The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-07


the ocean navigators would be inadequate to por-
,ray the distractions thrown in the way OF the Pre-,
sident in his arduous navigation OF the snip OF
State at the present moment "
Unjust now refer to d sentiment contained In
speech of the distinguished Senator from Ken
lucky (Mr. CLAY) to which have before allu-
ded-not in any unkind spirit towards hlin' out 10
show the unqualified injustice done TO tue Presiuen'
upon one point in this discussion. The honorable
Srrn,,tor from Mississippi (Mr FooTE) dcnounces
the policy of preserving the Territory oil New Mex
ico from Acknowledgement until the boundary OF
Texas shall be adjusted as violation OF State SOW
gnty and murderous in its character and ten
denotes That honorable Senator has also declared
that whoever advised the late proceedings IN
New Mexico, is IA traitor to his country. Now,
let us see what the distin gushed Senator from
kentucky says on this subject. quote from his
printed speech of the 2lst of May
''But what sort OF a government does TINS iSu-
tenant colonel placed over them administer 10 MS
subjects? Why, suppose one Of the greatest ana
Grst duties Of government is TO give protection to
the people, to give defence to the Territory which
be governs, and TO repel invasion from the limits
of the country. And how docs this military com.
Inander acting it is said under the authority OF
the Secretary of War, behave upon the first APP
proach Of invasion? While commissioners are
sent there pioneers IN the work of bringing
all that part of New Mexico this side OF
the Rio del Norte under the authority Of Texas
as the Territory of Texas, what does this mil
itary governor do, or propose to do, to protect
those people and repel invasion, and to protect the
domain, He says he means to be neutral, and has
instructions from head quarters to be neutral IN
this contest between the people of Santa Fe or New
Mexico and Texas! The governor OF this people,
who opposed to the jurisdiction OF Texas, says
he means to take no part with those whom be gov
erns but 10 leave them to fight it out as well as they
with the power OF Texas What American
can say that, under the circumstances, this course
is iustfable-and what will become OF the sacred
obligations Of the treaty Of Hidslgo? OF all the
honorable distinctions which characterize man In
his social and aggregate, or his individual charac,
ter, that Of good faith, OF the honorable fuhnent
of obligations, and the observance oil contracts
In private life, and Of treaties in public life, ID
one which commends itself most to the appro-
baton Of enlightened mankind Here We have
a provision in this treaty staring us in the face,
requiring to extend the protection OF govern
ment to the people of Utah and New Mexico.
We are told that We may safely-it Is not said,
admit, in terms, but il Is in effective may with
draw from the ful6lment of our obligations, and
leave this people themselves, TO work out their
happiness and salvation in such way as they
can"
Sir, remember the imposing manner ofthe Sen
ator when he announced these sentiments, and how
deep the impression he left upon the Senate OF their
Justice. The Senator will perceive that propose
do him 10 in justice. No, cir; ask with MN,
what American would not say that this people
should be protected from the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF
their society and territory, at least until the ques
ton of their boundary shall be settled! They are
homogeneous population, and have grown up
with their present associations and usages III Pc
riod Of more than two centuries. Unfortunately,
past collisions have rendered Texas hateful TO
them; and we'll may the Senator from kentucky
denounce the idea OF leaving them without protec-
ton against the superior power OF Texas. IL lie a
Just well as a generous sentiment.
What is the true state of this question? Texas has
a disputed claim to part OF the territory oil New
Mexico, Of which she has never had possession.
Msj Neighbours, the agent of Texas, succeeded
in inducing the inhabitants of the county adjoining
FL Paso to submit quietly to the jurisdiction oil
Texas He is said TO be gentleman of considerable
adj af win hut al unvlelllnV
frmness and obstinscy of purposc. When he
came TO Santa FL, he found that he could not 30
easily manage the people there A puolic meeting
called to deliberate upon measures u resist
ance. when an attempt was made 10 interrupt the
proceedings of the meeting and when II appeared
that violence and bloodshed were likely TO follow,
the lieutenant colonel commanding the troops OF
the United States intcrposcd his authority and sup
pressed the disturbance. Major Neighbours, find
ing that he could not prevail upon the citizens OF
Santa Fe to acknowledge the jurisdiction Of Texas
without force, returned home. And yet, sir, this
interference of the military keep the peace is de-
nounced az an act OF military usurpstion and un-
warrantable violation of the sovereign rights OF
Texas. Sir, it was the people Of Santa Re that re
sisted Major Neighbours. II is they who seek to
protect themselves from being swallowed up by
Texas, and finding themselves thus threatened, and
that they may be able 10 act with vigor and effect
In opposition 10 her pretensions, they have been
driven to form State constitution, and to appeal
10 the sympathies and Justice OF Congress Tor ad-
mission into the Union. The Senator from Texas
(Mr. RusK) should remember that it was this pro-
ceeding of Major Neighbours, acting the agent oil
Texas, that has driven the people OF New Mexico 10
the resolution of forming a State constitution, az
the only resort left them in defending themselves
with any prospect Of success against the power OF
Texas.
Mr. RusK. ] desire TO inquire OF the Senator if
he knows that there il message Of the President
in which he says that he apprehends that Texas
viii not practically attempt TO put into operation
her claim,
Mr.. BELL. ] am aware Of the message TO which
the Senator refers but it is not words but substance
and intentions on which prefer to dwell. under
stand that the President intends TO maintain the
status ~ quo in New Mexico. ! have not consulted
him on the subject, but infer from his statement
In a recent communication TO the Senate that such
IRE hrs intentions.
Mr. RusK. do not wish TO annoy the Senator
now, but will show al proper time that the Prcs
ident has by his interference changed the status IN
quo entirely, and that he has cha ged his order d
reotng the territory TO be given up to the charge Of
Texas.
Mr. Bell. Was that the order Of tho present
Erecutiyes
Mr.. RusK No, IL was an order Of the former
Executive, which will show was acquiesced in by
the present Executive until a certain order is
sued. This is assumed TO be an issue between New
Mexico weak power, and Tepss but IL is between
the United States and Texas, and the sword has
been thrown into the scale 10 decide IL in favor Of
the United States
Mr. USDERwooU ] have a few words 10 say,
with the assent Of the Senator from Tennessee.
Mr.. BgLL. Certainly.
Mr.. USDERwooD. rice 10 state what conceive
TO be popular authorty-so far any such author
iiy has been giyen-justifying the President in
maintaining the stdfv quo in New MEXICO. look
upon II az his duty 20 do 90, and !, as one Of his
friends, would have felt disposed N denOunoe him
II he did not. Here Ia historical fact 10 which
wish 10 call the attention Of the Senate. When we
were cndeavOring, during the last session Of Con-
gress, To legislste upon the subject Of territorial
governments. the Senator from Wisconsin (Mr.
WALKED offered an amendment 10 the civil and
diplomatic bill which will read in substance. II
was, that the Constitution aud fundamental laws,
the revenue laws, laws regulating trade aud inter
course with the Indians, laws respecting the public
lands, and all other nets Of Congress suitable aud
proper 20 be applied 10 the Territories, should he
extended over and put in force in all the country
possf Of the Rio Grande. Mark the erpresson--
west Of the Rio Grsndci And the President
authorized b prescribe and establish all necdful
rules and regulations for enforcing the Constitu-
ton and said laws, and for IN, preservation Of
der aud tranquility and the establishment Of jus
ucc, and 60 modify and change the same from Nmc
to time, as might seem 10 him discreet and proper,
and 10 appoint and commission officers for such
terms he might prescribe 10 administer the laws.
and 70 allow them such compensation she pleased,
not exceeding double the sum heretofore paid for
similar services. That was in substance the amend
ment Of the Senator from Wisconsin adopted by the
senate TO the Civil and Diplomatic bill propo~inp