Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-15


ummer the change opinion in him certainly quite as
narkabe change that which he has attributed to me-
Now another subject to which the Senator mas au
serted-the annexation Of Texas II am not mistaken, nc
that the admission of Texas by resolution OF
Congress would be unconstitutional And yet the honoaDe
Senator changed his opinion that point afterwards
himself introduced the alternative of annexation by dPomauc
by resolution of Congress- declaring na
admit il by resolution would be unconstitutional AND ye
although the alternative embraced by the tnen
dent and although he did not think proper 10 empty m
diplomatic powers bring Texas into the Union as
and Florida had been brought n-by treaty. 70 DC auou "
the Senae,he Senator changed his opinions ana
voted that entirely constitutional which ne before
as unconstitutional Idonot mention this with any feelings
reproach But ask the Senator he denounced INC
sion of California unconstitutional during ne CANVASS
lasa,mme in Missouri and has since changed MS opinion
on ht point and if he changed his opinion with regard 70
the consutionay of annexng Texas by resolution ougn
he not to have some regard for those who may nIa
sary TO change their opinions in regard to some subjects
Mr. President, at the commencement OF tnis SESSION. "
Congress, when heard that California had formed otae
constitution which be submitted to Congress inc
course of few weeks own that for her immaculate
admission regret that il could be done. depended
on it should have been done before this But nave
aimed throughout life to be practical man. ana 70 give sho
take, to yield in all not involving essenua
And, sir do you know, does not every memoer Oh he
Senate know that after three weeks had elapsed amer
had ascerained the condition Of the two Houses Of Con-
gess adopted the opinion, upon which nave acu ever
snce that the speedes mode Of admitting California was o
combination of these several measures Every senator
knows that these my views and every Senator knows
that expressed them the Senate and the senator from
Missouri instead of combining himself TO the reading OF
single speech from the "Republic OF yesterday mad looked
at other speeches Of he does honor in reading
any speecheshe would have that had assigned
the why induced to abandon the ground OF the
separate admission of California for combination. he
would also have that did in reference to PRACTICAL
legislation and the condition of the other House and OF this
House. There is great difference of principle involved
in the two modes It is true have heard great deal
about the dignity of California, and all that Sir the most
perfect microscopic instrument that WAS made would not
enable the best eyes that blessed with TO de-
scribe this ndgnty to California in being associated with
other measures.
But do dwell this subject. 1t is said that
the fact that the be paid Texas for the settlement Of
her boundary is left blank by the committee will leak out
and affect speculation That cannot well be- because the
committee itself has not absolutely determined on the alter
native and the committee has absolutely fixed any sum
to be paid to Texas The sum will be determined according
the shape which the bill may finally take. is impossible,
therefore, for any member of the committee to DISCLOSE
there be- as am there not member OF 1t that would
have made such disclosure, the the committee intend
ultimately propose. This is enough this point and
/ will not detain the Senate longer.
Mr.. HOUSTON Mr. President, ! have entertained
great anxiety the progress of the business of the Senate
and therefore with great reluctance that ntrude myself
in this discussion but remarks have fallen from an hon
orabe gentleman this morning respecting Texas, which, as
corepresenave of that State cannot permit to pass without
notice. My silence might be deemed submission to an In
dignity.
The honorable Senator from New York (Mr SEwARD)
has thought proper to give opinion upon the title OF Texas
the boundary which she claims and have been asked
TO show the authority by which that boundary has been
claimed will not into the discussion of that subject
after the arguments which have been submitted by gentlemen
who have participated in this debate amongst whom my
very able colleague who has left nothing for me TO say
has failed to convince the Senator from New York, certainly
do expect succeed convincing him that the title Of
Texas extends beyond the Sabine Yet sir the Government
of the United States must be placed in peculiar circumstances
IT. olo.
even beyond the Nueces. 1t not objected after the
of Texas the United States that Corpus Christi
then territory Of Texas and will be admitted that
the out of the position taken by the Mexicans OPP
posite Metamoros on the Rio Grande.
But sir Texas annexed with her declared bound aries
the Rio Grande from its mouth its No question
then respecting the boundary which declared in 1885,
Texas then conceded the United States the right to settle
the question of boundary with Mexico but she did
cede the right after the acquisition of all the territory which
the United States acquired from Mexico. Of adjusting be-
tween Mexico and the United States The United States
the agent Of Texas and such acquired limits beyond
the boundary which Texas claimed and consequently secured
her all she had assumed for herself IT, however, this bill
should pass will not be decisive with Texas the subject
will be referred to her Legislature to judge Of the fitness OF
disposing OF this territory retaining it. as she may think
proper II imposes oblg iton upon Texas, it nfnges
of her rights it her 10 submission to the
ton of Congress- but it recognises all the rights which she
originally possessed Gentlemen say this Ddgnity and
indeed The honorable gentleman from Florida kind
to remark that would be postutng Texas she submitted
to such degradation. will, with great Difference to the hon
orabe gentleman, him that think all Texas will return
him thanks, and in the of Texas return him my
thanks for becoming thespeca guardian of her purity and
her honor and hope it will suffer danger from his
friendly inerpositon
The gentleman has exhibited degree of solcitude that
would have been favorable to Texas PERIOD when she
surrounded by temptation and difficulties and when she
wooed all sides and in situation yield to so
citations The honorable gentleman then steps forward and
exhos her to maintain her purity and also maintain her
standard unsaied by prostitution. Sir, Texas has
been prositued If she incapable of vndcating her
rights here, through her representatives. the collective wis
dom of Texas, in her deiberave assemblies will have the
proposition submitted them and Texas through her agents
then say whether it is conference.-the her wish that she
should relnqush her right to this territory, whether she
will maintain it. 1t will be matter Of discretion with her.
and trust she will soop low to humae degrade
herself to state Of prostitution. Texas surrounded the
one hand by sympathy and the other by and
prosch Honorable gentlemen have threatened her with expu
sion from her territory which she claims aid which none
other has ever claimed. Sir is said that Texas has assert
ed her right to that territory has preferred claim to IT,
She has never preferred claim it. In the face of eight
millions Of people she has asserted her right She has
claim to advance Her right has been asserted from the very
beginning OF the independence of Texas The Executive Of
the United States and the nominal delegate from New Next
believe the osfensibe pesonages that have al
legged that Texas has set up claim to this territory An
adverse claim right of Texas has been up but Texas
has set up claim adverse to any other She has asserted
luton If Mexico any period in the Texan revolutionary
the country beyond the Nuece recognise her sovereignty
and nIan Tavoc