Western Texian. (San Antonio de Bexar, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 11, Ed. 1, Friday, December 29, 1848 Page: 1 of 4
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
ft $ - f
Wj
.-
- s&m&a& .laawwwm "
' VdJ:"
ICCIflSPSSC!
Wilt'liJIVlgMnBJ'ItPllllwiwiiiggjMMiMMiMaMBiiwiii
V
VOL. I.
&N ANTONIO do 1JEXAK- BECJEMBEBiSS 184
wmmwwwni mi mi mwiiim'ii mim.i iniiniMfwiiw.;MlnMiiiiiii wwwwwiiiniriMWwriC'yil Jwwwi wm wwwmiiin n m .j.i ijii it-uib iw ini ntwywwwwww ww wawwWwt .i.i - lirmawnji.. i L L. --miimhi -
-
"X
fwiKwyj
TUB WESTON TBXIAN.
iU CUONIOAN fcXA-GLASSCOCK-
SUBSCRIPTION Four dollars prr an-
nuui payable invariabhj in advance. No
.subscription will be received for h aliuricr pui
rioil than six months
ADVCIITISEMRNTS Will be inserted
iitilie rutu of one dollar per square for die
iirst aud fifty cents fur ench sula-equi'iit in
edruniL Ten lines or loss consilium u Mpmre.
A liberal di-coimt uill bo made in thuse
who ndvurlide by lh year.
AunttUnceuit'iiiH of Candidates for ofhee
will b churged for nl ihu huiiic rate udvur-
flue in en is.
Marriage nod obituary notices also cliarg.
cd ns mlvoriWoini'iil.
Political Circulars mid all communications
of a privata or personal nature will be charg-
ed uttliesamu rated as mlverlWcmoiitf.
No cniuniuuicutinu or nilvertiaeinenl of an
abusive c.nrnct.x-will be inserted in our col-
Mjjnn.H on any terms.
&cgnl Advertising;.
All advertisements ihu puhlicHtinn uf which
required by law wimf he paid for in ad-
urtrtce or ihey will not be inserted.
A deduction of fifin per cent will lie
made on all leal advertisements such ns citu
.linn notice &c.f when they oKci-rd two
vuunrc and the law requires them to be pub.
Itehud for eijlit weeks or more out in every
instance Tin: Cash must it is paid.
IV the information of pnrtie interested
n publish thu following extract from an Act
pnetl at tiio last M'ssion of the Slate Legis-
Ittturu :
Act rtgutotitiz Fees of Oficc.
Section Thai in alt cum's where it
citation or other pro.vss is required to be curv-
ed by i.ublication in a newspaper the officer
vrluws du'y il amy le to make Ftioh nurvico
tdmll be fuuiisheif witft itie winu-ra V for
Mich publication before he shall be refpnrtfir
to have Venice made."
A&i'Mt for ilia Ifcxiatt.
The followia' n.i'iod iirlc-iiien are re-
queued t.i . tlnH iij- i i'-r ih; " WiibTUUN
'jY.xun " in tin ir le-qire.uve countic- viz:
1Uuvi:y Cw-TBUHKUitv Comal couny.
Id. K. I-iwu. (uad.ilupi' tiouuty.
Thomas I. Caui-mtu Travis couniy.
Jamum Nicholson UaMrop county.
Col. JunooN Payette coumy.
S. V. riHiir.u M.aiigordH county.
ISunjamin Wiiitb Jaok-oii conmy.
tl. H. Caiitmuli. Wayhinyton and J. B.
Ilom;i;ToN Inilupemleiice Washington co.
losr AlAvruit riaii Vehpe Aulin county.
William II. Uvan l'irl Bcmi county.
Ovv M. Bkvan Branria county.
ftl. K. Snbll Munis county.
JnllN (JuoMOAN i:iiwijto;iCOUU'y. -
IN.hT Masi'i.u Liheiiy Librriy county.
FiUNClM Huoilri .No e'H co'iut).
A. S TumtMoND Vieioria comity.
Mnsus JiuiNaoN Port Lavaca.
HuiiAcn L. Ueaiu'it Tndi.ui I'oiot.
(J. W. (ji.ascoCK WilliHiiiami county.
II. ;. Munson Milam county.
Capi. .1. I. Ualim UoiiHion county.
M'm. Jj.. Uuntuu. (joliad county.
YM. II. Hunt l-Viunin county.
K5-Jons Dcvall Esq. who is ut pre-
sent traveling in ihe Souih-woiiein pur-
dun ofihe tiidte i uuilmrized lo receive
iiud mccipi lbifubaciipliuns lothc '''i'l s-
iun.J OJ Col C. A. Haiu'uKi who is i
nresuui ut Vu-liiiigu i City U ru-
qucsKnl to actus agum for ihf "Wvstun
Tcxitm" in Umi ciiy iw well aa at nil
places ihrougli which be muy pussilunng
his trip.
Ki-Mu. IIi;nuv Smock is traveling
aounl torihu "Tosiuu M uiallllic Noithcni
aiid I'iisturn cotuuies.
rn'XtlU ItOSTON TVlT-and Surco1io TuuHdry
Jl in cuiin'qu'iico of iiiiiorianl iioprov ioni m
(lie iiitiUiud ol muiiuraLtuiuigt uro now t'lidblott lu
supply Typos ot vry uuponor eiualily ut llm lollow-
lug low tutur fur appruvutl ix munllu' ucieor at u
laryo tltSLuuut fur cah:
l'ica 30 cU. per lb. Uiovler 42cl8perlb
.nNilTiftN. fti Million 'Iti
hen Piiinwr 34 " ' Nonpjrml 60
llumccuis 37 Agate
7d i
i . ! i it ui ' . M f'i'i'M at
i In
prov more ocunuauuiil to tlio printer than iliu
panulacturcu of other t'ouudr ipb.
' Order for every variety orfniuinfj MalorniUcx-
ACUlcd with rromplncH iy J?MKti M. SIIUIE
ARcntPpring Lam Uubtoii Muff.
BaUiiJidy l4U 43'f
junar'aaa alc CHntion.
IIVIUA CRIJKNJS. Otiardnn. having
S madoapphcalioaloliiaCluefJuiHiceul Ouu-
dlu)ocnuiilvlobLIl lliu iiiUrobtorAdruuo I ilar
Silalna Amada and Un T. Curde.UK hihkih in
audio vighlaniuH r land moie or loss l nitf m Uox-
urcounij.hdfiMiloabovoihe "Alamo" beipirt d
lotbcmand JoioCardtuaf now of age by .Mnauel
Xaneues winch application will bo acicd on at tho
Uecerob.r Tern. 1U 13. .411 pyrtoob mtercbled in tho
welfare of aatd minors w 111 appear and bbow cauw at
the Ueceinbrr 'j orm .f tbla Court if any thy have
why Haid valcehould not bn made oinlIL1lirli "r;
Gutid lup County
Dec. 1 1P.4B. 7"-w
"TiliHiiitstrator'H Wolic.
U
KTTliUS of Administration having been
1 granted to the undersigned npon j.hu hk
inteof Mrs. l'cneiopo uumur uuc u.v u.u
County Court of Comal county on tho 3(Jili
of October 1813. All persons having claims
ngiun.it said estate arc required to present
them in tho manner and withiu tho time pro
scribed by law: and ull persons indebted to
said estate uro requoslnd to mko imindwio
payment. M. A. DOOLBY
Nov I7.M3 OkOw Administrator
lM!IUPU'JlMaWtKyWIWCrWWTMMTOfcWlMtTJntWa
unmm rwi MJmumntwmnwM
PftEWBENTMESSAaE
Wo were poliloly favored by our-fellnw
citizen Mr. Ciiauli:s Hummcli with a
copy of thn Picntwiv oftlw I3tli iiist.
beiuu; about tun days Inter than any vu had
previously rucuivpd containing President
Polk's annual Message to the U. S. Con-
RTOSS.
Thu tjrent length of (he Message pfe
eludes the possibility of our giving it tu
tiro; and wo hnvo tluroforo taken copious
vxtrnctsfro'in those portions which nppeur
to he of the most gonernl intotcst. This is
paid to bo the most lengthy message ever!
sent to tho U. States Congress by nuy Pre-
sident. President Polk after tho usual congrn.
lions OvC. upon the meeting of Congress
proceeds as follows ;
- I Hill
latinos
li'iPPy Ipuufoim you Ih.al our re-
with alFiifttious ate friendly and
imcilio. Atlvantnueous lrentia nf.com-
merco have been concluded witlpu the
last tour vears wiih New Grmmtln the
Two Sh-ilies Belgium Hanover Olden-
burg and Mecklenburg Schworin. Pur-
suiujl; our example the restrictive system
of Great Britain our principal foreign
customer has been relaxed ; a more li-
beral commercial policy has been adopt-
ed by other enlightened nations and our
trade has been greully enlarged and ex-
tended. Our country stands higher in re-
spect of the world thun at any former
peitod. To continue to occupy this
proud position it is only uecesunry to
preserve peace and faithfully adhere to
the grout uud fundamental principles of
nur foreign poluv of non-interference in
tho domestic concerns of other "tmliotr.
We recognise in all nations the righ's
.which we enjoy ourselves to change unci
reform their political institutions accord-
ing to their own will and pleasure.
E-lonce we ilo not look behind existing
governments capable of maintaining
their own authority. We recoguisn all
such actual governments not only from
the did ties of true poliey but from u
sacred ngard for the independence of
nations.
While tun is our settled poltcy it
does not fdllow that we can ever be in-
different spectators of tho progress of li-
beral principles. The Government and
people of the United Slates hailed with
enthusiasm and delight the establishment
of tho French Republic as we now bail
the edbrls in piogress lo unite the Slates
of Germany in u confedetution similar
in many respects to nr Fedeiul Union.
Tf the great and enlightened German
Slate. oei olivine as ihey do a central
and
h:t
commanding position in Europe
Micueied in esiuldishirig.sueh a Con-
federated Government securing at the
sumo time to the citizens of each Stale
local governments adapted to the peculiar
rood it ion of each with unrestiicted
liude and intercourse with each oilier
it will bo uu i.nportant era. in the bUloiy
of humun events. Whilst it will conso-
lidate and strengthen the power of Ger-
many it must essentially promote tlie
cause of peace eommwee civilisation
aud constitutional liberty throughout the
world.
With ull the Government- on this con-
tinent our relation il is believed are
now on u more friendly aud satisfactory
fooling than they have ever been at any
former period.
Since the exchange of ratifications oi
the treaty of peace with Mexico our in-
teiv4iure wiih the Government of lhaL
Republic 1ms been of the most friendly
character. The Envoy Extraordinary
and .Minister Plenipotentiary of the Uni-
led States lo Mexico has beep re eived
und accredited ; and a diplomatic repre-
sentative from Mexico of similar rank
has been received and accredited by
this Government. The amicable rela-
tions between the two countries which
had been suspended have been happily
restored and are destined I truHt to he
long preserved Tho two republics both
bilnatcd on tics eumio 1 and Wi L -j-lumtuou
lerruoncw ha. c cvli tu-divc
of sympathy and of interest lo bind them
together in perpetual unity.
This gratifying condition of our for-
eign rel.uions'Ycnders it unnecessary for
me to cull your aliention moro especially
to them.
It bus been my constant aim and de-
sire to cultivate peace and commerce
with ull nations. Tranquility at home
and peaceful relations abroad consulate
the true permanent policy of our country.
War the scourge of nations sometimes
becomes inevitable but is always lo be
avoided when it Ctin be done consistent1
ly with the rights ami honor of the na
tion
One of the most important results of
the war into wnicn we were recently
forced with a neighboring nation is the
demonstration it bus aflbrded of the mili-
tary strength of our country. Before the
late war with Mexico European and
other foreign Powers entertained imper-
fect and erroneous views of our physical
strength ns a nation and of our ability to
prosecute war and especiulty a war
waged out of our own country. Thoy
saw thai our standing army on tho peace
yB9narmajiVTi?titn St
establishment did not exceed ten thou
sand men
Accustomed themselves to maintain in
pence largo elnndiug-armics for tho pro-'
lection of thrones against their own sub
jects ns well as against foreign enemies
they bud not conceived that il was possi-
ble for it nation without such an army
well disciplined and of long service to
vtlgc war successfully They held in
low repute our militia and wele far from
regarding them as' no effective force un-
less it might be for temporary (Icfeusive
operation? when invaded on our own
soil. The events of the Into war wi(h
Mexico have not only undeceived thorn
but have removed erroneous impressions
which prevailed lo some extent even
among a portion of our own countrymen.
Tlujt war has demonstrated that upon
the hienkiug out of hostilities not antici-
pated and tir which no previous prepa-
ration bad been made u volunteer urtuy
dViirzerijyoJdier3 enuaKvtorauArptf.
'imdHiinuinb&i.eqiJii!MnunycnicrWtney; j
can in a short period be brought into hc
field. t
Unlike what would have occurred in
any other country we were under no ne-
cessity of resorting to draughts or con-
scriptions. On the contrary such was
the number of volunteers who patrioti-
cally l ndered their services that the
chief dilHcutty was in tnuking selections
and determining who should be disap-
pointed and compelled to lemain at
home. Our citizensoldieis arc unlike
those drawn from tho population of any
other country. They aie composed in-
discriminately of all professions anil pur-
suits: of farmers lawyers physichus
merchants manufacturers mechanics
and laborers; and this not only among
the officers but the private soldiers in
the ranks. Our citizen-soldiers are un-
like those of any other country in other
respects. They are urrncd and have
been accustomed from their youth up to
handle and a$o fire-arms; and a .large
proportion of them especially in the
WeMern aud more newly-scltled tjlat
arc expert marksmen. They are men
who have a reputation lo maintain at
home by their good conduct in the field.
They are intelligent and there is an in-
dividuality of character which is found
in the ranks of no other army. In battle
each private man a3 well as every ofli-
cer tights not only for hid country but
for glury and distinction among bis fellow-citizens
when ho shall return lo civil
life.
The war with Mexico has demonstrat-
ed not only the ability of the Govern-
ment to organize a numerous army up-
on n sudder call t)uru7sd'lo'!rvrovid ft.
with all the munitions and ncccssnty
J supplies with despatch convenience
( and ease and lo direct its operations
with efficiency. The strength of our in-
stitutions has not only oeen displayed in
the skill and valor o! our troops engaged
in active service in the field but in the
organization of those executive branches
which were charged wiih the general di-
rection and conuuel of the war. Wliile
loo great praise cannot be bestowed up-
on the oflioers and men who fought our
buttles it would be unjust to withhold
from those officers necessarily stationed
at home who were charged wiih ihodur.
ty of Juiuisbing the army in proper lime
;
and ut proper places with all the muni-
lions of war tu.d other supplies so neces-
sary to make it efficient the commenda-
tion lo which they are untitled.
Occupying as wo do a moro com-
manding position among nations than at
Key former period our duties ami our
responsibilities to ourselves and lo pos
ierii ure correspondingly inermsed.
Thin will be the more obvious when wo
consider the vut additions which bwve
been recently made lo our territorial
possessions and their great importance
and yalue.
Within less than four years the nr
nexution of Toxas to the Union has beep
consummated ; all conflicting title Id the
Oregon Territory south of the J9lh de-
cree of li'.ilM li'ud" bei.ij.' 'i'l : it Witt
.''ilalej oil 0 J .1 j of j p i ediwfi&pOi j
has been adjusted : and New Mexico
and Upper California have been acquired J
by treaty. The area of these s'O'tfftfu
Territories according to a reporl.carc-
fully prepared by the Commissioner of
the General Land Oflice Irom the most
authentic information iu his possession
nod which is herewith truusmilied con-
tains one million one hundred aud nine-ly-lbree
thousand und sixiy-ouo square
miles or seven hundred and sixty-three
million fivii hundred and fifty-nine thoui
sand and forty acres ; while the area of
the remaining twenty-nine States .and
the territory not yet organized into States
east of the Rocky Mountains contains
j two million fifty-nine thousand and five
hundred and thirteen square miles or
I. i 1 1
thirteen hundred una eigrueeu mmion
one hundred und twenty-six thousand
und fifty-eight ucrcs.
These'cstimatcs show that the territo-
ries recently acquired and over which
our exclusive jurisdiction and dominion
have been extended constitute a coun-
try more than half as largo as all that
winch was held by the United Status be-
fore their acquisition. If Oregon ljex-
Jgir"
elieu fromjhe eMiimUo there will still
reuwin within the limits of Texas New
iV.VXteo and Cntifdroiii eight hundred
ah! tfifty-oue thousand five hundred ami
nimity-cight square mile3 or live bun
dred and forty-live million twelve thou-
sartd .seven hundred uud twenty acres;
lAfwai addition equal to more ttmn one-
tllifJlhf all the territory owned by the
Untied States before (htsiY-ucouUliinu :
urti iueludhg Orcgou?jkaity as gietil
ahiJxtVni nf terriiory ulflfe whole of Eu-
rohjf Russia only excelled. The Mi?-
lately the frontier of our'
flft
ry 10 now on v its centre.
vVith the additions of the lute acquisi-
tto'h'i the United Stales ure now estimat-
ed ts lie nearly as huge as the whole id'
Europ. It is e.timulod by the Superin-
teudunt of the Coast Survey in the ac-
companying report that the extent of
the sfwcosi of Texfisou the Gulfnf Mcx
iuVupwurdsof four hundred miles; of
:Jf T'--af tfpper California ou'thel'u-
c
nndsjjf Oregon including tlio Sttuits-of
Kucu 'of six hundred antl 'fifty miles ;
making the whole exieut of eeucoast on
the Pacific one thousand ix hundred
and twenty miles ; and the wholo extent
on both the Pacific and the Gulf of Mex-
icotwo thousand nnd twenty miles. Tho
length of the coast on the Atlantic from
tlio United States around the Capes of
Florida to the Sabine or the eastern boun-
dary of Texas is estimated to be three
thousand one hundred miles; so dint I he
QtUitiou of stu coast including Oregon
i 3 Very nearly two-thirds as great as all
wet possessed before; and excluding Or-
egon is nn addition of .one thousand
three hundred and seventy miles being
nearly equal to one-half of the extent of
const which we possessed before these
acquisitions.
We have now three grenl mari
time fronts on the Atlantic tho Gulf of
Mexico and the Pacific making in the
whole an extent of seucoast exceeding
Uve thousand miles. This is the extent
ofihe fiea coast of tho United grates not
deluding havs sounds and small irregu-
larities of the main shore and id the sea
islands. If these be included Hie length
of the shore line of coast us estimated
by the Superinteuduiil of the Coast Sur-
vey in his report would be thirty-three
thousand und sixty-throe miles.
Il would b-3 difficult to calculate the
value of these immense uddilions to our
territorial -possessions. Texas lying
contiguous to the western boundary of
Louisiana embracing within its limits a
part of the navigable ttibutury waters ol
tf'H Mississippi. and an extensive cons
"w mU TTO
ii;kii i-' prtr.iiL..i! in ihftlc(anu by thuUspint ol cnmprojiiise which
hrfhdstaf
igi
!
gering the
peace
ol
our southwestern
frontier.
Her products iu the vicinity of the tri-
butaries of the Mississippi must have
"fought a market through these streams
running into and through our lorriloi v ;
and the danger of iriitation and collision
of interests between Texas and a foreign
State and ourselves would Ijavo been im-
minent while the embarrassments in the
commercial intercourse between I hern
must have been constant and unavoidable.
Had Texas fallen into the hands or under
ikpMiiflucucu and e.onltol of u strong tnur-
itime or mililarv fnroicn newer as she
might bavo done lhoelungois would
have been still greulerjmhoy have been
avoided by her voluntary and peaceful
Annexitioii to the United Stales. Texas
from her position was a iiotural and al-
most indispensable part of our territories.
Fortunately she has been restored to our
country and now constitutes one of the
Slates of our Confederacy "upon tin
equal footing with the original Slates."
iho salubrity ol climate tlie inrimty ot
soil peculiarly adapted lo ihe produc-
tion of some of our most valuable staple
commodities and her commercial advan-
tages must soon make her one of our
most populous Suites.
New Mexico though situated in the
interior antl without u seaeoust is known
to contain much fertile laud lo abound
!!l t '. II. IM 'l lil. pP IO i ' UV'1 l '-.-I
i( r. c -prit'i . -it -jUsUimn .i rue; ' popu-
lation. From its position il is tho inter-
mediate.and connecting territory between
our settlemenis and our possessions in
Texas and those on the Pacific coast.
Upper California irrespective of the
vast mineral wealth recently developed
there holds at ibis day in point of value
and importance to the rest of the Union
the same relation that Louisiana did
when that fine torrhory was acquired
from Fiance fortysfivo years ago. Ex
lending nearly ten degrees of latitude
along the Pacific tind embracing the on-
ly safe and commodious haiburs on thai
coa-U for many hundred miles with a
temperate climate and un extensive in-
terior of fertile lands it is scarcely pns
sible to estimate its wealth until it shall
bo brought under the government of our
laws and its resources fully developed.
The acquisition of California and New
Mexico the settlement oi mo uregon
boundary and ihe annexation of Texaslsouudest expounders of that inurnment
extending to the Uiq Grande are resulu Whether Congress shall logislate or not
which combined ro of greater cense- the poonlo of the acquired I erntnnui when
. . ...;ii.wi.i .nnm.n (hcirnniii
id veallliof llioiiitionrllmn uny wlitcb
wK'yiiwMaBimfnHWWiHHiovwtyTOywtXa
Mill' M !
!uv6 ptue'eded them .sjiiouthe adoption
"-"r. sf; t
"J a . 1
nl1 th cnnsiiiution ' " f t x
But to rffeei MilgrVgretit tesqlisniit
only CaliforniiTK.ljni New. Mexico must
le brought under tins control id regular-
ly orgnnir.ed governments The exist-
ing coudilion of California and of that
part of New Mexico lying west of the Rio
Grande and without the limits ol Texas
imperiously demand that Congress
should nt its present session organize
territorial governments over them. '
Unoifihe exchange of tho ratifications
of the treaty of peace with Mexico on
the thirtieth of May hul the temporary
governments whiuhdi.id been csuhhsheil
over5 NowMexico and California by our
military unilWRSvUl commanders .by. vir-
tue of tjie rights of war ceased to derive
any obligatory ftrco from that source of
authority; and Imvina been ceded lo
the United States all government and
:ontrol over them under thcauthotilv of
McVti'n bl1fl tflkd l rviol Ititnr.u. ...I
Hul governineiuX uv jlm.riio.wrthVlfl
mended the subject lo the favorable con
sideration of Congress m my message
communicating the ratified lieaty of
peace on the sixth of July last. null in-
voked their action nt that session. Con-
gress adjourned without making any pro-
vision lor their government. The inha-
bildUiSi by the transfer of their country
had becume entitled to tin; benefits of
our luws and eonatilulion and yet were
left without uny regularly organized go-
vernment. Since that time ihe limited power pos-
sessed by the Executive has be'en exer
cised to preserve ami protect them from
the inevitable consequence of a at ate of
anarchy. The only government winch
remained was that established by lite
military authority during the war. Re-
garding ibis to bo a dc facto government
and tbul by the-presumed consent of the
inhabitants il might be continued tempo-
rarily ihey were advised to eonfoim aud
submit lo it for u short intervening period
befoie Congress would again tiKsemble
and could legislate on the subject. The
views enterluined by tho Executive on
ibis point arc contained iu ti communica-
tion of ilit) Secretory of Stale dated the
seventh of October last which Wtis for-
warded for puhlicatipn to California and
New Mexico a Copy of which is herewith
transmitted.
Shall the dissimulurity of thu domestic
institutions in the different States prevent
us from providing for them attitablu go
veruments I These institutions existed at
thu adoption of the constitution : but the
obstacles which thov internosed were over.
or
oi mioresi real or.tuiagiirary neiveen
tnu uiuureut f.cctionsol our country nei-
ther can ju&tly demand all which it might
tb-sire to obtain. Each iu tho true spirit
of our institutions should concede some-
thing lo the other.
Our gallant forces in the Mexican war
by whoso patriotism aud unparalleled deeds
ol arms we obtained tlioo possessions as
an indemnity lor our last demands against
Mexico" were composed of citizens who
belonged lo no one State or section of our
Union. Thoy were men Irom MavolinhN
tug mid noil blnve-lioldmg States from thu
North and Irom the South from (he Mast
and tho West. Thoy were all companions
iu arms and fellow-citizens of the same
common country engaged in the same
common cause. When prosccutiu that
war they were brethren and frtoiids and
shared alike with each oUior co union toils
dangers and sufferings.
Now when their work is ended when
peaco is restored and thuy return imam to
their homus pul ofl'ittn habiliments of war
lake their places in society and resume
their piustiits in eivd life surely a spirit of
harmony and concession and of equal re-
gnid for the r.gnts of all and of alUeclions
of the Union ought to prevail in provid-
ing governments for the acquired Territo-
ries the fruits of lielr common mirvice.
Tho wholo people of the United Slates aud
of every State contributed to defray the
expenses of that war ; aud it would not
be just for any one section to exclude an-
ottit.i irtiii dlporii'q j 'i m l! e mpuM
lllli" I)' IlllS V.'Otit t U'i r'e -u ..unMi.
nance with the just system ot government
which the tranters' of tlte constitution
adopted
Tho question is believed lobo rather nb
struct than practical whether alavery ver
can or would exist iu any portion of lliu
acquired territory even if it weru left to
the opinion of tho slave-holding Stales
themselves. From thu nature of the cli-
mate and productions in much thu larger
portion of it it is certain it could never ex-
ist ; and in the remainder the probabilities
are il would not. Hut however this may
bo the question involving as it dnc3 a
principle of equality of rights of tho sepa-
rate and several States as equal co part-
tiers in the confederacy .should not be
disregarded.
lu organizing governments over these
Territories no duty imposed on Congress
by tho constitution requtrustlmt thoy should
legislate on the subject of slavery while
their power to do so is not only seriously
questioned but denied by many of the
Mwrnolcu in convotuions io
form State
-fflfflUUwni Pii-
s
mwe$nmimM
Ak
elusive power lo(etcrnine for lJtnmsulvW
wheiher. slavery &hall or fihftll'not'C&islTkv
within their limits. If Cnpgress-5hulb;alfcf';
statu rem- interferiuir with the question
the people of these Territories will pu'Icft i
free to adjust it as ihey may think proper-'
when thev apply for adini&siolVns Slates in-
to tho Union.
No enactment of Congrm coti1d(T6 sf
strain the people of any of the sovereign'?'
Slides of tho Union old or new North or .
South slave holding or nori-shweJioIdingt
fropi determining thu character of thejr
own domestic institutions as thuy tnay
deem wiso and proper. Any and all jfuK
States possess this right and Congress can- .
not deprive thutn of it. " Tliq 7pp))la oM
Georgia might if they choose so alter ihelrlf
constitution as to abolish shivery' wjtMn
their limits; and tho people oflYerrno'attf
might so abolish their constitution as to ttd'
mit slavery wiihui its liniju I Jot If' Staler ff
would jmsaeai the right; thouli ns aII
know jt is not probable thut either t(ou1d
oxen it;
for a brief period wjileh will iutervncnahoi
fore California and Now Alexicd mnrlW-
ndmitled into the Union From tlio tfdoS
ol population now flowmjr iiitofhcm It isj
highly prolmbfo that this will saqmoccur. ;
Considering tho several States and the.
citizens of the several Stales as equn.and-
entitled to equAl rights under the Cbn&titiu
tlou it this were an original question it-
might wall be insisted on that thrVpfioci-;
pluof uouiuterforeuce is the-trnoiloctrihie V.
and that Congress cnuld not). in thohb '
senco of any express grnnt of power- mv
tuituiu wuii men iuiutivo rigms ii &tt
Upon a great emergency iownyervnnd r
under menacing dangers to tlte liilJoj)-tln) ''
Missouri compromise line in irespect tot
slaveiy was adopted Tho sumoliiio'vn?'!
extended further west hi theacquuitfoiKof.
Texas. After an ncqulr&cqce qf ucorly
thirty years in the priueiple of cemproth '
ino recognised and established by these nctst
and to avoid the danger to tlio Unioiyhiclt
might follow if it were now dLsregu'riiedftJ&v
have heretofore expressed tfie opiniojilJaujj
that line of compromise rdiould he extendi
ed on the parallel of 3G 3t)M'romtlje vwes.
tern boundary of Texas wherojtpQWtori
tninatos to the Pacific ocean. '
This is tho middle ground pf compro-'
mise upon which the different sections oO
tho Union may inoet us they have horcto-i
fore met. If this he done it is confidently
believed a Jarge majority of tlmpeopleto.fi
every section of the country hoyeveri
widely their abstract opinions on the sub-i
ject of slavery may differ wqtif.cliuerfnU
ly and patriotically ncquiescqriiri?tnudr
peace aud harmony would again fill on rf
borders.
..W
.'v'
''rcrWou
onlv . vicldod lo
.p'McWjiiBIK
in the ciso of Missouri
... '"" tAV. j IUWA
mid' Texas upon a pritiofptoPcotfin1fo
mise made necessary for the srdo of j)re?
serving the harmony and probably the ex-
istence of the Union.
It was upon these considerations; ihnt'nt
the close of your last session I gave my
sanction to the principle o( tho Mjssoriri
compromise line rjy approving atul'sigi'iv
ing the hill to establish " tho Torrtiorial.
Government of Oregon." From uMhcero
desire to preserve tho hurmony of 'tlio 'Uii-'
tun aoo in utncruncu ior inu acts nunv
rriiintKnri 1 lAt nmictriiinrI in vTi'lit mi
. 1. ' . t . -.!- t "
acijuiesenco to ihu extent to whlch'tlfey
hnd uoiio iu compromisiue this duilcute
aud dangerous question. Hut if Congress
shall now reverse tho decision by' vyhicli
thu Missouri compromise was tffoc(edandi
shall propose to extend thu rcstrfctuVulovcf
the whole territory south as well us norihV
of the parallel of 30 301 it will cease fo
boa compromise and must ho regarded us
an original question. ' ' ';
If Congress instead of ohseryiiig the'
course of thu tiou interference leaving the
adoption of t dorown domestic institution
to the people who tiny inhabit those 'Porn-
lorios or if insteud of eMOudihg iheMjsv
souri compromise lino to the Pacific shall
prefer to submit the legal and constitution-
al questions which may arise to the duels
ion of the judicial tribunals as was pro-
posed in a hilt'which passed the Senatu at
your last session an adjustment niny bo
effected iu this mode. If the whole sub
(e i i.r reared ihe ": .. i v all parti of
('..i'ii :di"ul i epririiip afouiesce in
thu tuud decision of tho tribunal created
by the constitution for the settlement of alt
questions wmcu may a nn;u ermine cou
UUiidu7-rrrticrttHwmMho-U!
HfJI tJl. VB.4 IWIHWI
Stales.
Congress is earnestly invoked for tho
sake of the Union its harmony and our
continued prosperity as a nation to adjust
at its present session this the only danger-
ous question which lies in our path: if not
iu Rome of the modes suggested in some
other which may bo sutisfuctory.
In anticipation of the establishment of (
regular governments over thu acquired ter '
ri lories a joint commission of officers of
thn army and navy has been ordered to
piocncd to the coast of California and Ore
gon lor the purpose ot making reconnois
sauces and report as to the proper sites for
Ihu erection of fortifications or other de-
fensive works on land and of suitable st
tuations for naval stations. Thu informa-
tion which may bo ex peeled from a. scien-
tific and skilful examination of the wljott)
face of the coast Will bo emiuenllyuseml
to Congress when thoy come tp cntijfQer
tho propriety of making appropriations for
those groat national objects y '
; ?-
.fc
ti
w
w
'$
IV?
'
'iKi-4
5
4
5T
'A
H
p ; fra-j":!!
s T8
.. "
. Lotnsi
eh
i" . r "fffik
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View four places within this issue that match your search.Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Western Texian. (San Antonio de Bexar, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 11, Ed. 1, Friday, December 29, 1848, newspaper, December 29, 1848; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth78264/m1/1/?q=%22~1~1%22~1&rotate=180: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.