Texas National Register. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 21, Ed. 1, Thursday, May 1, 1845 Page: 2 of 8
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TEXAS NATJOK&L REGISTER.
1(52
May I
I--.
TEXAS NATIONAL REGISTER.
EDITED MY W. V. MILKEM
wjs jrr.v a t o js
THURSDAY MAY 1 1845.
The Hon. Simon L.Jones having resigned his scat
in the House of Representatives as member from
ths County of San Patricio a Proclamation has been
issued by the President ordering an election to fill
the vacancy on the 26th inst.
THE MAILS.
Inconsequence of the late heavy rains several fail-
ures have occurred. The rider on route No. 23 from
Velasco to San Felipe in attempting to swim Big
Creek on the 14th inst lost his mail.
Route No. 34 from Matagorda to Port Caballo has
b&ea continued to Port Lavacca a distance of 25
miles.
A route has been established from Z a valla to Jasper.
The Postoffice at Industry J. G. Sicper Post Mas-
ter will retain its original name which through error
has acquired that of the Post Master.
DREADFUL RENCONTRE.
On Friday night last a rencontre took place
between two hostile parties of citizens on the
premises of Col. Walton about seven miles
east of this place which resulted in the death
of two men and a third being dangerously
wounded. The names of the parties killed
were John L. Laguire and John Nix; the lat-
ter has-left a wife and several small children
to lament his untimely end. Mr. Strickland
the person wounded still survives but his re-
covery is doubtful.
On the next day J. L. Nickleson Asa
Ufford and Charles B. Snow together with a
slave the property of- Col. Walton were ar
rested by the Sheriff and brought before Chief
Justice Ewing and S. R: Roberts Esq: and
after a patient hearing of all the evidence
J. L. Nickleson was committed to the jail
of this county to await his trial at the next
term of the District Court for the murder of
the above- named persons. Messrs. Ufford
and Snow as well as the slave.were dis-
charged there being in the opinion of the
Court.no sufficient evidence to warrant their
detention. As this case will in the course of
a few days undergo a judicial investigation
we abstain from all remarks on the attending-
circumstances. .
In the meantime. we most earnestly- hope
for the honor of the country that all excite-
ment will be subdued .and that the majesty of
the law will be held sacred.
ANNEXATION MEETING IN REDRI-
VER COUNTY.
We regret that the resolutions adopted by
the citizens of Red River on the important
subject of annexation came to hand loolate
for insertion this week. There are a manli-
ness of tone and patriotism of sentiment
breathiug throughout these resolutions which
do honor to the citizens who adopted them.
We would strongly recommend a perusal of
them to certain politicians not a thousand
miles from here.
We will certainly insert them next week.
We give place below to the resolutions
adopted at a mass meeting at Brazoria on
the Uth inst. The object of the meeting
seems to have been to take efficient stej.s for
llie organization of a-convention of the peo-
ple to ratify the proposals for our admission
into the Union and change theonstitution of
Texas without reference to the existing Go-
vernment. It is not our purpose to examine the argu-
ment by which the commiUeeton behalf of
the meeting recommended the measure of
annexation ; nor do we intend to object to the
Eight claimed for the people to decide he
question as they shall see fit. It is a right
which tbey have reserved to themselves in the
erection of their present-governmental sys-
tem and they may exercise it without impe-
diment orraatwint ad without responsibility
to any power.on earth. They may overthrow
wodify or change their government and none
may forbid them.. They may however act
prudently os laiJiIjr according to existing cir-
aumstancesi. lit the- present instance they
may secure annexation by a calm and' consi-
derate course-such as was contemplate by
iit Congress- and! President of the United'
States or they-raaW defeat it by a revolution-
ary movement whib. could find. no. favor or.
sanction with either tire Government or people
of that country.
The spirit and tone of the resnlutinns-jBiani
fest a want of confidence in President Jones
as well os in our humble opinion an errone-
ous estimate of the means best calculated to
attain the great object professedly desired by
the meeting. Perhaps however this appa-
rent distrust is more the offspring of. anxiety
and consequent impatience than the settled
conviction of the popular iniud. Tin; people
want annexation annexation on the terms
now. offered by the United States ;.hut at the
same time they should not' forget that those
who court their favor by hold! and passionate
appeals in favor of the nienuremay them-
selves commit errors far more disastrous than
those they are so eager to impute?to others.
It is obvious from the report of the com-
mittee that the people were led to suppose
that President Jones had determined to inter-
pose Some serious obstacle to the acceptance
and ratification of the proposals from the U.-
States; and hence. that there was a necessity
for that extreme action which charges the-
organic law of society and aims rather at the
overthrow ofexisting government than peace
able incorporation wiili another system. If
they had known the facts of the case if they1
hadknowiv that within three days after the
receipt-of the proposals the President'issuetl
his proclamation for the filling of the vacan-
cies then existing in Congress and that a few-
days thereafter in our very next paper
issued his call for an extra session of that
branch of the Government in order t haft hey
might unite with him in: adopting the most-
eligible mode of submitting the whole ques-
tion to the people; and that-he has on no oc-
casion; uttered a sentiment or performed an
act derogatory of the right of the people to
dispose of tlie measure aa they pleased it is
not to be supposed that they would have se-
lected the' course propose! by the Brazoria
meeting forthe purpose of-effecting? the-object
in view.
We all know that among the conditions
contained in-the joint resolution of-the U.
States for the admission of Texas- into the
Union is "the consent of the existing Gov-
ernment."' Yet these resolutions not only
defy the existing' Government but point at
once to a course of action which overthrows
it and this too without the slightest necessity.
The action of President Jones- is in perfect
accordance with the wish of. the Government
of- the United States. In calling. Congress
on the 16th of June next he has given time
for due deliberation on the great and import-
ant interests involved not only in the mea-
sure of annexation in the abstract as one of
policy r hut' as one of mode also in the execu-
tion. Already great diversity of' opinion Has
been manifested among the people themselves-as-to
the most judicious course of proceeding.
Some call for a session of Congress some
for an immediate convention of the people
through deputies-appointed; with power to
supersede immediately the existing Constitu-
tion and Government;. and others; for a con-
vention to make only a provisional change to;
take-effect when the Congress of the United
States passes the law admitting us into the
Union.
.Amidst such conflict of. opinion was it un
reasonable for the President to take two wecksA
to deliberate after he received the proposals
from the American minister? We think every-
impartial man will admit that it was not:.
and we venture to say that the people of
Brazoria when they-reflect upon the subject
will be the foremost to acquit the President of
censure In thus deliberating and communis
eating with the American minister he has
taken the step best calculated td obtain from
Texas that ratification of the proposals for her
admission into the Union which will command
the respect of the United States and guard'
against all such irregular action as might again
reopen the question with formidable objec
tions andi produce occasion for cavil. when
her 'Constitution is-to undergo examination in
vtho Congress of the United States.
Our Congress on the 16th of June will
have the whole matter beforo them. Tliey
.will be full; advised. of allithat hns.been.com--
niunicatedhy the Government of the United'
States; and thev can nroceed to recommend
to the people at un early day the call of a onu" for. - purposes set forth in the fourth
their fellow members' at the time and place
above named in tlfo nnm'tv r. TV..i......o
J WltWl J W- MK'BK. CU fciC
convention; and in the mean time give to the
people such information as will enable them
to send their delegates fully instructed as to
the changes-necessary to-be made the period
most proper for organising a new govern-
ment and determining whether elections-shall
take place under it before or after the passage
of the law yet to he enacted by the Congress
of the United States declaring us a State of
the Union.
We do -not doubt we never have doubted
that President Jones will perform his-duty in
facilitating these solemn determinations of the
public will of Texas as cheerfully as anyone
of those who are now- so forward to prejudge
him unkindly. Not only the people of- Bra-
zoria but of all Texas will see that their
President can give back power a3- cheerfully
as- he received it.- His pride has been to
exercise it for the public good and not to re-
tain it as ministering to his personal interest.
"And whereas- the proposals aforesaid are
now before the government and people of
Texas for their acceptance or rejection; and
whereas by the constitution of the Republic
ok Texas no power is- delegated to the exist-ing-government.or
lo-aity co-ordinate depart-
ment thereof to abrogate the present constitu-
tion or to change the form of the present gov
ernment; and whereas in the Declaration of
Rights it is declared "that every thing in this
Bill of Rights contained and every other right
not hereby delegated is reserved to the peo-
ple" and further that "all political power is
inherent in the people and they have at all
times an inalienable right' to altertheir gov-
ern mentin. such manner aa they may think
proper."
"And whereas- it is-deemed of the highest
importance to the welfare of Texas that the
proposed union should be consummated with
as little delay as possible and as in virtue
of the above reserved rights of the people of
Texas in their sovereign capacity can alone
entertain accept or reject the proposals for
annexation aforesaid therefore in the exer-
cise of their political power and reserved
rights tin people of Brazoria county have
this day convened in primary assembly and
do solemnly- declare and resolve.
First Tliat they approve and accept the
proposals for. Annexation contained in the
lirstvset of Resolutions known as-the "Reso-
lutions of the House" and thntmiy attempt
on the part of. the Executive authority to in-
duce the President of the United States to
present to the government of Texas the alter-
native of proceeding "to negotiate" is in
direct opposition to the known will of the
people of Texis and that if suoh an attempt'
has been made it can only be regarded as-an
effort to defeat by delay- the admission of
Texas into the Union.
Second That by the Constitution no power
is delegated to the existing government' of
Texas to annul the Constitution or change
the present form of Government the right
and the power having-been specially reserved
to the people.-
Third That1 in-virtue of-this direct reser-
vation of power the legitimate andrconstitu-
tional right of the people of Texas to meet in
their primary assemblies tonppoint deputies
with specific powers to form a new constitu-
tionand. adopt a new form of. government is
undeniable and undisputed..
Fourth That in view of the difficulties and
delay of the several counties proceeding to
elect at once deputies-to a convention upon
nny systematic uniform and equitable plan
the Senator and Representatives of Brazoria
county be and they are hereby requested
and instructed to proceed to Washington in
the capacity of delegates from the people of
Brazoria to meet the representatives of the
other counties. in a like capacity to be as-
sembled on the third Monday of May for the
following purpose to wit :.-
To apportion the- representation' in and
agree and determine upon the time and place
ofholdinga Convention of Deputies-from the
pcnple.to form a State Constitution not con-
flicting with the Constitution of the United
States and -in accordance with the conditions
and terras of admission contained in the
Resolutions approved and accepted as above;
and that our SenntorandRepresentatives are
particularly urged and requested to use their
utmost influence in effecting with as little de-
lay as possible the object of these instructions.
Fifthi That convinced of the expediency
and necessity of such action on the part of
the people as will ensure the consummation
of the proposed union the several counties
throughout the Republic are earnestly re-
quested to hold public meetings to express
their approval and acceptance of the propo-
sals of annexation aforesaid and to instruct
their. Senators and. Representatives to- meet.
resolution.
Sixth That the following named persons
to wit: R. M. Forbes Morgan L. Smith E.
M. lnse Robert Mills A. P. Crittenden
and R. Jv Townes be and they are hereby
appointed a committee of correspondence-
whose duty it shall be to transmit copies of
the proceedings of this meeting to all5 the
counties in the Republic to correspond with
like committees in other counties and to take
all such- measures as may be deemed best in
order to carry into effect the will of the people
upon the subject of annexation. And in or-
der to discharge promptly and efficiently the
duties assigned above;. the committee is au-
thorized to raise by subscription or otherwise
such sum of money as may be required.
Seventh That the following named per-
sons to witr James F. Perry Joseph Reese
John Sweeny J. A. E. Phelps Francis Bing-
ham. Sterling McNeal Ahner Harris Win.
J. Russel Tod Robinson R. R. Brown I. C.
Husking XV. D. C. Hall J. M. McCormick
W. G. Hill A. Underwood J. P. Caldwell
H. J. Runnels S. W. Perkins Wm. H. Man-
adue Peter W. Gautier be and they are
hereby appointed a committee to prepare an
Address to the people of Texas on the sub-
ject of annexation and setting forth the
grounds of these Resolutions.
The resolutions being read after some lit-
tle discussion and explanation the question
was called for and the Resolutions unanim-
ously adopted.
R. M. Forbes offered the following resolu-
tions: Resolved Thar the proceedings of this
meeting be published in the "Planter" and-
other papers in the Republic fi iendly to an-
nexation arc requested to copy.
Resolution adopted.
Second And that the same be signed by
the Chairman and Secretaries.
On motion of W. G. Hill the meeting ad-
journed sine die.
T. P1LSBURY Chairman.
James W. Copes )
Jno. Adriance i . .
James Burke J Secretaries..
G. M. Brynn y
Brazoria Texas )
April 17 1845. )
Editor of National Register :
At a mass meeting of the citizens of Bra-
zoria county held on the 14th iust. to take
into consideration the. resolutions of the Uni-
ted States Congress on tire subject of annex-
ation the undersigned were appointed a com
mittec for. the purpose of. corresponding with
the citizens of other' counties and inviting
them to.unite withus in such measures as may
be best calculated to ensure union and concert
of action on this important question.
W-e take the liberty of enclosing you a copy
of the preamble and resolutions which were
unanimously adopted and request that if the
plan proposed meets your concurrence nnh
approval the same may be submitted to the
consideration of your fellow-citizens. We
trust that your county will concur with this-
in the important measure of sending your Re-
presentatives to the proposed meeting of Del-
egates to he held in the town 'of Washington
on the third Monday in May next j.this course
we think- the best-calculated to enable the
people to effect annexation under the resolu-
tions originating in the House of Representatives-of
the United States .and known as
Brown's plan
You will please advise us-at an early dav
whether your county concurs with this in the
proposed meeting of Delegates; also whether"
any portion of the citizens of your county
prefer Mr. Benton's plan for negotiation and
what portion of- them are opposed to annexa-
tion. We are happy to infornvyou that there 13-
not a. citizen of this county who is known to
be opposed to annexation.
We invite any committee that-may he ap-
pointed in your county on this important sub
ject to correspond with us and with similnr
committees in other counties and to commu-
nicate generally such information as may
tend to promote the great end in view.
R. M. FORBES 1
MORGAN L. SMITH J c
E. M. PEASE 2
ROBERT MILES -.
A. I?. CRITTENDEN r
R. J. TOWNESi 1 '
A fevr days since some fourteen Comanche
Indians appeared at1 Austin and expressed
feelings of friendship.- After a pow-wow wa-
had between them and the whites they left
and encamped about one mile from the city
at which place the citizens furnished them
three beeves and twenty-five bushels of corn.
They expressed much satisfaction for tin
friendship extended to them and say they are
anxious to cultivate these feelings between
the whites and themselves. La Grange' InU.
."ST
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Texas National Register. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 21, Ed. 1, Thursday, May 1, 1845, newspaper, May 1, 1845; Washington, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80115/m1/2/?q=negro: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.