Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-16


contrast with the plan OF the committee now under CON
sideration-and say that have no doubt that there
were strong or at least plausible reasons for the adop
ton OF the recommendation contained in the message
OF the PRESIDENT at the time it was sent to Congress-
atthe beginning OF the session. have no donb that it
was apprehended at that time that it impossible to
pass any measure providing governments for the terrific
RES without producing in Congress scenes of the most
painful and unpleasant character. have no doubt it
was believed indeed was stated in the message that
the distradcton would be greatly aggravaed that dit
terenees opinion would becarred to extreme lengths
IT, as the President believed at the time the message was
sent in, any attempt should be made to extend the
thorty of the Government over these territories. But
sir am happy to be able to recognize, what all have
seen, that since the commencement of the session a
most gratifying change has taken place. The North,
the glorious North has to the of this Uni
on of ours She has displayed disposition to abate
in her demands
The South, the glorious South--not less glorious than
her neghbor section the Union-has also come to the
rescue. The minds of men have moderated; passion
has given place to reason every where. Every where
in all parts ofthe Union, there is demand-a demand
trust the force and effect of which will be felt in both
Houses OF Congress-for an amicable adjustment of
those questions; tor the REIMBURSEMENT of those extreme
opinions, whether entertained the one side or on the
other, and coming together once as friends, as
brethren, living in common country and enjoying the
benefits OF freedom and happiness flowing from COM
mon Government
Sir think, the President had at this time to make
recommendation to Congress- with all the lights that
have been shed upon the subject since the commence
ment OF the present session of Congress nearly five
months ago, he would not limit himself to recon-
mendation merely for the admission of California
leaving the Territories to shift for themselves as they
could or might. He tells us in one of these mes sages
Il forget whether in the which sent in Decem
OF these Territories least New Mexico might posi-
bly, form a State Government for herself and might
come here with an application for admission during
the progress ofths session At all events, there has
been such change of circumstances from the period
when the message sent in down the present time
that cannot but believe that the gentleman who now
presdes at thehead OF public affairs if he had had the
beneh OF all these lights, would have made the
| mendaton much more comprehensive, and much more
| general and healing in its character, than simple
recommendation tor the admission OF California, leav
| ing all the other questions unsettled.
Sir, have spoken OF the abandoned condition of
Utah and New Mexico, left without any authority of
this Government, acting locally protect the citizens
who there settle or to protect those who are in
ransitu through the country, without any authority
nected with the supreme Government here any means
OF communicating from time to time the state OF things
they exist there. To abandon these countries in the
face OF obligations contained in the treaty of Hi
dag go, and other high obligations by which we ale
bound-o abandon them thus would not, as it appears
to me- be conformable to that duty which are called
upon to perform.
Then there is the boundary question with Texas
AT this very moment we learn from The public papers
that Texas has sent her civil commissioners to Santa
te or into New Mexico, tor the purpose of bringing
them under her authority; and you leave the Texas
boundary question unsettled and establish no govern
ment tor New Mexico or Utah, venture to say, or at
cember next, we should hear of some civil commotop
shedding of blood, in the contest between New Mexico
and Texas with respect to the boundary For, sir,
without meaning to express at this time or at auy time
indeed, any positive opinion upon the question, we
know that the people OF Santa Fe especially are as
much opposed to the government of Texas, and are as
much nced that they do not belong to Texas and
that they constitute portion OF the territory of Texas
as we know that Texas was the earliest asserting the
territory be hers and maintaining her right all the
country from the mouth Of the Rio Grande to its up
ll 1nhft
leave these matters unprovded for? Think not Isit
right to leave that important question Of the boundary
between New Mexico and Texas unsettled, when the
fearful consequences to which have referred NAV be
produced? On this question: helieve-I do not GER
tany recolect the way stood before the committee
believe that there serious diversity of opinion
We all thought we should establish governments for
them if we could; at any rate, should make the at
tempt; Ii we failed, after making the attempt, we
should stand irreproachabe for any voluntary abandon
ment OF them.
The next question which arose before the committee
after having concurred in the proposals to be made to
Texas for the settlement of the boundary between her
and New Mexico was the question 1.-THE union of these
three measures in Que bill and upon that subject the
same diversity OF opinion which had developed itself in
theSenate displayed itself in the committee
am reminded that have said nothing upon the sub
ject OF the proposed to be given to Texas for
the REIMBURSEMENT to the United States of her title South
| of the proposed line The committed hope it will
meet the appreciation of the Senatethough best
to fill up that blank except the last moment on the
lna reading OF the bill. Ii it were inserted in the bill
and to go to the country it might lead to an
improper speculation in the stock market, and therefore
it thought best to the amount proposed to be
offered to Texas for the REIMBURSEMENT of her claims
to the final passage of the bill When we arrive at
that stage-which should be most happy ascertain
would be in short tme-at that question of the final
passage, will then propose the thought of by the
committee.
The committee recommended the union of these
three measures 1t the honorable senator from Missouri
Mr.. Benton] will allow me the benefit of two of
those cannonS which he has pointed this side of the
house, and which believe he has upon his desk, |
should be very much obliged TO him
Mr.. BENTON lin his seat) They are in the Secre-
tary's office, and the page will bring them.
Mr.. CLAY, (resuming) The union of these three
already very much discussed in the Sen but out
otrespect to the senator from Missouri Mr.. Benton
and to the Senate, feel myself called upon to give
some ansew to the argument which he addressed to
the Senate some days ago, to show that mprop-
er to connect them together. must begin by stating
what is considered our parliamentary law in this coua
try. 1t consists in the first place, of the constitution
OF the United States, the rules adopted by the two
houses of Congress- and, if you please, Mr. Jefersons
Manual, which has been respected authority, and
believe, used in the most OF the delberave bodies in
| this country.
Now, sir, either the honorable Senator from Missou-
ri Mr.. Bentonl or myself totally misunderstood what
is meant by Hatsell and in the English parliamentary
sense by lacking. Wehave such thing as lacking
in the English sense OF the term. Jefferson has chap
in his Manual upon the subject OF tackng-Hatsell
has lacking in England is this by the constitution of
England, Or in other words the practice of England,
which makes her constitution money bills supply bills
bills of subsidy and aid Of all kinds passed by the
House Of Commons and sent to the House of Lords;
and the Lords obliged to take Them word for word
without making any amendment whatever They are
sent in that state to the Crown, and the Crown is
obliged take them without amending them ALL The
money bill is obliged to be passed without any amend
ment alteration in the House of Lords the Com
in England frequently, when they have popular
object or measure to be carried tack that measure to
the money bill to be sent to the House of Lords know
ing that the everything necessity of the arstocracy and
the Crown such, that they must for the sake of the
money granted in the BILL agree the clause, favora-
bic, perhaps, to liberty, something else, which is
tackled on to it.
The process Of lacking, therefore, in England is OBJ
ected to by the Grown always and by the arstocracy
but never objected to by the Commons According as
the prevalence OF the authority OF heCrown and the as
tocracy ofhe popular branch othe legislature takes
nace the nractice of tack resnrted or dsnensod