The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-14
Mr.. WALKER. Certainly.

Mr. WALKER Certainly
Mr. BERRIEN. Does the senator believe that thers
any clause in the constitution OF Mexico investing the
Mexican Congress with the power TO confer upon any
citizen of Mexico unlimited poweri
Mr. WALKER / will endeavor to answer this ques
tom and though admit there is clause in the Mex-
can constitution expressly giving the power still think
shall be able TO satisfy the senator that the power IN re
gard to which he inquiries does under their form o gov
eminent, reside in the Mexican Congress Inc senator
doubt, puts the question because he assimates ou
government to that OF Mexico and knowing mat nc
such power exists under our constitutions be takes io
granted such exists there-boh being coniederaec
republics But there great IN asslmatng the
cases Of Mexico and the United States, in ths iha
Mexico originally consolidated empire the United
States separate and Independent States Ia Mexico
the nation declared her Independence: here II was de-
clared that the Estates were, and OF right ought to be-
free and independent In Mexico, the States were crea
ted by the delegation Of powers 10 them BY the geaerd
81 he delegation to i Il powers By he Sass There
the powers not delegated By the general government o.
prohibited 10 u reserved q it here the powers not
delegated BY the States prohibited TO them are reserved
to them Now for the authority.
Mexican Independence was declared and her govern
established under what Is called the plan Of lgua-
will read the 6rs fourth, fifth, SIXTH and seventh ar.
tces OF this plan or constitution for the purpose of el
cdatng the distinction have drawn between that gov
ernmen and this; M y3354i rg S639 M "A, 3s45l ae
ish nation and Of every other It's own continent
TART, The government shall be constitutional mon
"HRr s. junta shall be named, consisting Of ndivid
nas who enjoy the highest reputation in the different par
ties which have shown themselves E4ls gt Hst
aAnr. This iunta shall be under the presidency OF
his exceency the Conde del Veuado the vceroy Of
"ARr T. 1t shall govern, the of the nation,
cordng the laws in force and It's principal bnsi
deem e1psdien Co.gsss for ih formation IF eoasiii..
tion more suitable TO the country " s
twill be perceived that in Mexico a Congress was
convoked by government TO form constitution: here
the States assembled TO create Congress, constitutions.
aud governBaent Where is the sovereignty OF the
States in Mexico to be founds II afterwards cons-
tuition formed, and States established, the States
derived their powers from the government Here the
derived its powers from the States lturbide
established the iuna. mentioned in the 5h article OF the
anS nes, pan ior Congress
gress met in February 1924 when the unta dissolved
itself On the 18th Of May, 1922 urbide proclaim
ed Emperor Of Mexico under the title of augustine
Congress- and appointed junia Of forty live This was
dissolved by VICTORIA after lturbde had abdcated and
supreme executive Of three was appointed Constitu-
constitution had been promulged. The Congress dis
cussed and approved this plan, which Is the constitution
of 1924. The very first thing which the Congress did
How unlike is all this 10 the mode of establishing our
My answer to the senator from Georgia,
then, is that do find in the Mexican government the
power (and they have often exercised W to confer
Guerrero the extraordinary powers in question. ~ Is
among its reserved and unprohibited poUsrs
Sool after the issue o this decree, Guerrero driven
from power. believe he shot the 1lth OF Feb
ruary 1881 We know that it has been part OF the
histofy OF Mexico, that whenever one OF their military
ceftans has begun TO experience the checks OF msfor
alter his death a. he 18th Of March his DEGREES had So
far fallen into dsrepute, that the Congress OF Mexico
then passed act rather joint resolution to which
our attention has already been called by which his de-
crees were suspended One article OF that joint resou
tion is as follows:
"A laws, decrees, regulations, ORDERS and provisions
which were promulgated by the government in virtue Of
pertain the legislative power shall be submitted to the
General Congress- and hsnceorward shall be withousesct
until they revised by the chamber"
We see, then, that the decree suspended but in
this connexion let read what had been the effects
upon the institution OF slavery under that decree.
hold in my hand letter from gentleman residing at
the time and for years in Mexico speak Of Dr. John
Baldwin, now in this city, and who is OF the principal
claimants under the Mexican treaty, and distinguished
and worthy gentleman. he has done me the kindness,
as shows the effect and operation OF the decree Of
Guerrero, will read portion OF il: ti
WASHINGTON CrrY, Feb e. 1850
"Hon. l. p Walker
the subject Of conversation the abolition OF slavery
in Mexico 10 writing was at the time Of the ratification
city who bad any dis,nc, or POSITIVE Information IN ,ha
subject gave TO Senator Clarke OF Rhode Island,
Of Gaeero the Presden, Of McKee, dated 18Th Sep
iember lse9 together with the subsequent decree OF the
Mexican Congress oil 1887.
The practical effect the decree Of Guerrero, in the ate
OF Vera Cruz, where resided AT the tme the imme
dine emancipation Of the few slaves who resided that
time In the State Ths owners together with their slaves
were, by order Of the gee poco, summoned appear
before the proper authority. upon which appraisers
duly appointed 10 ax just value upon the slaves where
upon certificate extended by sub-commssafy OF
the department, n which SET forth the which
In compensation for the slave slaves berntcd under
aforesaid decree To the slave thus nanulntted docu
ment was given setting orth the Ia which his
her liberty Obtained. AFl Hat
The perons thus manumitied by virtue OF the decree Of
September 10TH never again reduced to slavery"
read this. because il was said by the senator from
Mississippi tMr DAvr that the decree Of Guerrero was
never fully executed hF Ela3 M
Mr. DAVIS. Does the senator aIlude TO me
Mr. WALKER lido.
Mr. DAVIS. Then the senator misunderstands what
said. said that undoubtedly some slaves lbe-
rated under the decree OF Guerrero, but that
fully carried into effect evidence OF which is the
fact that the Mexican Congress passed law in 1897 to
carry il into effect
MI. WALKER. may not have comprehended the
remark OF the senator from Mississippi, and il now
10 me that he did make such remark But we
hear what was the effect of that decree from gentle
man who was there, and who witnessed its operation
The Decree after the act which suspended H. was of
course without effect, until there further action on
the part of Congress. Tnat action took place 1887,
and the act then passed will read ask the Senate's
attention particularly to IFS phraseology The history Of
The act might well accompany u, that Il may be clearly
understood.
In 1890 there WAS act passed. which seems TO have
been for the Cancellation of Texas which declared that
no change should be made within the colony OF Texas
in reference 10 slaves therein; but that the general
government and the State authorities take care that
the eooniz1fio law be fully executed in future Whe,
we come down TO the period OF 1897 we know thai
had m ~