The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-11
CITY OF WASHINGTON, TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE H. 1850

complaint either side, which is the side thai ought
gument of this question Of title now know with what
confidence il has been asserted that there cannot be par
ce OF doubt about the title OF Texas to the territory
east OF the Rio Grande from its mouth TO lis but
will hazard the prediction that that question be
determined by the Supreme Court Of the United States
those who claim the validity Of the title Of Texas to the
That is my opinion and merely repeat the opinion
which expressed 10 the beginning OF the session. The
conclusion at which arrive however, il, that it is fair
and fitting subject for adjustment and mutual concession
between the Two portions of the Union.
But now let me pass from FL Paso, or from Texas
proper. TO the limits OF New Mexico. have heard 1t
concedng to New Mexico vast territory which, being
now slave territory, will by that means be appropriated TO
the principle of free soil Here, again, repeat that
worthy friend ID my eye 1Sr SH,sLDsl expressed. in two
three naragraphs cf excellent speech V which
have already advered. all that need be said. II we were
discussing the title OF Texas 10 the country called New
Mexico, this side OF the Rio Grande. But let me ask
how il is made that by purchasing the right OF Texas
whatever may be- 10 this territory i would follow, as
the argument goes, that il amounts to conversion OF
slave territory into free terrory No such result can
take place. the passage OF the bill under consd
Grafton should occur On the subject whether slavery does
does not exist within the limits OF New Mexico, the
principle Of nonintegenon is applied by the bill Those
who argue in this manner say that it is now slave terri
tory, because il comPoses part OF Texas which, being
slave country established slavery where its law extend
ed and gave shareholders the right TO carry their slaves
10 New Mexico. II that be true the right OF the slave
holder remains unaffected by the bill because there is no
prohibition OF that right no abrogaon OF the law 81
Texas. The Texan laws will remain in full force and
vigor, if il be true, is conendeJ that the laws OF
Texas extended to and were in full operation in that
territory
Again. it is contended by gentlemen the other side
of the house, and by this that the constitution OF
the United States in virtue oi its own self-operaon, re-
all obstacles existing in these acquisitions OF terri
tory to the transportation Of slaves thithe and that IN
virtue OF the supremacy OF the constitution OF the United
States the people Of the savehodng States have the right
fhetr fpI Jfuh Nau yvaIl
this the other side OF the Rio del Norie. How,
then, it be said that there is q concession of New
Staes and the conversion OF from slave territory into
free territory tits either right wrong that New Mexico
composed part OF Texas, and that the laws OF Texas pre-
vail there, and that those laws entle you to carry your
slaves there II it be SO, your right is preserved and il
cannot be abogaed nfrnged by the operation OF the
bill which now under consideration You say again that
into New Mexico this side OF the Rio del Norte. The
bill leaves in full force the paramount authority OF the
constitution The conclusion then, is irresistible that
there be slavery there there be authority to carry
slaves there either by the prevalence OF the Texan law or
by the authority of the constitutions those rights will con-
tnue unmpaired and in full force, Notwithstanding the
passage OF this bill On the other hand, il the Texan
authority aRd Texan law never reached New Mexico,
(Which is my private opinion il follows that New Mexico
continued Notwithstanding the passage OF the act OF 1886
by the Texan Congress-, be part OF the Mexican re-
public; and if it detached from that republic
by the OF Texas and the Texan laws stretched
over New Mexico il follows that, up TO the moment OF
4
republic 81 Mexico, the laws Of that republic having ac
cordng to my humble conception, abolished slavery,
slavery does not exist there, and the Territory VIII
be appropriated to the principle OF Tree soil Now,
what ought be done satisfactory TO both sides o
the queston-to the free States and to the slavehodDg
Staeshan TO apply the principle oil nonlnerventon TO
the state OF the law in New Mexico and to leave the
question OF slavery slavery TO be decided By the
only competent authority that definitely settle i for
everthc authority OF the Supreme Court OF the United
States
The honorable member from Connecticut [Mr. BALD
wiYl yesterday wanted the law settled. lie was
answered IN manner triumphant and irreiuiable BY
the senator from Michigan, Mr. CAss,l that we have no
authority so to do II we were TO declare what the pre-
existing law was, would have TO be done in the form
OF declaratory statute. The effect OF declaratory
statute | take 10 be this: Although the declaratory
statute alter the pre- existing law becomes, with
regard 10 the future state OF the law, equivalent TO new
enactment from its date Suppose, then, we were to
senaorwhose eminence at the bar, and the knowledge
of whose emnence, not confined TO State, but has
been coextensve with the Union-how if we TO al
tempt 10 settle this question, could II be settied In tue
first place cannot settle it, because Of the great diver
sy of opinion which exists aud yet The senator will ask
those who differ with him 10 opinion TO surrender their
opinion; and, after they have made this sacrifice OF
opinion can they declare what the law isl When the
question comes before the Supreme Court OF the United
States that tribunal alone will declare what the law is
MIR. President, did not rise, as ! said, TO discuss
the state OF facts under the operation Of the bill now
under consideration. But, while | am up, should be
wanting in the discharge Of my whole duty, II did not
advert 10 tne present cOnulliOn Oh NeW
man cast his eyes that country-can any American
statesman propose 10 leave this question unsetted-wh-
out entertaining the most serious apprehensions oil
domestic difficulty which will end in blood and slaughter
Already, according TO the information which have re-
ceiyed there has been conflict between the people OF
Santa Fe and some persons-accofding to The account
which saw, about hundred-in the employment OF the
quarermaser's department OF the general government
the direction and control OF that military govern
ment that lieutenant colonel, who nov holds IN hts hands
perhaps the desnies OF Santa Fe and New Mexico lie
looks wholly Indifferent, and is neutral IN the struggle
about TO arise between the people OF Santa fe composed
understand OF American citizens, Mexcans, and Span
iaTds this side of the Rio del Noe. and the authorities
of Texas And this neutrality is TO be kept BY the ap
coonel-who has the dealing out OF civil commissions
acting il Is true, under OF the departments IN Wash
ingon, IL he the aulocrat OF the Russas. This
military this lieutenant colonel, who has been
placed over this people, and who, their guardian, s
bound 10 protect them, looks on with cold indifference
upon that struggle already begun 10 the streets oil Santa
Fe in the conflict, according to my information OF some
this government taking part with Texas II was sup
pressed ultimately, il true BY the application oil some
portion oi that force under his command,
Now Mr. President, put II to the Senate ana 10 Inc
countrydismssing altogether the question OF the title
Of Texas 10 the Nueces 10 the Rio Misunderstanding
out oi view the extent OF concession from the sayehod
ing States 10 the free States from the free States 10 the
siayehoding States-leavng out OF view all these con-
sderailons submit, II you do not know that there sa
most nsupeabe antpaihy existing between the people
OF Santa Re and those OF Texas. We know they
cannot live happily together and the inevitable result OF
doing nothing will be 10 lead TO civil war | ask you,
waving all these considerations about right, and about
whether the Nueces or The Rio Grande was the
limit OF Texas-waivng the question OF the extent OF
ri bV tha