The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-18

Felch, Greene Hale, Hamln, Miner, Norris,
Phelps, Seward, Smith, Spruance, Upham, Wales,
Walker, and Whitcomb-25.
Mr. Seward moved 10 amend the bill by insert
ing in the 10th and 3Sth sections, the following
words:
"That neither slavery nor involuntary seryi.
tude shall exist in the said Territories Of New
Mexico and Utah, except for the punishment of
crimes, whereof the parties punished shall have
been duly convicted
And the amendment was rejected without
count.
Mr. Walker submitted motion to strike out
all Of the bill except that part relating TO the
admission OF California as State, but withdrew
1t, to allow additional amendments to be made
MIR. Hale submitted an amendment, granting
in express terms to the people of Utah and New
Mexico the right to the writ of ha6eds corpus,
which amendment was adopted
Mr.. Benton submitted the following amend
ment to that part Of the bill defining the pro-
posed boundaries Of Texas
Strike out from the second line, proposition
first, of section thirty-nine, after the word Be-
ginning" these words at the point on the Rio
del Norte commonly called FL Paso, and running
up that river twenty miles, measured by a
straight line thereon and thence eastwardly to
point where the hundredth degree Of west longi-
Sssso oTSsses Red river being the south west anss
in the line designsted between the United States
and Mexico, and the same angle in the line Of
the territory set apart to the Indians by the Uni
ted States" and insert after the said word I" Be-
ginning these words; at the point in the mid
die Of the deepest channel in the Rio Grande del
Norte, where the same is crossed by the one hun
dred and second degree of longitude west from
the meridian of Greenwich; thence north along
that longitude to the thirty-fourth degree of
north latitude; thence eastwardly to the point at
which the one huudredth degree of west longi-
tude crosses the Red river
Mr.. Benton then addressed the Senate in sup
port of the line proposed by this amendment, and
in opposition to that proposed by the committee.
He said that the difference in the extent of terri
tory cut from New Mexico and added to Texas
was 10000 square miles that is the line of the
committee took seventy thousand square miles of
territory from New Mexico, and added it to
Texas.
He then examined the terms of the bill and
the language of the report of the committee upon
this part Of the measure, and commented particu-
larly upon the terms used in both. He pro-
nounced the line proposed by the committee to
have no possible earthly cause to make it entitled
TO any Difference. No reason was given for it,
He denied the right of Texas to this Territory,
and exhibited map prepared by Cordova, which
had been approved by the representatives of
Texas, and the State authorities Of Texas, to
show that in ls4s Texas did not assert or claim
this Territory AZ part Of her domain. He said
that the committee dismembered New Mexico
They cut off both legs, and gave them to Texas,
and left the trunk to stump il the best way 1t
could. They cut New Mexico In twain below
the hips
He adverted to the improperly and irregularity
Of combining these homogeneous subjects In one
measure. He described them all He alluded
to the nicely balanced state of parties on this bill
In the Senate, and that the turn Of two votes
either way could decide it's fate He described
the proposal to pay Texas blank millions of dol
lars, and said that the fate Of the bill depended
on the amount paid to her Her Senators desired
to protect her interest, and il she were not paid
sum sufficient in their estimation, they would vote
against the bill. Here, then, was the fate of
California and the Territories placed upon the
hazard of many millions of dollars which was 10
be paid to Texas, for property which already be-
longed to the United States.
Mr. Rusk Obtained the floor, and, on his motion,
the Senate adjourned.
TUESDAY July 10, 1850
Mr. Rusk replied to Mr. Benton in relation To
the boundary of Texas. MIR Clay made q short
speech also in reply, and MIR. Benton rejoined
with much severity
Mr.. Hale moved to lay upon the table both the
bill and the amendment of Mr.. Benton, bu. with
drew the motion at the request of Mr. Foote, who
submitted some amendments, one dividing Cali
fornia.
Mr. Webster obtained the foor the subject
was postponed, and the Senate went into Exec
utive session.