Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-10-28
Circular OF HON. Il. EH. ksayEy
To my Constituents !:

has ever been 0ld undeT lne COlStitutioH mas JuSs
terminated On no other occasion has SO many
questions, upon the determination of which the
very existence of the Government depended, occu-
pied it's deliberations. The public mind is still
aritated in respect to them and although am
worn down with its proracted labors, and am
anxious to return to my home, from which have
been absent near eleven months, yet feel 1t to
be nv duty to linger here long enough to pen this
address to you. would rather appear before you
in person, but that is impossible.
Idesire to review the different measures to which
have alluded, aud prefer to do ii in the order IN
which they became laws.
The first in that order is the act proposing to
the State Of Texas the establishment Of her north-
ern and western boundary, the REIMBURSEMENT OF
all territory claimed by her exterior TO that bound.
ary, and all her claims upon the United States,
and establishing territorial government tor New
Mexico,
This act has three distinct features. First, the
proposal to Texas as to her northern and western
boundary. Second, the government provided for
New Mexico. Third, the provision which is
made for the Texan debt. As itrests with Texas
herself to accept OF reject the proposal in respect
to her boundary made to her, it would seem that
standing by Itself, disconnected with other mat
tiers, there would be nothing Objectionable IN IL
The territorial government for New Mexico Is In
the usual form and without any restriction as to
slavery. Ii, therefore, it was disconnected with
extraneons considerations, it is impossible there
would have been a vote against it in either House
Of Congress. Next as to the Texan debt Iexas
while She was an independent Republic, contracted
heavy liabilities. She pledged for their payment
her revenues. But when she as admitted into
this Union she surrendered to US he: ships, forts,
arsgnaIs custom houses, custom house revenues,
her arms and munitions Of war, and her public
buildings with their sites. 1t would seem that
when we took her means of paying her debt, which
were specifically pledged for It's redemption, we
took them s'caAn oneTe''-subject to the lien upon
them: and llat we are bound for those debts, es-
neciay as the means which we hold more
than sufficient for their discharge. 1t is said, how
ever. that in the resolution OF annexation 1t IS
stipulated that the United States should not be
liable for the debts of Texas. But it must be
remembered that the creditors of Texas were no
PARTIES to that stipulation, and consequently not
bound by it. Such being the case, the opinion
has extensively prevailed, and has been daily
gainjpg strength with the statesmen of the country
that we are bound for the debts Of Texas. 1t
would SEEM therefore, that there ought to be but
little objection to the provision for them and there
would not be, if the question We're not connected
with others. But the subject of slavery has been
connected with all of these questions-and there
lies the whole difficulty. 1t is said we dsmem
her Texas But it cannot be done without her
s3nsent !: and cannot we trust her to protect her
own interest? 1t is replied that we brlbe her to
consent. Let us examine this matter, and see
the whole extent Of this brlbe. There has been
shown to me an official statement, which, be-
Jieve, Texas has never allowed to be published,
showing where the debt of Texas is held. That
statement shows that very little of it is held in
Texas. should have been quite sure OF this
without seeing the document; for her debt was
contracted during her war orindependence, when
her people were poor and taxed to the full extent
of their capacity to bear taxation; and the GER
taintv is, her loans We're contracted elsewhere
Few, therefore, CT the people of Texas have any
interest in this matter as bond-hoders. Texas is
not taxing her people to pay her debt lhe Dill
under consideration will relieve them from no bur
den which they now feel and they have, there
fore. but little direct interest in this view of the
case. Indeed they have less than the people of
VIRGINIA 1t will be recolleced that Gen. Hamii-
tom many wears ago, disposed Of James River
bonds. guaranteed by the State, and Texas OBJ
tanned the benefit. Virginia paid the bonds atho'
she received no money Events beyond his CON
troll made it impossible to refund bu! in the most
honorable manner, he hypothecated Tex'n bonds
as security to Virginia. That security will be-
come available and to the extent of the debt,
about one hunred and thirty thousand dollars,
principal and interest. if my memory serves me.
will the Virginia treasury be relieved, and our
neopIe. too in the shape of taxes. But will any
one say that Virginia is bribed? Or that she will
be influenced at all by what have referred to?
Besides, the United States in the bill we have
passed, has aeknow lodged her obligation 10 pro-
vide for the debt of Texas. She VIII, therefore,
know that even if she REJECTS this bills we cannot
hereafter reppdiate that debt without disgrace i,
The interest which Texas has in this bill Is the
interest which every State has In preserving us
credit and honor. 1t cannot be doubted that 1t
will add ultimately greatly to hef prosperity to
have the incubus OF her puh'ic deo' removed from
her shoulders. Without credit she can construct
no Improvements to develope her vast resources;
in condition Of reputation, men OF capital are
10th to connect their fortunes with hers; the fear
that one day or another she may resort to heavy
taxation to pay her debt, detefs emigration liom