amend the bill in the
section prescribing the of foreign letter postage so
provide that "al letters weighing than half an
ounce, and not exceeding one ounce, shall pay two
two shall pay additional postage Of four rates
81 cents, for each ounce, fractional part thereof
which amendment agreed to.
| Mr. N. moved further to amend the bill in the same
section by inserting provision, that all letters conveyed
from the United States to any foreign country in vessel
belonging TO any foreign power shall be charged with
five cents postage, sin addition to the postage charged by
such country" which amendment was agreed to; slI
| Mr. N. moved further 10 amend the bill in the same
section, be consistent with the amendment Just
adopted; which was agreed to-
/ Mr. CAMERON moved to amend the "a section OF
the bl providethat letters shall he delivered al
additional charge of not than two cents in
stead of ..one', cent. In submitting this amendment -
| Mr.. c. said The amendment which offer proposes
to increase the compensation OF the carriers consider
Those persons as the most responsible officers connected
with the post office Their business carry the let.
tiers received at the Offices to the individuals to whom
the letters are directed and they receive their nav from