The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-11-27
CONGRESSIONAL.
spsEoH OF nan. HOUsrOs,

srsEoH OF nan. HoUsros.
] OF TEXAS.
In reference 10 he Military Occupation Of Santa Fe ana
Il ,agsn asaff e Texas and @e Tea" V0H''s' :" ~
| In THE SENATE, June 30, 1850.
1 The following resolution submitted BY Mr.. CAss on
the 27lh OF June, was under consideration
"Rsoivsd, That the Committee Military Affairs be in
struced 20 inquire into the expedlency o. proh6ng
within the lims OF the United States any civil power o.
authority conferred by act oil Congress, and OF
vding an adequate punishment for such offences"
Mr.. HALE offered the following amendment, viz:
"And that said committee also inquire whether any
time since the O. the a'e war wi, Mexico
errng civil authority upon any officer oi tho army oi the
Uniied States 10 be exercised Without the limits Of ,he
several states oi the Unions and, II So ny whom, and 70
sued sued ~ y ''''''
Mr.. HOUSTON said Mr. President, will not vote fol
the amendment am perfectly willing to concede that
orders given under the aie Executive, while
in state of with Mexico, for the occupation OF the
Territories and, some instances, OF States, by military
forces, and that occasions their people sub
jeced 10 martial law but a the same time shall insist
that The circumstances OF the fully authorized the
oceupon Of this territory AZ tha, time BY the auhori-
ties of1he United States, and that il necessary for
the proper conduct of the against the enemy hold
that this was not the case in time OF profound peace
During the the State authorities not in sit
uaton give the security and protection TO citizens that
they were previously enabled to do, but which the Uni
ted States bound to do. Under these circumstances
considerable portion OF the State OF Texas was occu-
pied by the forces OF the United States and temporarily
placed under military government California smi-
ary organized, and military officer was appointed its
civil governor for temporary purposes but this was not
during time OF peace--it during war presume
that no here will say that the present necessities
of such character TO authorize the exercise OF
military authority within the jurisdiction OF State II,
sir, these acts thus excusabe, if could enter
tain the views with the senator from New York,
Mr. SEwARD] then might content myself with the ex-
preston OF regret that they had occurred But do not
do en andth i M re n
For outrage fragrant committed on the right OF a
State, seek for apology and will fancy no paliaon
aggressons which would lead TO the destruction OF the
rights OF States and of the confederacy itself.
Under tb sc circumstances am bound at to meet
the occasion BY what authority, ask, and under what
sanction Of constitutional law has the Executive Of the
United States authorized subordinate officer within the
limits of sovereign State to convoke the citizens, by
military authority to form constitution within the limits
OF that State and present to this body, al time,
too, OF all others, when such course was most cacu
lated 10 produce unwholesome and unpleasant elects
upon the Union And for what To efectuate plan
which has been projected by the Executive for the carry
ing of measures endeared to him because oil his
claims TO their paternity Sir, this is no apology TO
sovereign State for an outrage committed upon her
rights no paation for offences against the constitution
will II be received such by the American people
know our correctiyes and recourse to Impeachment is
one OF them But when cuprii brought to condgn
punishment by impeachment II is but solemn farce,
and furnishes no eiectnal remedy Then, il subaern
oce were arressa could ne oe punished iol an oenSe
cers No. sir martial law has wisely shielded him, and,
though aragned be cannot be punished if he has the
warrant OF his superior for what he has done II is the
necessary, then, TO ascertain whether this officer
Breve Colonel Munroe) acted under the authority OF his
superior; and ii he has, severe reprobaton should be
visited upon the offender and not only upon the inferior
officer who only executes the commands OF his
superior.
Sir there has been unfortunate prejudice entertained
general IL the field or as Chiel Executive Of ihe nation,
against the citizens Of the State which have The honor
in part TO represent The people OF that State have been
unwarranaby assaied, traduced, and DETAINED by the
Executive OF the nation when general the field
II were fully sustained by nconiesabe authority
would scom TO impuie TO any high functonary OF this
government aught that unworthy OF his station the
high position which he occupies but am fully
tanned in every word say, as will show by reference
to testimony stronger than the mere assertion OF po
cal opponent that will carry conviction 10 the mind OF
every candid man who is disposed 10 canvass or discuss
truth when il is presented TO him.
On the 29h of March, previous 10 the war with Mex
leo, when General Taylor occupied a position on the
banks OF the Rio Grande commander OF the army OF
occupation before blow was struck. what does the
General say reference 10 the Texans, not OF whom,
e that hour had ever been beer placed Hndef ms eo
then ranged under his banner and yet what does be say
OF them In reference 10 the critical position OF the army.
as then Supposed he said Under this state Of things,
again urgently call your attention TO the necessity
OF speedily sending recruits 10 this army The militia
OF Texas remote from the border and so inei-
cen when they arrive that cannot depend upon their
aid" Sir he has assumed The responsibility OF defaning
The character OF men who say the least OF ,hem had
never given the least occasion Tor such mputaon
ths-men who would have rallied 10 his standard in
moment II he had given the least iniimaiion to them
men who would have penlled everything in defence OF
their tetoy-men who in recollection OF former deeds
would have offered up their hearts blood in vindicaion
OF the honor OF the flag OF that Union with which
they had become incorporated and TO which the bright
lusire of their own lone star had been added. Yet he
says the army in position OF peril and he could
not depend upon them When, | ask, had they ever
been inefficient delinquent in time OF penl,
ant in the hour OF danger' Yet here high functonary
of the government, the head of gallant army, whose
heart ought TO have been filled with admiration OF yaor-
ous Deeds and ready award the tribute that is due 10
courage sgmatizes the men OF Texas as
inefficient and unreliable in time OF peril Experience
had never enabled him TO Judge OF them and was this,
then, manifestation OF prejudicel Why, sir, two
hundred and fifty rangers, i he had called them into
been made the Rio Gande and the songs Of peace
would have been heard unnerruptely until day upon
the banks OF that river Five hundred Texan rangers
would have been than enough to accomplish the OBJ
iect Yet instead OF calling them TO his aid according to
his authority under the government, he denonnces them
unreliablei and when at last they were called upon
what did he do! Did he permit them te advance or to
pusue the enemy l-for il the FIRST opportunity they
had OF encounterng them upon equal terms. No. They
were resained, freting like chafed lions, anxious for
the pursuit. while he permitted commands to be led IN
advance by men unacquainted with Mexican warfare
Coones from the interior were permitted TO lead the al
through the dense chapparas and unges OF Mex.
plains. exposed untened beneath southern suns, TO en-
dure disease and DEATH but, fortunately for The sur
vivors the day not distant when they could give
new manifestations OF irresistible yalor, worthy oil the
cause in which they were engaged. Az Monterey II was
Texans who first took the Bishops Palace key TO vic!