The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-07

the Union, and that it be printed; on which mo-
ton he called the previous question.
Mr.. BROWN, Of Mississippi, trusted that the
call for the previous question would be Withdrawn
He desired an opportunity to debate the motion to
refer,
On motion, the Clerk then reported from his
desk, for the information of the House, the letter
of the Governor Of Texas to the late President Of
the United States, on this subject, and the reply
thereto Of the Secretary Of State (Mr. Webster
as follows, viz:
aG EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
AUSTIN, Texas, June l4th 1850.
To his Ercellency, z. Taylor,
President of the United States:
Sir: BY authority of the Legislature of Tex
as, the Executive Of the State, in February last
despatched a special commissioner with full
power and instructions to extend the civil juris-
diction of this State over the unorganized coun-
ties of Ell Paso, Worth, Preside, and Santa Fe,
situated upon its northwestern limits.
That commissioner has reported to me, in an
official form, that the military officers employed
in the service of the United States, stationed at
Santa Fe, interposed adversely with the inhabit-
ants to the fulfment of his object by employ
ing their influence in favor of the establishment
of a separate State Government, east of the Rio
Grande and within the rightful limits of the
State Of Texas transmit to you, herewith the
proclamation of Colonel John Munroe, acting I'M
der the orders Of the Government of the United
States, under the designation of Civil and
Military Governor Of the Territory of New Mex
leo eb
have very respectfully to request, that your
Excellency will cause me to be informed ut
your earliest possible convenience, whether, or
not, this officer has acted in this matter under
the orders of his Government, and whether his
proclamation meets with the approval Of the
President of the United States
With assurances of distinguished considera-
ton, have the honor to be your Excellency's
most obedient servant p. III. BELL.
t DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
as WAsHINGToN, August 5, 1880 4
To his Ercellency p. H. Bell,
Governor of Terds:
SIR A letter addressed by you to the late
President of the United States, and dated on the
l4th Of June last, has, since his lamented de-
cease, been transferred to the hands of his sue
cessor, by whom am directed TO address to you
the following answer:
In that letter you say that by the authority of
the Legislature of Texas, the Executive Of that
State, in February last, despatched special
commissioner with full power and instructions
to extend the civil jurisdiction Of that State over
the unorganized counties of FL Paso, Worth,
Presidio, and Santa Fe, situated upon its North
western limits and that the Commissioner has
reported to you in an official form, that the mill
%. nff ho I'D
States, stationed at Santa Fe, interposed adverse
ly with the inhabitants to the fulflrnent of his
object, by employing their influence in favor of
the establishment of a separate State government
east of the Rio Grande, and within the rightful
limits of the State of Texas. You also transmit
copy of the proclamation of Col. John Munroe,
acting under the orders of the Government of
the United States, under the designation of Civil
and Military Governor Of the Territory Of New
Mexico, and respectfully request the President
to cause you to be informed whether or not this
officer has acted in this matter under the orders
of his government, and whether his proclamation
meets with the approval of the President Of the
United States.
In The events which have occurred the Pres-
dent hardly knows whether your Excellency
would naturally expect an answer to this letter
from him. His predecessor in Office, to whom
it was addressed, and under whose authority and
direction the proclamation Of Col. Munroe was
issued is no more, and at this time, that procla-
nation, whatever may be regarded as its true
character, has ceased to have influence or effect.
The meeting Of the people of New Mexico, by
their representatives, which it invited is under
stood to have taken place, although this Govern
ment has as yet received no official information
Of it.
Partaking, however, in the fullest degree, in
that high respect which the Executive Govern
ment of the United States always entertains
towards the Governors and the governments of
of the States, the President thinks it his duty
nevertheless to manifest that feeling of respect
by acknowledging and answering your letter.
And this duty, let me assure your Excellency,
has been so long delayed, only by uncontrola-
BILE circumstances, and is now performed at the
earliest practicable moment, after the appoint
ment of those heads of departments, and their
acceptance of office, with whom it is usual, on
important occasions, for the President of the
United States to advise.
In answer therefore to your first interroga-
tory viz: whether Colonel Munroc, in issuing
the proclamation referred to, acted under the
orders of this Government, the President directs
me to state that Colonel Munroe's proclamation
appears to have been issued in pursuance. or in
consequence, of an order or letter of instruc-
tons, given by the late Secretary of War; under
the authority of tina late President to Lieutenant
Colonel Mccall. OF this order, which bears
date on the 10Th Of November, 1849, your Ex-
cellepcy was undoubtedly informed at the date
of your letter A full and accurate copy, how
ever, is attached to this communication Colonel
Mccall is therein instructed, that if the people
Of New Mexico, for whom Congress had pro-
vided no government, should manifest wish to
take any steps to establish government for
themselves, and apply for admission into the
Union it will be his duty, and the duty of Others
with whom he is associated, not to thwart, but
to advance their wishes. This order. does not
appear to authorize any exertion of military au-
thority or of any official or even personal inter-
ference to CONTROL or affect in any way the pri-
mary action of the people, in the formation of a
government, nor to permit any such interference
by subordinate officers Colonel Mccall, and
HIS aaaopi1tes were NOT called IIDOn To take n