Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-06-15


dement's whatever So that you establish this amendment
as proposed by the honorable Senator from Mississippi
34 you include within the limits OF Texas the whole popu
ation south of this DESERT and you cut off none north OF th
DESERT but leave them in direct communication with Santa
Fe; which will think, settle all difficulties between New
Mexico and Texas hope sir, that my honorable friend
from Kentucky with the understanding that were to In
clude all these people in the limits of Texas, will not throw
any obstacles in the way Of the amendment to accomplish that
object The value Cf the strip OF territory can De no object
al all but the inhabitants do not wish to be cut of from Tex
and united New MeIico with which they nau
rally connected which shall oppose, and which presume
the members of the committee will oppose trust that il
we take this boundary the whole question is settled
KNOW sir, that many Of my friends seem to have no IN
considerable difficulty in the way Of taking any portion Of
Texas. have not the difficulties am frank to de-
clare that, under the difficulties which lie in the way Of set
Element OF this question, would be perfectly willing to take
such portion would put end to all strife between Tex
as and New Mexico and restore harmony to that people,
am perfectly satisfied sir that the Senator from Illinois should
present his amendment the amendment limiting the Ter
ory to that range Of mountains that lies parallel with the
Rio Grands Iwoud be satisfied take that if gentlemen
content to limit the territory thus to be cut off
smaller azount repeat that have three objects in viewo
settle the boundary OF Texas prevent collision between
New Mexico and TeIa and thid not separate portion
Of the people, and subject them the great Inconvenience Of
being annexed TO New Mexico, to which they do not properly
belong.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. In listening to this debate amend
has suggested itself me- offering which, apprehend
might reconcile the objects of all the conflicting opinions.
be conceded that this desert, Journey Of
the Dead it is Called ought to be the boundary between
Texas and New Mexico. The Senator from Kentucky thinks
that his line that boundary Others think that it is
eessary to TO the 34h parallel the boundary
Upon further consideration, in doubt whether either Of
these lines does it. have written amendment
which intend to offer at the proper tme which will secure
beyond question: by providing that the northern boundary
OF the State of Texas shall be line drawn due east from the
Rio Grande through the Of this Desert of Death the
Red River Take the Rio rande in the centre of this DESERT
wherever it may be found to be- and due east to
Red river, matter what the latitude may be.
Mr. CLAY regret extremely this obstruction to the
bill on the subject Of few miles less the Rio
Grande repeat again whatI have said before that have
got no uEimatum or sine qua no' but really, do think
after the ul consideration given the subject by the COM
mtee that there ought be disposition acquescs
in the decision to which they The Senator from Ala
bama has correctly stated what occurred before the committee
The first idea Ell Paso very much pressed and anxousy
by The next idea 60 just above Ell Paso
to leave FL Paso to Texas, and begin there Then
there talk of these inhabitants who could get
Santa Fe and could get by going twice the distance, to
Ausiin the seat of of Texas Then proposed
ten miles then twenty and then twenty miles in straight
line proposed, instead of with the meanderng Of the
river. The Senator from Alabama will recolec that the
committee had satisfactory information concerning the
people of this country their disposition to be annexed to
party the other beg to call the attention Of the
Senate the difference between the positions of Texas and
New Mexico. Texas has her Senators upon this floor
entirely disposed in negotiating for their State to get all they
make reproach sgains them for it but the infor
nation which get from the Delegate from that Territory is
very different from that which derive from the Senators
from Texas acting both parties do, information given
hem rather than upon personal knowledge. Now in point
of fact understand that the bulk Of the inhabitants are
twenty miles above Ell Pasp although there may be
two hundred inhabitants scattered along the valley all the
up to the of the Passage Of Deah But
let ask, in fixing the boundaries of Stateso empires
pehaps-isit of any importance wheeler there few
habitans above or below the line Now, we do not hear
from these people, The honorable Senator from Texas states
he doubt believes that they desire to be attached TO
TeYas The Deecate from ew MeYc behnd me
directly the reverse.
Mr.. RUSK. Has be ever been there
Mr.. CLAY. Yes. He has been over the whole road
from Santa Fe E Paso, and has letters his possession
Gently written, representing that the Inhabitants do
to be Joined to Texas How, then, act in this state
Of uncertainty and absence of information But look at the
fact The fact is that the inhabitants proposed be annexed
to Texas not less than HUNDRED miles from their seat
Of government, and really how they get
there How these few inhabitants, whom is SO desirous
TO attach Texas and New Mexico to travel TO their
seat of government which will be twice the distance off
The honorable Senator Texas speaks Of nacces
sibe valley. Well if Santa Fs is inaccessible and difficult
to be got at the same objection applies to Austin Besides
that am told that there fine natural road great COM
ercal highway, Of the finest commercial roads in the
United States and the only difficulty the want of water
and the with merchandise have difficulty in sup
plying themselves with water Besides, wells be sunk
Why have had half dozen ponds made at Ashland, and
have hundreds and thousands Of them in Kentucky and
settlements fill up and population increases there will be no
difficulty in forming depos of water for the accommodation of
travellers these ninety hundred miles Of fine
tura highway, without any obstruction of mountains
very inaccessible h and with the finest grass pastuage
every side. s @
Now, really, do hope that the honorable Senstor from
Texas will not perevee in this desire 60 the line of 34o
other words toleave but two and half degrees As have
already stated much less of pecuniary equivalent
must be offered TO Texas than if the line remains where fixed
by the committee. Thoe may be few inhabitants left out
but according to the present information possess it would
not amount much.
repeat that the ixation of this line between New Mexico
and Texas giving to Texas propose to do, FL Paso
and the bulk of the inhabitants around Ell Paso she ought
be satisfied that the report of the committee should be I'D
hered to.
Mr.. RUSK. do not desire throw the slightest OBJ
saces in the way of the passage of this bill have great
anxiety to get it in such shape that give it my
port So far the State which have the honor TO
sent concerned she will yield than any other State
this Union bring about compromise So lar as her repre-
sentative here concerned who addresses be
sacrifice every hope Of future popularity by that means he
could bring about harmony and settle the dsactng ques
tons which agtae the country in such to do
justice to the rights Of ALL and stop future agitation But
while will 10 this, and while the State of Texas will do il,
has acquired the of blood and by years of
what she will surrender to unjust demands however
backed by opposing numbers. Any controversy with the
people of Santa Fe would be deprecated by the State OF
Texas and by citizen of that State than myself
Any collision with the authorities of the Government OF the
United States, in regard this question, would be depre-
Gated but sir greatly mistake the temper Of the people OF
Texas If they would submit for single moment to terms of
degradation imposed them in disregard Of the principles of
right think make unreasonable request here ask
hat these people may be required pass through where
hey would be liable be scaped by Indians For while this