The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-31


all this territory both aides of the river Mex
lean province, having Santa FL for it's capital and
that they did not recognise il as part OF Texas
So that, if the authority Of the President be good
for any thing, being good at one time another,
if we find the President elsewhere expressing an
opinion which conflicts with all the sayings and
doings which have quoted. the most that can be
said by Texas is that the Presidents authority has
neutralized itself believe that Texas has never
formally submitted to Congress any demand for the
territory which she claims Certainly such de-
mand has ever been admitted by the Government
Of the United States know that letter on the
subject was written by the Governor Of Texas to the
President of the United States, which was answered
by the Secretary Of State by direction OF the Presi-
! dent. And what does he say? That the President
believes Texas justly asserts right to the whole ter
rtory this side of the RoGrande, but that il 10 sub
jec which more properly belongs to the Legislative
than the executive branch of the Government Else
where the President says, by the cession of Netr
| Merico, on both sides of the Rio Grande, to the
United States, the question of disputed boundary,
so far as Mexico is concerned has been settled,
iearing the question, to the true limits Of Ierds in
Nelp nerico 10 be adjusted betoeen that State and
the United States" This being the case, how can
the opinion OF the Executive the action OF an adj
lninistrative officer, be availcd of TO make prove
| title, and how can they be said TO be recogni-
| ton by the Government of the title OF Texas!
Strictly Disseminated as the executive and legis-
| lative powers are in our Government, the Prcsi-
! dent having only limited and negative partici-
patton in legislation, and this being, he says,
| legislative question to be settled by Congress, how
idle is it to consider the whole Government con-
cluded by the opinion Of the President Sir, iii be
a Legislative question, II is rank usurpation in an
administrative officer to undertake to settle it by
| an order TO military commander. do not un-
derstand Governor Marcy as intending 80 TO do in
the order of October II, 1915 So far il author
lied surrender OF the country to Texas, while the
title was unsettled by the Legislature, it was in
my opinion, an abandonment of duty.
Let me ask, then while the question Of title is
| led he oft Conc
| the occupancy being i'll the United States, with
what propriety can one of the parties claiming it
undertake to be sole judge, and to Dust the party
in possession? lit be question, President Polk
said to be settled by Texas and the United States,
with what propriety does Texas threaten to take
| the territory by force and arms from the United
States, who conquered it from Mexico and have held
It ever since! We know, sir, that the country on
| the lower Rio Grande, taken by us from Mexico,
| has been permitted to slide into the possession of
Texas. l have no disposition TO disturb that pos
| session now have said on former occasions, as
still think, that her title before the not
good, but would be the last TO wrest it from her by
force. Indeed, am quite willing that she should
have 1t. 1t seems more properly to belong to her,
particularly as it is composed of fragments of diff
lerent Mexican States, and Is not an integral com
munity OF itself lift would be an outrage in the
United States TO tear from Texas this territory,
in her undoubed occupation, would il not be equally
SO In Texas to wrest or attempt to wrest by force
from the United States the Santa Fe country, Of
which the United States has the possession, Who
can doubt, when all these circumstances con-
sidercd when Congress is in session and discussing
measures of pacitcation and compromise-when
the most earnest desire is manifested by so many
members TO effect an adjustment fair and most lib
eral to Texas, that such attempt by her now
would be most unfriendly to that Union of which
she became member under very peculiar circum-
stances? Would it be right-would it be generous
or becoming in Texas 10 cut this Gordian knot by
the sword? do not ask whether il would be wise.
That is question upon which trust che will pom
der long before she acts
Mr.. HOUSTON. II the Senator will allow me-
will suggest to him that the sword is an instrument
introduced by the United States. Texas hardly
considers il necessary
Mr.. PEARCE. The Government Of the United
States have not introduced the sword al all; they
have not undertaken thus to settle it. They hold
possession till the powers which alone arc compe-
tent 10 settle the title shall do Ivenure to say
that II conflict cnsues the first gun fired will not
be federal gun. II there be any federal gun fired
It will only be when the conflict can no longer be
avoided by the Government of the United States
confess was alarmed the other day when lis.
tened TO that portion Of the Senator'S speech in
which lac announced that the mandate had gone
forth, and three thousand Ttx ans would enforce IT.
Elsewhere II has been said that Texas would sup
| press the instruction ia New Mexico. What in
surrection. The people Of all New Mexico have
been quietly submitting 10 that authority which ia
! the only one they have known, except the
| authority OF Mexico. There is indeed a disposi-
ton to resist the threatened jurisdiction Of Texas
thorzed, at least until her disputed title shall be
settled by that legislative authority to which Mr.
! Polk said II belonged. They remember that Gen.
kearny declared 10 them that cit the wish and
intention Of the United States to provide for them
free government, similar to those in the United
states,' and they knew that the treaty of peace
and limits which included them within the bounds
Of the United States did not assign them 20 Texas,
bat pledged their incorporation into the Union Of
The United States at the proper time, be judged
OF by Congress. But there Is no jurisdiction OF
Texas against which there can be any insurrection
And II Texas undertakes by military force to cs.
ablish her jurisdiction and the United States
from their occupancy, this will, in my opinion, be
leVying upon the United Statee aud the re.
spOnsibiity will rest on Texas. Sir, trust no such
alternative will ever arise.
Mr.. HOUSTON, Gin his seat.) ! trust not.
Air. PEARCE. ! am as willing, as an rious as any
one 10 avert Il, and there is reasonable sacrifice
which would not make for good a purpose.
DVcs Texas look upon this Government as a for
egn Toe j. she willing 70 rush 10 arms against
the Union Tor that which MEXICO held for zen years
after the claim Of Texas was set up without blow
being struck for ~ II this question IL not settled
II no steps have been taken to settle H. docs not
Texas know that Il u not from desire the part
81 any portion u the Government 20 zee superior
strcngth for her oppression, Docs sbe not know
That Congress assembled, both at this secession
and the last under such circumstance AZ impedcd
all public business, disturbed all legislation, and
allowed scarcely any thing o. be scttlcd9 Had no
other disfractinr question divided our councils il
cannot be Doubted That should have been able 20
settle or offer liberal terms for the settlement Of
ths diihculty with TcKas. ! trust that the repre-
scnintiyes Of that State will cndcayor % suppress
this spirit u discomfort 10 discourage the feeling
Of hostility which even now IL threatening blood
shcd. While ! am not inclined tsmely o. yield 10
itnperiOus demands, would not have a tirop Of
blood shed becausc Of this disputed boundary FOR.
u blow struck did not plunge into civil var il
would al least enRender feelings which time could
scarcely alay, and the fatal consequences Of which
every gOOd man would deplOrc md has not tbis
Union strong claim on the patience, the forbear-
ance, and the affection Of Tcrssy Did VIC not al.
init her into our Union when her rosouroes were
e1hausted, her treasury dried up when che was with
out mesns % maintain an army, Obliged 10 distand
her navy, and unable 20 pay either the interest Of
her debt Or the salaries Of her civil oficers2 And
then did we not, on her account, wage a war of
bloody battles and lavish expenditure, What de-
partncnt Of the Government hinched from the re-.
responsibilities Of this contest Will che now, for
Tine disputed territory, which tho arms u The Union
won, which the power Of the BniOn holds, and the
title 10 which IL honestly believed by 20 many 10 be
In the Jnon-will che for this now kindle the
flames Of civil discordy Better by far would il be
Tor her and for us II her lone star had sbone on in
lts solitary held. Sir, mean not 20 reproach Texas
lhatshC vas exhausted at the close Of active hos
tliucs between her and Mexico IL not 20 be won
dcrcd at Her population vac sparse aud small
H. IL a.