The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-12
nOrsE OF REpREsENrATIYEs

MIR. ROCKN ELL introduced a resolution which
Was adopted, authorizing the Speaker 10 cause TO
bc paid to the attorney of the late d. II. KGNG the
balance of money due To him at the time OF his
death, as a member of the House
Mr.. NELSON moved that the House resolve itself
into Committee OF the Whole on the Private Cal
cndcr, but the motion disagreed TO.
A message was received from the Senate an
nouncing the passage by that body of the bill pro-
posing 10 settle the boundary of 'rexas and asking
the concurrence of the House.
On motion OF MIR. BAILY the House resolved
into Committee of the Whole on the state of the
Union, and took up the bill making appropriations
for the civil and diplomatic expenses of the Gov
ornment for the year ending June 80, 1851.
THE PRESIDENTS NEw MEXICO AND TEXAS MES
SAGE.
Mr. HOUSTON resumed the remarks which he
commenced yesterday, and deemed it necessary to
notice and correct report which appeared in
OF the papers OF this morning. The error was
doubtless owing TO the difficulty of hearing in the
hall and the condensed form in which he re-
ported. 1t certainly was not his purpose TO say,
on yesterday, that he conceded the right OF Texas
the territory from the mouth TO the of the
Rio Grandc. He wished 10 be understood as argun z
that her title 10 the territory not extensive
she asserts. lie did state that he willing 10 con-
cede that the people of Texas honestly maintained
what they supposed to be their territory under the
act of that State; and as binding on the United
States; but he did think that the title could be
established before any tribunal Of legal character.
IN the course of his subsequent remarks, he said
that he concurred i'll the opinions expressed by the
President in his recent message in relation the
Texas boundary; and he was happy to find that in
the Senate bill with reference TO II has passed. in
conformity with the views of the Executive. He
returned his most cordial and heartfelt thanks to
the Senator (Mr. PEARCE) who introduced it, and
expressed the deep sense OF gratitude for its success
and the brilliant manner IN which he has relieved
us, which, he trusted, would prove satisfactory to
Texas Itreceiyed the support of the Senators of
that State, and he hoped that it would receive the
cordial support of this House.
Mr.. MOORE said that the honorable gentleman
from Mississippi (Mr BRowN) was, 10 say the
least, very violent in his denunCiations against the
President for having communicated to this House
his recent message. That gentleman seemed to
forget events and circumstances of but recent oc-
currence. The Governor of Texas had sent a com
munication, but one day previously dated to his
letter, TO our Government, which letter to the Rep
rcscnaves contained threats of military force nd
violence against any power that might prevent her
taking possession OF territory now IN possession OF
the General Government. With these threats be-
fore the country, the President had done his duty
assuming the position he did in his message and
the people Of the country would uphold him in it.
He did not believe that Texas had the least
shadow of a claim to the territory, but would per-
haps be willing TO vote 4 reasonable sum for the
settlement OF the question: not a remuneration
for territory which she did not own, but because he
thought, in annexing that State and taking all her
means of revenue, the Government was in u mea-
sure, at least cquitably, if not legally responsible
for the debts due from Texas at that tune and for
which those revenues were pledged.
The claim OF Texas 10 this territory had always
been disputed and doubted by every State i'll the
Mon, aud that doubt admitted even by Texas her
self, in aCcCding TO the terms of Enumeration which
expressly stipulated that this question of boundary
10 be settled and adjusted by the Federal Gov
eminent And yet with all these facts before her,
and the opinion Of some of the most eminent states
OF the day at that time expressed, that she had
no right to the territory she now claims, she was
Eager get into the Union that she could not wait
be annexed constitutional manner. but
nived at the unconstitutional manner Of her
ton, and by the terms of that annexation gave the
settlement of that question to the General Govern
mcnt, And because the President has said that he
would discharge the duty dcvolved upon him by
the Constitution in case the State of Texas should
carry out her threats of violence, he Is denounced
and abused in the most violent terms, and charged
with drawing the sword upon 4 State OF the Union.
And the gentlemen who make these denunciations
have words U the same kind for Texas when she
threats and bulles, and even meditates treason
against the General Government Oh, no, what
4 ever she does is right. And when the President
ntIinates what he will do If TeSa. should carry out
those thrcats-thcn We hear general burst of in
! dignation, and cry Of State sovereignty viola
| ted-of the civil rights and liberty Of the people
! invaded. lie had no warnings to oter-no threats
to ma ke-but be had this 10 say, that, if, before
this question was peaceaby settled between the
| General Government and the State of Texas, she
! should commit single overt act of hostility, as
| she threatens TO do, against tho General Govern
ment, them far his vote effect IT, from that
moment all peaCeablc negotiations for the settle
\ meut OF the question should cease.
| MI HARALSON commenced his remarks by
| "a wing that the recent act Of the Senate had de-
priycd him Of all hope in settling the questions
! issue. lie would not be understood az giving his
assent to the bill If The Committee Of Thirteen he
rather dissented 10 almost all the proposition. sub
United by them; but hc had hoped that in the pro-
grCss Of legislation il would have assumed such
shape that would have enabled him to give it his
! support. He then proceeded to argue against the
| prohibition Of slavery in the Territories, and in
vindication Of the boundary Of Texas, claimed
by her. In tho event Of the admission of California
the Governor Of Georgia II authorized TO call con-
ventiOn, 20 determine hat that State shall
pursue. One VI bis highcBt duties ~ Georgia,
and he would stand by her in veal or wo. lie
appealed for justice TO the South, and asked not
be driven 10 the wall IL would be madness to force
the southern States % the alternative, and there
should be equitable arrangement before il shall
be too late.
Mr.. PEASLEE offered an amendment, author
king the Secretary Of the Treasury allow to the
State Of New Hampshire interest on the money adj
Nsnccd by her ia $780, in calling out the militia
90 rcPcl invasion and suppress insurrcCt ton, pend.
ing the boundary dispute in that section Of the
country.
Mr. WOODWARD argued in support Of the pro-
lection Of slave property, and against the prohibi-
ton Of in the Territories and he referred 10 the
boundary VI TeKas, insisting on her right to that
which che laiInG.
Mr. CASEY obtained the floor, and on his mo-
ton the committee rose.
Mr. SCHENCK offered a resolution, proposing 10
terminate the debate On the Civil and Diplomatic
Appropriation BAL on Tucsday next, at twelve
Dclyek without taking the question,
The House, at half pas; two O'Clock, adjourned.