The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-30


v~te OF Osvss~ew a~st-Pv-s.Sis approved Of
che BossAsry nsii by shs psssss % rssss.
The southern papers bring Ms the veto mrs
sage of Governor BCLL. The Richmond ~ Ne
and other leading journals have expressed doubts
whether his veto WAS intended. in good faith.
TO promote the settlement VI the national DIM
Guilty. or to give effect TO the wishes u the l-o-
pie Of Texas. Reasoning from the only ossi.
cial exposition Of Governor BELL's oplnioas
upon the subject, we referred TO his message.
addressed to the legislature when IL first as
sembled to provide for a possible collision a
authority with the Federal Government This
message was principally devoted to review of
the fiscal and military resources Of Texas avail
able for the purpose Of occupying the territory
which she claimed. In justfying the action 70.
commended to the legislature, he makes the
following objections to the measures then pend
ing before Congress.
L. That they assign to New Mexico "a bouD-
dairy extending south to the sgd parallel Of
north latitude, and east TO the l00ih parallel
. of west longitude"
2. That they give Texas sum Of money
for the REIMBURSEMENT of her claim, provided
she will quietly stand aloof from the institu-
tions Of the South"
After condemning unequivocally these propo
sitions, Governor BELL proceeds to state whs, he
considers would DO the basis Of "fair, equi-
table, and honorable" disposition Of the terrific
ry Of Texas:
IF proposition had been made founded upon
her acknowledged right of territory, to purchase
from her that portion Of it lying north Of the saith
degree Of north latitude, and accompanied with a
sufficient guarantee that tho provisions Of the joint
resolutions for annexation in respect to slavery
should be observed, the most respectful considera
ton would have been given to it, and rick but lit
tie in saying that large majority Of our fellow
citizens would have met such proposition in the
most liberal spirit, and with sincere desire to nc
cord every thing reasonable and just that might
have been asked in reference TO it."
Such were the conditions prescribed by Gov
ernor BELL as satisfactory to Texas. Such were
the opinions expressed by this Jealous guardian
of State honor. We proceed to show that Con-
gress has legslated in accordance with the pro-
gramme thus laid down. The boundary line
objected to in the message was changed. In
stead of the 34th degree proposed by the mes
sage, Congress adopts boundary which gives
more territory to Texas than the 34ih degree
would have given her. This is evident from
an inspection Of the comparative area included
within the boundaries proposed by Governor
BELL, and that ultimately adopted by Congress.
In support Of our opinion, we quote from the
Natchez Courier,a Southern journal familiar
with the subject in controversy.
Gas throwing some light on the question whe-
Their the boundary bill will be accepted by Texas
or not. il il we'll to remember that Governor Bell
suggested. in his recent message. that the line of
"a degrees would be satisfactory 10 Texas as ba-
sis of settlement. The line of Mr. Pearce's bill Ia
probably favorable to Texas If not more 81, than
the line of "a. The former rune on 360 30 to the
meridian Of 03 west longitude; thence south 10 the
32d parallel Of latitude; thence that psra-
lei to the Rio Grandc. The territory between -
and 3Go 80. east Of the lO3d meridian, and which
by Pearce's bill is given to Texas. and which by
the line Of 81 would have belonged TO New Mexico,
ia decidedly larger than that between 80 and 81 de-
krces Of latitude, and the lo3d meridian and the
Rio Gnndc, which by the Senate bill is yielded by
Texas, If she assents."
This will, we think, prove tina, the bound.
airy adopted will DO found satisfactory to the
people Of Texas, because it reserves terrific
rial area greater than that which the executive
authority Of that State considered il compatible
with her honor and her interest to accept.
The second objection 10 the apprehended
Legislation Of Congress stated in the message
was based upon the supposition that Congress
expected Texas "to stand quietly aloof from the
institutions Of the South, and seeking every
means to assai them, the institutions, to
partition her territory In manner consonant
with their views, to afford them another means
ofcauying out their favorite policy upon the sub
'ject" Toobviate this objection Governor BELL
thinks the Legislation upon the subject should
be accompanied with sufficient guarantee
that the provisions Of the joint resolutions for
annexation in respect TO slavery should DO OBJ
served" Responsive TO this suggestion. Con-
press recognises in terms the "third article Of
the second section Of the joint resolution for
snnexing Texas to the United States, which
article Is as follows:
4" New States, Of convenient sire, not crcccd-
ing four in number, in addition TO said State OF
Texas, and having sufficient population, may bore
after. by the consent OF said State, be formed out
OF the territory thereof, which sbal be entitled TO
admission under the provisions Of the Federal Con-
s,itution. And such States may DO formed out
Of that portion Of said territory lying south Of thir
ty-siI degrees thirty minutes north latitude, com
monty known ss The Missouri compromise line,
shall be admitted into the Union with or without
elavery, the people Of each State sskins odmis'
non may desire. And In such State or States ~
shall DO formed out Of said territory north OF said
Missouri compromise line, slavery, or involuntary
servitude, Except for crimcs,) sbsll bs prohib-
tied"
So far from expecting Texas to " stand aloOf
from the institutions Of the South"-so far from
seeking every means to assail her institutions
and to partition her territory" the Boundary
bill expressly recites and reaffinns the resolu-
ton of annexation referred to. Thus any pre-
tension to partition the territory" Of Texas
n