The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-23

Us; and we will act patriots-as responsible men,
and lovers of liberty, and lovers, above all, of
this Union We will act upon this altered state of
facts, which were unknown to our constituents,
and appeal TO their justice and magnanimity to
concur with US in this action for peace, concord,
and harmony.
think, entertaining these views. that there is no
thing extravagant in the hope which INDUCED at
the time these resolutions were proposed-nothing
extravagant in the hope that the North might con-
tent itself even with striking out these two decla-
rations They are unnecessary for any purpose
which the free States have in view. At all events,
if they should insist upon Congress expressing the
opinions which are here asserted, they might even
limit their wishes 10 the simple assertion OF that,
without insisting their being incorporated in any
territorial government which might be devised Tor
the Territories in question.
pass from the second resolution To the third and
fourth, which relate to the Texas question. But
allow me TO say, Mr.. President, that approach
the subject with full knowledge OF all its difficult
ties and, of all the questions connected with, or
growing out of this institution of slavery, which
Congress is called upon to pass upon at this time,
there none so difficult and troublesome as this
which relates to Texas; because Texas has the
question of boundary to settle. The question of
slavery, or the feeling connected with the insttu-
ton of slavery, runs into the question of the bound
AIRY OF Texas. The North are, perhaps, anxious to
contract Texas within the narrowest possible lin
its, in order TO exclude all beyond them, and to
make il free territory. The South, on the contra
ry, anxious to extend their limits to the source
of the Rio Grande for the purpose OF obtaining an
additional theatre for slavery; and it is this ques
ton of the limits of Texas, and the proper settle
ment of her boundaries which embarrass all others.
You will perceive that these difficulties of the
boundary question meet US at every step we take,
in which there is third question also adding TO
the difficulty. BY the resolution of annexation, all
territory north of 800 30 interdicted from
slavery. But of New Mexico, all that which
lies north of 300 80 embraces about one third ofthe
whole of New Mexico east of the Rio Grande; so
that free and slave territory, slavery and non
slavery mixed up together. All these difficulties
to be met And allow me to say, that among
the considerations which induced me to think that
il was necessary to settle all these questions, was
the state Of things that now exists in New Mexico,
and state of things to be apprehended both here
and in the Territories. Why, sir, at this moment
and think shall have the concurrence of the two
Senators from that State, when mention the fact
there is feeling apProximating to adherence,
ON the part of the people of New Mexico, of any
union with Texas.
Mr.. RUSK. Only on the part of office holders,
office seekers, and those they could influence.
Mr.. CLAY. Well, that may be; and am
afraid that New Mexico is not the only place
where office holders and office seekers compose the
majority of the population of the country. laugh
teri They are terribly large class, assure you,
sir. Now, if the questions are not settled which
relate to Texas, her boundaries, &C., and which
relate to the territory not claimed by Texas and
included in New Mexico, all these questions being
left open will but tend to agitation confusion, dis
| order, and anarchy there, and agitation here
There will be, have no doubt parties at the North
crying out for the imposition OF the Wilmot pro-
viso, other restriction upon the subject of
| slavery. And in my opinion absolutely do
nothing, or next to nothing, if we do not provide
against these difficulties, and the recurrence of
these dangers With respect to the state of things
in New Mexico, allow to call the attention of
the Senate to what consider as the highest au-
thority could offer, a to the state of things there
existingI mean the act of their convention, unless
that convention happened to be composed of office
L.. IL %.
attention to what they say of their situation, if my
colleague will be SO kind as to read for me.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD read follows:
ave, the people of New Mexico, in Convention
assembled, having elected delegate to represent
this Territory in the Congress of the United States
and TO urge upon the supreme government
dress of our grievances and the protection due to
us us citizens of our common country, under the
constitution, instruct him follows: That where
for the last three years, have suffered under
the parayzing effects Of government underlined
and doubtful in its character. inefficient TO protect
the rights Of the people, to discharge the high
and absolute duty ofcvery government, the enforce
| ment and regular administration Of its own laws,
in consequence OF which industry and enterprise
are paralyzed, and discomfort and confusion pre-
vail throughout the land the want of proper pro-
lection against the various barbarous tribes of In
dians that surround US on every side has prevented
the extension OF settlements upon our valuable pub
lie domain, and rendered utterly futile every at
tempt TO explore or develope the great resources Of
the Territory. Surrounded by the Utahs, Ca
manches, and Apaches, the north, east, and
south, by the Navijos the west, with Jicarllas
| within our limits, and without any adequate pro-
lection against their hostile inroads; flocks and
herds driven of by thousands; our fellow-citi-
| zens-men, women and children-are murdered or
carried into captivity; miny of citizens, of all
| ages and sexes, at this moment suffering all
the horrors Of barbarian bondage, and il is utterly
out of power to Obtain their release from con-
dition TO which death would be preferable. The
| hofo terr hcino dinipiabod
have neither the means nor any adopted plan by
Government for the education Of the rising genera
| ton. In fine, with government temporary,
| doubtful, uncertain, and inefficient in character
and in operation surrounded and despoiled by bar
barous foes, ruin appears inevitably before u.s.
less speedy and effectua protection be extended to-
us by the Congress of the United States."
Mr.. CLAY. Now, eli, there is a vivid and faith
| full exhibition of the actual condition OF things
there, and if We go beyond the Rio Grande, 10 thst
part not claimed by Teiai, we, apprehsnd, shall
find no better state Of things In fact, ,annot for
moment reconcile il I, my sense of duty to suffer
Congress TO adjourn without effort at east being
made to extend the berrfts and blessings Of gov
eminent 10 those peo)le who have recently been
acquired by US. Will regard TO that portion Of
New Mexico which lies east Of the Rio trande, I'M
doubleday lift were coneded 10 Texas there would
be two ncongruous, II not hostile populations
thrown together, endngerng publ peace and
tranquility. And all byond, includig New Mex
leo, Deseret, and noru Of California beyond the
quences ofdisorder, connsion, and anrchy, without
some stable government emanatingirom the
thority Of that nation II which thg form now a
part, and with which thy but lite acquainted.
think, therefore, that Ill these queions, difficult
and troublesome as thy may be, oght to be met
in spirit Of candor and calmnes and decided
upon as a matter Of dIty. Now, ar, the resolu-
tons which ] have Immediately uder consdera-
ton propose a decision Il these qustions. have
said that there is scarcey resolutn in the series
have offered that did not contai some mutual
concession, or evidence Of mutul forbcarance;
that the concession WIS not ALTOGETHER from the
acknowledging Statci or the slavnelding States.
These resolutions propose a boundary TO Texas.
What is liz We know the diveTity Of opinion
which exists in this country upon IL subject ofthst
boundary. We knowthat a veryargc portion Of
the people Of the Unt,d States bar supposed that
the western limit Of Texas thdNueces-that IL
did not extend to the R' Grande. We know that the
question Of what's the western limitnd the northern
limit Of Texas was anopcn questin--has been all
along an open question-was an ops question when
the boundary was run in virtue the act Of 1888
marking the boundary between III United States
and Texas. At that tine, the bounary authorized
by that act ~ 1898 was 10 begin at mouth Of the
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