The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-10

army into New Mexico civil war 10 inevitable,
Now, ne would ask the committee, (believing that
Texas Is entitled 10 the terrtory,) simply because
New Mexico has endeavored 10 become a state, a
perfect nuty, while we are laborng anxiously 70
adjust this question, where the propriety OF Texas
marching troops thithert Let US wait rms u q
Government OF laws. II the President had decided
that the territory belonged to Texas. there would
be no objection in some quarters. But the Presi-
dent disclamed that point.
Mr.. HOWARD (by permission OF Mr.. w } re-
marked that the gentleman asserted that the Presi
dent had disclaimed the right to determine the
question Of boundary. He Mr.. H.) admitted that
the message was contradictory but II the gentle
man looked at it, he would see that the fact is dis
unctly assumed, that TO extend the ancient bound
airy Of New Mexico, it is, under the treaty, part
of the territory of the United States and that Il is
his duty to maintain il by force OF arms. What Is
the tact' The civil divisions OF Texas were dis
unctly marked before she came into the Union,
and the treaty with Mexico, with the map as part
Of the treaty fixed New Mexico entirely and clearly
ON the west bank of the Rio Grande But the Pres
ldent has changed the status entirely In con-
iormity to the treaty New Mexico is on the west
bank Of the Rio Grande and President Polk or
dered Santa Fe to be delivered up to the civil au-
thorities OF Texas.
Secretary Crawford, on the 26th of March last,
repeated the previous order OF Secretary Marcy,
with the modification that the military forces OF the
United States should not conflict with the authori
ties OF Texas, but that she was entitled to 1t, and
should take II IN peace. Colonel Munroe, follow
not 10 interfere with Major Neighbors in the civil
jurisdiction. But President Fillmore reverses and
changes the orders, and declares that the territory
Is IN the United States, and draws against Texas
the sword, and says that if she takes possession Of
the county, which ordered to be handed over
to her, the military power will be called out, and
she Will he trampled under foot by the military
power of the Government He did not know what
would be the result of the issue; but if Texas
TO be put down, it would be only by force, and only
by the military force of the country.
Mr.. WILLIAMS. They will not be trampled
on and ready to fight. laughter
Mr. HOWARD. Would ask the question as a
lawyer: If a trbunal--cxecutve, judicial, or legs
latve-decide fact, is it in the power of the sue
ceeding authority to change that decision!
Mr. WILLIAMS. After the question has been
adjudged, it cannot be opened. The President
declares most positively that he cannot decide the
question. If we were to pass resolution giving to
Texas the whole country, there would be no objec-
ton.
Mr.. HOWARD. That's all we ask
Mr. WILLIAMS. Some of my friends want to
give her ten millions of dollars. This would suit
much better than fighting with the Government
A great many southern gentlemen feel ready to
fight. ILaughter.l He not constitutional law
yer enough TO answer the question propounded but
| there was power lodged somewhere to decide
the question. Let us wait unlil il is decided
We live now from one hundred to two hun
bred years with our present territories and he pre-
ferred 10 trust to Divine Providence and the Con
sttution OF his country, and to live like band of
brothers, IN preference to engaging in civil war.
He had never had idea of dissolution and of the
States flying off like sparks. Talk to him about
State sovereignty! What is it? Can you send
| abroad ministers? Can you make treaties? Can
you acquire territory Can you do any thing? For
the utterance of these sentiments he might be
called Fedcralist; but he did not care and would
be willing TO go down to the grave with them. If
South Carolina or Florida should go off, and then
want to come back into the Union, he would put
them under bonds for good behavior daughter
If little Delaware were to withdraw we could not
get along but could if Louisiana did. Laughter
The message, in his opinion, conclliatory, and
he felt satisfied that the Government was going to
be well administered. We have Wing Admins
tration which some gentlemen may consider of
small concern. Disposed as he was 10 uphold II, he
would oppose whatever he believed to be wrong
Mr.. HOUSTON referred to the remark of the
gentleman relative TO the State which he had the
honor 10 represent.
Mr.. WILLIAMS said that he was endeavoring
10 illustrate that if Delaware to withdraw we
could not get along, but could if Louisiana did.
Mr.. HOUSTON said that the strength which the
several members gave to the Confederacy does not
depend on territorial lmits or the popular mum
bers. Whatever hasty opinion was expressed by
the gentleman, he would take on himself to say
that Delaware the first State which adopted
the Constitution, and that if she the first 10 go
out, the Union would not last day. He did not be-
lieye that the Union could survive the separation of
any Of its members. Ii depends upon its nteg-
rity, unaffected in all it, parts When the gentleman
! talks about what State can be parted with, he
must be allowed to say (whatever respect he may
entertain for him) the assertion is entitled to no
consideration. And this must be the emphatic
condemnation of every friend of civil liberty and
union. If any States are more conservative than
others, and preserve the union unimpeached and
upimpaired, they are the smaller States of the Con-
fedoracy. lfany section has deeper stake in the
salvation and preservation of the Union than ano-
Their, it is the district of territory, dcnominated
peninsula, on the Atlantic, and which lies between
the Chesapeake and the ID lawarc bays. No State
| haa 40 IA
| State. She has always been represented by two
Senators and one representative; extent OF rep
resentation never granted to country Of such
small'lmits. That people have particular in
terest in the preservation Of the Union. If they
60 out of the Union, il will not survive. lie felt
therefore, on all these sectional questions strong
desire TO be as moderate and conservative as his re-
gard Tor the Union as well as those whom hc immc-
diatcy represented would admit. lie would say to
all gentlemen, that If 1t was proposed TO make him
party TO the question OF the limits OF Texas he
could not become 50. lie considered this ques-
ton between Texas and the United States; qucs-
ton Of right which he willing to coucedc, and
he was willing 10 concedc that Texas is right. IL
nothing more than n territorial question orgi
nally. True, othcc considerations and other qucs
tons had grown out OF IT, M consequence OF ENecu-
tive and other action. Why should it be made
common cause, when we know that Texas means
to settle il when the consideration is sufficient He
could take part in the question, except 10 buy 1t
out, which was mere matter Of dollars and cents
He was for giving Territorial government 10 New
Mexico. So far California was concerned she
will be non slavcholding. Instead Of the South
gaining, she will lose by refusing her admission. II
California should be divided, the South would losc
and he would be ready to propose amendment
reducing her limits and providing for separate
States, he did not know that, IN such an event,
il would increase The prepondcrance Of the non
slaveholding States lie had always felt and be-
lieved that the representatives and people Of the
South had just cause 90 complain OF such mea-
sure ms that which involved, by implcs ton at least,
Il 49, - az 4 A
gentleman asked whether be did not vote FOR the
Wilmot proyiso;l lie said he did, bot with view
TO defeat the Two Million bill. lie was proceeding
to speak Of the duty Of members TO allay unneccs-
sary agitation, and 10 state what the true poll
cy when be yielded for a motion that the commits
tee rise, which prevailed
And the House adjourned.
ARRIVAL OF Sin Ggo. SIMPSON At LACHISE.-
Sir George Simpson returned to Lachine on Satur-