New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-02-12
THE TEXAS DEB rs.
Correspondents Of The n Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Feb. 3, 1855


The way in which Congress acts in relation to
claims against the Government is discrsditable
to the character Of the National Legislature for
either intelligence or integrity.
1t has just passed bill for the liquidation Of
the French claims. Bat while that bill lie in the
main Just, some Of its details are Of very une Iual
and improper operation. Thus though it gives to
the long stsndiDgand real creditor but partial jus
tice, by Withholding from him portion of what
10 fairly due to him, to the speculatsr who has
bought bushel Of claims for q song, 1t awards
just ss much as though he were an original
claimant. 1t gives to the underwriters who took
the risks Of loss by French spOliston on our CON-
merce, at heavy and remuneratige rates Of insur-
snce Just as much as the most deserving clsss Of
creditors under the bill. There is neither sense
nor justice in this kind of legislation.
The action on the Texa, claims lie no more in
tslligent or proper. TIE Government, foolshly
frightened by the silly cry of disuoion and civil
strife, passed the Compromise Measures Of 1850
and bought its peace with the Southern fllbus'
ters BY agreeing to pay Texas ten millions for let
ting 90 their grip ON New.Mexico. But wisely
or fOolishly ia no matter now. The Government
agreed to psy ten millions in bonds bearing i've
per cent. interest, redeemable in some fifteen
years. Five millions Of that sum it paid down to
the State Of Texas, and FIVE millions it held in
the Treasury to be paid to the creditors of that
State whenever they should all file release of
their claims. This sum is still due, AMI, with
the accruing interest on the bond, amounts now
to over Elk millions These are veritabe, bona
fide creditors of Texas who are perfectly willing
to take their share of this appropriation and ex-
ecute the required release, but are unable to do
i. because of the terms of the act which provides
til at until all release, none shall be paid. Nov
what it seems highly proper Congress should do,
and what the intelligence of Congress should sd-
dress itself to perform since it has consented to
mix itself up with Texas affairs, is to fnd a way
to pay off such Of the creditors of that State as
are willing and waiting 10 receive the money al
ready appropriated for them. We know it is an
easier and lazier process to ignore the relations
between Texas and her creditors, and say to
them all in bunch, "setsle your own affairs and
don't bother u.s." But il is course not dictated
by justice or propriety. There is alarge class of
suffering creditors, suffering no doubt through
the selfish and niggardly parsimoDy of Texas, but
who ought nevertheless, in justice, to be relieved
by Congress; and bill to fulfil this duty ought
to be passed.
The subject has been before Congress all the
session, but instead of trying to settle 1t on this
basis the question has been Jumped with another
end bill to cover both has been pressed through
the Senate, but fell yesterdayn the House. This
bill appropriates eight and half millions for
Texas. Texas pretends to have claim for H.
dian depredations, which she was guaranteed
against by the United States in a treaty with
Mexico, before annexation, for the sum of near
four millions and this bill says 10 effect, We
will give in this claim, and square of the whole
score between Texas and the United States, and
pass receipts if the lstter will pay the eight and
half millions.
Now the true way in legislation, as in every
thing else, is to let every tub stand on its own
bottom. What the Government has agreed to
pay Texar that let it pay, and if Texas acts
wrongly, let Congress right her, go far as our Gov
eminent is implicated in her affairs. If Texas
has any Indian claims, let them be settled on their
own merits, and have no jumping of accounts.
It ia grievous and gross injustice to honest pri-
yate claimants that they should be driven into
bankruptcy and ruin, as some Of them are Ia this
case, and as they often havebeen in others, BY
the failure of Congress to take the trouble to DO
its duty by them. Here, now, for example, is the
case of Gen. Leslie COombs, Of Kentucky-a
man of gallant nature and unsullied honor, who
paid out of his own pocket, In solid CASH, near
800, 900 to aid Texas in the time Of her sorest
need In consequence primarily of the rascality
of Texas, but more immediately by the neglect
of Congress, Gen. Coombs has suffered everything
a sensitive nature can suffer by being reduced to
bankruptcy, having his own house sold over his
head, and his family. servants and their children
brought to the auction block in Kentucky, to sat
isfy importunate creditors, while an independent
fortune belonging to him, is locked up in the
vaults Of the Sub-Treasury. J. 5. p.
coue.pondence of The N. Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Saturday, Feb. 10, 1855.
The Frening S,ar, of this city, WAS pounced
upen Yesterday in the House by Mr.. Edgerton' Of
Ohio, because that paper, while ago, commented
pointedly upon the fact that legitlmate influences
are brought to bear upon members of Congress in
matters of legislation. The effort of Mr. Edger
ton partook of the character of an attempt to n-
timidate the newspaper press from abiding to
the proceedings o. Congress, except to admire
their wisdom and applaud their disinterested In
tegrity. Mr.. Etgerton is smart young man,
and stands well with his brother members as a
well.meanipg and honorable gentleman. We were