The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-25
HOUSE OF REPR EsENTATIvEs.
TUESDAY. July l6. 1850.

u
on the resolution reported by the Committee on
admit Hugh N. Smith, ESQ, to seat in this
House, as delegate from New Mexico" shall
cease in two hours after the House shall again 60
into Committee on the subject Subsequently
he modified his resolution, by substituting two
o'clock tomorrow for the termination Of the de-
bate; and il was agreed to-
On motion Of Mr. Strong, the House resolved
itself into Committee of the Whole on the state
of the Union, (Mr. McLsne of Maryland in the
chair and proceeded to the consideration of the
special order, being the report of the Committee
of Elections, to which were referred the creden-
tials and the memorial of Hugh N. Smith, pray
ing to be admitted to seat in the House as
delegate from New Mexico.
The report concluded With the following reso-
luton, viz:
RESOLVED, That it is inexpedient to admit Hugh
n Smith, Esq, to a seat in this House as dele
gate from New Mexico
Mr.. Ashe adverted to the early history Of New
Mexico to show that the rights of Texas would
be affected by the admission Of the delegate, as a
recognition would thus be made of the claim Of
the former to territory In dispute.
Mr.. Kaufman regarded this as question Of
vital Importance to the peace and vitality of this
country and If it was to be decided favorably to
New Mexico, the consequences would be truly
momentous.
WEDNESDAY, july II, 1850.
The consideration of the resolution concerning
the memorial of High ~. Smith was renewed in
Committee of the Whole on the state Of the
Union.
Mr.. Bayly of Virginia said: The action Of this
Administration has been the fountain Of the Bit
ter waters and the taking Of the question from
Congress has been constant series Of violations
of Constitution and law He did not believe that
there was any portion of the country where sla-
very can be more proftabiy employed than in
California, in mining operations. And why was
slavery excluded Because every man In the
Convention was engaged in the scramble for gold
w hat was done there, however, was propriety
itself, compared with the proceedings which had
taken place in New Mexico, and which 1t was
proposed to institute. The Constitution Of New
Mexico was now in this city, and be desired to
show, in advance that IL che be admitted, under
the circumstances IL would be dangerous and
palpable violation of the Constitution
Mr.. Carter of Ohio said What, he asked, has
the question Of New Mexico, as q State, to do
with the subject now pending2 You recognise
no distinct organization by the admission OF the
delegate. You do not treat with her as State.
She does not aspire TO sisterhood, but comes here
on her knees, supplcating to be heard in her own
defence He did not intend to bring into the dis
cussion the question of boundary, which has been
made use of for sinister purposes. All we do, by
the admission of the delegate, is to declare that
citizens of the United States shall be represented
by the man sent hither by New Mexico, and who
possesses knowledge of the people and the coun-
try, that he may give TO US the information ne
cessary to legislation with reference to the Ter
ritory. This is all there is Of 1t; and still the
ears Of this House are belabored for hours over
q conflict Of State sovereignty about the bound
airy. There Ia no danger Of 0 conflict between
Texas and New Mexico. They are six hundred
or FIVE hundred and seventy-fve miles apart. The
country Of separation Is broad rs the desert Of
Sahara. He repudiated, as unwise and unjust,
the bringing in OF the question Of boundary, on
I be simple proposition to admit the delegate.
Mr.. Stephens of Georgia stated the ground Of
his opposition to the admission Of Mr.. Smith
was, that he came here TO represent, as delegate
from New Mexico, persons residing within the
boundaries Of one of the States Of this
Mr. Howard spoke about the effect OF admitting
the delegate. When this shall have been done,
all negotiation with Texas will be at an end. The
question must be settled, either by Texas submit
ting peaceably, or by resort TO the sword. He
did not utter this AZ threat, but merely express
part represented There was much excitement In
that portion of the country. He spoke what he
knew, and what will be the effect Of the act, with
out expressing opinion as to the business Of the
A few days ago, he received de-
spatches from the Governor ofTexas, applying to
the Federal Government to know whether Il be
its purpose TO rstify the late proceedings Of Colo
mel Monroe, calling q convention At Santa Fe, TO
form Constitution and State Government and
to know whether 1t will enforce the act by Its
military power; and TO enter solemn protest on
the nles Of the Executive Department, II such be
the object He learned, from the same source
tina, TEXAS has taken active measures to protect
herself from the purposes of the Federal Gov
ernment, and, by military power, to resist aggres-
sion on her rights, which she Is bound by honor
to maintain Resolutions, during the late session
Of the Legislature, were introduced, requiring
the members Of Congress TO leave this hall In
case the delegate should be admitted TO a seat
and they were withdrawn only from the senti-
mcnt at that time entertained that they could not
be passed.
Mr. Burt inquired Of the gentleman, whether
the demand of Texas had been laid before the
President, and what answer hsd been received.
Mr. Howard replied that be had not yet re-
ceived an answer, owing, no doubt, to tho recent
occurrences. lie, however, anticipated an answer,
for one must come In some form. The demand
was made In such manner "a that reply cannot
be withheld. Gentlemen may o. well remember
now, ~ hereafter, that the people Of Texas, for
twenty years, slept on their arms, and they will
not submit 10 any Outrage on their rights and
honor ~ one Of the States Of this Union.
Mr.. Brown Of Indiana regarded this question
% contained In . sutsAslL IL had bsen said that
the boundaries Of Texas had nothing 10 do with
II, but Il WAS sufficient 10 induce him to vote
against giving the delegate seat on this floor.
lie would not vote to admit any delegate, IL
there Wa claim 10 the territory by sovereign
Stats until the slaim was fully and fairly settled.
Mr.. Strong Of Psnnsylvspis made the closing