Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-01

inquiry whether the Nueces or the Rio Grande the
true boundary OF Texas, propose by the first OF these
two resolutions that its western limits shall be fixed on
the Rio del Notwithstanding west from the Sabine to
the mouth of the Rio del Norteand that it shall fol-
low up the Bravo, or the Rio del Norte, to where it
strikes the southern line of New Mexico, and then,
divergng from that line, follow on in that direction until
ii reaches the line fixed by the u States and Spain
by their treaty OF 1875 and thus embracing vast coun-
try abundanty competent to form two three States
"a country which think the highest ambition of her
greatest men ought to be satisfied with State and
member OF this Union
But sir the second of these resolutions makes pro-
position to the State OF Texas upon which desire to
say a few words. 1t proposes that the Government
of the United States will provide for the payment Of all
that portion of the debt OF Texas for which the duties
received upon mposfrom foreign countries was pledged
by Texas at time when she had authority to make
pledges How much it will amount to | have endea-
youred to ascertain but all the requisite to the
asceltainmen of the sum have not been received and it
very essential at this time because is the princi
pie and not the amount that is most worthy OF conside
ration Now sir the ground upon which base this Ii
ability on the part OF the United States to pay speci
fled portion of the debt of Texas is not new me. 1t
is one which have again and again announced to be
an opinion entertained by me. l think it is founded
upon principles Of truth and OF eternal Justice Texas
being an independent Power recognised such by all
the great Powers OF the EARTH invited loans to be made
to her to enable her to prosecute the then existing war
between her and Mexico She told those whom she
invited to make these loans that eff you make them the
duties on foreign imports shall be sacredly pledged for
the reimbursement OF the loans. The loans made
The money was received, and expended in the estab
lishment of her liberty and her independence After all
this, she annexed herself to the United States who
theneetorward acquired the right to the identical pledge
which she had made to the public creditor to satisfy the
loan of money which he had advanced to her. The
United States became the OF that pledge and the
recipient of all the duties payable the ports of Texas
Now, sir, l do say that, in my humble judgment, if
there be honor or JUSTICE truth amongst men, we do
owe to the creditors who thus advanced their money
upon that pledge the reimbursement OF the money, all
events the extent that the pledged fund would have
reimbursed it, if it had never been appropriated by to
our use We must recoect, sir that in relation to that
pledge, and to the loan made in virtue and the faith
of it. there were three parties boundI after an
nexatonthe United States Texas and the creditor Of
Texas who had advanced his money on the faith of
solemn pledge made by Texas
Texas and the United States might do what they
thought proper but in justice they could do nothing
deprive the creditor of full reliance upon the pledge
upon the faith of which he had advanced his money
Sir it is impossible now to ascertain how much would
have been received from that OF by the
State OF Texas if she had remained Independent. 1t
would be most unjust to go there and examine at
Galveston and her other ports TO ascertain how much
she now receives by her foreign imports because by
being incorporated into this Union, all her supplies
which formerly were received from foreign countries,
and subect-many Of them at leastto import duties,
received by the coasting trade instead of being
received from other countries, they would have been
if she had remained independent Considering the ex-
tent of her territory and the rapid manner which her
population anu Is likely increase, 1t
probable that in the OF few years there might
have been such amount received at the various ports
OF Texas-she remaining Independents would have
been adequate the extinction OF the debt to which
have referred.
But sir, it is not merely in the discharge of what
conceive to be valid and legitimate obligation resting
upon the United States to discharge the specific duty
is upon that condition alone that this payments pro-
posed to be made it is also upon the further condition
that Texas shall relnquish to the United States any
claim that she has to any portion Of New Mexico
Now, sir, although as believe, she has not valid title
to any portion of New Mexico she has claim: and
for the sake OF that general quiet and harmony for the
sake OF that accommodation which ought to be as much
the object OF legislation it is of individuals in their
transactions in private lite, we may do what an in
diyidual in analogous circumstances might do, give
something for the REIMBURSEMENT of claim although
it should be well founded for the sake of peace 1t
therefore proposedand this resolution does propose
hatwe shall pay the amount OF the debt contracted by
Texas prior to its annexation to the United States in
consideration OF reception OF the duties applicable
the extinction OF that debt and that Texas shall ALSO
in consideration OF sum TO be advanced, renquish
any claim which she has to any portion OF New Mexi
co.
The fifth resolution, sir and the SIXTH like the third
and fourth, are somewhat connected together They
are as follows:
5heResoloed, Thait isinexpedent to abolish slave
ry in the District OF Columbia, whilst that institution
continues to exist in the State OF Maryland without the
consent OF that State without the consent OF the people
OF the District, and without Just compensation to the
owners Of slaves within the District
9th. But resolved, That is expedient to prohibit
within the District the slaveade slaves brought into
it from States or places beyond the limits OF the Dis
rct, either TO be sold therein as merchandise OF to be
transported to other markets without the District OF
Columbia.
The first OF these resolutions, Mr. President, in some-
what different language, asserts substantially no other
principle than that which asserted by the Senate OF
the United States twelve years ago. upon resolutions
which then offered, and which passed-at least the
particular resolution passed majority of four-titths
OF the Senate alude to the resolution presented by
me in 1888 | shall not enlarge on that resolution; it
speaks toritse it declares that the institution of slavery
should not be abolished in the District OF Columbia
without the concurrence OF three conditions: first the
assent OF Maryland second the assent OF the people
within the District; and third, compensation to the
owners OF the slaves within the District for their pro-
perty.
The next resolution proposed deserves a passing re-
mark. 1t is that the slave trade within the District
ought to be abolished prohibited do mean by that
the alienation and transfer OF slaves from the inhabitants
within this District-the sale by neghbor TO
Their OF slave which the and the other wants.
that husband may perhaps be put along with his wife,
Or wife with her husband. do not mean to touch at
all the question of the right OF property in slaves
amongst persons living within the District; but the slave
trade to which refer was think, pronounced an abe-
ninaoE more than forty years ago. by OF the most
gifted and distinguished sons of Virginia, the late Mr.
Randolph And who is there who is not shocked its
snormity? Sir, it is great mistake at the North if
hey suppose that gentlemen living in the slave States
ook upon one who is regular trader in slaves with any
particular favor kindness. They are otten-some-
lines unjustly, perhaps--excuded from social inter-
course. | have known some memorable instances of
his sort. But, then, what is this trade? It is good
leal limited since the rerocession of the portion OF the
District formerly belonging to Virginia. There are
Alexandra, Richmond Petersburg and Norfolk, south
If the Potomac, and Baltimore, Annapolis and per-
laps other ports north of the Potomac Let the slave
iealer who chooses to collect his slaves in Virginia and
Maryland, go TO these places; let him not here
md establish his aiJs and put on his chains and
INES shock the sensibhes of nature by long train
# slaves passing through that leading from this
capitol to the house OF the Chief Magistrate of one of
he most glorious Republics that ever existed. Why
houd he not do it! Sir, am l speak the sent-
nents of every Southern man, and every man coming
rom the slave States when say let it terminate and
hat it is denominations that there occasion for it,
ought no longer to be tolerated.
The seventh resolution relates to subject embraced
a bill now under consideration by the Senate. 1t is
S follows:
7th. Resolved, That more efectual provision ought
be made by law, according to the requirement of the
institution for the restitution and delivery of persons
ound to service or labor in any State who may escape
ito any other State or territory in the Union