The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-09-12

N.
as. 10 cr,,Hd Hs Missouri compromise and 10 pay
I'm millions 10 Tsras bOHdhoideTs.
Delivered ia the House Of representatives August TO- 1850
The House being ia Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union, on Mr.. PEARcE's bill
from the Scnate-
Mr. SACKETT said
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: A bill has been sent to us from
the other end of the Capitol for our consideration
of which the following is the title
"A bill proposing TO Texas the establishment Of her
northern and western boundaries, the REIMBURSEMENT by
said State Of ali territory claimed by her exterior to said
boundaries, aud OF all her claims upon the United States
Sir this is not the true title of such bill 1t
does not state truly its purposes and objects. IL
gives false impression, and is well calculated 10
deceive. Ii indicates its nominal not its real pur
poses. | propose TO give to this bill true title
such a title as we all can underestimate title that
will convey TO the country the genuine character OF
the measure-as shall strip il Of all DISCUSSES, and
present IL in its true colOrs. Sir the title propose
10 substitute for the false and hypocritca one It
now bears is this
"Abll to convert FIFrYsrx THOUSAND SQUARE
o3s rERRtf0Gr ufu SINE TEKRIroRY-o declare the
CutO,c tr boundary Of Texas-tO extend the
NiSsoy rly2Dr2Dse line Wes ,0RT, ~@14e) sDJ @iSjOV
t'NN WYNN ms vArnslun 40 uie racine )ann 10
me people Of the United States millions tor te ben
eft OF slavery.
This title, sir is no fraud upon the provisions Of
the bill; it truly expresses what is really designed to
be accomplished by IL. Ii is true that the bill IN
terms purpors settle the boundary line Of Texas
and it is equally that it does not settle that line
rs II really is. Ii gives line Texas, but makes
no approaches the line of Texas. There isnot an
individual who now hears me that believes the line
oil 50 deg 81 min. designated by this bill Is the line
of that State, or that il is within two hundred and
fifty miles of that line. II is plain that the bill is
not, therefore, as is stated in the tile, bill 10 settle
the boundaries of Texas, but TO make "a line for
her boundaries.
In this point Of view, touching the question of the
payment of ten millions proposed by the bill as well
as other important questions il is manestly oil the
FIRST importance TO ascertain what we get ana What
we give what we acquire from Texas amt what we
grant 10 her For take il for granted there Is no
man in this House regardless OF the interests OF
the people of this country 10 put them under con
tribuon for ten millions, unless Tor just cOnsIdeTd-
ton.
Wen, SIR start with the proposition, and | in
tend to prove it, that the United States do not get
one acre by this bill from Texas, TO which she mas
any claim whatever, but, on the contrary, that we
thereby absolutely CeGe-iO lbs S'"Sr fh,1f-sN
THOUSAND SQUARE MILES or FREE TERRiToRfIIDe-
ing the east half Of New Mexico the lee simple ~
more than MiytV mill acres OF and now otIongInS
10 the Gsucrdl GOrsrRWcHt, tOgetacr sUH al TIC (
claims the nation has 10 about seventy thousand
square miles more between the Nueccs M the Ro
Grande and the State OF IamaGlpas besides.
! shall first cndcayOr to show, that no part Of me
hlty-sX thousand square miles coded by ms Dill
belonged to Texas, was ever IN her possession,
subject 10 her sovereignty or control ms part
a /
on the north by the line Of thirtysiX thirty; on the
east by The hundredth parallel; on the south by
line drawn from point on The Rio Grandc at about
The thirty second parallel north latitude, to the south
erly OF the Colorado at about the hlry-sec-
Ond degree and then to the hundredth parallel OF
Longitude at the southwest bounds of the United
States as formerly held and bounded on the west
by the one hundred and third degree OF longitude,
except a small part of the southwest corner which
runs TO the Rio Chandc
Parts of this country have been settled nearly as
long any portion OF America, longer than any part
of the United States. Ii was part of Mexico up
10 The time it conquered by our arms in lei6.
At oil times prior that period it had been part of
a loyal State of Mexico, called New Mexico. These
facts are well authenticated are 80 universally
known and admitted, they require no authority TO
sustain them. Ii proof was required our own acts
and the acts Of Texas herself abundantly suili-
Cient,
After the conquest of New Mexico, a Provisional
Government was organized by order of the then
Executive over the people of that country by Gen.
kearny, in command Of our cOnquering army. This
Government remained in full force during the war,
and in fact, has continued ever since, maintaining
all the ancient rights and privileges OF the people
there
The northern line Of Texas begins at a point near
the intersection Of the thrtieh degree Of north lat-
tude and hundredth degree of west longitude and
runs from thence northoasterly TO the thirlysecond
degree and thence east to Louisiana. The westerly
boundary is from the northwest point stated on a line
running in a souheastery direction till it strikes the
n
be seen by this that Texas does not touch New
Mexico at any point, unless il may be on the south
east corner. TamauGpas was between them on the |
northwest, and the old possessions of the United |
States come far west AZ any part OF Texas The |
strip of country between the north line of Texas and
the south line of the United States east of the one
hundredh parallel was and still is unorganzed In
dian territory. ! viii cite some authorities on the |
boundaries OF Texas.
lst The treaty with Mexico and the map an |
ncXcd. These make the south line of New Mexico |
the 32d degree; and part of New Mexico is laid |
down on the map as the Santa Fe counry-which |
il but part of New Mexico, and contains its capital
Humboldts map, and his work entitled Hum |
boldts New Spain This Uhe best authority given |
this subecl lays down The line as have stated !
Robnson's map of Missouri Louisiana Terrific
ries &c. This map makes the north line on the |
thirty second parallel.
| could cite numerous more authorities, and nu-
merous speeches of the most distinguished men of |
our country in proof of the substantial correctness |
OF what have stated and correctness of these au-
thortes-such as Mr. Clay Mr.. Benton, Mr.. I'm
dcrwood, Albert Gdllatn, and others. But it is un-
necessary; the facts are too well known to require |
further evidence.
Thus we sec where the southern line Of this coun-
try, so conquered and possessed has been as it |
WERE for ages. About this there never has been |
any dispute, any conflict among the people there
Both portions of the coun'ry north and south of |
this line have been settled for generations governed
by different laws, independent Of each other and for
long time separate and independent States. This |
was the New Mexico we found, we conquered we |
have possessed that still possess that we are |
bound TO project by the express terms of the treaty
with MexicO-the very treaty Texas helped to raty |
and confirm. BY the ninth article of the treaty the
United States agree
"The MeGicans who, ia the territories aforesaid shall |
not preserve the character Of citizens Of the Mexican Re.
public, COulUrmaby with what simulated urrceI.
ing article shall be incorporated into the Union of the
Unite States, and be admitted the proper time (o be
Judged OF by the Congress Of the United States the en-
q - he uitpi
according 10 The principles ol the Constitution; and Ia
the time shall be maintained ami projected IN the
free EMO, Of their liberty and properly and secured
IN the fl exercise OF their religion, without restriction"
| have now shown what the possession of the
country this bill proposes give 10 Texas has been
both before and after the conquest now come to
the question of actual titlc-te aside from any pre-
sumption arising from long and undisputed occu
pancy.
In 1885 the Mexican State of Texas revocd from
Mexico, and after a successful contest declared her
independence OF the mother country. here intro
duce the manifesto of Texas, made when she revolt
ed to show that it was Texas alone that revoei:
Manifesto Of Teras, Nor. 7, 1885
ExTRAcr-" That Texas is no longer morally legally
bound by the compact Of Union.
That they do not ackuuw ledge that the present author.
tiles OF The present nominal Mexican Republic have the
right TO govern within the LIMITS or TEXAS.
Thai they will not carry against the
said authorities whilst their troops are within the LIMITS
oF TEXAS"
Tamaupas was he next adjoining State. 1t did
not revolt. New Mexico was the next, and it did
not revolt.
The existence of Texas an independent Power
was acknowledged by several of the Powers of the
earth, and finally by us. But her boundaries with
Mexico were not only never settled, but Mexico
never acknowledged her, in any way, an indie
pendent STATE Texas therefore, never took any
thing from Mexico by implication or treaty. As
matter Of sovereignty rights, or powers, nothing
ever arose to Texas out of her revolt, except the