The southern press., 1850-09-03

H.
"It is remarkable, that although existing from
the earliest times of the colonization of New
Mexico, period Of two centuries, in state of
continual hostility with the numerous savage
tribes of Indians who surrounded their territory,
and IN constant insecurity of life and property from
their attacks; being also far removed from the en-
ervatlng influence of large cities, and in their
isolated situation, entirely dependent on their own
resources, the inhabitants are totally destitute of
those qualities which, for the above reasons, we
might naturally have expected to distinguish
them, and are as deficient in energy Of character
and physical courage, they are in all the
moral and intellectual qualities. In their social
state, but one degree removed from the yeriest
savages, they might take lessons even from these
in morality and the conventional decencies Of life.
Imposing no restraint on their passions, sh ame-
less and universal concubinage exists, and q total
disregard OF moral law, to which it would be I'M
possible TO find parallel in any country calling
itself civilized. want of honorable principle,
and consummate duplicity and treachery, charac-
terlse all their dealings Liars by nature, they
are treacherous and faithess to their friends,
cowardly and cringing to their enemies: cruel, as
all towards are, they unite savage ferocity with
their want of animal courage; as an example Of
which, their recent massacre Of Governor Bent,
and other Americans, may be givsn-one Of a
hundred instances.
"'One out of hundred instances' and these
are soon TO De our DelOVeQ cOuntrymen!
How prophetic these remarks! How precisely
has the result fulfilled the predictioni Such a
people have no notion of free Government As
Mr.. Webster predicted, their constitution has
been framed in the city of Washington; and they
have adopted just such a constitution as the EX-
ecutive saw fit to send them.
New Mexico will not be in a condition to come
into this Union in twenty years. if she ever will
be. New Mexico was settled prior to 1890 several
years before the settlement at Jamestown. It's
population Is not so great now, as it was a hun
lred years ago. Gregg, most reliable authority,
says in his Commerce of the Praries, published
asst year, 'lf we exclude the unsubiugated sava-
Ees, the entire population of New Mexico, inclu-
ling the Pueblo Indians, cannot be set down, ac-
Eording to the best estimates | have been able to
bbtain, at more than 10000 souls. These are
divided as follows White Creoles, say 1000;
Mestizoes or mixed Creoles, SO 900; and Pueblo
Indians 10, 900; of naturalized citizens the num-
per is onsiderable-scarcey twenty; and if we
Except transient traders, there not over double
Rs many alien residents" Gregg is of opin-
ion that New Mexico can never sustain a much
arger population than this. He says that
'the necessity of irrigation has confined, and no
doubt will continue to conine, agriculture prin-
eipally to the valleys OF the constant flowing
streams. In some places the crops are frequently
gut short by the drying up of the streams" All
of the land susceptible Of cultivation is now in
cultivation. 1t is true, their agriculture is very
rude; and no doubt American enterprise would in
crease its product. But the New Mexicans live
upon very little-less than half of what our people
require; and consequently consumption will in
crease, as our people go there, faster than produc-
tion.
| am anxious to organize territorial govern
ment for New Mexico, and to keep her in a ter
Fitoral condition until the time arrives, if it ever
shall, when she will be in a condition to come into
he Uni n. A territorial government was what
the people themselves declared in favor Of, and
asked of us to extend to them, until the interference
of the Executive induced them to form a State
constitution. But sir, never will agree to admit
her as State, until the character and number Of
her population will authorize it.
SANTA FE MEETNG.-At an adjourned meet
ing of the citizens of Harris county, held at the
Temperance Hall, in the city Of Houston, on
the 9th day of August, 1850, for the purpose of
taking into consideration the San a Fe question,
Benz. F. Tankersley, esq, being in the chair, j.
Castanie acting as Secretary-a majority of the
committee appointed at previous meeting to
draft resolutions, expressive of the views of the
people Of Harris county, upon said question,
presented through the chairman the following
resolutions which were read, and after remarks
by II. II. Allen and s. s. Tomkins, esurs and
by the chairman, the same were unanimously
adopted:
WHEREAS, The recent attempt upon the part
of the Executive and Cabinet of the United
States, and portion of the politicians of the
North, to deprive the State of Texas of, and
hbridge her rights to the Santa Fe territory, has
excited and aroused the people of the State to
b sense of their duty to sustain and maintain to
the uttermost of their ability, all rights guaran-
teed to them by the articles of annexation be-
tween the Republic of Texas and the United
States and in order that the people throughout
our State may know the opinions and determi-
nation of the people of Harris county, it is by
this meeting
Rcsolued, That the true legal and legitimate
Territorial / mits Of the State of Texas, are as
follows: Beginning at the mouth of the Sabine
River running west along the Gulf of Mexico
three leagues from land to the mouth of the
Rio Grande; thence up the principal stream of
said River to its source; thence due North to
the forty-sccond degree of North latitude, thence
along the boundary line, defined between the
Republic Of Texas and the United States, to the
place Of beginning
ReSolred, That any attempt upon the part of
the United States Government, to take from the
State OF. Texas, by compromise or otherwise,
my portion of territory embraced within the
limits thus defined, without the consent Of the
people Of Texas, is violation of the articles of
annexation and the rights of Texas, which will
)e promptly met by her citizens.
RcSolred, That we, the people of Harris coun-
V, view the present Compromise bill pending
before the Congress of the United States, as
,ontaining features detrimental to the honor
integrity and interest of the State of Texas and
hat we are opposed to the sane, or, any other
ill for compromise.
RESOLVED, That we will cordially cooperate
With our felow-citizens Of the State Of Texas,
nd pledge our lives and property to sustain the
onor. integrity, and rights of the State of Texas.
On motion,
Rssolred, That these Resolutions be printed
nd copy forwarded to every member Of the
elegation of Texas to the Congress Of the
United States, and to every member Of the State
legislature.
On motion, the meeting adjourned sine die
b. +. TANKERSLEY, Chairman.
J. CAsrANIE, Acfg Sec'y.
A. J. HAMILTON, Eso.-This gentleman, who