Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-09-05
Speech by the Hon. Thaddeus
Sfeven9.


The Hon. Thaddeus Stevens made very
powerful speech in the House of Representa-
tives few days since, in relation to the Texan
question. 1t occupies four columns in the Wash
ington Globe. We give the following conclud-
ing passages, which will be read with interest,
BY all who read the extracts in our last:
Well. sir. the rightful limits of Texas are
now precisely what they were when she was ad-
milied into The Union as State. States can
make no conquests; for by the constitution they
can make no wars. All cnnquesfs made by the
army or militia are made for the United States
What were her true limirs-her actual possess
sions when the United States admitted her and
assumed the war? She held the country be-
tween Louisiana and the river Nueces. Beyond
that river she did not hold a rod Of ground. Cor
pus Christi, at its mouth was her farthest militia
ry post
Between the Nueces and the Rio Grande,
from its mouth to its source, was Inhabited by
Mexicans, acknowledging allegiance to that
government, AID governed by her laws and CIV
il magistrates. On the east side of the Rio
Grande, between it and Texas, lie parts of the
ancient Mexican departments of Tamlulipas,
Cohahulia, Chihuahua, and New Mexico. The
United States sent her troops and her officers,
and conquered all Of them from Mexico. Gen.
eral Taylor conquered the two first, Colonel
Doniphan chihuahua, and General Kearney
New Mexico. Texas had no army there. She
could have none there, for che was State of
the Union. But il is said that the United States
conquered it for Texas. Why not for Kentucky
or Mississippi? Their troops aided in the bat
Ties. The money of the whole Union paid the
expenses of the war; and the fifteen millions to
Mexico The conquest was made by the nation,
and for the nation.
The Territory below New Mexico thus con-
quered, lies between the Rio Grande and the
Nueces, and between the Gulf of Mexico and
the lower line OF New Mexico, being about one
hundred miles wide by six hundred long, con-
tanning more than sixty thousand square mile s
Independent of New MEXICO. Being but thinly
inhabited, the United States has tacitly permit
ted Texas to extend her jurisdiction o5er it,
Every foot Of this ground belongs to the United
States But We have quietly surrendered it to
Texas and slavery. New Mexico we never did
serrender, but have held exclusive possession of
it since It's conquest. True, Texas, in 1886,
passed an act claiming it. But from that lime
until the UnTed States conquered j., about
twelve years, she does not pretend she ever
took possession. Paper er parte declarations give
no rights, or we should own to the North Pole.
Gen. Smylhe conquered Canada by proclama-
ton. Why do we not enforce the title at the
point of the bayonef, or extort an indemnity"
Dislurneii's map, affixed to the treaty 0. Hldal-
90, Is relied on as tending TO fix the limits OF
Texas. This is an entire mistake. That trea-
~ DO IS not profess 10 fix the boundary of Texas.
The map Is referred 10 to designate the line then
agreed on between Mexico and the United
States, and for that purpose alone. 1t describes
no line except up the Rio Grande to the lower
limits Of New Mexico, and thence along the lit
eal line of New Mexico Hsst of thai rlver to-
wards The paclt nc ocean. That ives the line
Hol between Texas and Mexico, but between the
United States and Mexico, showing clearly that
he land on one size Of the line belonged to the
United States government, and on the other TO
Mexico. All sound men who have examined il.
pronounce the Claim OF Texas absurd. Mr..
{ ay, concurfing with the late President. Gen.
Taylor, Messrs. Webster, Benton, hshmun and
o'hers, wholly repudate 1t. let we are asked
TO add fifty thousand square miles of our terrific
ry, nov free, TO Texas, and surrender il to slave
" and give ten mIluns to pay her for asking it.
Sir. If Texas were 10 give US ten mlliiuns,
would not sell II to her for such an ahhurred
purpose. The bill on your table is compli-
ance with such demand; to which | rejoice that
the Presidents message gives no sanction. and
imposes 10 such crushing responsibility on his
friends. | Know the pressure there is upon u.s.
know tat Texas stock, by millions, is held BY
mercenary speculators, who surround this hall
and press this measure. If successful, it will
enrich Them out Of plundered treasury. do
not pretend to insinuale who are interested IN
this gigantic swindle. Parliamentary law ex.
ciudes the idea that they are in Congress or in
Office. SIR, shall regard none of this pressure.
would do fall justice to Texas. would not
take foot OF land which belongs to her. Nor
would give her any to train he! slaves ufon.-
AID above all, should despise myself if |
should pay her money to purchase peace. Pass
this bull, and iastead of bringing repose, it will
De the cause of constant agitation and sedition.
IL will become the fruitful mother of future re-
belon, dlsunion, and civil war, and the final ruin
OF the republic. Do your duty irmIy-show
that you are hi 10 be government, and this I'm
ION will be perpetual"