The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-09

Paso and running thence up that river twenty
miles, measured thereon by straight line, and
thence eastwardy To point where the hundredth
degree Of west longitude crosses Red river; being
the southwest angle in the line designated between
the United States and Mexico, and the same angle
IN the line of the territory set apart for the Indians
| II this boundary be assented 10 by Texas she will
be quieted 10 that extent in her title And some
may suppose that in consideration of this conces-
sion by the United States, she might, without any
other equivalent, relinqush any claim she has be-
yond the proposed boundary; that is, any claim
to any part of New Mexico But, under the in
huence Of sentiment of justice and great lib
crafty, the bill proposes to Texas, for her ren-
quishment OF any such claim, large pecunary
equivalent. AS consideration for it, and consid-
| ering that portion Of the debt of Texas
ated on pledge to her creditors of the duties on
foreign imports, transferred by the resolution of
annexation to the United States, and now received
and receivable in their treasury, majority Of the
committee recommend the payment of the sum of
| --- millions OF dollars TO Texas To be applied in
the first instance to the extinction of that portion
Other debt for the reimbursement Of which the du
ties on foreign imports were pledged aforesaid;
| and the residue in such manner she may direct.
The said sum is to be paid by the United States in
stock, to be created bearing five per cent. inter
est annually, payable half yearly at the treasury Of
the United States and the principal reinbursabe at
| the end OF fourteen years.
| According to an estimate which has been made
there arc included in the territory to which il is
| proposed that Texas shall renquish her claim EN-
bracing that part OF New Mexico lying east Of the
Rio Grandc, little less than l24, 1888 square miles,
and about 10 1857 ,l20 of land From the pro-
ceeds of the sale of this land the United States may
| ultimately be reimbursed a portion, if not the
| whole of the amount of what is thus proposed to
| be advanced to Texas.
1t cannot be anticipated that Texas will decline
to accedc to these liberal propositions; but if she
should it is TO be distinctly understood that the title
| Mexico east of the Rio Grande will remain uniln-
paired and in the condition if the proposals
of adjustment now offered had never been made.
majority of the committee recommend to the
Senate that the section containing these proposals
| to Texas shall be incorporated into the bill en-
bracing the admission of California as a State, and
the establishment of territorial governments for
Utah and New Mexico. The definition and estab-
lishment OF the boundary between New Mexico
and Texas has an intimate and necessary
nexion with the establishment of territorial gov
eminent for New Mexico To form territorial
government for New Mexico, without prescribing
the limits of the Territory, would leave the work
imperfect and incomplete, and might expose New
Mexico to serious controversy, if not dangerous
collisions, with the State of Texas. And most, if
not all, the considerations which unite in favor Of
combining the bill for the admission of California
as State and the territorial bills apply to the
boundary question of Texas. By the union of the
three measures, every question of difficulty and
division which has arisen out of the territorial
QUESTIONS from Mexico will, it is hoped be adjust
ed, or placed in train of satisfactory adjustment
The committee, availing themselves of the arduous
|
ries, report bill, herewith annexed, (mar1ed Al
| embracing those three measures the passage of
which, uniting them together, they recommend to
the Senate.
ration Of and to report upon the subject of persons
owing service or labor in State escaping into
another. The text of the Constitution is quite
clear 4" No person held to labor or service in one
State, under the iacs thereof, escaping into another
shall, In consequence of any law regulation
therein, be discharged from such service labor,
but shall be depersd up the claim of the party to
whom such service or labor may be DUE" Nothing
can be more explicit than this language
more manifest than the right to demand, and the
obligation to deliver up to the claimant, any such
fugitive. And the Constitution addresses itself
alike to the States composing the Union and to the
General Government. II, indeed, there were any
difference In the duty to enforce this portion Of the
Constitution between the States and the Federal
Government, ii is more clear that it is that of the
former than of the latter But it is the duty of both
II il now well known and that citizens
in slaveholding States encounter the greatest diff
Guilty in obtaining the benefit of this provision
OF the Constitution. The attempt TO recapture
fugitive is almost always a subject of great
Irritation and excitement, and often leads to most
unpleasant, if not perilous collisions An owner Of
slave quite notorious, cannot pursue his prop
erty for the purpose of its recovery in some of the
States, without imminent personal hazard. This
is deporable state of things, which ought TO be
remedied. The law of 1893 has been found wholly
Intellectual, and requires more stringent enact
number of public functionaries authorized 10 afford
aid in the seizure and arrest of fugitives Various
States have declined to afford aid and cooperation
In the surrender Of fugitves from labor the COM
mittee believe, from misconception Of their duty
arising under the Constitution Of the United States.
IL true that decision of the Supreme Court of the
United States has given countenance to them in
Withholding their assistance. But the committee
cannot but believe that the intention of the Supreme
Court has been misunderstood. They cannot but
think that that court merely meant that laws of the
of the recovery of fugitves not authorized by
the Constitution, and not that State laws afordng
facilities in the recovery Of fugtiyes forbidden
by that instrument
The non slaveholdins States, whatever sympa-
thies any Of their citizens may feel for persons who
escape from other States cannot discharge them
selves from obligation to enforce the Constitu-
ton of the United States. All parts of the instru-
ment being dependent upon, and connected with,
each other, ought 10 be fairly and justly enforced.
II some States may seek TO exonerate themselves
from one portion Of the Constitution, other States
may endeayor to evade the performance of other
portions Of it, and thus the instrument, in some Of
It's most important provisions, might become mop
erative and invalid.
But, whatever may be the conduct Of individual
States the duty Of the General Government is per-
iectly clear That duty Is, TO amend the existing
law, and 10 provide an ef1ectual remedy for the
covery Of fugitves from service or labor In devils
ing such remedy, Congress ought, whilst on one
hand securing 10 the the fair restoration Of
his property, effcctually TO guard, on the other,
against any abuses in the application Of that
remedy.
In all cases of the arrest, within State, Of per
charged with offences; in all Of the pur-
suit Of fugitives from justice from State 10
Their State; in all Of oxtradition provided for
by treaties between foreign powers-the proceeding
uniformly is summary. II has never been thought
necessary 10 apply, in cases Of that kind, the forms
and ceremonies Of final trial. And when that trial
does take place, Il Is in the State country from
which the party has fed, and not in that in which
he has found refuge. BY the express language Of
the Constitution, whether the fugitive is held TO
vice labor not, is 10 be determined By the latcs
Of the State from tohfch he fed and, consequently,
IL is most proper that the tribunals of that State
should eSpound and administer It's own laws. II
there have been any instances Of abuse In the
neous arrest Of fugitiyes from service or labor the
committee have not obtained knowledge Of them.
They believe that such have occurred and that
such are not likely to occur
But in order to guard against the possibility Of
their occurrence the committee have prepared,
and herewith report, (marked y, section, TO be
Z offered 10 the fugitive bill pending before
the Senate. According TO this section, the owner
| ri fu0iiye labo n uvhc