The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-04
From Texas.

error.
Adjourned until tomorrow at II O'Clock a. M
From Texas.
The Legislature of Texas assembled at Austin on
the 10th ultimo, but there being no quorum, it met
on the following day and organized. Governor
Bell sent in bic message on the 18th It is quite d
lengthy document, and the following synopsis Of
it is from the Galveston Ne.os:
The Governor begins by stating that be had eau
tiously investigated the expediency of our extra
session, and concluded to assume the responsibility
calling it, from of duty, which responsi
bility he deems he might lessen, were be desirou,.
by ralying on the evidence of public opinion in
his favor. The message refers to the general pros
perity of the State, married. however, by the dep.
relations committed on portion of our western
frontier The President of the United States is ex.
onerated from all charges of injustice towards our
frontier, neglect of its defence the Secretary
of War is sheld directly answerable for the false
position he has assumed and the gross injustice he
has endeavored to perpetrate by the uncalled for
and unauthorized language he has thought fit to
employ, In abiding to the volunteer services of
this State.'
After the adjournment of the last Legislature.
the Governor received intelligence of the daily
enactment of scenes of bloodshed and robbery
along the line of the Rio Grande. The reluctance
heretofore displayed in settling the necessary ex.
penditures for military force, and the hope that
the troubles would be quieted by the sufferers and
teers- He went personally to the commander of
this military department, and represented the
matter to that gentleman, who ordered several
companies of mounted rifemen to the scene of
trouble. But portion of this force was recruits,
destitute of experience and mounted, and unaccli-
mated horses. Security was not afforded to from !.
tier settlers, and the Governor had determined to
order the mastering into service of three compa
mics of volunteers, advising General Smith of his
intention, and asking the concurrence of that Off
Ger, which was not given.
Gentlemen were found to furnish the necessary
means for equipping and transporting the vol
unteers. The services of these companies have
restored peace and confidence on the frontier
Captains Davis, Shaw, and Lewis, are compliment.
tarily referred to. and the Legislature called on to
award compensation to all who have contributed to
or been engaged in this service.
The Legislature is asked to institute the inquiry
whether the General Government has afforded
complete and satisfactory protection to the Rio
Grande frontier. The message then quotes from
correspondence between Secretary Conrad and
Governor Bell, interpreted with severe censure
on the honorable Secretary.
The message suggests the matter of the public
debt as proper subject for discussion end settle
ment at the present session, and protests against
the General Government assuming to adiudicate
the character and amount of our liabilities. The
message contends that the five millions reserved
by the United States belongs to Texas, and she
alone has the right to prescribe in what manner
shall be applied 1t is assumed that the State
cannot acquiesce in any such measure as that
which passed the United States Senate, relative
to her public debt, without compromising. her
sovereignty The danger Of such precedent is
adverted to in strong terms. 1t is submitted
however, whether it would be expedent for Texas
to consent to the issuance of light and half mil
lions-the amount of the revenue debt-three per
cent. bonds, in lieu Of four and half millions
the scaled value of this debt of the amount re-
served by the United States 1T is to be dis.
tincty understood, however, that the mode of
adjustment adopted by Texas is equitable and
just"
On internal improvements, the message refers
to two plans brought prominently before the pub
lie. First, that introduced in the Legislature Civ
ing bonus of eight sections of land per mile of
ney equal to one-third of the cost Of the roads
$4 900 per miie-with mortgage on the proper
ty. Second, the Galveston plan. The MESA ge is
in favor Of the first and proposes that the consttu
tional inhibition from making such appropriations
as are proposed may be got around by rst setting
aside such an amount of United States bonds, now
in the treasury, as can be spared, for school
fund, then to loan that fund to corporationsto
build railroads-"as a secure investment"
Internal Improvements are considered seconda
ry to the adjustment of the public debt.
The apportionment bill of the last session was
not submitted in time for due examination and if
it had, the Executive would not have approved it.
An appropriation for putting in order full set
OF weights and measures is asked and geological
examination of the State recommended. In refer
ence to the Peters colony difficulty, the Governor
hopes that such action will be taken as will secure
to the coonists and their families their settlements
and actual improvements; but he does not approve
of the course pursued towards the agent of the
company, and confesses himself unable to advise
any thing to relieve existing embarrassment
Attention is called to document, by which it is
ascertained that near five hundred square miles of
territory supposed TO be within Austns colony Inn
its, is without the same. Titles issued under this
supposition liable to be contested and thew are
advised to be confirmed. The presentation Of the
Texas block Of marble to the Washington Monu
ment, and a recommendation that additional com.
pensation be allowed Major Smith, who conveyed
memory OF A. Sterne, Senator from Nacogdoches,
concludes the message
THE SANDY Hook TELEGRAPH LINE is now com.
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