The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-08-14

ance of oftreaties actually in force, and the
protection OF ali the people of.tbe United
states IN the enjoyment Of the rights which
those treaties and laws guarantee.
1t Is exceedingly desirable that no occa.
sion should arise for the exercise of tile
powers thus vested in the President bv
tho constitution and the laws, with what.
ever mldness those powers might be exc
cutcd, or however clear the case of ncces.
sity, yet consequences might nevertheless
follow, OF which no human sagacity can
toresec either the evils or the end.
tfaVng thus laid before Congress the
communication of his Excellcncy the Gov.
crnor OF Texas, and the answer thereto, and
having made such observations as have
thought the occasion called for respecting
constitutional obligations which may arise
IN fu'tbcr progress Of tfiHgs, and may dc.
Voive ON me to be performed, hope
snail not be regarded as stepping aside
from the line of my duty, Notwithstanding
that am aware that the subject is now be-
fore both Houses, if express my deep and
earnest conviction of the importance Of an
immediate decision, or arrangement, or
settlement of the question of boundary be-
tween Texas and the Territory of New
Mexico All considerations of Justice, gen.
eral eXpedency, and domestic tranquility
call Tor this. 1t seems to be, in its charac-
ter and by position, the first, or one of the
first, OF the questions growing out of the
acquisition Of California and New Mexico,
and now requiring decision.
NO government can be established for
New Mexico, either of State or Territory,
until It shall be ascertaincd what New
Mexico is, and what arc her limits and
boundaries. These cannot he fixed or
known, till the line Of division between her
and Texas shall be ascertained and estab
lishcd--and numerous and weigh;y reasons
conspirc, in my judgment, to show that
this divisional line should be established
ny Congress, with the assent Of the Gov.
crnmcnt OF Texas. In the first place, this
seems 10y far the most prompt mode of pro-
cecdIng, by which the end can be accom-
pl'shcd If Judicial proceedings were re-
sorted to, such proceedings would neces-
sar'iiy DC slow, and years would pass by,
in all probability, before the controversy
could be ended. So great delay, in this
case, is to be avoided if possible. Such de-
lay would be every way inconvcnicnt, and
might be the occasion Of disturbances and
collisions. For the same reason would,
with the utmost Difference to the wisdom of
Congress- express doubt Of the expedcn-
cy OF the appointment of commissioners,
and OF an examination, estimate, and an
award of indemnity to be made by them.-
This would be but species of arbitration,
which might last as long as suit at law.
So far as | am able 10 comprehend the
case. the general facts are now all known,
and Congress is as capable of deciding on
1t, justly aud properly now, as it probably
would be after the report OF the Commis.
sloners. If the claim Of title on the part of
Texas appears 10 Congress 10 be well
founded. in whole or in part, il is in the
competency of Congress TO offer her an in
demnity for the surrender OF that CLAIM. I'm
case like this surrounded as it is. bv many
cogent considerations, all calling for ami
cable adjustment and immediate settle
ment, the Government of the United States
would be justified, in my opinion, in allow.
ing an indemnity 10 Texas, not unreasona
bie and cxtraragant, but fair, liberal, and
awarded in just spirit OF accommodation.
think no event would be hailed with
more qualification by tile people of the Uni
tel States, than the amicable adjustment
OF questions Of difficulty, which have now,
tor long time, agitatcd the country, and
occupied, TO the exclusion of other subjects
the time and attcntic:: Of Congress.
Having thus freely communicated the
results of my OWE reflection, on the most
advisable mode Of adjusting the boundary
question, shall, nevertheless, checrfully
acquicsce in any other mode which the
wisdom OF Congress may devise.
And, in conclusion, repeat my convic-
ton, that every consideration Of the public
interest, nanlfcsts the necessity of pro-
vision by Congress for the settlement of
THIS boundary question, before the present
session be brought to n close. The settle
tncnt OF other questions, connected with
The same subject, within the same period,
IS greatly to be desired; but the adjustment
OF this appears, to me, to be in the highest
degree important. In the train of such an
adjustment; we may well hope that there
VIII follow return of harmony and good
WILL an increased attachment to the Union,
and the general satisfaction OF the country
MLLARD FILLMORE.
In the House when the Message was
read Mr.. Howard Of Texas rose and spoke
as follows:
if. HOWARD Salu: TN the present oCca-
sion | desire to make only very few oh.
scrvatinns on the message Of the President
of the United States. 1t is as unfortunate
as 1t is extraordinary. 1t can have no 9th.
er tendency at thus critical iunc,nrc of
public affairs than TO prevent an adjustment
OF this boundary controversy, by defeating
the passage Of the bill introduced into the
other wing OF the Capitol on yesterday by
the Senator from Maryland which might,
in all probability, have been SO amended
MS to have secured the rights of Texas and
the honor of the South.
In what attitude has the President placed
the issue, i'll the communication which he
has made to Congress as TO Texas! So far
as the right of possession, il not the title il.
self, is concerned, all the country on the
east bank Of the Rio Grandc is assumed
by The message to be in the United States
lils possession, III exclusion OF the iuris-
dIctlon OF Tcsas, the President declares
he will maintain by the military arm of this
government.
1t is true that while he assumes that the
country. to the extent of the ancient limits
OF New Mexico, belongs to the United
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