Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-08-16

The Texas BOunORry-The PrcSAdeRt'g MesSages
On the fourth page of this weeks Journal, our
readers will find President F1LLMoREs message rela
tive to the Texas difficulty. 1t is accompanied by the
letter Of Gov BELL, of Texas dated June 14th 1850
in which the Governor states the fact that the mill
ary officers stationed at Santa Fe had nterposed to
prevent the extension of the jurisdiction of Texas
the people of that portion of what is called New
Mexico, which Texas claims rightfully belonging
to her The Governor requests to be informed wheth-
er Col MUNRoE, in issuing his proclamation for the
organization of separate government, acted under
the orders of his government and whether his procla-
nation meets with the approval of the President of the
United States 1t would be impossible to give
analysis of this message without going into consdera-
BILE length. We may state in few words the position
which the President seems to assume in the matter
He takes it for granted that the United States Gov
eminent acquired the title to all the territory which
the arms of the United States reduced into possession
and that this title is good not only against Me1-
CO, but also against Texas. We cannot see
why State being unable to maintain her pos
session against foreign enemy, should lose her title
right to that possession by being forced to call in
the assistance of the General Government If ever
the right to the so-caled territory of New Mexico
East of the Rio Grande, was vested in Texas no
without her own consent The original right of Tex
as is disputed matter which only the Congress of
the United States and the Legislature of Texas
settle. Any interference by the military power of
the United States, is arbitrary and unconstitutional
careful reading of the message will show that Mr.
FILLMORE assumes the ground taken by the whig
party during the war; namely, that Texas only ex-
tended to the Nueees, and that any territory held by
the United States west of that river has been acqu
red by the treaty of Gaudaiope Hdalgo and belongs
to the United States and not to the sovereign State
of Texas. This doctrine, if carried out would in.
clude that portion between the Nueces and the Rio
Grande down to the Gulf We need not say that
such position as this would now be secuted by
three-fourths of the people of both parties.
After than one careful reading of the letter
y of Mr.. WEBSTER in answer to Gov. BELL, to which
reference is made in the message must admit thai
have been unable to understand the drift of it.
1t is plain, however, after good deal of circumocu
ton, that Mr.. WEBSTER is to be understood say
ing that COL MUNRoE's proclamation does meet the
IS approval of the President of the United States Mr.
l. WEBsrER's letter takes the same position as Mr.
FLLMoREs message in relation to the title to the ter
riory in dispute. He dates that title from the mill
r tary possession of Gen. KEARNEY in August, 1916
whereas is claimed by Texas that the title
her before the treaty of annexation, and that thu
military possession of the United States was only
i enforcement and confirmation of title already &C
e quired by the treaty of annexation. The probable
passage of Mr. PEARcEs bill deprives the views of
President upon this of some of the imporanc
- which would otherwise attach to Them but does
make them any acceptable to the people of tn
South or of Texas.