Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-02-09


benefits the blessings Of government those people who
have recently been acquired by u.s.
Sir with regard to that portion of New Mexico which lies
the Rio Grsnde undoubtedly fts conceded TO Texas
while she has parties, dskng each other as much as
those Office holders and office alluded by the Sena
from Texas they could possibly be drawn together and
governed quietly peaceaby and comfortably, there might be
remedy far relates the country east of the Rio
Grande but all beyond itDeseret and the north Of Cali
orna-would be still open and liable all the consequences
Of dsunon, confusion and anarchy without stable gov
eminent emanang from the authority Of the nation Of which
they compose part and with which they are but little
acquainted. think, therefore, that all these questions,
difficult and troublesome they may be, ought be met
met in spirit of candor and camness and decided upon
a matter of duty.
Now these two resolutions which we have Immediately
under consideration propose decision Of these questions
have said that there is scarcely resolution in the series
which have offered that does not contain mutual
cesson evidence Of mutual orbeaance where the
sion not altogether from the Notwithstanding to the
slaveholdng States.
Now with respect to this resolution proposing boundary
for Texas what III We know the difference of opinion
which has existed in this country with respect to that bound
ay We know that very large portion Of the people Of the
United States have supposed that the western limit Of Texas
the Nueces and that il did extend to the Rio Gande
We know by the resolution of annexation that the question
Of what is the western limit and the northern limit Of Texas
open queson-that it has been all along an open
question. open question when the boundary was
in virtue of the act of 1888, marking the boundary be-
tween the United States and Texas Sir, that time the
boundary authorized by the act Of 1885, boundary
mencng the mouth Of the Sabine and running up to it,
head thence Red river thence weswardy with Red river
to, think, the hundredth degree of west longitude.
Well sir, that did not go far Texas claims
and why Because it was open question War yet
raging between Texas and Mexico and foreseen
exactly what might be her ultimate limits But sir we will
to the question Of what done the time OF her an
nexaon This whole resolution which relates the ques-
ton Of boundary, from beginning to end, open
boundary, unasceraned, unxed boundary to Texas on
the west Sir what the first part Of the resolution! It
that Congress doth consent that the territory properly in
cuded within and rghtfuy belonging to the Republic of
Texas, may be erected into new State" Properly in
cluded in-rghuy belonging to- The resolution specifies
no boundary 1t could specify II has specified
western northern boundary for Texas. II has assumed
this state of uncertainty what know in point of fact
isted But then the latter part Of it, "said State to be
formed subject to the adjustment Of oil questions Of boundary
that may arise with other Governments and the constitution
thereof &c. That is to say, she is annexed with her right
full and proper boundaries, without specification Of them
but nasmuch as was known that these boundaries at the
west and the north unsettled the Government of the
United States retained to itself the power of settling with any
foreign nation what the boundary should be-
Now s it impossible for to 60 into the whole ques
ton and to argue it fully. mean express opinions
impressions rather than into the entire argument The
western and northern limit of Texas being unsettled and the
Government Of the United States having retained the power
OF settling it ask, suppose the power bad been exercised
and that there had been cesson of territory by Mexico
the United States but that the negotiations between the
countries had been limited simply the xation of the
and northern limits Of Texas could it not have been
done BY the United States and Mexico conformity Will
any dispute Suppose there had been treaty OF
limits Of Texas concluded between Mexico and the United
States fixing the Nueces the Western limit Of Texas,
would not have been bound it, Why by the express
terms Of the resolution she would have been bound by or
had been the Colorado the Rio Grande or any other
boundary, whatever western limit had been fixed by the
joint action Of the two Powers would have been binding and
obligatory upon Texas by the express terms of the resolution
BY which she was admitted into the Union. Now, sir if
ard thoT
have fixed upon the western and northern limits Of Texas
and If the United States have acquired by treaty all the SUBJ
ects upon which the limits of Texas might have operated
have not the United States the power solely and excn
sveN which Mexico and the United States conformity pos
sessed prior 10 the late treaty between the countries II
seems to me- sir that his rnneasie and ,saseains
have fixed upon any western limit for Texas and did do
and the United States have acquired themselves OF
acquired by the treaty in question: all the territory upon
which the western limit must have been fixed when was
It seems to me that no one can resist the logical con-
cusion that the United States have themselves power
to do what the United States and Mexico conformity could
have done.
Sir, admit it is delicate power-an extremely delicate
power admit that it ought to be exercised in spirit of
justice, beraty and generosity towards this the youngest
member Of the great American family. But here the power
Is Possibly sir upon that question however offer no
positive opinonpossibly if the United States to fix
it in way unjust the opinion of Texas and contrary
her rights she might bring the question before the Supreme
Court OF the United States, and have it there again nves
gated and decided say possibly sir because am not one
Of that class Of politicians who believe that every question
competent and proper question for the Supreme Court of
United States There questions too large for any tribunal
OF that Kind to try great political questions national terri
torla questions which transcend their limits for such ques
tons their powers utterly incompetent. Whether this be
one Of those questions not shall not decide but will
maintain that the United States invested solely and
exclusively with that power which common to both ma
lons-to fix ascertain, and settle the and northern
limits Of Texas
Sir the other day my honorable friend who represents
well the State of Texas, said that had right
touch the limits Of Texas than had touch the limits Of
Kentucky. think that the illustration he gave
State is and indivisb and that the General Govern
ment has no right sever it. agree with him, sir in that
where the limits asceraned aud certain where they
undputed and ndputabe. The General Government has
right has any other earthly power the right
fere with the limits Of State whose boundaries thus
ed thus ascertained known, and recognised The whole
power at least, to interfere with It's voluntary. The
case may be Put-one which trust in God may hap
pen in this naionof conquered naton and Of constu
ton adapting itself to the state Of subugaon conquest
which 1t has been reduced and giving up whole States
arms Of the invader what remains. say such power in
case OF extremity may exist But admit that short Of such
extremity, voluntarily the General Government has right
to separate Sate-to take portion Of its territory from it.
or to regard otherwise than integral and ndvisble,
and not to be affected by any legislation of But then,
assume what does not exist in the Of Texas that these
boundaries must be known, aceraned, and indspuabe
With regard to Texas all open, all anfxed all is
unixed at this moment with respect her limits and
north Of the Nueces.
tory that bought and God knows what costly bargain
to this distracted country has been We gave f
millions Of dollars for the territory ceded us by Mexico
Can Texas justly, fairly and honoraby the Union
and claim all that she has asserted right to- without paying
any portion Of the fifteen millions Of dollars which constituted
l,p~ n