The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-06
THE UNION.
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States how can she surrender or appropriate TO herself
any portion Of Texas that into the Union certain
condltionsone OF which that the United States
might adjust questions OF boundary with "otsr govern.
nens, not with herself; the legal maxim being, "he
expression Of one thing is the exclusion OF others
could not e sartaiI Maine q limits that sne merely merely
claimed bat had not reduced into actual possession
and occupancy, how can the mere legislative power OF
the United States deprive Texas OF limits which she
claimed from the FIRST moments Of her independent ex-
isience but which she, as well Maine, had not re-
duced into actual possession and occupancy
3 II the United States could no, deprive Maine Of any
portion of her territorial claims, although Maine had
provision in her constitution setting forth her limits,
how can the same government deprive Texas OF her ter
roris claims set forth in her constitution and that con-
stutlon approved and sanctioned by the Congress and
President OF the United Statesl
A. With how much more caution and forbearance
should the United States act towards Texas, who was
introduced into the family OF the Union than to Of its
original MEMBERS particularly when the debts Of the
original members, incurred in securing their independence,
were paid by the United States; while the debt OF
paid by herself. and when the action proposed would
seriously affect, not entirely destroy, the power OF
Texas to pay that debtl
treaty Of Washington. would the United States have
taken i as her own or would she not have conceded It
TO Maine!
Many other questions might be propounded; but 'the
sands Of my hour are disappearing 50 RAPIDLY that
must pass on.
Mr. Speaker there is another provision Of the const
tuition OF the United States TO which beg leave 10 call
the attention OF this House. and which speaksin tones OF
command to you to forbaar Nothing in this constitu.
ton shall be construed TO prejudice any claims OF
the United States, any particular State This pro-
uton alluded 10 the territorial claims OF the States and
the United States In regard to the United States,
evidently alluded to those territorial claims which she
held independent OF the claims Of the Statessuch. for
instance as the Northwest Territory Tor which she was
indebted to the magnificent generosity OF Virginia. In
regard 10 the States. alluded to the immense territory
CLAIMED. but not reduced into possession, by Georgia,
North Carolina, and Virginia. | have already shown
the continuous claim Of Texas to that portion Of New
Mexico east of the Rio Grande Her last legislature pro-
vded military and civil regulations Tor Santa Fe and
district circuit Judge his way to that portion
of Texas, instructed BY the State to assert her jurisdiction
there The United States has never claimed i, aness
for Texas. In Dsunells map above referred TO, pub
shed in lsi7, the Rio Grande, from its mouth 70 its
source is marked claimed by the United States As
this map published before the late treaty Of Guada
upe Hidalgo and indeed forms part Of it. which treaty
suenders to the United States all territory east OF the Rio
Grande, Of the claim Of The United States must
have been the right OF Texas On the contrary, the
United States, by her President and Congress have al
ways yielded i to Texas Inc message on yoar table,
The Secretary OF State comedies it. The treaty ing
power OF this government has, have already shown,
renowned their claim BY concedng that this disputed
territory belonged to Texas The only claim that could
be possibly set up for the United States would be by viz
Of the late treaty Of peace between the United States
and Mexico but that claim would apply as well TO all OF
admitting is claim contemplated BY the constitution,
Texas has also claim, and neither OF the claims be
preudiced in accordance with the provision
Of The constitution and if either party was to sit in udg
ment itself the claim of the other, that claim would
be necessarily prejudiced
Butt have already shown, that by the compact Of
xaiion whatever claim the United States might other
wise up under this treaty, she has already surrendered
10 Texas.
know OF no doctrine 30 consolidating in its tend
ency. and destructive OF the very foundations OF
this governmen as that contended for 6y the gentle
Congress had the right to decide the question Of boundary
between this government and the State Of Texas accord
ing to its good pleasure" &c Sir Il Is monsrous
can for moment sanction. The States made this gov
ernment and not this government the States " cannot
exist moment without the existence Of the States And
yet this doctrine would allow the creature he federal
round and destroy its creators, (he
States for il decide the boundaries OF State,
might reduce them until they were annihilafed Iermi,
NUS the god OF boundary, was the most jealous OF all
The heather deties and that jealousy should pervade
every State of this confederacy The States are the re-
siduary possessors Of all governmental powers. The
not delegated TO the United States by the cons
luton nor prohibited by to the States reserved to
the States respectively or to the people says article 10
Of the amendments to the United States constitution Is
such power this granted Could the States
have been so suicidal as TO have granted the means
of their own destruction Never On the contrary
the rights OF the States in regard to their boundaries
are 50 cautiously guarded as TO prevent the United
consent Of the States" as have already shown b.
quotations from the constitution. And. sir, II you sue
coed in taking from Texas what she honestly believes TO
be hers most soemnly this House that beeue
il will be done BY papabe niracon OF the constitution
and know il will be done in violation OF what all Iexae
believes to be the pightsd faith OF this nation Secure
not for yourselves patry advantage at 80 fearful sac
ri6ce. Sell not beseech you "your b'rfhrighf Tor
mess OF pottage."
have now, Mr. Speaker, concluded my argument in
its constitutional and legal bearing few words as to
the expedency OF finally concedng 10 Texas what she
knowledged to be hers, and have done. Harmony is
the cement OF our glorious Union. Without IT. cannot
long exist | would not--and assert II solemny under
the responsibilities OF my pacewaniony inure, wound,
outrage the feelings OF single sister OF this confedera
cy. Tor many times the value OF all New Mexico. No
NORTH or the South they should all be dear to eur every
heart and should be treated with that love and affection
TO which they entitled We owe II TO ourselves, TO
our children, and TO fathers, who waded through
trbuations trials and blood establish this govern.
ment never 10 the seeds OF alienation and disrust
this was ewes before erected The pages OF history are
dark with the down.trodden rights OF man and should
the sun OF our Union be exngushed, who predict
the untold horrors that lie before us France trembling
in the balance; and when Lamarne, with whose name
is associated everything that is sublime IN patriotism and
exalted in genius is compelled 10 go into exile, Q com
PEELED be be should hearts yearn for her safety
But let us preserve Union forever whatever may be
The present fate Of struggling millions in other less ia
vored lands II will be flight 10 their feet and lamp
to their path" will cheer them on to ultimate success
and independence
The annexation OF Texas-hai State which have the
honor in part 10 represent this hoorwas the cause
but not the immediate necessary OF the late
with Mexico. Texas does not delight in war, although
her sword carved out the magnificent empire which her