Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-08-17
Texas aud New Mexico,

Ie11S uuQ new MEXICO,
President Fillmore, on the 9Th inst, trans
nitted to Congress an important message
upon the question of the boundary between
New Mexico and Texas, and the threats of
tho latter to enforce her claims by violence.
; MIR. Fillmore re-aflirms the position of bis
predecessor, in language which leaves no
room to doubt bis meaning or his purpose.
, The message communicates TO the National
Legislature the answer of tho President to
certain intimatioDs and masked monaccs
contained in the lato letter Of the Governor
of Texas, addressed TO his predecessor, on
the subject of the boundary, and the demands
of Texas in connection with it. The Presi-
dent states that beside the general obligation
implied in bis oath of office, to maintain the
authority of the United States, and the pow
crs which the constitution specifically con-
fers upon him for that high purpose, there
are IN existence numerous acts of Congress
furnishing ample means for the discharge Of
all duties that may devolvc upon him in con-
sequence of disturbances aud insurrectiona-
ry movements, wherever they may occur, and
by whomsoeyer they may be caused. And
he plainly informs Mr.. Governor Bell, that II
he presumes to carry out his scarcely yelled
threat of invading New Mexico, which is
occupied and hold as territory of the Uni
ted States, his duty will require him to order
the army to chase him back again, and that
he will do it,
But, he says the difficulty is grave one,
TO be most carefully treated, and he earnest
y calls upon Congress TO settle the maitor
by joint arrangement with Texas, and if
necessary to do so by means of pecuniary
award as indemnity or damages to Texas for
the REIMBURSEMENT of claims she supposcs
herself to possess.
The Secretary of State also writes long
letter to the Governor of Texas, in defence
of the attitude now held and intended to be
maintained by tho United States, processes
the highest respect for the State, and the
most earnest wish to avoid and to remove oil
causes of disagreement with her. MIR. Web
'ster abandons the doctrine of his prodocos-
sor that the most easy and practical mode of
settling this controversy would be by the nd
mission of New Mexico, as State, and the
consequent institution of suit in the STU
preme Court, for tho determination of the
boundary question. Mr.. Webster thinks the
| State of New Mexico cannot be admitted at
all, without the previous settlement of this
dispute, as without that it could not be known
what was admitted as State. All this is
precisely the reverse of the officially recor-
ded opinion of Gen. Taylor and Mr.. Clayton.
The message is very carefully wordcd and
studiously respectful in its terms, butt caus-
cd prodigious iluttering among the South
ern extremists Mr.. Howard, of Texas
when il wasread to the House, declared that
the President had drawn the sword on one
of the sovereign States of the Union and
he took it upon himself to say that he woult
never vote for settlement of the matter il
controversy, with the sword suspended over
! Texas, and while she is denounced as gull
, ty of treason. II was most unfortunate
document. 1t was a misrepresentation an,
7 misstatcment of the whole history of tn
controversy, etc.
}, Mr.. MORSE, of Louisiana, denounced th,
! message as tho most extraordinary produc
!, ton of the age. Since the alien and sedi
r ton laws, he had never seen so complete al
c effort aimed at the annibation of States
!, rights.
y.
4 The Southern members held n caucus Il
d consider what should be done in this crisis
!. At the last account, they had come to no de
u finite conclusion. Meanwhile bill TO settle
; the disputed boundary has passed the Senate
n 30to 20, the Texas Senators voting in its ia
n vor. 1t gives slO,o0O,O00 to Texas on con.
q dition that she relinquishes her claim TO III,
!, larger part ofthe disputed territory. Itgivel
=, Texas northern boundary, on parable
% with the southern boundary of Missouri, ant
an extent of country which reaches some
n eight hundred miles north and south, ant
ie about six hundred miles east and west-suf
4; ficient territory to form an Empire.