Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-03-17
sournrRN

special LuTfehnoHaeult CT ~ OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
MONTGOMERY, Ala. March u, 1s6i.-Con-
gress met to-day at 10 A. NJ. Prayer was Of
fered by Rev. Hooker Cobbs.
The journals Of yesterday were read and
confirmed.
The President withdrew from the chair, for
a few moments, and bis place was supplied BY
Mr.. Chestnut, Of South Carolina.
Mr.. Wright, Of Georgia, said be held in his
band a communication from a gentleman in
Washington City, who is a member Of an in
corporated company, known or distinguished
by the name OF the New Mexico Railway Com
psny. The legislature Of New Mexico, in
1860, incorporated a company by that name
for the purpose Of constructing a railroad
across the entire country to the eastern ex-
tremity Of California. The gentleman has
forwarded to me, by mail, the charter Of that
company, together with a rough draught and
plat Of a donation Of land, for that purpose,
and requests me to lay them before this Con-
gress in some way for the purpose of promo
ting the company, which he represents.
conceive it to be my duty, as well as a cour-
tesy to the gentleman, with whom l am ae-
quainted, TO lay the communication before
Congress, and ask its reference to the commit
tee on territories. But, cir, that Imay not be
misunderstood, / desire TO make one or two
remarks before / take my seat. When | had
the honor Of being a member Of the United
States Congress, / took occasion to express nv
disapprobation Of grants Of land to railroad
and other companies. Ny opinion then was,
and is now, that the best possible disposition
that can be made OF such lands is their gratu.
itous distribution among actual settlers. The
material wealth OF a country, and It's power,
are thus increased.
One word more, as to the right Of this Con-
FTess to l~egislate upon this subject. The an.
/ -Ts~.Af,n ~ fhfc rrmnnUm n C.urraan krs--.
up the question Of our right to l~egislate with
reference to the laws Of New Mexico, and also
the question as to our right in the Territorie.
| Of the late United States. II the theory Of Sc
cession be true, upon which we have acted and
put this Government in motion, we have no
lost our rights in the public lands Of the United
States. And sir, never, with my consent
while this Confederacy has an arm to defend
its rights, shall the Confederate States give az
their interest IN the public domain. Never
sir, and more especially, as a southern man,
viii 1 consentto reIinquish those rightB. They
were emphatically the purchase OF southern
treasure and southern blood. It Is true, sir
that the expnses OF the Mexican war were
borne cut of the national treasury, but, il We
are correct In our opinion, the greatest amount
OF revenue received by that government is In
directly contributed by the South. Upon The
other point, there can be no doubt. SO far &c
the sacrifice OF human Ire IS concerned, the
largest portion Of those lands belongs to us.
It was southern blood and Yaior that won that
territory, and won the principal lsursls in the
Mexican var.
Nor, sir, doss It eomport with my sense Of
Justice. nor of the rights and honor Of tbs
Confederate States, to reliaouish cur claims to
that territory; and at the very time when the
man who turned the tide Of battle, when hope
Of success was nearly gone, is noH at the
helm Of our national affairs. Sir, It was TIE
Mississippi regiment, led by ita gallant com
msnder az Euena Vista, that wTuDg victory
from the very grasp Of defeat.
lmake these observations, sir, that / may
not be misunderstood. 1t may not be wise and
prudent now TO touch such questions, until ell
means have been exhausted by negotiation, to
settle all questions relative to our rights in the
territories. /, therefore, simply ash the refer
ence Of the communication to the COMMITTEES
on Territories, and they can take such action
on It as they deem necessary.
MONTGOMERY, March I3.-The tariff bill
was made public to-day, aed II goes into oper-
alton on the let Of May. Compared with the
tariff act Of the United States, the most Of the
thirty per cent. duties are reduced to twenty
FIVE, and the greater number OF the articles d
tweuty-four and nineteen per cent. ara redueed
70 fifteen. There is very large ten per cent,
kehedule, and q very small free list.