Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-05

but without attaching hem either together or
the degree of force which gentlemen who think tina
Texas has right New Mexico do must say that tcrt
is plausibty say the least of it, in the petensions una
she setsup to New Mexico. do not think they constitute
demonstrate the existence OF good title but plausible
one Well thcn sir what do propose? Without entering IN
to any inquiry whether the Nneces or the lo .ande was
the boundary OF Texas propose by the first OF these
two resolutions that its Western limits shall be liked on t
Rio del Notwithstanding West from the Sabine TO the mouth
Of the Rio del Nocand that it shall follow up the Brave
the Rio del Noc where il strikes the Southern line d
New Mexico and then dvcgng from that line follow on IN
that direction until 1t reaches the ne as xed oy .e
ing country abundantly competent 10 form two o
three States-a country which think the highest ambition
of her greatest ought to be satisfied with as State ano
member Of this Union.
But sir the second of these resolutions makes PROPOSE
ton to the State OF Texas upon which desire say fow
words Ii proposes that the Government OF the United
States will provide for tho payment of all that portion OF the
debt of Texas for which the duties received upon imports
from foreign countries pledged by Texas al time when
she had authority 10 make pledges. How much II VIII
have endoayored asccran but all the means
requisite the asceranment of the sum have not been re-
cc:vod and il is not very essential at this e because Is
the principle and not the amount that is most worthy OF con-
sderation Now sir the ground upon which base ms
liability the part of the United States to pay specified
portion of the dsb of Texas is not new TO me- 1t Is one
which have again and ann announced 10 be an opinion
entertained BY think il c founded upon principles oi
truth and of eternal justice. Texas being independent
Power recognized such by all the great powers of the
EARTH invited loans TO be made her 10 enable her to prose
the then existing war between her and Mexico. She
told those whom she invited make these loans that III
make hem the duties foreign imports shall be sacred
ly pledged the reimbursement o ne loans
made. The money was received and expended IN tht
establishment, of her liberty and her independence After all
this she annexed herself the United States who thence
forward acquired the right the identical pledge which she
had made the public creditor satisfy the loan of money
which he had advanced to her. The United States became
the Of that pledge and the recipient of all the duties
payable in the ports OF Texas.
| Now sir do say that, in my humble Judgment, if there
be honor justice, or truth amongst men, we 10 owe TO the
creditors who thus advanced their money upon that pledge
the reimbursement OF the money, all events TO the extent
that the pledged fund would have reimbursed it, if it had
been appropriated BY TO use We must recol-
ect sir that in relation To that pledge and 10 the loan made
in virtue and on the faith OF IT, there were three pnFes
bcund-I mean after annexa,on-he United Sa1es Texas
and the creditor of Texas who had advanced his money
the faith OF solemn pledge made by Texas.
Texas and the United States might do what they thought
proper but in Justice they could do nothing deprive the
creditor full reliance upon the pledge upon the aith ol
which he had advanced his money Sir il is Impossible now
ascertain how much would have been received from that
of by the State of Texas il she had remain
ed independent IL would be most unjust 10 90 there now and
examine Galveston and her other ports ascertain how
much she received by her foreign imports; because by
being incorporated into this Union all her suppcs wh!c
formerly received from foreign countries and SUBJECT
many them leastto import duties, now received
by the coastne trade instead Of being received from other
countries they would have been if she had remained nde-
pendent Considering the extent OF her territory and inc
rapid manner in which her population is increasing ana Is
10 increase i. is probable that in the Of few
there might have been such amount received al the
various ports OF Texas-she remaining independents
would have been adequate 10 the extinction o tie deot 20
| which have referred.
But sir il is not merely in the discharge of what
ceve 10 be valid and legitimate obligation resting upon the
United States discharge the specified duy II not upon
that condition alone that this payment Is proposed 10 DC
ade il is also upon the further condition that Texas shall
relinqush 10 the United States any claim mat she mas 10
anv portion of New Mexico. Now sir although as be-
eYe she has valid title portion OF New Mexico
she has caim and for the sake Of that general quiet and
harmony for the sake of that accommodation which ongt
10 be as much the object Of legislation il is of individuals
in their transactions in private life may do now what an
thing the relinqushment of claim although should
well founded for the sake OF peace II IT, therefore,
proposedand this resolution does proposethat we sha
pay Of the debt contracted by Texas prior 10 lis
annexation the United States, in consideration OF our re-
cepon of the applicable the extinction of that debit
and that Texas SHALL ALSO in consideration Of to he
advanced renqish any claim which she has to any portion
The ft resolution sir and tho SIXTH like the third AMI
fourth somewhat connected together They rs fol-
5,h Resolved That ii is inexpcdien. abolish slavery in
the District of Columbia whilst that institution continues to
exist in the State of Maryland without the consent OF that
State without the Of the people Of the District and
without Just compensation to the owners OF slaves within
the District
9Th But Resolved That is expedient prohibit within
the District the save'rade in slaves brought into II from
States places beyond the limits of the District either 10 be
sold therein rs merchandise be transported other
| markets without the District Of Columbia
The first these resolutions Mr.. President, in somcwha
different language substantially other principle
than that which asserted by the Senate OF the u States
twelve years ago. upon resolutions which then offered and
which passed.! least the particular resolution passedoy
ton presented by me in 1888. shall not enlarge on that
res)utionit speaks for tsct declares that the nsu
lion of slavery should be abolished in the District of Co.
umbia without the of three conditions: first
tn Of Maryland; second, The assent OF me people
within the District and third compensation to the owners
o( the slaves within the District for their property.
The next resolution proposed deserves passing remark
Ii ia that the slave trade within the District ought to Do abo
lished prohibited do by that the alienation and
transfer slaves from the inhabitants within this Distc
sale by neghbor TO another OF slave winch the one
owns and the other wants that husband may perhaps De
nut along with his wife, wife with her husband do
not mean 10 touch the question of the right OF property
in slaves amongst persons living within the Dstrc but the
sare trade which refer was, Think pronounced IN
abona,ion than forty ago, by one OF the most
gifted and distinguished of Virginia, the late MI an-
donh And who is there who shocked at its cnormty
Sir il is great mistake the North, if they suppose that
gentlemen living in the slave States look upon one VINO is
Regular trader slaves with any partcu favor or Kindness
TEey are oftcn-somctmes unusy pcrhaps-e5cuded from
social intercourse have known some memorable instances
of this Sort But, then, what is this trade! II is good
deal limited since the eiroccsson of the portion OF the DIS
ct formerly belonging 10 Virginia There Alexandria,
Rhmond Petersburg and Norfolk South Of the Potomac,
and Baltimore Annapolis and perhaps other ports Nortn OF
the Potomac Let the slave dealer who chooses to collect
him not come and establish his as and put on his
chains and sometimes shock the scnsbics OF our nature
BY long train of slaves passing through that avenue lead
inn from this capitol the house Of the Chief Magistrate OF
on. of the glorious Republics that ever existed why
should he not do it Sir, am sure speak the sentiments
of every Southern man, and every man coming from the
s,ye States when say let it terminate, and that is an
denominations that there is no occasion for IT. II ought no
longer to be tolerated :. .
bill now under consideration by the Senate II is as follows
I'M Resolved That more cfectua provision ought TO be
made by law according the requirement of the Consi-
on for the restitution and delivery of persons bound to ser
vice or labor in any State who may escape into any other
| State or Territory in the Union
Sir that is 50 evident and has been clearly shown by
rho debate which has already taken place the subject that
| have not now occasion TO add another word
Tho last resolution of the series of eight is as follows:
And sh Resolved That Congress has no power to pro-
bb ar obsruct the trade in slaves between the sarehodg
Ses bu hat tho admission exclusion of slaves brought
fm one into another Of hcm depends exclusively upon their
own particular laws. .-.. - ;,oI,a
Il obvious that legislation is necessary or Intended
n ow that resolution 1t merely asserts trth cstao-
shsd v the highest authority of law in this country; and in
onformv with that decision trust hcro will be one uni
| vcrsal acqucsencn. ..., ., ,oo =; ,h,
rcolon the declaration which is embraced IN IT. but that
nght il might be useful treating of the whole SUBJECT
and in accordance with tho practice Of our British and Ame
can ancestors occasionally resort 10 great iunoamenal
principles and bring them freshly and maniiesy oslotc our
eycs from time 10 time avoid their being violated upon
any occasion. -, ., .,r;os or
Mr. President you have before you the whoo series ol
resolutions the whole scheme of arrangement ana accom-
nodaton OF these distrac:ing questions whicA nave ~
after hlying bestowed these subjects the most ahaos
x;oua since nave Oecl III