The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-07-19

on that he cannot determine the question of right
between Texas and the United States. There is no Ew
OF the United States authorizing the establishment OF
territorial government! there; no !aw Of the United Saiss
anthonzng the establishment Of State government
Esfe no action Of Congress. Where is 'ths tsw ?"
mere IS none unless the order OF the Secretary Of War
~ .he isih OF November is40, be designated such
poes tne honorable senator from Missouri ask to sub
W. W. 10 iaw o that descriptions Has the Secretary OF
M wat fgo, 70 make "ue L1w7" Has he the right. after
United States II that be law" il s such law as The
people OF Texas will no, submit 10 without struggle
which will only end with their power to continue ii
regret these circumstances as much ~ anv man in
the Senate ior DO not know what sacrifice womld moi
make TO quiet and harmony restored 10 The country
scarcely know what sacrifice would a No, MAKE io
avoid the necessity that Texas should be Compelled to be
the hrst TO move ia manner which would end God only
knows where. But, sir we have choice lei but 10
submit TO the order, which may be changed to- morrow
Of by the best means N our power, TO assert right,
This we " must a. we may b compelled TO submit to
| tween the United States and Texas throw New Mex.
leo out OF The way. We have no controversy with New
controversy with this government goaded BY fanat
les, fatally bent upon mischief
| Sir. l hope Texas will proceed with caution hope
she will wait reasonable time for justice 10 be
done TO her but when il to submission 10 the
military power OF the United States in regard 10 this
the ha 5 81 h SsI Il, oy az
for her TO pursue consistently with her rights her honor
and her self respect. weak power cannot abandon
what she knows belongs to her with credit. The gov
eminent Of The United States could, if they would alter
their course and act with magnanimity because they
have the power TO enforce. Texas cannot do it, and
am will not do it, should regret to the day
when this collision shall take place; believe it will be
the darkest which this country ever saw; but it it
vicon have that standing the aoor Of the
Senate of the United Sates that Texas will be right and
the Of the United States will have been urged
on by actous cIamor to do papable wrong So far
am concerned. cost what it will, shall my full
share of the responsibility which may attach to
citizen OF Texas, In enforcing her jurisdiction over this
territory. sa
But gentlemen say, You have title; it is a mere
preex; and it has been asserted recently. officially.
tory Now, sir. just the the government Of
the United States has recently advanced claim to this
territory L is not yet year old in any official form
Texas has claimed this territory since 1885. After her
first victory her enemy for Of substantial
nature, which will not now stop to inquire into and
state to the Senate Texas designated the Rio Grande
her boundary Alter the capture OF Santa Anna with
arms in her hands. and in presence of an vneaptured
force, numbering four times the number OF soldiers that
1886 she asserted il upon her statute book and when
the government of the United States made overture
to Texas, repeating it twice, and asked her to become
part and parcel OF the Union, she was claiming this
very boundary. 1t was the subject Of discussion
here and the from Missouri Mr.. BEHTonl him
self in speech which he delivered on That occa:on.
with her present claim of boundary you annex her with
all that she claims her territory, words 10 that
effect At the time of the annexstion sir, there
unsettled question between Texas and Mexico War had
existed between us, and had designated different
BOUNDARIES. ne boundary designated Texas the
Rio Grande the boundary designated by Mexico was tho
Sabine All between was staked upon the issue, OF the
war which existed between The United Stases made
her proposition and we accepted it, taking to herself in
express the power settle ths question: Of boand-
ary taking the power out OF the hands OF Texas 10
settle with foreign governments" (Which must have
meant Mexico. and nothing else) Questions of bound
ary" Now, suppose that she had entered into treaty
with Mexico establish this boundary Gentlemen tell
me the government Of the United States were not act
ing as your agent OF in the capacity OF judges; but ask
any reasonable the United States in condi
on after having sought. and asked, and begged Texas
to the Union. and promised settle the bound
ary-wheher they in condition TO go with clean
hands into the market, and purchase any part ol this
territory from Mexico. adversely to the claim of Texas
Ii they could purchase foot Of il, they could
purchase Santa Fe, they could, on the same psinci.
pie. purchase all the territory in dispute II they could
claim that Mexico had and they could have palchassd
the State Of Texas out Of existence. buying up to the
Sabine. The principle follows. and you cannot e.
sequence follows clearly. We thought. when coming
into the Union, that were receiving certain solemn
guarantees and making compact but II thi: Be your
principle guarantees but the mercy Of this govern
ment, limited only BY its discretion over our very eI
s,ence; because, could purchase any part Of the dis
Such the claim advanced present this territory
Such is the claim, just after the fourth OF July.
when there have been twenty thousand onnons pro.
msgnanimous and the most honest nation the face OF
the earth! claim botsomed on such principle is
up and attempted to be enforced against weak and
exhausted State OF the Union But. say gentlemen. you
ough to settle this question" II is not for Us settle il
have your claim, until within year pest,
and you tell that the Supreme Court settle it.
do not believe this assertion differ with gentlemen
who have expressed such opinion, and think that
upon review OF that opinion they will modify 1t them
selves. The Supreme Court. in my opinion, has no ju-
| risdichon over this question OF boundary BY ex-
press stipulation the joint resolutions OF annaxaton.
authority given TO the government OF ths United
States 10 settle The question and everybody understood
that there power through which could exercise
that authority and settle the question. except the treaty
making power Of the government. There was clear
agreement that the United States shsud
settle this question Of boundary through the treaty
power and the United States canno ansfsr that
power 10 another department without thU consent OF
Texas. This not one of the cases that was contem
plated by the article OF the constitution 10 not one OF
the con6ded the Supreme Court at all Here was
controversy between Mexico on the one s,ds, and
Texas on the Others and the United States At her own
request selected 10 determine ii.
The United States after they bad annexed Texas were
| controversy between Mexico and Texas ~ soon -
| they conveniently could Allow me 10 read upon mm
subject a short from the annual messaae Oh Ffes-
dent Polk to Congress, in December, lsso;
Tho ;orisc,on of the United States. which, 81 the
ion al The edesl bounded BY 81
Mnrv,s on the Atlantic has passed the cnpss OF Florida
and hcen peac efuly extended to tbs Del Norss.
Cent,emen smle and they may say that this was the
mare on;non of the President That true but it IL
he opn,on of The President expressed to Congress-. and
.ynrese al time Of high excitement, under apprs-
lbsnson would take place; and has the an
and sancon OF the silent assent OF Congr
might refer to more extracts from the message bat
i will proceed On the nth May, 1s46, the President