The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-11


Mr. PEARcE. When the bill was introduced. en-.
deayored 10 explain the reasons which induced me 70
insert tins pr0yso but as ind my object - not enTely
understood, must beg the Senate 10 indulge me a few
moments while repeat The explanation then gave
do not question al all that all The debts Of Texas are Of
equal obligation against her OF that have not the
slightest doubt. suppose no one has, But we must
recoect that her debts Were OF different omthai in
some bonds che pedgsd her public lands IN some bonds
pledged her duties upon imports specifically Now sir,
when Texas became annexed to the United States,
source OF revenue was yielded up TO the United States
her duties upon customs By annexation to the United
States, that source OF cut OFF from her. and
those OF her creditors who looked TO that spec
tions were deprived OF that This constitutes,
great many persons have thought obligation equiiaby
binding upon the United States, either 70 pay the bonds
for which those debts specifically pledged. al all
events to the application, somehow other, OF the
duties which the customs OF Texas yield 10 the treasury
of the United States towards the OF these bonds
And il supposed, II we made arrangement BY
which we gave money TO Texas if Texas should not pay
the whole due upon the lace OF these bonds the holders
would thereafter come TO the Treasury OF the United
States. and demand that we should make good the dit
ference.
My object not 10 manage this thing for Texas as
stated. ! did not wish to put her IN the condition OF
bankruptcy but desired TO make such provisions as,
when they left Texas aud these creditors Tree TO make
any arrangement they chose. all the other creditors
United States from any demand hereafter brought against
by these creditors That the sole object sir; and
think It sufficient one to authorize the in,roduc-
ton OF the prosso II the Senate think differently, how
ever, / shall be perfectly content
Mr.. BRIGHT. The remarks OF the senator from
Maryland MIR PEARcEl show very coneiusyey what
the amendment s As thought before, the effect oil II IS
to compel Texas to pay that part OF her public debt when
was understood her revenue was pledged orhve mil
lions She i bound 70 pay that portion OF her public
debt What is TO be done with the residue OF her debt
that the not pledg ID fora debt OF equal
validity, equally binding upon Texas and say equal
IL binding upon the United Statesl do not consider
maze hprg
whether the United States is bound TO pay the debt
OF Texas not-whether there is any legal obligation
existing or notbut say il is improper to undertake to
give direction to part Of this appropriation and not 10
the residue. For that reason shall vote for the motion
that is made, in order to leave Texas 10 dispose OF the
money that apply to the purchase Of this boundary,
il you pleaseor rather the purchase OF peace Tha, is
the object that operates upon wish 10 leave to
her TO apply il her legislature may deen right, and
the payment OF their just debts; and unwilling 10
see portion Of her debt provided for especially prefer
red to the residue shond like to know whether this
meets the views OF the senators from Texas.
Mr. RUSk. lii matter Of no very considerable
consequence feel very well assured Of thing that
the sole object Of Texas IL dlsposing q her territory and
acquiring money is To rid herself If the debt will not
take up The time OF the Senate to show that during her
she all the time making arrangements and offer
ing domains, with view 10 dschaging her public debt
She ways very willing and anxious to gel clear Of
il. She has not only manifested that dispositions but
there is substantial reason for this desire large debt
cumulaing large per cent of interest against her
interest," because keeps population and particularly
men Of property, from going to settle among u.s. That
is the OF the great anxiety TO get rid OF the incum
because she has got an immense domain unsettled.
sparsey populated, which she would be glad to have
settled II Is for the purpose OF getting rid OF the him
drance TO that immense class OF people, to get clear OF II,
and to open the door for emgrants to and settle
upon her uninhabiied land
do not see that this makes the obligation any stronger
for those creditors particularly II requires, in the first
place. arrangement between the State OF Texas and
them, BY which they here and renqash their claim
upon the United States, understand. think il is inn
material 10 them the United States. There is one
view in which il may be material, TO extent Ii is
not to be disguised that there is large number in Texas
who would be opposed 10 the disposition of her lands al
together Circumstancesl need not menton--surround
US which are known TO everybody These men may say
The government OF the United States seeksto control
thing else Ii may be that il would have the appearance
of more respect to Texas. have no control there.
express my belief, from an intimate acquaintance
with these people for the last eighteen or twenty years,
that the first thing that they will do with this money il
they get 1t, will be to wipe out The debt and commence
anew has annoyed them great DEAL and been seri-
Mr.. ATCHlSON 1t seems to me, sir, that this ques.
ton, these propositions, should be presented to Texas in
The most simple form. without complicatng. without pre-
senting any point upon which hesitation might in the
least degree hang Now, SIR what is II that the senator
from Maryland lMr. PEARcEl proposes To buy The
claim OF Texas to certain territories for certain amour,
OF money Now this is the question that the bill pre-
SCENTS mere transaction bargain and SALE purchase
of land between the United States and the State OF Texas
~ seems 10 pTONisO impnes Oh
doubt upon the part OF the honorable senator whether
she will make proper disposition OF this amount OF pur.
chase money. Mr. President, il is acknowledgment,
too the part OF this government, 10 extent OF
obligation pay the debts Of Texas contracted during
her revolutionary think the honorable senator
from Indiana Mr.. BRIGHTl has put this matter in as
strong point OF view as il can be presented. Why
should debt for the building OF ships be preferred to
debt contracted for clothing provisions for her officers
SO far as equity concerned, in an equitable point OF
view, they stand upon the same ground But il is said
that the revenues arising from the duties OF Texas were
morigaged That is the way understand it.
Mr. PEARCE, Tin his seaD I did not use that ex-
preston.
Mr. ATCHISoN That is the idea pledged" per.
haps Is The term. Now, sir, far equity is con-
cerned. can higher obligations pay just debt
because specific piece Of property is pledge, Than to
pay just debt without this pledge Aud presume IL
would have been competent for Texas sovereign
Siaean independent Sate-at any time 10 have changed
the whole revenue 81 stem.
Now, Mr.. President, Tor this reason, that il is on
acknowledgment Of some degree Of obligation upon the
part oil the government for the payment OF Just debts con-
lracted BY Texas during heI revolutionary WARRIOR this
reason, and this reason alone, think this proposition
should be rejected do not doubt that Texas will pay
her Just debts, every dollar OF them far her money
goes--to the lu extent o2hose ten millions And then
akeit that her revenues, her resources are pledged
through all tune for The paymenof all just debts and
demands against her Against independent State there
~ no remedy. You have nothing but the honor OF a
State pledged There is process by which you can en-
force the debt unless u be by BY reprsas and to
ms individuals never resort Now, think TO
reject the provso will materially change the nature OF
The bill The senator will obtain his object 10 make a
proposition 70 Texas Tor the purchase Of her territory for
gwen sum OF money that isthe main object II Tex
as accepts IT, the difficulty is settled; II Texas rejects IT,
VcT AZ trb t.nI