The organizer., 1850-07-27
Letter fom Hon 4. II stephens.
From the Washington Uni1n.

From the Washington uni1n.
We lay before our readers another war
ming in the following card from Mr.. Ste
phens, of Georgia, one Of the strongest
wings and strongest men in the House,
addressed 10 the National Intelligencer;
EioUsE or REPRESENTATIVES, July 3. lS5O'
Gentlemen: In your paper this morning
| noticed the following editorial:
We take it for granted that there IS
foundation of some kind or other for the
statement in the following extract from the
Washington correspondence OF the New
York Journal of Commerce. If it be all
really true the gallant State of Texas is
about to march an army into the Terrific
ries of the U nited States, and against an
armed station of the United States within
them: and we are to have news OF it IN
less than six weeks from this time! Let
us hope, however that the worthy cores
pondent of the Journal is prematurely
alarmed for the safety Of Santa Fe, and the
detachment Of the army whose duty it will
be to defend it:
WASHINGTON, SATURDAY, June 20, 1850.
"There will be some startling intelli.
genee from Texas in less chan six weeks
from this time. Texas will send an ade-
quate force at once, as is supposed, to
effect her Objects-prObably $500 men.
There are at Santa Fe about two hundred
Texan camp followers, who take an interest
in favor OF the Texans. The troops Ofthe
United States, under Col. Monroe, number
about five or six hundred, to which six
hundred are about TO be added. The
Texans in this city are Of opinion that
Texas, supported as she is by the sympa-
thies ofthe whole South, will arrest the
United States military officers, and bring
them to trial for Obstructing the operation
of her laws. Should the adjustment bill
be defeated, there is no doubt that Texas
will absorb New Mexico; and if the
United States interfere, the southern States
will give her all the aid she needs"
From this it seems that you hold it to be
the duty of the "army" Of the United
States now stationed at Santa Fe to de!end,
without AUTHORITY of law, the military ocu>
patton of New Mexico lying this side of
the Rio Grande against any attempt of
Texas to maintain her claim by extending
her jurisdiction over it.
Your right to entertain such an opinion,
it is not my object to question. But ! wish
to say to you, lest you may be mistaken in
the opinion of others, that the first federal
gun that shall be fred aga nst the peo-
pie of Texas, withou; authority of law,
will be the signal for the freemen from the
Delaware to the Rio Grande to rally to the
rescue. Whatever difference Of opinion
may exist in the public mind touching the
proper boundary Of Texas, nothing can be
clearer than that il is not a question to be
decided by the army. Be not deceived,
and deceive MT others " Inter GTmd Leges
silent" When the "Rubicon" is passed,
The days Of this republic will be numbered.
You may consider the "galant State of
Texas" top weak for a contest with the
army of the United States. But you should
-ecOllect that the cause Of Texas in such
conflict, will be the cause Of the entire
south. And whether you consider Santa
Fe IN danger or not, you may yet live to
zee that fifteen States of this Union, with
even millions Of people, ''whO knowing
heir rights, dare maintain them," cannot
10 easily conquered SapienGbus Uerbum
at"
Yours. most respectfully.
IEXANOER II. STEPHENS.