Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-06-12
THE TEXAS BOUNDARY.
Remarks by Mr. Clay, Mr.. CaSs and Mr.. Der
rlen, IN Senate, Friday, June 18th, 1850.


Remarks by Mr.. Clay, Mr.. CaSs and Mr. Ber-
raen, IN Senate, Friday, June ill., 1850.
Mr.. CLAY certainly do rise for any purpose of
discussing the title of Texas all the country on this
side OF the Rio Grande but to make few observations
IN reference to what tell from the Senator from Illinois
The Senator from Illinois suggests the propretv of
making the eastern limit Of New Mexico the ridge
which separates the waters of the Mississippi on the
one hand from those OF the Rio Grande on the other
Now, in the Committee Of Thirteen proposed myself
substantially that limit proposed that we should run
the eastern line of New Mexico beginning at Ell Paso
river and thence to the 42d degree of north latitude or
the ancient line between the u States and Mexico That
would have assigned to New Mexico all of what was orr
gnally considered part of New Mexico and left east
of that line and south of it down towards Texas an ex
tent of territory according my recollection of the
map, OF about two-hirds Of what is proposed to he
ceded by Iexas to the United States in the proposition
before the Senate proposed that line in the commit
tee, beginning at Ell Paso which is the ancient limit o
New Mexico and running from Ell Paso to the Red RI
YER and thence to the AID degree, leaving about two
thirds OF the present territory compehended in the pro-
posed cesslon by Texas to the United States The COM
mee upon full consideration thought it best to run
line IN the manner proposed, beginning twenty miles up
the Rio Grande by Ell Paso and the northwest angle
OF the Indian country and it was proposed and recon-
mended to the Senate.
Now, sir, think there is good deal in the suoges-
ton OF charging the Indian territory by making to an
addition from what would be coded by Texas if this
bill pass-if that two-thirds one-half be it more or
less be taken from her. leaving what regarded her
ent limits for ! need not tell gentlemen familiar
with the subject that with respect to the boundaries of
provinces, it was not the habit Of Spain to denmark all
their external lines; they designated generally by
their principal Cities places which constituted their
CENTRE and the outward lines were not demarked BY the
authority Of Spain Mexico. But Ell Paso ACCORDING
to an ancient document have of nearly two hun
ded Years standing we'll by the treaty of Gauda-
lude Hidalgo, was one OF the limits of New Mexico
MY proposition, repeat, was to begin at Ell Paso that
ancient limit Of New Mexico, and runto the head of
/ RDIR Iupr orff tho d J
| ude. But does not the Senator from Illinois perceive
that the proposition made by the committee should be
acceded to by Texas, it will always be in the power of
the government of the United States to take sucb mart
OF New Mexico as peases and assign it to the Indians
there?
Now upon the other suppostion. The propositions
OF the Senator from Alabama are two-frst to con-
firm the title OF Texas from the mouth to the source of
the Mo Grande and to declare it to be part of Texas
Well, it is known that with large number of the mem
bers OF this body it is impossible 10 do that
The next proposition is this considering Texas as
undertaking to remove the Indians and place them
Norh OF the line of the 34h parallel of latitude, sill
within Texas, how can we do that9 By what authority
can we do it
Mr.. CLEMENS. The Senator from Kentucky misun-
derstands the amendment.
Mr.. CLAY. All! thatmay be- have, however, the
printed amendment before me.
Mr. CLEMENS. But it has been modified 1t pro-
poses to remove the Indians to such part of the Terri
tory as the Legislature of Texas may select.
Mr.. CLAY 1t was the printed amendment had be-
fore me It is to be done with the of Texas
Well shall not quarrel with that; but the question is
whether 1t not better to take the line proposed by the
committee, in which will be contained the power of the
United States to take any portion OF it, from the head
waters OF the Arkansas really sir is coun-
try not worth dsputng about only fit for Indians to
hunt upon-take 1t at any time and assign to the In
dams.
But, sir, allow me to express another sentiment and
TO make request. Let us take upon the amend
ment now proposed Let it be adopted or voted down
according as the majority shall determine If it is re-
Jeced 1t will be competent Tor the Senator from Illinois
to make the proposition he has suggested. Voting this
proposition down will not prevent that proposition from
beng made Let us take a vote upon this and its adop
ton or rejection will not prevent from making any
other proposition.
Mr.. CLEMENS. That is precisely what we want.
Mr.. CASs Mr.. President, before | vote wish 10
state my position shall vote against the proposition
In doing So wish it to be understood distinctly that
give no opinion on the validity Of the claim Of Texas
strong considerations are urged in its avor but have
not now that subject before me. There is but one wav
in my opinion in which we .can authortatively adjust
the question by our own act and that is by the full re-
eogn'uon OF the Texas claim This am not prepared
TO do We have not the necessary information for that
purpose. Any other settlement must be attained by mu-
tua arrangement, and think the satisfactory ar
rangement we can make is by the offer OF sum of mo-
ney and by the consequent extingushment of the claim
OF Texas. That is the object of this bill, and shall
vote for it.
Mr.. BERREN, Having formerly expressed the opn-
ion that the boundary Of Texas was limited by the Nue.
ces, desire to have it understood that that opinion
was so expressed anterior the acquisition of terrific
ny from the Mexican Government by the treaty of
Guadalupe. The question what was the rghtful boun.
Diary ofIexas, it stood when Texas, and Mexico
were the parties to the controversy is presented in
very different aspect as between the United States
ana leXas peheVe' from the evidence before me,
and to which have referred former occasion that
the United State received Texas into the Uuion
with the limits which she asserted reserving to this
Of Taxam soey ne pSwer to negotiate question
as emphatically as it the word "Mexico" had been
inserted instead OF" torega Power for l believe that