Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-09-07
THE BOUNDARY QUESTION IN TEXAS.

Amidst the exaggerated language, and sometimes
violent and silly menaces, that distinguished the
greater number OF the journals of Texas, we have
been surprised and gratfed to find moderate sentl.
ments and judicous and patriotic views expressed
in relation to this topic by the Houstsn Telegraph,
one of the ablest and most influential papers in the
State The Telegraph of the 2lst has an article
on the Boundary Question which is calm and ra-
tonal, and yet put forth SO manfully that we must
suppose it reflects the opinions OF at least respec-
table minority in the State. The Editor deprecates
all rash expedents by the Legislature. He says !:
"Wi our Senators and Representatives comply with the
recommendations of the Governor, and adopt line Of policy
that must entail disaster and misfortune beloved
country than pelencs, famine, foreign war We answer
emphatcally, no We know the men who compose this
Legsaure-we know their patriotic devotion to the State and
to the Union and know that they will do nothing that will
tend precipae the country into that must result
only in shame and disgrace to either party"
| Referring to Governor BELLS sage proposition
to employ the enormous school fund " of Texas
$35, OO0) for the purpose of raising an army, the
Telegraph exposes the folly of the project, and
| says:
But we will not waste words upon subject absurd
and improbable Of State with whole Con-
edeacy In this enlightened age Republican States whose
people speak the language and united by the cm
ties of kindred will settle their disputes by the
sword The States Of this glorious Union are like members
Of great family II brother Of any family should claim
portion of the estate Of another BROTHER what enlightened
Christian would advise the injured member Of the family to
take arms and defend his right Would not the Of
Cain attach to the land if it stained with brothers
blood How much in accordance would be with the
preceps Christianity and the enlightened sentiments Of the
age refer the dispute the other members OF the family
that they might adjust agreeaby with the peceps Of JUS
ce and equity When Texas entered the Union such was
the confidence in the justice Of her sister States that she al
lowed them the privilege Of adjusting her boundary with
Mexico Will she be less generous when the EIecu-
tive branch Of the Government refuses to acknowledge her
boundaries they established previous to annexation
Let her remember that there is single State that has
by legislative action, denied her claims to all the territory en-
braced in her of limits Congress has not yet denied
her claim Let not her legislators then, BY any rash and IN
discreet measure prejudice her claims before the great trbu
nal Of the nation She lose nothing Of honor nothing of
profit by referring this question to Congress- It is the great
tribunal Of the States and the Representatives Of each State
in deciding upon the claims Of Texas must be duly cautious
they establish precedent which may hereafter be applied
the injury Of the State they represent. The bill that has
passed the Senate imperfect synopsis which only has
reached us) ~ have erery to hope, be entirely
acceptable our citizens It has already been approved by
Senators and large portion the Senators Of the South
we cannot doubt that will also be approved by the people
of Texas and will be cheeuly accepted by the Executive
and Legislative branches Of our Government We earnestly
hope therefore, that bill will be passed by Legislature
until the fate Of this bill is decided in Congress But whether
it should pass fail, will not cannot believe that
Legislators will authorize military force to be raised for
the occupation Santa Fe The question Of boundary has
been submitted Congress for adjustment and until decisive
action has been taken upon neither the Executive Of the
a tho nf
should interfere. While is thus pending in Congress let
US earnestly hope and pray that its deliberations may promote
interests of the country, and preserve the blessings
of peace and concord every section Of this glorious Union
| This is the language of sensible and dispas-
sonate observer, and contrasts favorably with the
braggadocio tone of other journals 1t would be
the height Of folly for Texas to waive all compre-
| mise on this question, for two excellent reasons
First, because, after all, her title to New Mexico
is doubted by many, and wholly denied by some.
1t rests exclusively upon her own action at period
when she had barely achieved her own indepen-
dence, and was never sustained by occupation of
square foot of the soil. Second because the bill
of Mr.. PEARcE meets the sanction of the Senators
| of Texas, as well as of nearly all her friends
| and supporters in the South. To reject it then
would be to place herself in false position, and
to forfeit the sympathy now pervading the South
in her behalf. We cannot imagine that Texas
would commit an act so insensatc and suicidal, and
we fully believe that the terms proHered by
Congress will be cheerfully accepted. If Texas is
wise she will not hesitate an Instantly. q. Bee.
There is but little intelligence from the Texas Legislature.
The Governors message referred to committee of both
houses consisting of thirteen of the Senate and twenyo Of
the House. The Austin "Amercan' states that this
mtee held meeting in the Representative chamber the
evening of the 18th ulmo. The first resolution agreed on,
and which passed unanimously, that Texas would
maintain the integrity Of her territory at all hazards" The
committee adjourned meet the next morning, when the
American" Of the opinion that the proper means to
effect the first resolution would be adopted.
On the 18th several bills introduced in the Senatorial
branch Of the Legislature provide for the raising Of troops
TO take forcbe possession Of Santa Fe which sevcra
read and second time, and referred tot joint select
mee of both Houses. One of these bills provides that the
Governor be authorized call for five thousand volunteers
to be organized into FIVE regiments Of thousand in the
aggregate each the companies to consist Of hundred
men each in the aggregate and to be differed according to
the regulations the United States army that each voun
eer shall receive the pay that is allowed to troops Of the
United States of like character and quantity Of land pro-
poonae to the time he seves-or three months service
three hundred and twenty for six months six hundred
and forty and for twelve months, twelve hundred and
eighty acres that regiments Of said volunteers be
tered into the service Immediately and that the other three
h reoed 10 hold themselves in readiness march