The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-22
CONG RES SION "A L.
IN SENATE, sAruRpAY, July 90, 1850.


IN SENATE, SATURDAY, July 40, 1850.
On motion of Mr. CAss, the Senate took up
for consideration the following resolution, sub
mitted by him:
aResolued, That the committee on Military
Affairs be instructed to- enquire into the expedi-
ency of prohibiting, by law, any officer of the
army from assuming or exercising, within the
limits of the United States, any civil power or
authority not conferred by an act of Congress
and of providing adequate punishment for such
offence"
Mr.. PEARCE said he regretted the necessity
which compelled him to say anything on this
resolution When this resolution was up be-
fore, the Senator from Texas (Mr. HoUsroS)
had made charges against the late President OF
the United States, of grave and serious char
acter. He hoped the Senator from Texas would
not take offence at what he should have occasion
to say, as he was not Influenced by any personal
motive, but by desire to put on the page OF
Congressional history the vindcation of the
President. He quoted four official documents
TO show that the President had been greatly
slandered in this matter He thought the Presi-
dent had done full justice to the valor and gal
lantry of the Texian troops.
He would not 60 into the discussion Of the
title of Texas to the territory east of the Rio
Grande. 1t was true she had placed on her
statute book claim to all the territory east of
the Rio Grande, from its mouth to its source.
But he considered that statute of no more avail
than one which the Congress of Texas passed
declaring her territory to extend from the Sa-
bine to the Pacific ocean, but which was how
ever vetoed by the Senator, then President OF
Texas, with his usual good sense. But Texas
never had actual possession of any part OF New
Mexico, proper, nor never attempted to exercise
jurisdiction there.
The other Senator from Texas (Alr. RUsK)
had asserted that President Polk had committed
this government in favor of the title Of Texas.
This he, (Mr. PEARcE) denied, for other acts OF
his administration showed that he did not re-
coonize the title of Texas. Mr.. Polk had said
expressly that Congress and the Legislature OF
Texas were the proper tribunals to settle the
questions.
1t seemed that Texas was going to resist the
United States authorities at Santa Fe, by send
ing an armed force thither to expel the United
States troops. He thought it very impolitic in
Texas, at this time to try to settle this question
by the sword He thought Texas had received
too many favors from this country, to attempt
/
to settle this question by force.
Mr. RUSK rose to say, as it was becoming a
question who first drew the sword, that Texas
was annexed to this Union with the boundaries
claimed by her. All the negotiations with
Mexico showed this. He hoped that Texas
would be spared the necessity of drawing the
sword He had used every effort to adjust the
matter. But if it was not adjusted this ter
ritory was to be held adverse to Texas, she
would resist, and if that were treason, she
would incur it. And he would take his part in
the odium.
The further consideration of the resolution
was postponed till Monday
On motion of Mr.. CLAY, the Senate proceed
ed to the consideration of executive business
on the Cabinet nominations, and after some time
spent therein, the doors were re-opened and the
Senate adjourned.