The southern press., 1850-09-02

regret that conflict and the consequences which
would most probably flow from it more than
myself; but should be consoIed in the con,
temptation of its fearful results by the reflection
that il was not a difficulty of our seeking-that
every effort on our part, save that OF craven sub
mission to lawless outrage and insult had been
employed 10 avert it, and combining in the JUS
tice of our cause, should fearlessly meet it,
trusting and feeling assured that Texas would
stand exonerlted before the world, even should
that conflict shake, 10 the very centre, the most
glorio2s conieceraey upon which the sun has
ever shone- - ~
am not of the number of those who have at
tempted to estimate the value Of the Union /
regard its benefits, when they are administered
in con 'ormity with the spirit and principles of its
Constitution, as unappreciable by those who are
left in their undisturbed enjoyment. But when
the guarantees of that sacred Instrument are set
ut naught, or when force shall be resorted To rs
the Legitimate mode of their Interpretation il will
then cease TO be a Union entitled to our rever-
ence, because It will have ceased to possess the
power Of extending equal and mutual benefits to
all of its members
In view, then, of the unpleasant and extraordi-
nary position in which we are placed, and of the
absolute necessity of immediate and decisive ac-
ton on our part, recommend that your honora-
BILE body authorize the Executive to raise, with
little delay possible, icith poirer 10 supply, at
least two regiments Of mounted volunteers for
the contemplated move to and occupancy of Santa
Fe.
In making this accommodation, am not unmind-
ful of the heavy expenses which it will involve,
and the embarrassing difficulties which will be
presented in raising the necessary funds to meet
them: but rely with great confidence on the
wisdom Of the Legislature in devising some eff
fective means to meet the emergency--recollecting
that Texas, in a much darker and more embar=
rassed period of her pecunlary resources, prepa-
red encounter, and did successfully encounter,
a more appalling conflict. 1891
II may not be improper, In connection with this
subject, to remind your honorable body that there
is now lying idle and unproitably in the Treasury
the sum Of $34,443 90 which has been set apart,
in accordance with provision of the constitu-
ton, as a school fund. Ii is true that this fund
cannot be appropriated to any other object than
that for which it was originally designed. But
may not its present shape be changed by convert
ing it into one OF different and more profitable
character for the ultimate attainment Of the ends
contemplated, without violating any constitutional
provision.
In my general message to you in December
last, suggested the plan of converting it by loan
or otherwise into some profitable stock bearing
interest," until it shall be sufficient to authorize
its useful employment in the way designed; being
then convinced, as | am now, " that it would be
totally lost if distributed amongst the various
counties, whilst the amount was too inconsldera-
BILE to effect any beneficial purpose" II is true
that, at that time, was, from the imperfect re-
Election had been able to give to the subject, Of
the opinion that such conversion not
thorzed from the terms Of the constitution, but
upon further considerations and more critical
examination of the phraseology employed, am
led to doubt somewhat the entire correctness of
the view then entertained. The expressions that
"no law shall ever be made dverting said fund to
l. 81. tNH
schools" would probably be construed to mean
that the value, the essential property Of the fund,
shall never be applied to any other purpose, and
not that the evidences of that value shall not be
changed or converted-into other evidences, equally
available and more beneficial to the objects in
tended to be promoted by it, | submit the sub
iect, however, for your consideration, remarkng
that should be amongst the last to weaken the
guards which were manifestly intended to be
placed around the fund alluded to- and if it could
be now pro6tably employed, would not make
the suggestion which have done, though the OBJ
ject to which it is desired to apply il is second in
Importance to none other. If you shall concur
with me that the change proposed is admissible,
i suggest that you make provision for issuing
stock by the State, bearing interest at eight per
cent, to the extent Of that fund, payable at any
time hereafter when in the judgment of the legs-
lature it may be desirable to call it in, and that
ample security be provided for its redemption
in a pledge Of the public domain, and MS much Of
the proceeds arising from the sale Of any portion
Of it as may be necessary, Strengthening these
pledges with any further securities that you may
deem proper,
The money, now lying idle and proftless in the
Treasury, might thus be made auxiliary to the
other Of the State in preparing and fitting
out military expedition, and at the same time
the fund would be increased by its employment in
this most worthy manner. MslrG l5t.Ets
The State has at this time about six hundred
stand of arms which could be used il actually ne
cessary to supply any unavoidable deficiency, but
it should be required in my judgment that, any
troops mustered for the service indicated, should
be required to mount, arm and equip themselves,
and it is believed that our citizens are patriotic
enough to enrol themselves under the banner of
their State upon an occasion like the present,
without expecting any advance of pay for their
services; butI would recommend that the Legisla-
ture make as ample provision as the resources to
be derived from our public lands will permit, to
secure them Just and liberal compensation cover
ing their pay proper, and likewise satisfactory
reimbursement for all actual unavoidable losses
which they may incur while IN the service of the
State. & Hl& e&r ~ '3
A statement Of the present and prospective
condition and resources of the Treasury, together
with estimates of the probable amount which will
be required for munitions and war, provisions
and transportation, will be laid before you for
such action as will be proper on your part,
marked d. as.- y. .asa ltt
While addressing you on the subject of our
difficulties at Santa Fe, and suggesting as have
done, the only course which to my mind is capa-
BILE Of affording remedy,it would be improper
for me not to call your attention to certain mea-
sures now pending before the Congress Of the
United States, and in which amongst other things,
it is proposed to establish government for New
Mexico, with boundary extending south to the
32d parallel Of north latitude and east to the one
hundredth parallel of west longitude, striking off
thereby, unceremoniousy, nearly one-third of the
territory embraced within the heretofore acknowl-
edged and recognized limits of this State. This
plan is accompanied with proposition to Texas
to give her dollars for REIMBURSEMENT
of her claim, or in palmer language, to give her
dollars, provided she will quietly stand
aloof, and permit a party in Congress, known to
be adverse to certain institutions of the South,
and seeking every opportunity to assai them, to
partition her territory in manner consonant with
their views, to afford them another means of car
rying out their favorite policy on that subject.
However willing Texas may have been, and
may still be to dispose of portion of her north
western territory, upon fair, equitable and honora
BILE terms, cannot believe that any party respect-