Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1850-12-05


il embraced the whole country east of
the Rio del Norte, from its mouth to its
head, including nearly all New Mexico.
All these opinions were maintained
with great plausibility; the southren
members almost unanimously and with
great zeal and earnestness, urged the
last proposition. 1t appeared TO me
that if ever there was case upon earth
in which disputed boundary should
be settled amicably, adjusted by com.
promise, that of Texas was one. We
offer, it is true, very large sum of
money-ten millions of dollars-for
exclusion of New Mexico from her
limits; but then we were previously
bound to the extent of nearly one half
of that sum 10 the creditors of Texas
in consequence of the U. s. having, in
virtue of the resolution of annexation,
appropriated TO themselves all the du.
ties of foreign imports receivable in
the ports of Texas, whilst independent,
which had been previously pledged to
their creditors.
Texas, therefore, does not in fact re.
ceive more than about five millions of
dollars for their REIMBURSEMENT of her
territorial claim. voted with great
pleasure for the appropriating of the
money, because | hoped and believed it
would be an honorable and bona fde
extingushment of her public debt and
to her consequent relief from all pecu-
mary embarrassment. And, Mr.. Spea.
ker, wish we had some legitimate
ground, regret that we have no legi,i.
mate ground TO advance to every deb.
tor State in the Union sum sufficient
to pay all its debts, and to restore its
credit wherever that credit has been tar.
nished. We are all members of one
glorious confederacy, and commanding
the esteem, the confidence and the np.
probation of the world. If any State
act unworthily to her public debt, her
conduct brings more or less reproach
upon the whole confederacy. | may
hereafter have occasion 10 say some.
thing in respect 10 the fugitive slave
bill. will at present say nothing, ex-
cept that it was the will of the provis-
ions which are embodied to give fair
full and efficacious effort TO the consti-
tutional provision for the surrender of
fugitiSes. No one was hardy enough
upon the floor Of the Senate TO deny
the right Of the owner Of the fugitive
slave, in virtue of the constitution, TO
be restored. as property; the only diff
ence of opinion was as 10 The mode of
efecting that object; but the consti,u.
tional right is conceded; everything is
yielded, for all will admit that cons,i,u.
tional duty on the part Of Congress
should be faithfully and effectually and
not allusivesy and inadequa,ely per.
, formed. The last Of the measures in
the series was that Of the abolishing
, the slave trade in the District Of Col,
) umbia. That trade had lost much oi
lis extent by the retrocesson TO Virgin.
ia of that portion Of the district lying
South of the Potomac, and by other
: events, il was reduced. | think was in
7 formed, TO single prison or depot, ir
which slaves were deposited; those
, slaves were not bought in the District
: but were brought chiefly from Mary
+. land and Virginia into the District. i
Y was trade in which the inhabitants o
? the District had no sort of interest; OF
e the contrary, they wished it abolished
e Southern gentlemen, years ago, had ex
# pressed the opinion that it ought to b.
e abolished, 1t sometimes exhibited lh
}. institution Of slavery in one of il
l. most painful and unpleasant forms,
d have myself seen, not often, nor lately
:. gangs Of slaves chained together drivel
/. through Pennsylvania Avenue; an
}. what human person can contemplat
o such spectacle without painful fee
r, ingsl The existence Of the trade CAV
l rise to great clamor and great exagger
,. alton at the North; why should it b
d continued in the District Why nc
d let the trader, if he chooses to coniinu
!. to prosecute his business, 60 to Ale,
Is andria, to Richmond, Annapolis. Q
D. Ballimore;--if the States of Virgini
: and Maryland will not allow him to 6
Is ihera that is no reason Hhy ha shnnl