Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-08-17

cations may arise in the future progress Of
things and may devolve on me duty to be
performed
hope shall not be regarded as stepping
aside from the line of duty, Notwithstanding
that am aware that the subject is before
both Houses, ii express my deep and earnest
conviction of :he Importance of an immediate
tdecision or arrangement or settlement of the
qucstion Of the boundary between Texas and
and the territory Of New Mexico All consid-
ierations If justice, general expedency and do
mestic tranquility, call for this It seems to
be in its character aud BY position the first or
one cf the first Of the questions growing out Of
and now requiring decision.
No government can be established for New
Mexico, either state or territory, until it shall
be first ascertaincd what New Mexico is, and
what are her limits and boundaries. These
cannot be fixed or known till the line of divis-
ion between her aud Texas shall be ascertain
ed and established, and numerous and weigh
ty reasons conspire. in my judgement, TO show
| that this division line should be established
/ by congress with the assent of the govern
ment of Texas in The first place. This seems
by far the most prompt mode of proceeding
by which the end can be accomplished. II
Judicial proceedings are resorted to, such pro-
ceedings would necessarily be slow, and years
would pass by, in all probability, before the
controversy could be ended.
So great delay in this case is to be avoid
cd if possible Such delay would be every
way inconvenient and might be the occasion
Of disturbances and collisions For the same
reasons, | would, with the utmost Difference
to the wisdom of Congress, express doubt
us to the expediency of the appointment OF
| Commissioners and Of an examination, estl-
mate and award nf indemnity to be made by
1 them; this would be but species of arbltra-
ton which might last as long as a suit of law.
So far as am able to comprehend.theg general
facts are now all known, and congress is able
TO decide on it justly and properly now as it
probably would be after the report of the COM
| missioners.
/ Ifthe claim or title on the part of Texas
| appears to congress to be well founded in whole
seT in part, it is in the competency of congress
to offer her an Indemnify for surrender Of
that claim in case ike this, surrounded as it
| is by many cogent considerations, all calling
for amicable adjustment and immediate settle
ment The government of the United States
would be justified, in my opinion, in allowing
an indemnity to Texas, not unreasonable and
extravagant, but fair, liberal, and awarded in
Just spirit of accommodation. think no
event would be hailed with more qualification
| by the people of the United States than the
amicable adjustment of the questions of diff
Guilty which hare now for so long time agi-
tated the country, and occupied-to the ex-
clusion of other subjects-the time and atten-
ton of congress.
Having thus freely communicated the result
of my own reflections on the most advisable
mode Of adjusting she boundary question, l
shall nevertheless cheerfully acquiesce in any
other mode which the wisdom of congress may
devise; and in conclusion repeat my conviction,
that every consideration of the public interests
manifests the necessity Of provision by con-
gress for settlement of this boundary ques-
ton before the present session be brought to
close.
The settlement of other questions connected
with the same subject, within the same period,
is greatly to be desired, but the adjustment of
this appears to me to be in the highest degree
important In the train of such an adjustment
we may well hope, by their good feelings,
there will follow return of harmony and good
will, an increased attachment to the Union,
and the general satisfaction of this country
MILLARD FILLMORE.
Washington, Auguste, 1850
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