The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-02-14
i.eNrINuEp FROM rlRsr pAaKl

second resolution proposes to pay off certain
amount OF the debt Of Texas. A blank is LEFT in
the resolution, because have not heretofore been
able to ascertain the amount
We propose 10 offer her in this second resolu-
ton sum which the worthy Senator from Texas
thinks will not be less than three millions of dol
lars-the exact amount neither he nor can fur
nish, not having the materials at hand upon which
10 base statement Well sir, you get this large
boundary and three millions OF your debt paid
shall not repeat the argument which urged upon
aformer occasion, as TO the obligation of the Uni
ted States TO pay portion of this debt, but was
struck the other day, upon reading the treaty of
limits, first between the United States and Mex
leo and next the treaty of limits between the
United States and Texas, to find, in the preamble
OF both Of those treaties, a direct recognition of
the principle from which think springs our obi
CATION to pay portion of this debt for the pay
ment Of which the revenue of Texas was pledged
before her annexation. The principle asserted in
the treaty of limits with Mexico is that whereas
by the treaty Of 1919, between Spain and the
United States, limit was fixed between Mexico
and the United States, Mexico comprising then
portion of the possessions of the Spanish Govern
ment Although Mexico was at the date of the
treaty severed from the Crown Of Spain yet she
as having been a part of the possessions of the
Crown Of Spain when the treaty Of 1919 was
made, was bound by that treaty as much il il
other words, that the severance Of no part of a
common empire can exoDetate either portion of
that empire from the obligations contracted when
the empire was entire and unsevered. And sir,
the same principle is asserted in the treaty of
1888, between Texas aud the United States The
principle asserted is that the treaty of lS2s be-
tween Mexico and the United States having been
made when Texas was part of Mexico, and that
now Texas being discovered from Mexico, she
fhala5 -, IL
much as if no such severance had taken place
In other words, the principle is this--that when
an independent Power creates an obligation OF
debt, no subsequent political misfortune, no sub
sequent severance of the territories of that Power
can exonerate it from the obligation that was ere
ated whilst an integral and independent Power
in other words, to bring it down and apply it to
this specific case-that, Texas being an independ-
ent Power, and having right TO make loans and
10 make pledges, having raised loan aud pledg
ed specifically the revenueg arising from the
toms TO the public creditor the public creditor be-
came invested with a right 10 that fund and il is
right of which he could not be Invested by any
other act than one to which his own consent WAS
given-jt could be Invested by no political change
which Texas might think proper to make. In
N,ns- fsAxvNs,,1 Ia1 absorption merging Of Texas
into the United States, the creditor, being par
ty TO the treaty which formed, does not lose
his rght-he retains his right to demand the full
fment Of the pledge that was made upon this
specific fund, just rs if there had not been any
annexation Of Texas to the United States That
was the foundation upon which | arrived at the
conclusion expressed in the resolutiOn--that the
United States having appropriated to themselves
the revenue arising from the imports, which rev.
enue had been pledged to the creditor of Texas,
the United States an honorable and just Power
ought now to pay the debt for which those duties
were solemnly pledged by a power independent
in itself and competent to make the pledge. ell,
sir, | think that when You consider the large
boundary which is assigned TO Texas-and when
you take into view the abhOrrence-fOr think
am warranted in using this expression-with
which the people Of New Mexico east of the Rio
Grande will look upon any political connection
with Texas--and when, in addition to this, you
take into view the large grant of money that we
propose to make and our liherality in generating
her from portion Of her public debt, equal tC
that grant--when we take all these circumstances
into consideration, think have presented a case
in regard to which | confess shall he greatly
surprised if the people of Texas themselves when
they come TO deliberate upon these liberal offers
hesitate moment to accede to them.
1 have now got through with what had to say
in reference to this resolution and if the Senator
from Mississippi wishes it, will give way for d
motion for adjournment
On motion of Mr.. Foote, the further considera
ton of the resolutions was postponed until TO-
morrow; and on motion,
The Senate adjourned
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1850.
Mr.. Clay resumed and concluded his speech AZ
follows:
Mr. President If there he in this vast assem-
blage Of beauty, grace, elegance, and intelligence
any who have come here under the expectation
that the humble individual who now addresses you
means to attempt any display, or to use any am
bilious language, any extraordinary ornaments
or decorations of speech, they will be utterly dis
appointed. This season Of the year, and my own
season of life both aimOnish me to abstain from
the use of any such ornaments but, above all
Mr.. President, the woful subject upon which it is
my duty TO address the Senate and the country
forbids my saying anything but what appertlins
strictly TO that subject and my sole desire is to
make myself, with seriousness, soberness, and
plainness, understood by you and by those who
think proper to listen to me.
When, sir yesterday, the adjournment Of the
Senate took place, at that stage of the discussion
of the resolutions which have submitted which
related to Texas and her boundaries, thought |
had concluded the whole subject but | was re-
minded by friend that perhaps was not sufi-
GENTLY explicit upon single point and that is
the relation Of Texas TO the Government Of the
United States, in regard to that portion of thf
debts Of Texas for which think responsibility
exists upon the part of the Government of the
United States Sir, it was said that it might
perhaps be understood that in the proposed grant
of three millions-or whatever may be the sum
when il may be ascertained-to Texas, in con-
sideration Of her surrender Of her title to New
Mexico on this side Of the Rio Grande, in that
grant we merely discharge the obligations which
exist upon the part Of the Government of the
United States, in consequence of the arpropria-
ton Of the imports receivable in the ports of
Texas while she was an Independent Power. But
that is not my understanding, Mr. President OF
the subject as between Texas and the United
States. pass TO the next resolution in the series
which had the honor 10 submit Ii relates, If
am not MISTAKEN to this District
s RSoitld, That it is inexpedient TO abolish
slavery in the District of Columbia, whilst that
institution continues 70 exist in the State OF
Maryland without the COZ sent of that State,
without the consent of the people Of the District,
and without just compensation TO the owners OF
slaves within the District
Mr. President, an objection was made TO this
resolution by some honorable Senators upon the
other side of this body, that it did not contain
an assertion of the unconstitutonality of the ex-
ercise of the power Of abolition on the part OF
Congress with regard to this District. | said
then, as | have uniformly maintained in this
body "a contended in 1888 and ever have done,
that the power to abolish slavery in the District
of Columbia has been vested in Congress by Ian
guage too clear and explicit to admit in my judg-
ment Of any rational reply whatever
What sir is the language Of the COnstitu.
ton Congress shall have power
"To exercise exclusive Legislation in all cases
whatsoever over such district, not exceeding ten
miles square, as may, by cession Of particular
State, and the acceptance Of Congress become
the seat of Government of the United States"
Now, sir Congress, by this granting of power,
is invested with all legislation whatsoever over
the Disirict Not only Is IL here Invested. but IL