Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-02-13

09y omDItlOn o. net greatest men Ougnt 10
be satisfied with, as State and member
Of this Union. /
But, sir, the second ofthese resolutions
makes proposition 10 the State of Texas
upon which desire 10 say few words
II proposes that tho Government: Of the
United States will provide for the payment
Of oil that portion OF the debt OF Iexas
for which the duties received upon imports /
from foreign countries was pledged by
Texas at a time when she had authority 10
make pledges. How much il viii amount
10 have enJeavored 10 ascertain, but all
the means requisite 70 the ascerainmcn'
nj the sum have not been received, and il
il no, very essential st this time, because
il 10 the principle and not the amount that
is most worthy Of consideration. Now,
sir. the ground upon which base this la
b;i,y on the par, Of the United States 10
pay q specified portion oil the debt Of Tex
as is not new 10 me. II Is one which |
have again and again announced 10 be a..
opinion entertained by nc. think :, is
founded upon principles OF truth and
eternal justice. Texas being All indepcn-
dent Power. recognized a. such BY all the
great Powers Of the earth, invited loans 10
be made 10 her 10 enable her to prosecute
the then existing war between her and
Mexico She told those whom she invited
20 make these loans that "if you make
them the duties on foreign imports shall
be sacredly pledged for the reimbursement
Of the loans" The loans wcro made
The money was received. and expended
in tho establishment Of her liberty and
her independ cnce. After oil this. she an
nexcd herself 10 tho United States. who
thcnccforward acquired the right to the
identical pledge which she had made to
the public creditor 10 satisfy tho loan OF
money which he had advanced 10 her
The United States became the owners Of
that pledge and the recipient Of all the du.
ties payable in the ports Of Texas.
Now, Sir. do say that, in my humble
Judgment. if there be honor, or Justice, or
truth among men, we do owe to the cred
iiors who thus advanced their money up.
on that pledge. the reimbursement Of The
money. at all events 20 the extent That the
pledged fund would have reimbursed IL, If
il had never been appropriated by us 10
our use. We must recolicc,, sir, TINT in
relation 10 that pledge, and 70 tho loan
made in virtue and on the faith Of it, thero
were three parties bound--l mean after
annexation United States. Texas.
and the creditor Of Texas. who had ad
vanced 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 10 deprive the cred
itor Of a security. in full reliance upon the
faith o. which he had advanced his money
Sir, il is impossible now 10 ascertain how
much would have been received from that
source Of revenue by the State OF Texas
IL she had remained independent. II
would be most unjust to go there now and
examine at Galveston and her other ports
TO ascertain how much she Eow receives
by her foreign imports; because. by being
incorporated into this Union. oil her sup
plies which formerly wero received from
foreign countries, and subject-nany of
them OF least-to imPor: duties, ara now
received by the coas,ing trade. instead OF
being received from other countries, IA
they would have been If she had remain.
cd independent. Considering the extent
Of her territory. and the rapid manner in
which her population is increasing, and is
likely to increase, il is probable that in the
course Of few years there might have
been such an amount received OF tho vari-
Gus ports Of Texas--she remaining indie
pcndent-a- would have been adcquats
TO the extinction Of the debt TO which |
have referred.
But. sir, il is not merely in the discharge
Of wha, I conceive to be valid and legt-
innate obligation resting upon the United
States TO discharge the specified duty. il is
no, upon that condition alone that this
pay mcnt is proposed 10 be made; ii is al
50 upon tho further condition that Texas
shall rc.inquisl, to tho United States any
claim that she has to any portion of New
Mexico. Now. sir. although. as believe.
shc has not valid title TO any portion Of
New Mexico, she has a claim; and for III g
sake Of that general quic, and harmony.
for that general accommodation which |
ought to be Us much the object OF legisla- |
ton as il is Of ndivduas in their transac
lions in private life, wo may do now VIVA,
an individual in analogous circumstances
might do.g give something for the relinqush
mcnt Of a claim. although, i, should not be |
we'll founded. for the sake Of peace. I, is
therefore proposcd-and this resolution !
does propose--thot wc shall pay tho !
amount OF the deb, contracted nv Texas !
prior 10 its annexation 70 the United States. !
in consideration Of our reception of the
duties applicable TO The extinction Of tina,
debt; and tina, Texas shall also. in con-
alteration Of a sum 70 be advanced. re-
linquish any claim which she has 20 any
portion Of New Mexico
Tho fifth resolution. Sir. and the sixth. I
like the third and fourth. are somewhat,
connected together. They arc es follows: /
Reso1rcI, Tha, it is inexpcdicnt 70 /
abolish slavery in the District Of Column /
bia, whilst that institution Continues 70
exist in the State os Maryland, without, (
the consent OF that State. witiiou, the con
sent OF the people of the District. and .
without jus, compensation to the owners
Of Slaves within the District; but
Reso'resi. That il is eypedien, to pro-
hibit within the District. the slave trade in
slaves broush, into i, from States or places