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

The acceptance by Texas of the terms proposed
in Mr. Pearce's bill is not at all doubtful Our in
formation direct, by persona who nave opportuni-
ties for correct information, leads TO the conclusion
that large ma loriy OF the people and oil the Legis
laure is in favor of closing the controversy by ac
cepting the bill. The impression prevails that the
Legislature at the late session, authorized an cleo
ton, to be held in a certain contingency, by which
the people to be called upon to decide directly
upon the proposition of the United States This 10
a mistake. No legislation was had on that subject.
The Senate, indeed, Just before the adjournment,
adopted joint resolution TO that effect, but it did
not get TO the other House. Nothing was done a.
all in the matter; and the point whether the Legis
laturc is competent TO act and its decision binding,
has not yet been pronounced upon. Ii Ia not UNI
likely that, when the Legislature reassembes. il
will lind itself sufficiently authorized to conclude
the matter at once, by accepting the terms Ii is
the general opinion, however, that popular vote
will be ordered.
Mr.. Kaufman, the representative in Congress
from the eastern district of Texas, has addressed
circular to his constituents, which furnishes some
interesting statistics, and without urging the
ceptance of the bill, for which Mr.. Kaufman had
voted, refutes very ably some of the arguments
urged in opposition He repels with force the ale
CATION that Texas, if she agrees to the proposition,
yields slave territory 10 free soil. lie shows that
there is no Wilmot proviso to exclude slaves, that
Congress could not constliutionally exclude them,
and could not delegate the power TO the Legisla-
turc. He quotes the clause of the Territorial bill
which declares that the Legislative power OF the
Territory shall extend ''to all rightfu subjects of
legislation consistent with the Constitution of the
United States,'' and the admission made by the
Free soilers in Congress, that this recognizes
slavery as entitled to the protection OF the laws
there. His strongest argument is, however, that,
as respects the territory east OF the Rio Grande,
which is the popuous par. of New Mexico-it is
ceded by Texas, subject to its present laws as part
of slayeholding Texas, which especially guar
antied by the United States in the compact OF an
nexation. To this argument there is no sufficient
answer; it is unanswerable.
The area Of Texas with the Pearce boundary is
237 ,32l square miles, which is than five times
the size of New York. II is about four hundred
miles from San Antonio to the nearest point OF New
Mexico. From the mouth of the Rio Grande to FL
Paso is about eight hundred and thirty miles, in a
straight line, and twice that distance by the river.
From the northeast Of the State TO FL Paso
about eight hundred and sixty mies, and about the
same from the mouth of the Rio Grande to the
northern line.
This is much country as is likely to be well
governed for long time 10 come; and as to its
value politically or as a source Of revenue, Texas
we think, loses nothing by the bargain.
Ne,c Orleans Picay,ine, 2Sh at.