The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-06
CONGRESSIONAL.
Inv SENATE.
MONDAY, August 5, 1855

iS'oi"'ioi suDhhtteu soulc tunt Since ny MI.
CAss, inquiring into the expediency of providing
against the exercise of civil authority BY military
officers of the United States, except under act
Of Congress-
MIR. DAVIS, of Mississippi, suggested that the
resolution required modification. While he was
DESTROYS that some remedy should be provided
which would prevent military officers from ex-
ercising the civil authority confded to them so
as to deprive citizens of the United States of
their rights it could not be denied that the exer-
else of civil authority by military officers was
frequently necessary and proper.
Mr.. ID. replied with much eloquence and
warmth to the remarks made few days since
by Mr.. HoUsToN, in which the latter charged
General Taylor with being actuated by spirit
of jealousy towards Texas, whether in the Ex-
ecutive chair or the camp
Mr.. PEARCE introduced the following bill,
of which he gave notice on Friday last, to settle
the eastern and northern boundary of Texas,
which was read first and second time:
A bill proposing to the State Of Texas the estah-
lishmenr Of her northern and western bounda-
ries, the REIMBURSEMENT by said State Of all ter
ritory claimed by her exterior to said bounda-
ries, and Of all her claim upon the United
States. aQ
Be 1t enacted, &c., That the following PROPOSE
tons shall be, and the same hereby are offered to
the State Of Texas, which, when agreed to by the
said State in act passed by the general assembly
shall be binding and obligatory upon the United
States and upon the said State of Texas Provided
That said agreement by the said general assembly
shall be given on or before the 18th day Of De-
cember, 1850.
First The State of Texas will agree that her
boundary on the north shall commence at the point
at which the meridian Of 100 degrees west from
Greenwich; thence her boundary shall run due
South to the 32d degree of north latitude; thence
on the said parallel Of 80 degrees Of north lati-
tude to the Rio Bravo del Norte; and thence with
the channel Of said river to the Gulf Of Mexico.
Second The State of Texas cedes to the United
States all her territory exterior to her limits and
boundaries, which she agrees to establish by the
first article Of his agreement.
Third The State of Texas reinquishes all claim
upon the United States for liability of the debts Of
Texas, and for compensation or indemnity for the
surrender to the United States of his Ships forts,
arsenals, custom houses, custom house revenue,
arms and munitions of war, and public buildings,
with their sites, which became the property of
the United States at the time of the annexation.
Fourth. The United States, in consideration Of
said reduction of boundaries cesson of territory,
and REIMBURSEMENT ofcaims, will pay to the State
of Texas the sum of fifteen millions Of dollars in
stock bearing five per cent. interest, and redeem
ably the end Of fourteen years. the interest pay
able half-yearly at the treasury of the United
States
Fifth Immediately after the President Of the
United States shall have been furnished with an
authentic copy Of the act Of the general assembly
of Texas, accepting these propositions, he shall
cause the stock to be issued in favor of the State
Of Texas, as provided for in the fifth article of this
agreement.
Provided, also, That FIVE millions of said stock
shall not be issued until the creditors of the said
State, holding bonds of Texas, for which duties
on imports were specially pledged shall first file
at the treasury Of the United States releases Of
claims against the United States for or on account
of said bonds
Mr.. PEARCE then in brief and forcible
manner gave his reasons for introducing the
bill and on his motion it was ordered to be
printed, and postponed till tomorrow.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of the bill for the admission of California; and
the question being taken upon the en2rossment
of the bill,
Mr. MASON suggested the propriety, on ac-
count of the absence of his colleague, who lie
knew was anxious to be present on the final
vote, If postponing all action upon the subject
until tomorrow.
Mr.. DOUGLAS was about moving post
ponement, when
Mr. FOOTE, rose and asked the privilege Of
making few remarks. He did not wish to talk
any more upon this subject, and was ready now
to vote; but before doing so he wished to make
statement of facts which he was ready to pub
lish under his own signature, to show that the
boundary Of California might have been limited
to 35 deg. 80 min, if Southern Senators had
expressed their willingness to vote for the Com
promise upon the adoption of the amendment it
limits the boundary. He then went on to state,
that he visited several Southern Senators,
to induce them to say they would give their
votes for the Compromise in case the amend
ment respecting the boundary was passed and
though assured positively, that the gain of four
Southern votes to the Compromise would en-
sure the adoption of the amendment, they mani
tested no intention to vote for it.
Mr.. SOULE replied, that he had informed the
Senator from Mississippi when called upon by
him, that he could not vote for the bill, if the
Senators and Representatives from California.
after the admission of that State were to be al
lowed to take their seats in Congress, before the
change in the boundary was consented to by
the people of California; for it would then be
optional with them to accept of the proposed
change or not. And once in the Union as a
State, it would be impossible to get her out.
Mr.. MASON concurred in the reply of the
senator from Louisiana.
Several of the senators here expressed a
desire that the bill be postponed till tomorrow.
Mr., HAMLIN said that he believed the SEN
ate was then prepared to act, and that the
absence of several opponents of the bill was no
reason for postponing, as Eln equal number of
its friends were away. If there was no amend