Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-08-10

orial dispute by the bill under consideration, by the
amendment. Sir, what is the amendment Il is to
restrain the United States from treating the disputed terey
ih own property until the dispute is settled That Is the
whole amount of 1t. Where il the injustice or me
improperly in that Have all contended, through
out his discussion, that anecedent adjustment Of the
question OF disputed territory essential to peace and es
senta even 10 government there had intended to pro-
pose, and will propose in the progress Of the amendment
some time within which this commission shall report espec-
lively to the Legislature Of Texas and to Congress had
thought Of proposing, and inclined now to propose, that
they shall report BY the let day Of January 70 Texas: ana oy
report may be made out by that me do not believe that
it will be found necessary all for the commission to ex
pore the disputed territory. think they can, here at Wash
ngon if they meet here, at New Orleans, or at
AUSTIN agree upon conventional line and recommend it
the Legislature Of the State Of Texas and to Congress
Is not that depends upon documents maps history or
travels and think that the commission, without at all going
70 Santa Fe the ground in dispute, but meeting either
Of the places have suggesed cam in Eve six weeks after
opening their session, decide the whole question. we can
have conventional line reported BY the commission to the
Legislature Of Texas BY the ist Of January apd Congress
decided in eight nine months. Now, with respect to the
constitutional question, what is it Congress has right to
admit Sates, but has not Congress also right say when
and how portions of its territory shall become State Why
the most potent objections made against the admission
Of California throughout the session has been that she has at
tempted in violation Of established practice, and without the
authority of Congress- to come here State and TO ask adj
ment has been for Congress to pass law authorizing the
formation Of State government, the adoption Of constu-
ton, and the transmission of here for Congress to act upon
it, But not only from the nature Of the not only from
the nature Of the powers possessed by this Government not
only from the the language of the constitution but
by the express language of the treaty OF Hidago ITSELF
provided that these people be admitted to the rights of
American citizens when Congress n its Judgment shall de-
termine.
Nov, I ask the whole country, ask every who
wishes this question settled pacifcay if there is
prudence propriey, fitness justice in absanng from acting
upon the territory the Rio Grande within the boundary
Of New Mexico until it is decided whether it is be-
longs to Texas That is the whole question.
Mr. DOUGLAS. In order to carry out the principle laid
down by the Senator from Kentucky that should suspend
all action under this measure on the east side of the Rio
Grande until the dispute settled would be necessary to
put in clause also that Texas shall refrain from all steps,
her part TO take possession Of the country that
ton shall be mutually suspended. Because, if to
suspend the operations of the bill the side and still
Texas is to go and organize government the other
it strikes very clear that the passage Of this amend
settles and establishes the Rio Grande the boundary
of Texas forever The language of the amendment is that
until the boundary Of Texas shall be agreed by the Texan
Legislature, there shall be Territorial Government the
east side Of the Rio Grande When, ask, will Texas
agree to boundary she is to have the Rio Grande her
boundary up to the time she does agree to it 1t is an nsi
tation to Texas agree to boundary All that she
will have 10 do will be refuse negotiate at all to refuse to
make any other boundary, and then the amendment makes
the Rio Grande the boundary forever think, therefore,
amend
ment to obviate this difficulty am prepared to say but
that it may be put shape that will command my support
but it is is equivalent to voting the Rio Grande
the boundary, and if am to that the boundary,
would rather do il in direct terms There may be state of
things yet that will require give that vote, but
prepared to de Whenever DO it, want to do It in
direct terms.
Mr.. BUTLER. How differently the subject strikes
different minds from the different points Of view in which they
regard it. intend to vote for the amendment to the amend
ment but with perfect conviction in my mind as to its ope-
ration It's operation will not in opinion, be that assumed
by the Senators from Missouri and Illinois, to allow Texas all
the territory this side of the Rio Gande On the contrary
is but one mode of suffering these commissioners to have
plenay penpotentay power the subject to take off
land this side, and will for it. that if they have
power to say what consideration will satisfy Texas, they will
insert in their return the of money to be paid to
Texas The whole tendency and effect Of this amendment
suspend, for the time being, the functions Of this Terri
toria Government for New Mexico. Iwish gentlemen to
mark what now that you appoint these COM
missioners their award will be that Texas shall give up the
disputed territory this side Of the Rio Grande, indicated by
the gentlemen who have spoken from the committee, for ten
twelve millions Of dollars That is my view of the ques
ton.
Mr.. CLAY single word, sir Nothing is further from
my intention than in any contingency concede to Texas all
the territory this side Of the Rio Grande in the fair adjust
ment Of this question Nothing, repeat, is further from
my intentions do think that the amendment has that
effect 1t is not necessary, in my opinion, to introduce
cproca provision for forbeaance the OF Texas Why
the Government Of the United States is in actual possession,
and have hesitation in saying in my place here that
Texas chooses with military force, upon the territory
while this process of adjustment going forward hope she
will be repeled aud repeed if necessary with all the force
requisite accomplish that object have doubt that the
effect Of the amendment will be that Texas will forbear.
have doubt that the WISDOM orbearance and good
Of Texas will induce her orbear But if she does not,
there the in the possession Of the Government to
vindicae its authority and to maintain its possession
There may be, think, improvement in the amend
ment did not draw it up It drawn up by my friend
me, (Mr. DAwsoN.) will propose amendment to
it. fix the time say the lst Of january for the COM
mission report the Texan Legislature and the time say
the st ofFebruay) for them report to Congress and, in
stead of leaving the time Indefinite would propose that the
Territorial Government shall not 60 into operation until the
lst Of April Of May next leaving the intervening time for
the adjustment of the Territorial dispute by Congress and
the Legislature of Texas think that will obviate all the
difficulties and objections.
Mr. MILLER. do not know that understand the prac
cal effect of the amendment offered by the Senator from
the Senator whether it il intended permit the Territorial
Government created by this operation the west
side Of the Rio Gande, while it is suspended by his amend
| ment on the east side Of that river
Mr.. DAWSON, Gin his seat Yes, sir.
Mr.. MILLER. If this he 60, then wish to call the Sena-
tors attention to great practical difficulty which think bis
amendment will produce in the organization of the Territorial
Government created by that BILL and which difficulty the
Senator could not have contemplated when he offered his
amendment It is this by the bill you Territorial
Government for the whole Of New Mexico embraces the
Territory and the people both sides Of the river and then,
by this amendment you udeclare that this Territorial Govern
ment shall only into operation upon the west side OF the
river thus deprvng the largest portion Of the people Of
New Mexico Of all the advantages and benefits Of the govern
ment which you by this BILL profess to establish for them,
until Texas shall agree adjust her difficulty with the United