Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-01-26
THIRTY-FIRsT CUNGR Ess-1st Session.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 1850


SENATE.-Mr. Benton, in pursuance Of no.
tce, asked leave TO introduce bill prohioi-
ting to the State of Texas 10 reduce her boun-
daries, cede her exterior territory TO the Uni
ted States and The REIMBURSEMENT of the
claims Of Texas on the United States for con-
sideration of fifteen millions of dollars, and
proceeded to state his reasons therefor. The
State OF Texas was too large either Cor her
own convenience or the equality of her posi-
tion, with reference TO other States, contain
ing about 100000 square miles, portion of
which was in the region of perpetual flowers,
and another in that of perpetual snow and
ice. 1t was necessary, therefore, for her
own convenience, and necessary for the Uni
ted States, that her boundaries should be re-
duced. The proper time 10 have made that
reduction was before her annexation, and he
desired TO prepare now what he endeavored
10 have done at that time.
The principle of the proposed reduction
was such as 10 give TO the State of Texas all
her settled towns and organized municipal
governments. 1t proposed to reduce her wes-
tern boundary TO the one hundred and second
degree of west longitude and in the north, to
the Main South Fork Of the Red River, be-
tween the parallel of one hundred and one
hundred and two degree, of west longitude
These boundaries would enclose a territory
of one hundred and fifty thousand square
miles. Still too much for one State. The
bill also proposed that when the population
of the territory ceded by Texas shall contain
one hundred thousand souls il shall be ad-
mitted into the Union as a State The wes-
tern boundary of this new State would cover
the entire front OF the Territories of Califor-
mia and New Mexico
lie described the wild condition of country
proposed to be ceded by Texas-the preda-
tory and vicious character of the savages
which roam over it, and the necessity of esta-
blishing suitable Notifications, military posts,
&C., in and through that country. The soil,
however, belonged 10 Texas Ii was left
with her debt, and the United States would
secure the right Of way, which was indispen-
sable, only by negotiation with Texas
This necessity for the use of portion of
the territory named, was another reason for
lis reqristion by the United States. Ano-
thsr reason was, that conflict was growing
up between the people Of that territory and
the State of Texas-a conflict in which the
United States must sooner or later become a
party, and which would be ended with the
adoption OF the proposition contained in the
bill. lie urged the subject on the attention
oil The Senate, and expressed the hope that
his propositions would be adopted. The bill
was read and referred to the Committee on
tho Judiciary.
Mr.. Foole, pursuant 10 notice, asked leave
to Introduce bill to organize Territorial 90.
vernments for California. New Mexico ana
Deseret, and with the consent of the Stale ot
Texas, TO erect The district of Jacinto into q
Slate, to be admitted into the Union: and
also proceeded TO explain its object. and hi.
reasons for introducing it,
MIR. Foote proceeded 10 remark upon The
Tact which he assigned that the Senator from
Missouri, although he did not name him, hac
stolen his thunder. He had long ago mad,
known the fact, which every body was &C
quainted with, that the State of Texas WI.
100 large-ihai her boundaries ought 10 b,
reduced and had given notice of his intention