The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-11


into this Union without regard TO the manner in which
they may determine that question Now whether this
boundary begins al III Paso, twenty miles above IT.
desire 10 guard the provision which is contained In The
resolution OF annexation, that by the transfer OF this prop
erty between III Paso and the limit OF SO deg 80 mn
Of north atitnde the stipulation contained IN The resolp-
lion OF annexation this particular subject shall not be
inerered with. II this provision should be acceptable
10 the Senate should be very glad to see one obstacle
Mr.. BUTLER. MIR. President, do not wish 10 stand
upon the record in conflict with myself. regard the
question as being very different one now from that
which was presented here q former occasion before
we qured whatever rights have been acquired by
and by treaty As understand IL, Texas proper was
State and she acquired her Independence and sovereign
ty by revolution coextensive with her Slate boundaries
She assumed however to have done and certainly
had gone beyond her original limits by conquest 10
some her right Of conquest had been asEnow,
Now the part OF the country which she claimed by this
title lay Beyond the Nueces and TO that portion the gov
eminent Of the United States acknowledged that the title
by conquest good for il was in consequence OF the
refusal Of Mexico TO admit Us validity that she went 10
war with Mexico The title was good BY conquest,
territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande. be.
cause il was made good, so far as the United States is
concerned, by her admission That embraced part
OF the States of Coahua and Tamaupas be,
eve that the country lying directly between the Nueces
and the Rio Grande does not embrace any part Of New
But Texas also assumed that she had acquired by the
treaty with Santa Anna. not only the country between
the Nueces and the Rio Gande but also The whole
and treaty her limits extended TO AZ deg 40 deg north
latitude including the territory which is now said to be-
long to New Mexico
Well sir If we had not gone 10 war; and il there had
been negotiations between the United States and Mex
leo, the matter stood the former occasion, when
this matter was discussed, am not prepared to say
that her title good that extent; but in my
opinion the subsequent action OF the United States has
made i good, II j was not so before For what did the
United States do! They assumed that the rights Of Texas
such she herself up and think that hav-
ing done that we cannot turn round now and say that
ner e M a " se ns eoy LOT
OF Mexico has been terminated and the question is,
who shall have the disputed territory lying on the east Of
the Rio Grande! Texas never claimed beyond that
river she claimed il, and had color Of title that far
II an assertion Of this claim that the United States
assumed her attitude. She went into the claiming
for Texas. Can she now claim against herr Can she
deny the title under which entered do not think
il matter OF compromise a, all cannot put my hand
upon IL and portion out This much OF that much for conye
nience compromise must regard her title good to
the extent OF her claim II potentially good when
we nterposed to make COOL and te that extent have
made it good by the war. The sword has decided this
matter, and cannot therefore entertain any doubt
upon the subject So far regards boundary, grant
that Texas might, with the Of the United States
grant commissioners to lay il out; but have right
take it for having taken upon ourselves voluntarily its
defence. Il was not the tile OF revolution; but, beyond
that they always claimed 10 have acquired title by
quest The extent Of that conquest asceriained
BY actual possession, but was TO be determined by the
sword and when we take the sword out Of her hand
Mr. FOOTE I have no idea, Mr.. President, of ad-
dressing the Senate at any length this very delicate
question: which has been advcfted to in terms of great
heartily concur. In reference to this question: know
that have been grossly misunderstood, and not little
illuminated. My colleague has said that he is unwilling
to give up single Of the territory OF Texas to the
dominion OF free sosm and am |. If the principle
OF free soil to be carried 10 the territory thus ceded no
man will be found more opposed to II than myself But
sir shall believe that the cession OF portion OF
the territory OF Texas to the United States for the pu
pose of establishing therein territorial government
fha Dlaetp
the Wmo Proviso after has been sgnally defeated
here that il will have the elect of converting territory
which is not free soil into free soil that it will have
the least effect in relation the law Of that region in
gard to slavery.
But, sir notwithstanding this belief about to offer
amendment, to "nake assurance doubly sure"
Weeks ago announced my determination to do this, and
| shall take opportunity of doing it Some time
ago consulted with various distinguished gentlemen from
the Northfrom the free Staesin regard TO this very
point and did not consult with who did not express
Willingness to adopt such provision. Now, intend
vote Tor the amendment OF the honorable senator from
Alabama but entered into the business in which
now engaged in spirit of Cancellation and of compro
mise. That spirit shall cultivate throughout this con-
mne with the view OF harmonizng with those who rep
resent the southern States OF the confedeacy will 60
far any man in this body in sacrificing my opin-
ons--I will go just so far my conscience will allow
co. and not hazard the main features OF the bill
After voting on the amendment which is before the
Senate. intend to offer the amendment which now
hold in my hand, with some additions
have made these remarks for the purpose OF sig
nifyng what is my intention hereafter | believe that
these Two amendments which | shall propose will make
the bill better, will make il palaabe to both sides,
and will have tendency, at least, insure its passage.
Mr.. MASON. was not presen In the Committee OF
Thirteen when this subject under consideration, be-
ing absent other duty assigned TO by the Senate
do not know, therefore, the considerations which led
10 the adoption OF the line proposed. | do know,
however, that after IL submitted the committee
Tor their final action-looking upon il then, as have
looked upon ever since, as proposition 10 which, in
my judgment. the southern States should never assent
that in committee moved TO strike from the bill all that
part OF il which related TO Texas.
Now sir, If rightly understood the senator from
Georgia in the argument which he submitted TO just
now, learn that he enterains the opinion, jurs,,
that the effect OF the treaty with Mexico was
contained cesson oil territory contiguous to the un-
settled boundary OF Texas nure a resulting trust,
forthe benefit OF that Sateio give To Texas the territory
20 acquired understood the honorable say
that the effect would be 10 confer upon Texas all the
rtory which acquired by OF the Rio Grande,
and contiguous TO her boundary. In that opinion en-
trely concur and that be submit 10 the honorable
senator what earthly consideration he can ask
the State OF Texas TO cede TO the United States part OF
htr acknowledged territory for The purpose OF converting
VI into property OF the United States The reason, as
! the question OF boundary submitted 10 the
Supreme Court, Texas would obtain less adyanta.
geous boundary than she will by the proposals OF
This bill Then, SIR, the honorable senator sup
pose that the Supreme Court would entertain view o
he operation OF the treaty different from that which he
himself entertains But submit TO that honorable sena.
or and 10 the Senate, that there is practicable mode
by which this question be got before the Supreme
Court under any circumstances The honorable senator