Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-15

Mr.. DOUGLAS. In the mean time i would suggest 10
The honorable Senator from Mississippi withdraw his amend
men until the question be taken upon the question Of
boundary separately II
Mr. FOOTE. Very well will withdraw it for the pre-
sent TO accommodate the Senator from Illinois.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. now strike out Of the thirty
ninth section the following words:
First The northern boundary of said State shall
follows Beginning at the point the Rio del Nore
monty called Ell Paso and running that river twenty miles,
by straight line thereon thence eawardy
point where the hundredth degree of longitude
the United States and Mexico and the angle
the line OF territory set apart for the Indians by the Uni
{. ted States" '...,. ...
And insert the following: ....r
'The northern boundary of the State of Texas shall be
line from the Rio Grande the southern end
of the Tornado del Muero Journey of the Dead to the
Red river and thence down the centre OF said rivers and the
eastern boundary of the territory of New Mexico shall be the
range of mountains dividing ridge separating the waters
flowing the Rio Grande from the flowing into the
Arkansas and Red rivers
Mr. DAVIS, Of Mississippi. have been listening aten-
lively the friends of this measure the called pafcators
who have been discussing IL presume however 1t may ap
pear in spirit Of Cancellation and compromise, with the hope
that they would last arrive something that would be tan
ebe ineligible to those involved in the censures hurled at
all who originally opposed it, have heard arguments adj
dressed to Iecunay consderaons-and these suppose,
in the nature Of the argumenfum al hOminem some
that Typographical and that political short
every kind of argument except that which addressed TO the
principle and the question Of at sue-he right OF the
State surrender and the power of the Government to pur
chase this territory Where sir does this Government de-
rive such power From what clause Of the constitution do
you draw authority to pay money for over land
now within the limit Of State and whence does Texas de-
rive her power to sell have said, former OCCASION
that nothing jealousy guarded by the trainers of the
constitution than this power of the Federal Government to
acquire territory within the limits of State. II was limited
in and specified in pupoenot than ten miles
square for seat of government and lots for forts arsena,
and other needu buildings By what authority,
them will you take from Texas territory enough to make three
of the average sized States of this Union It is granted
Nv is
the resolution of Texas annexation
II is not the interest Of Texas alone which involved in
this proposition The honorable Senator from Kentucky
that question between Texas and Texas, but be-
tween the United States and Texas. Sir, question be-
the United States throughout, please between
different sections of this Union Texas has right to cell
this territory and the Uni ed States have purchase it.
What the considerations that prompted certain States of
this Union advocate the annexation of Texas The his
tory is of time, and known ALL But only ask that
the of the resolution of annexation may be adhered TO
that resolution find that every included in the State
Of Texas belong to that State until, with the consent
Of Texas portion Of her domain might be separated 10 form
State Of this Union Then, sir, deny your authority
purchase it the power Of Texas to divide her domain
except for the purpose contemplated.
Now, sir will offer few remarks in relation to the
Arguments which have been offered to this proposition
the BILL As to the pecunary considerations especially rs
the threatened reduction the contemplated feel that
the people Of Texas superior to such influences They
will not reduae their domain because you enlarge
mary temptation abandon heir territory lest withdraw
yeur offered douceur. For myself will say, could grant
this money all, would rather give TO Texas for main
tanning her jurisdiction and sovereignty and for the bold and
gallant in which she emancpated herself from MeI
and achieved her dependence than consideration for
the abandonment Of her rights and duties State
Sir, think few could have been gross than
those that have been committed the Typographical branch
Of the question have great respect for the authority quot
ed by the honorable Senator from North Carolina The Off
to whom he refene1 doubt competent to make
geological report upon the country if such had been the OBJ
ject Of his examination But what the exploration 1t
frnr,,S
to Ell Paso. He went desert Of ninety miles,
TOLD before he reached the valley Of the Rio Grande But
does that prove the steriy Of that valley Not at all 1t
is striking fact in the geography of continent that the
is above Ell Paso the side of the highest range
Of mouDtain and Just below that point abruptly changes
course breaking its through ridge omoun
ans changes from the Pacific to the Atlantic slope, and
finally pours out its into the Gulf of the Atlantic
Those high peaks Of mountains which lost in the
clouds and wrapped in furnish the water that izes
the plains of the valley of the Rio Grarde Fertility is to be
found all along that river except where the sands drink the
We know that upon the side of the very point
referred stands the ancient town Of Ell Pao of the
fourshng of the Of the interior of Mexico when north
Mexico proI cred under the viceroyay Of SPAIN That
has become reduced is not because Natures vors
sned but from its Of protection and its exposure the
depedaons Of the Indians The climate and the soil all
that could be wished In that region, where cultivation is
dependant upon irrigation the fertility Of land is estimated by
the amount of water that is to be found upon it. This
gop which, according to the statement of the Senator from
North Carolina be cultivated for that reason must
Piains east oi lloBe WHICH
ley of the Rio Grande have fear of any such difficulty
he has supposed being encountered in the valley Of the
river. The seriy of which he speaks in the interior,
the mountains and from the ve the great
seryor and fertilizer of the valley Such cannot be the
along the greater part of the upper Rio Grande when labor
and enterprise and skill and capital shall make its
subservient TO the bidding of agricultural man.
Now sir Fturn the political considerations. Why does
stand boldly forward and frankly say he wishes
take this territory from savehodng Texas end give it
the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States with the pro-
babe prospect under antsavey Congress, OF its ul
mately being carved up in two three non-savehodng
States Why do gentlemen representing the South wish to
surrender the econ, the security they enjoy, and
to submit themselves to this hazard Can it be that,
from the North there any members in this Senate
who wish 10 rob the Southern portion Of the Union Of the
rights they possess Or surprising SILL if true,
it he that that portion of the Union which is about to be rob-
bed is willing aid in and pay for the outrage
Is enough that told that Texas is the party i'm
medaey interested that she will be content with the prof
ered pecuniary considerations and that Of the South
ought be satisfied for that Sir, loathe too much
To hate such proposition. Our rights held by such
tenure No man, set of men, have any power to
maDd acquiescence attempt barter the rights
OF my constituents .eE" S
Mr. Pesdent majority Of this Congress have the power,
by the strong hand, TO take every inch Of territory which
quired the late with Mexico great sacrifice of blood
and treasure by re South let them take if this
upon every principle Of equity and of honor be
perpetrated least Southern representatives will
the act by their consent that they will
to the last This Other and possible still odou
proposition which made to enter The limits Of savehodng
State divide its domain and portion Of TO the
tender merces of Congress controlled by anti slavery
majority, Is one to which can ageeagainst which