Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-03-05
Important from the Rio Grande.
Establishment of an Independent Terri
.torial Government.

tOreQL Government.
The American Flag, of the 9th, brings
us accounts Of an Interesting and highly
important movement of the citizens OF the
RIO Grande counties of Texas, with
view TO the establishment of an lndePen-
dent Territorial Government. AT least
Two hundred citizens, with their names
appended, publish an address, IN winch
they say:
" The time has at length arrived when
the people of this valley must act win
Ipronptitude and decision. We have TOO
Tong cOnfded an the jDgtice of the people
of Texas-too long taosely submitted to
her unauthorized political jurisdiction
Our confidence in Texas has been mis-
placed, and it behooves US to appeal to
the Federal Government for Territorial
ORGANIZATION. We are entitled to it. Let
us knock at the door of Congress for that
protection which Texasaehles us. she
authorities of Texas seek to annul the IL
ties to real estate between the Nueces anu
the Rio Grande--it is a fatal blow to our
future prosperity, and will involve the
country in litigation, ruinous and endless.
This scheme Of fragrant injustice proves
that we have nothing in future TO expect
from the State of Texas, but vlndlcuYe
and Liberal legislation.
On the I'd inst, mass meeting OF the
citizens was held, at which they adopted,
amongst other resolutions. the following
Whereas, We believe that all that por-
ton of country lying east OF the klo
Grande and south of the line Of New Mex
leo, distinct from the former province OF
Texas, ofrigh: belongs TO the Government
of the United States, and that the State OF
Texas has extended her jurisdiction over
it without our consent and that the late
measures taken by her will retard her
growth and prosperity, by involving the
property holders i'll endless and ruinouS
litigation, and thereby prevent the deVel-
opment of its resources, and
UhereaS, We are, in geographical pc.
sition, as we'll as in interest, separate and
distinct from Texas, and believe that
territorial organization will greatly pro-
mote the interest and welfare OF the people
of this Territory, therefore
ReSoLved, That it is the opinion OF tins
meeting that the said Territory was ac-
CURED by the arms of the United States
and is the common property OF the Union.
ReSoIued, That we recommend con-
vention, composed of delegates from the
different sections of said Territory, to de-
wise provisional government, with sus-
pended functions, until our claims can be
urged before Congress by delegate cho-
sen by the people.
Following these resolutions is an appeal,
addressed TO all " the citizens of the val
ley and territory of the Rio Grande, set
ting forth their grievances III torclbIe
terms.
An opposition meeting took place at the
same spot on the 9Th instant, presided over
by Judge Bigelow. Resolutions were
passed recognising and asserting the hight
of the State of Texas to the sovereignty
and jurisdiction over the territory between
the Nueces river and the Rio Grande, and
expressing that the people there assem-
bled held themselves bound, as citizens
of the State, to sustain that rig hit against
internal opponents or external enemies
The meeting was full of allegiance to the
State authorities, and further resolved that
copies of the resolutions then passed
should be forwarded to the Senators and
Representatives of Texas in Congress,
and to Gov. Bell.
The whole community was much excl
ted by this question of Territory OR no
Territory. "-BaH. Sun.