Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-10-26
HOUSE or RErnrsrsrArIvrs, Aueusr %, 1860.

Sr HOUSE, or REPRESENTATIVES, AUousr %, 1860.
Mr. HILLIARD said Mr.. Speaker, feel some reluct
.nce in addressing House this me but the profound
anxiety with which regard the state of the country mpe
me speak We present the extraordinary spectacle OF
people prosperous beyond example, rapidly advancing
wealth and power peace with every nation the globe,
sending our products and the fruits of industry OF every
description under the protection of flag all parts OF the
world our ports crowded with emgrants flying from the op-
preston Of European systems of government to seek refuge
and home under free insuonsy6tt torn BY internal
dissensons which threaten to overthrow the Republic
could survey this with any other feeling than
that Of profound apprehension, ft not for the eecon
that we hold the subject of controversy completely WITHIN our
control The whole task of adjustment is confded to u.s.
The subject long discussed in the Senate mas passed from
that BODY is before us other human tribunal can de-
eide the responsibility, with all its weight rests upon u.s.
We can give the country peace or we can wltnnod IT,
NJ intend sir At whatever hazard sacrifice of personal
kind to do my duty the country and TO contribute wna
can consistently with my obligations as
adjustment of the great questions which are before u.s. hey
are kindred questions of them may be said to DC de-
on each other They all grew Of the annexation
of Texas.
The frs. Of these questions in dignity and Importance is
that respecting the limits of the State of Texas That state
claims for her western boundary the Rio Grande del Nore
from its mouth to its source and line thence due north to
the forty parallel of north latitude Texas was state
Of the Mexican Republic she took up arms against that ov
eminent threw of its authority declared her independence
and established umphany upon the field OF San Jacn,o
clared her limits Was she entitled to the territory which
she claimed MS an independent State Was her title to the
country lying on the Rio Grande, and which Mexico claimed
adversely and in part held by actual occupancy good as
against that Republic
pThis question depends upon the principle whether State
after successful revolution is entitled to the territory en-
baced within her ancient boundaies or whether Is to be
confined the limits within which she has actually establish
cd her jurisdiction by the sword
The independence of Texas recognised BY the Unled
States by Great Britain, BY France, and by Holland Inc
ancient limits of the State stretched to the Rlo Gande
from its mouth Ell Paso II a that time constituted part
Of an extensive country to ell Of which the OF Lou
ana was applied That province extended tothe Ro Grsnde
and this was insisted upon by Mr. Monroe and BY Mr. Pink
ney 1906 in the most emphatic terms lhey argued tne
title of the United States to that district OF territory, ana
maintained it, The claim had the sanction of Mr. Jefferson,
who was at that time President and of Mr.. Madison, who
was Secretary Of State Subsequently that part OF the pro-
vince OF Louisiana known Texas was ceded y the Oned
States to Spain Mexico by successful revolution wrested
the Spanish provinces from that iowe ana 1e1as became
one Of the States of the new Republic.
By the revolution to which have already adverted, she
became an independent State and declared her ancient boun
dares with the further claim to the territory on the Upper
Rio Grapde She was proceeding bring the whole terri
tory claimed by her under jurisdiction at the period Of her
annexation to the United States.
There might be difference Of opinion to the validity Of
the title of Texas the territory bordering on the Rio
Gande but there much in her history to sustain it. She
was an independent State and recognised such by the
great Powers Of the world Mr. Webster, when Secretary OF
State in ls42, in his characteristic sye marked with clear
meas and power addressed emphatic statement Of the
political condition OF Texas to our Minister tnen residing al
the city of Mexico
From the time Of the battle of San Jaciao April 1885,
to the moment Texas has exhibited the external
signs national Independence Mexico herself and with as
much stability Of Government. Practically free and inde-
pendent acknowledged political sovereignty by the prin-
cpal Powers of the world hostile foot finding rest within
her territory six years. and Mexico herself
framing for all that period any attempt to re-estabh
her own authority over that territory" Sc
Such was Texas previous to her annexation to the United
sasesa free and independent State sending and receiving
Diplomatic agents to and from other States enjoying all the
rehts Of regular and well established Government and
bracng within the boundaries asserted her all the territory
which she now claims
proceed now to inquire into the validity Of her title to hi
teritory as one of the States of the Unon Whatever
cuson might be reached upon investigation Of her CLAIM
10 the territory against the adverse claim Of Mexico Peviou
to her annexation the United States seems to me ha
her title this territory this time supported by consider
atons too powerful be resed If there be any advers
title il is in the United States and confident that
statement of the argument in support the claim of Texas
against that up for the United States must bring all mind
to which presented to admission, however reluctantly
made of its validity and its strength.
The claim of Texas all the territory embraced with
in the limits fixed by her constitution well known to th
Government Of United States previous to the annexation
of that State
naton) stated that had been several times asserted upo
this oor that the boundaries of Texas fixed in her
situton but that upon examination he had not been abl
to find them laid down in constitution formed by hs
State.
Mr.. HILLIARD resumed. It is not at all important MI
Speaker SO far the argument is concerned whether h
boundaries of Texas defined in her constitution
They were certainly defined clearly by act Of her Leg
tire and this solemn declaration OF the title of Texas to II
whole extent Of the territory bordering the Rio Grande
Norte from its mouth its source, continuing upon liz
drawn thence to the forty second parallel OF latitude,
made known to the Government Of the United States wht
the of annexation proposed to that State Th
part Of the territory lying the Upper Rio Gande &C
tainy held at that time by Mexico, but Texas was assel
her title to it and taking steps to bring under her ur
dcion.
II was our policy to avoid war with Mexico and Ii
disputed boundary line might lead to collision between Tex
and that Republic and of involve the United States
it. provided in the resolutions by which Texas was
nexed TO the Union that the adjustment Of all questions
boundary should be entrusted TO the Government Of the Un
ted States The precise language is this "Sad State TO
formed subject the adjustment by this Government OF
questions Of boundary that may arise with other Cover
ments-"
The United States Government then made acquaint
with the claim of Texas and undertook to adjust it-no
reEnquish -no to negotiate thai might vest IN ITSELF
to adjust it, which devolved upon Government the du
of enforcing the claim Of Texas and Of urging upon Mex
in good faith AT that time other construction than tn
put upon the resolutions Of annexation they were clear
understood by the two contracting partieshe GoverDme
of the United States and that of Texas-by Mexico and
all the world In pursuance the resolutions the Pesde
Of the United States promptly opened Communications wi
the Government Of Mexico, that Republic having withdraw
its Minister from Washington and proposed negotiate
the recognition Of the Rio Gande del Norte the wese
boundary of Texas Mexico actually consented receive
Commissioners to negotiate for that object Mr. Polk thong
proper send Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pier
potentiary the Government Of Mexico with general poy
NJ oto~al L-