The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-03
Important from Texas.

Important from Texas.
MESSAGE OF THE GovERNOR-MEETING OF THE LE-
GlSLATURE IN EXTRA sEssroN-THREATENING AT
tube AGAINST THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT, ETC.
We have received dates from Texas to the 22d ult.
The Legislature met in extra session at Austin,
not being present the House did not organise until
the following day.
Governor Bell sent his message on the 18th ult.
The document is very long, and contains elaborate
view Of all questions connected with the interest of
the State The Governor puts forth some very Sc
we're structures on the general government for its
want Of prompness in furnishing proper deences for
the protection Of the frontiers and for not supplying
sufficient troops to guard the inhabitants of the
State against the ncurons Of the merceless savages
that infest the borders. He says, as mesure OF
purely sefdefence, the citizens of every trade and
profession driven at last to the extremity of or
ganizing themselves into military corps, armed and
equipped at their own expense, and Of course at the
sacrifice Of all the advantages accrung to them from
the ordinary pursuits Of their several vocations and
having no means OF obtaining ammunition and sup
plies for the support of this service, the Executive
was compelled to throw himself upon the liberality
and patriotism of the citizens Of the countiy-and
all this because the government failed to give the
promised adequate protection to the frontiers.
munication from the Secretary of War, in which
that functonary remarks that volunteer companies,
organized without the sanction and contrary to the
Judgment OF the authorities properly charged with
the defence Of the country have tendency to create
hostiities and endanger the peace Of the frontiers
thus replies Here then, we have, in regard to
military history, specimen OF rare intelligence,
and an official courtesy Of which sincerely wish we
glare of the federal city, the great emporium Of
fashion and elegance, it is not wonderful that the
Minister Of War should forget the history of our
country, even so far back as the period when she
made her transit from republic to State Of the
Union. Not possessing the necessary information,
the honorable Secretary had the virtue Of patience
he might have learned that Texas before she trans
ferred her nationality, and with it her resources to
the federal Union, had demonstrated the efficiency
OF her volunteer troops by series of unparalleled
successes over the common enemy, WHILE at the
same time, she beat back from her borders hordes of
their savage auxiliaries This is matter OF history.
II he had possessed the liberal and enlightened
views of a statesman, combined with an adequate
military knowledge Of the wants Of the frontier, he
would have acted above the suspicion of prejudice,
and afforded to democratic Texas the military aids
she needed, and had right to demand. If with
proper sense of duty, he had possessed any of the
milk of human Kindness instead of the cold, cacu-
lating, political communication, such as we have
now to lament, the honorable Secretary would have
confined himself to the propriety of stating that
under existing laws, the Volunteer companies mus.
tered into the service Of the State could not be re-
ceived, but that the executive would recommend to
Congress the justice OF making the necessary appro
priations to meet the contingency.
Ia relation to the five millions OF dollars OF Texas
indemnity retained by the United States for the dis
charge Of claims against the State, which were con-
tracted previous to the act of annexation the Cover
nor says:-The financial committee OF the United
States Senate reported bill, the object of which
was to pay the revenue debt of Texas at its face va
lue in three per cent stock cancellng the five mil
lions off per cent stock due the State under the
boundary act of September 8, 1850. The source
from which this proposition emanates, certainly en-
titles it to respectful considerations and il it Is to be
valued by Texas in the ratio Of the pecuniary bene
fits likely to be derived from it, then indeed she
might, without ceremony, embrace it and rejoice
over the bargain but in this instance it is my honest
try and mammon too; and if a measure should be
adopted by the federal government without the con-
curence Of the people OF Texas, ii wW manifest an
utter disregard Of The soveeigaty Of the State, and
should Be lnd'gaonily r.epe2cd. Does the five mil
lions of dollars retained in the federal treasury be-
long to the United Statesf II does not. 1t is as
much the property Of Texas as was the five millions
which have already been paid to her, and she alone
has the right to prescribe in what manner it is to be
applied. II is true that it is retained unfortunately
with our assent, guaranty against the supposed
liability Of the general government for certain
debts Of Texas. contracted prior TO annexa-
tion-retained, however, only as secur-
ty, and without the shadow of right to
appropriate any pOTt1OE Oh II. Inc Ol congress
in which this fund had it's origin was accepted by
the people Of this State q 81 promise,
and il manifestly contemplated that should be
paid to the State; that payment 70 be held until
certain class OF her creditors should le releases at
the federal treasury Of all claim against the United
States for their debt; but by none Of lis provisions
could it have been intended that these debts were TO
be paid out Of this fund by the officers ofthe United
States treasury, and much less could II have been
contemplated that these officers or Congress- or any
other than the State of Teyae gh0ud deter
mine what was the amount Of Der indebtedness; aud
TO assume TO do so DOW will be violation Of the
promise act, and direct insult TO us, implying it
would, want OF integrity part in the adjust
ment OF the claims oil creditors The proposition
contained in the bill Of the finance committee OF the
Senate, no doubt adopted from patriotic views,
and with the best feelings for Texas. In her sovereign
character, however, she claims the undenable right
TO examine its material features and Judge of their
merit Believing, then, IL this measure is allowed 10
pass tsmey and without resistance that Il will sweep
away with il every shadow Of State sovereignty,
must he allowed TO say IS, "a ny opinion, ,choiiy
iaodmissitt nor ~ submission 10 IL, ia ma jVdg.
mfat, The prtTer U0y 10 indicate gtcord fol- III,
ftdelGt Union on or geoftoa 10 II. As q pr,ccJcat
Il is dangerous and should be aroided. A very ga
gacious writer justly observes Zone prece.
dent creates another. They soon accumulate and
constitute law. What yesterday was fact to-
day is doctrine. Examples are supposed to jus
tiiy the most dangerous measures, and when
they do not suit exactly, the defect is sup
Piled by analogy" The position which now occu
ny towards my constituents and fellow citizens, viii
soon cease 10 exist; but, in surrcndering to them
the high trust which they so generously conhded u
my hands, should feel that had acted the part d
an unaithful servant II fail to do ell that is IN my
power 10 keep from their escutcheon the foul blot
which. in hoy humble judgment, would tarnish i
wert tce tomtiy Gad sHtaRyto aHor me Congress D
me Jndod States, NJ oay other p0tocr, 10 pucJcf'
ruth or internal o6oirs, oad 10 assume thcir nun
0gtDem ,tithoW 6rct trt6Hdiag 10 rs Tie poor coDt
pttD,ot II con uhtrg ~ IN The subject.
The executive closes his rather important message
with The following reference TO the three great men
lately deceased -
3 Although South Carolina, kentucky, and Massa
1buseits claim, respectively, Calhoun, Clay, and
webster, the nation NOUNS he F lose and each mem