The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-07
From he Mstc Orleans True Delta.
Letter from Governor Bell

| congress, Tetdtt0e 10 INC 'odiUu n question:.
| STATE or Texas, ExEcullvs DEPARrMEST,)
AUSTIN, June Is, 1850.
| Hon Senators and Representatives. from Teras in
| Tie Congress Of The United States:
| GESrLEMES: IL is with solicitude and pain that
announce 10 you the Efforts at present going for
| ward by deuded men, To sever from the State a
large portion OF territory situated upon her north
western limits. This intelligence l have Just re-
ceved in full and satisfactory shape from the spe-
cial commissioner, who was appointed by authority
of the Legislature at its last session, leaving no
doubt upon the mind OF the executive Of settled
determination by the people OF Santa Fe form at
at once separate State government, IN utter dis
regard Of our righttul boundary And there ID no
less doubt from The statements oi the commission
| CIR (who has executed his trust in a most worthy
nanner) Of the inha btaDts ot that district having
received, and still receiving IN the iulhlmen Of
! their plans, aid, instruction, and encouragement
IRON the United States forces stationed AT Santa
Fe who, for some time past, have exercised civil
and military jurisdiction within that portion of the
| State.
| Ungracious and harsh this announcement
sounds upon ears, yet II comes with the iull
impress OF truth, and brings along with ii, assure
you, all the angry excitement and evil forebodings
which always precedc the determined spirit OF an
outraged people to redress their wrongs, when and
wherever offered. Unpleasant as IL ID, 1t does not
come unanticipated. In my general message 10
| the Legislature of December Goth, 1913, had the
honor state, in reference to that portion of terri
tory embracing Santa Fe: 'Ihat the course pur-
| sued by the Federal Government, within the last
eighteen months has been such as 10 give rise TO
the most serious approximations that they are dis
posed tacitly TO yield TO any effort which may be
| made to wrest IL from The total silence OBJ
served in regard to the resolutions of the goth March,
1913, and the law passed at the same session of the
| Legislature for organizing the county OF Santa Fe
| the continuance Of their civil and military govern
| ment within the limits OF our territory when no
long required for the purpose for which 1t was
tablished, and the failure amounting TO refusal to
give Instructions to the officers IN command OF that
| a hnrIf
| OF the State in discharge Of the duties assigned
them, indicate but too strongly careless indificr
ence to our lights if they do not go further and
manifest disposition totally to Disregard them"
Recent events with which you become well
| advised from the information which is herewith
transmitted, endorse the opinions therein Expressed
placing beyond the reach OF speculation or doubt
the disposition and views entertained by the Fede
| raj Government towards US, and exhibiting clear
| y the unfriendy attitude OF the people Of Santa
| Before entering upon his proper duties the spe-
! cial commissioner referred to received from the
Executive full and ample instructions to direct him
in extending a civil organization to the counties of
| Preside, Ell Paso, Worth, and Santa Fe He was
directed TO explain with great care and in man
ner most conciliatory to the inhabitants there, the
LcauseAwhich had operated to prevent an earlier
exten5ion to them of the benefits of the constitution
and laws of the State, and to explain, ALSO far
as opportunity allowed, the particular features of
each, as applicable to their position and circum-
stances.
In the county of Ell Paso, his mission was marked
with signal success, and in short period com
pete organization was effected, and there is every
assurance that equal success would have attended
the efforts of the commissioner in the counties OF
Preside and Worth, with sufficient military
cort, which was rendered necessary from the large
number of hostile Indians who roam unrestrained
through that country.
But the causes in Santa Fe, active and powerful,
and adverse to the Just claims of our State, which
worked defeat to the commissioner, are of quite a
Il che pI he 10
ration, involving, as they do, living and essential
principles, important not only to the parties imme
diately concerned, but to al! who interested in
the maintenance ill Its original meaning and purity
of the integrity OF a sovereign State.
! This untortuna Issue between the State and "A
portion of its inhabitants, for several years men
aced, has at length assumed definite and deter
mined character, and, in my Judgment, calls for the
immediate exercise OF the force and efficacy which
our constitution and laws were intended 10 confer.
Ii TO have been calculated that difficulties aris
ing within State OF the Union, matter from
what causes, would have been 10 the General Gov
eminent subject interesting enough to claim its
interpretation and kndliest Offices for their adjust
ment. But in this instance, instead OF exercising
parental and vigilance the interest OF the
youngest member OF the coniederacy, she haH
| stepped forward with the confident, supercilouE
air of power, erecting herself into an umpire
claiming privileges and benefits appertaining tc
| Texas from the dear bought sacrifices which she
has made TO obtain them and heretofore awarded
to her by the most solemn guarantee
Is this, allow inc TO ask, one of the boastcd prac-
teal benefits OF union And is this iorctnste o
! what may hereafter expect from a common
guardian? This is truly the protection that the
wolf gives to the lamb, :" covering and deyouring.
Such a course, sanctioned, would leave US re-
creant the trust Confidcd to us, leading, as II
would to the destruction of an important cOnstitu-
tional principle; and assert it with pride and con-
hdence that the State of Texas is not prepared
TO acquiescc in doctrine at once absurd and dan
gerous. To oppose II by all proper and legitimate
means, becomes her for her own security, and pos
| scssng kindred sentiments aud interests with many
OF her sister States II Is alike due to their prcserva
ton TO repudiate 1t, as wild, extravagant and
unauthorized assumption by the executive depart
ment of the government The slumbering patriot
ism Of the calm and sober minded pioneers Of the
country has been rckindled by the wound about to
be inflicted upon State pride, and this manifest at
tempt at usurpation of State rights.
This effort for supremacy, recently so clearly in
dictated by the United States authorities at Santa
Fe, can only have the unhappy effect of disturbing
| the harmony, good feelings, and affection which
ought TO EXIT between the Coniederacy and all of
| its members. IL can exact no true homage re-
spcct any where, and it will never find obedience
here. Nor is it intended that it shall in the least
degree impair or take away the States claim TO
sovereignty and jurisdiction over the country in
controversy. 1t at least becomes US to assume a
JUST lofty, and honorable attitude before sister
States, whose interests sssimilatcd to own, are
likely TO be affected favoraby otherwise, accord
ing the issue may come out of the important
question 10 be decided. Ii is expected that the
State Of Texas will use the necessary means TO ex
tend her civil jurisdiction co-extcnsiye with her
proper limits. Duty and policy point o.t this
course; her citizens require IL; her honor demands
tit is exactcd by good faith to her creditors.
Those limits have been very clearly, and IN the
most expressive manner, defined by the sword,
successfully maintained by the same instrument,
and confirmed TO us by the most enlightened ma
tons. The solemn compact Of union must now
shield them from all oncroachlnents, come from
irhai quarter they may.
Let II not be forgotten that chvalry and daring
gave birth 10 the Texas revolution, which, by sac
rihces and valor, has been the means Of adding 10
the United States an empire Of territory. Docs
this enttle Us to consider atom and shall Texas
now be forced to the humiliating dilemma of ask
ing either gratuities boonsy She docs not ask
them. She will not ask them. Nor yet even any
abatement OF the severe rigors Of the position in
which she is now placed by the unkind action OF
the Federal Government.
But she does not Withdraw her confidence in the
justice Of the General Government; aud rcposing
for a moment upon that confidence, she now asks
of that government no longer 20 intervene any OBJ
sacle 10 the claim of Texas TO the soil and JurIsdic
ton over all the territory declared within her
| rightful boundary at the contamination of annex
alton, and in which was embraced Santa Re.
The hope is still entertained that the Government
| At Wosbfnutoy will uyhc ipforned i'm tho u,os