Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 11, No. 30, Ed. 1, Wednesday, July 29, 1846 Page: 1 of 4
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Tex i or Mates imper.
SPEECH OF MR PILSBORY. IN DEFENCES
OF TEXAS,
Delivered 'iiilne H.iusejifJl-prM'ntatites, U S , Jtw
'l6:if?1846Nuring the debate on the Indum Appiopri
"ation Bill. '
. Mr.PlLSBURY, of Texas, being entitled to the floor,
said '
Mr. Chairman:
I rise, sir, und- r an embarrassment 1 can ill conceal.
Representing as I do Western Texas, the theatre of the
present war" Ifeelunible to do justice to the cause in
whicn the Army of the United States is at present enaag. d,
or to the position I hold on this floor. I am without any
public d .'cuments of the once Republic, now State of Texas,
to w ich I can refpr. 1 must daw upon memory alone.
Wh.it'l may fall short of in critical accuracy, I hope will
be more than made up in the general coi redness of all I
shall sav upon the subject.
Knowing, as I did, all that relatrd to Texas had been
the theme of discission and grave consideration in the
councils of the nation; knowing, as I did, that all mat
tersof nice calculation upon treaties, and upon natural
lights, had been settled with the question of annexation,
and the question of war; that the gigantic intellects of the
nation had exercised their mighty powers upon them; 1
had not anticipated thai I should be called upon -o give
my humble views upon subjecls so elaborately and ably
discuss-d There is a time and a place for all things. I
think the honorable member from New York, (Mr. Cul
ver.) should have taken a more becoming occasion to dis
cuss these questions. Every d i re u instance, every panic
ular of the histoiy of this subject has been traced out: the
bearing of every fact presenttd, and every arguimnt,
which tended to illustrate the truth, has been enfotced by
intellects far superior to mine. 1 submit to the decision
which has resulted from this elaborate investigation.
Had it been counter to my inclination or my judgment,
I should feel it my duty to submit to what the constituted
authorities of the land "had done; and 1 ask, if this is not
the course which is enforced upon other gentlemen by pa-
triotism and bv propriety? All the arguments, adduced
on yesterday, feeble as they appeared to me. would have
been in place before a decision of the question. Gentle-
men have a right to discuss every subject; but when the
lime for discussion has passed, definitive action taken
place of deliberation ; when the question belongs to the
past, wh n new relations have taken place between Texas
and the United States, and a union resulted, which I pray
to God may be perpetu .1 ; is it wise, is it fair, is it patri-
otic, to harp upon the subject, and use it as a means ol em-
barrassing the Executive and encouraging the e nemy ?
L have been surprised. Mr Chairman, to see the endea
vors madp upon this floor to open again the wounds of
Texas, scarcely vet healed Icamp here ipnomnl ofth
rul-s of order in this House, and distrustful of my own
powers; I hid no intention of intruding upon the House
any icinarks at this late period. Coming h re with (wo
ears and one tontrue, I was admonished rather to be a lis
tener ihan a speaker. Trie reu.arks of the hon me-nber
from New York compel me to speak; no excuse, that 1
am uoprepared or disqualify d, would avail wjth my con
Etituems; whn they have be. n attack d by a lo, they
waited for noarmoi, but were eer nady to fight and to
conquer In wars ol woids however, I am uoi sanguine
nf eq-al sure ss I shall answer .ill Hssaults ly speaking
of Texas and her history as J know it; .-nil oceans- I do
notdeaire to wiiet the time of this H.us--. occupitd as it is
with matters of reat moment to the nation. I shall indea-
vor o be brief, in staling the relations in which Texs
standa before the Union, rgaiding as I'ghtly s possible
the remarks whiVh lell from in-- gentlem .n from New
York D'd the uenllcman iman to ainck Texas, or tier
hounda-v? Or was it his objeet. by the question in which
the country i? mvo'ved (the war,) to reach thi Pisidm?
Did he expr-ct sui ssiully to assail the Pn sident tniough
Texas, because mat point appeared a weak one? Who
ever reg rds it in that light will prove to be mistak- n; it
will piove the strongest shield of the Executive. The
cours- lak- n bp ihe frit nds of ihe Presidi ntt and that tak
en by himself, is well calculated to afford a Usson of in
8lruction to th great of the earth. Sneerpd at and d spis-
ed, Texas-was but as dross, to men who aspin d to honor.
The result proved, that they had overlooked the great
principles which decide the fate of m- n and of t.ations
James IC Polk has won an enduring fame, by his course
towards Trxas.
Does .my one desire proofs? Witness the answer to
the calf for volunteers one simultaneous rush to ar-i s;
they crowd to thp theatre of war from all ranks and all
parties; this is because the Texas question is truly an
American qustion; wbelher we regard the present or the
future, ii is a question which appeals to every Ameiicau
bosom Th-se, sir, would have heen my sentiments, had
I been a citizen of the United Stairs when th- subject was
agkated. A citizen of Texas, I have regarded the ques
lio i of Annexation more in view of its natural consrquen-
Ces of uniting a people of ihe same blood, same laws, and
same religion, than as one aflrctmg Texas alone. The
oertu res from the United States, and their enthusiastic
reception, sprang from the same lofty source the desire
to blend their influence, and go on hand in hand in the
noble cause of philanthropy, of perpetuating the princi-
ples of human liberty, and securing the lights of man
Texas herself by ten years of war, conducted by the ne
my with more than savage ferocity, in defence of the same
principles which blazed forth from Bunker Hill, has ear-
ned an enviable fame. When interest, pn judice, and big
otry give plac- to th- clear lights of truth, impartial his
tory will do her justice; her provocations to war were
vastly greater, (and her chance of success Irss.) than those
which lighted up the fires of the American Revolution.
The chivalry of Texas plucked thp "lone star" from
surrounding darkntts and tyranny, amid the thunder of
artillery; and have in peaceful union with their mother
country, emblazoned it on thegloiious banner of freemen.
In the measure of annexation, no ignoble consideration,
nor sordid feeling, influenced her councils; a territory.
purchased by her own treasure and the valued blood of
her cnoicesi spirus, was presentea witnoui price 10 me
Union. Who dare siy. that in this she has not tvinced a
spirit worthy of her Saxon origin She had achieved
her independence by her own valor; she had conquerid
a terntpry capable of sustaining ten millions of people;
she was courted by two of the most powi rful nations of
Europe; she whs pi off-red the right ha. d ol England, of
who n. it has iipi n said at another pei ion sh was the
! ' i k .if "i . 'igton " F an p off d h r nun
tenance and .ml , gallant France exercised towards strug
HOUSTON,
gltn. Texas th- same lib. ral and fostering caie, that she
exhibited towards the Republic of the Confederacy in the
darkest period ol ihe it. volution Texas had friends in
all quarters of the world, because she irqutred uolhing,
and was! by position able to confer bt nehis upon otht rs
Shi was refujed ann-xation when she was feeble she
accepted it, after she had conquered a place and a name.
The circumstances under which annexation took place
should silence eveiy murmur on this floor, in regaid to
the honor of Texas in all her negotiations. Her boun-
dary was ma iked by her own prowiss! Whatever black-
letter title Mpxiro claimed, was waslnd out bv the blood
of T xians ' I invoke the shade of Milam, of Trails, of
Fannin, and ihe worthy host whos-ahdour title with
then blood, to b-Mr witness to the uuths I huiv mined
These- were- heroes of kindred felin your frm.d
your roun'rymen who we-re id-iilifi-d by lh- stoi g li'S
whose links tettrh.d fiom th- Salum to ihe S; Cimx.
Th: tiilp ol Texas lo the Riu del Noite originated in
the events in which the nation took Us ncr '1 lnown
upon the bonieisofihe territory cl-io f , .Mexico; by
th' invitation of that gov rnm nt M.i.v it u 10 heiomt-u bar
mr agunst warlike ttibis. w ho we.e ihe inly eu upants
of the ti rritorv. us-ies ' it-io, ;Ke A. elo Saxons
were tndue-i d to s-l le it I- .KiLte.1 ti.-n tennis to re-
l.iim il from its iiaii.e nieren;? tour tie tgy to culii-
v a- u and m-iki" it, as God and u tur intended it should
be, the abode eif pi-aceand piuity. This imsiii progress
industry applied to a rich soil h id already pioduced
weilth; education was filtered, refieicmmt budded iorlh,
when this lacillating, feeble, and tottering R public of
Me mco was changed by usurpation into a militaiy despo-
tism True to the principles of liberty, which animated
her citizens, she refused lo submit to military tyianny
Independence was d-ciared. By ten years of war and
bloodshed they m;iiniamed it It has been justly assertid
on t is floor that nun has a natural light to cultivate the
soil and reap the fruits to take territory, the occupation
and cului'aiion of which, otheis have kpt in abeyance, in
a stale useless to any human being. The citizuis of ihe
United Stales, in ihe requirements of a natural increase,
would have been justified in occupying this ttiritoiy. I
re-aaSPit the broad pnnciple, that a country kept ?acant
and unimproved by the policy of one nation, must and
should be yielded up to the purpose and cultivation and
improvement. Il re-verts to the condition in which all
land stood before it became persoml or national property
Would to God the acquisitions made by other nations of
territory had equal justification In modi rn days, at this
time, conquests are going on which tend lo dsuoy popu-
lation and uin the happiness of millions But, Mr. Chair-
man, the Texians have a belter title than quiet occupation
and cultivation of the soil. They settle-d the country and
fought back the savages; they became a bulwark against
aggression ; they fulfilled all the duties enjoined by their
rel itions with Mexico, until the federal government was
changed to a military despotism. Texas was driven to
the sad alternative of being shackled, of giving up her
arms, of basely sub i itting, or of asserting he,r rights
Although feeble, she chose war and defiance. Feeling
the dignity of her origin, she counted no cost, wail, d not
for fine spun argument, but obeying the nobje impulse
that resenls-wrongs, come from whom they may, she de-
fied thp armies of eight millions of people. She fought
them in many a pitched battle, and by a victory, unexam-
pled in either ancient nr modprn history the victory of
San Jacinto convincpd the world that she was worthy
of independence. Every fortified place had been taken,
and the invaders of Texa? driven back to the western bank
of thp Rio Del Norte. She established defences, and has
never allowed a hostile Mexican lo have foothold upon
any of her territory, excerpt a small settlement or two on
the banks of this river. These, even these have been sub-
jugated The honorable member has alludea to the Mipr
Expedit on to its capture, and the deaths of some of that
immortal band to prove that we had not conquered a title
to the pastern bank of the Del Norte. This handful of
choice spirits capitulated upon the western side of this li-
ver, and not upon the eastern They had invaded Mexi
co, fought over two thousand regular soldiers with Ipss
than two hundred and fifty, and lefl more than double
iheir number dead upon the field of carnage. If courage1,
and constancy, and devotion to the cause of their country
could be esli-nated.thai battle alone whs enough to earn n
title to the h-ilf ol Mexico. The expedition in which
ihiS' men were unfortunately taken, grew out ol adastaid
ly marauding foray upon our teiiilory an expedition
which sa.-nficid their national honor, by stealing aiidctir-
iyiiio e.ff m ff iisivi citizens.
The R public clauueu the territory by a declaration in
her organic law, but she had se und her tule, btforeshe
made the declaration, by her arms. Driven from the
counirv, they returned under the renown b.Mi a Anna,
th--s-If stvlid Napoleon of thp Somli : --e y atleo-pt was
met by immediate chastisement and expulsion The mia-
dees were hunted from our tvrnwy, ana n veu sufi. r.d lot
pollute it by exercising uthurity o-er ourciliZ'ns.
When annexation took place, em -oldier of .Mexico occu-
.r.n.r! ihu uucttirn tl.tnlr nf tVta I lot TMrtrti? rip nrtni nittilr!
1J11U till iu.-i. uTiua ui iii t-t i.uii is, tiuiic luuiu
maintain iheinselvis there. Whenever doubt may haie
exisl.d with regard to a clear uile, (md, L believe, there'
are few national disputes where the points at issue are
clear to every one.) the history of Texas shows, that she
has led-pmed tne country uom the- savage, that she has
acquired a personal hen upon it as property, by conquer
ing an ! d'ti nding a.
Permit hip, Mr Chairrmn.to repeat, that the revolu-
tion was forced upon her. She turned upon her enemy,
she drove them From Her country, delended herself in eve
ry emergency, and whither she had become annexed or
remained a free Ri public, she had the power arid the res-
olution to defend her territoiy to the Rio Del None, and
establish in illh- same laws and the same free institutions
as existed in the land from which most of her penpl had
sprung. Mexico, sir, by the admission of the worlJ, is in
a state in which th-- government, if she may be said to have
any government, is not able to protect her own hei citi-
zens i i the rights nflifp and property. It is already well
known, and discussed in Europe, that she is falling to pie-
ces Her own press assumes the same position and it is
forced upon the irtinds of all, by recurring lo recent or
remote events in her history. Any military chtefmin.
any man, would serve the cause of human happiness who
could restore the country to order, give liberty lo her citi-
zens, and establish a government which should command
the respect of her own people and surrounding nations.
To acquire her lei ritory, no Texian de-sired To see
her people enjoying the privileges that are enjoypd by the
Anglo Saxon race, was what they wished. The settle-
ment of Texas was founded upon principles as noble, as
pure and a hon-ft, as thosp in which aiy people ever set-
tled a country. The Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth
Rock had no higher claims to pure principles and an ar-
dent love of liberty than Austin, and those composing his
colony They emigrated lo Texas to cultivate the soil,
to establish homes for themselves, and leave an inheri-
tance to their children, in a land which their industry had
made a I md of milk and honey." to establish the institu-
tions and enjoy ihe blessings of freemen A traveller in
now passing through what was lately a wilderness will at
once perceivp thp traces of fiftppn years of industry and
toil; the pvidencps of wpalth and comfort, and of their nat-
ural rpsuli, the social institutions, and a refinement, to ac-
quire which, in ol er States a half a century has scarce-
ly hern found sufficient The first sPtiiers w- re bravp
and worthy citizms of thp United States. Thpy carried
property with them ; they nddidto it in thp pursuit of
honest industry; the-y wpre forced by circumstances lo
take the alternative-of war or dishonor; they did what
freem-n should always do they refused any submission
which would dishonor ihem in their own estimation, or
dpprid" 'hem -n h ti'ini-inn of others
B n, Mr. Chairman, in the Noith, in one of th. old
Suns oliliid Union, among a people who obsene with
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1846.
fidelity all the obligations of social life, I hope the delega-
tion fiom Maine wirl pardon me, when I say, that the
constituents I have the honor to represent, will not suffer
by comparison with my old friends, acquaintances, and
associates of the State which they represent; they are
iheir equals in everything which adorns human nature-.
The vices, to the charge of which they are justly liable,
are of a kind n t disconnected with the noblest develop-
ments of tiuman libt rty and the highest advances of civili-
zation Honor, bravery, almost to rashness, a determi
nation to submit lo no aggiessionon their rights and chiv-
alry, are the characteristics of the whole population the
poor as well as the-rich. Can any people be justly ac-cus-d
of mleiioriiy, as the peeipic of T xas have- bi en by a
poiuonof the press of this Union when they have estab
lablished far the.ns-lves a fre-e governme-nt; ciealed in
the lime of war a system of finance; piovid.dfor the reg-
ular administiation of justice; donat-d large sums to-
wards education, sustain, d, cherished, and caied for, a
pious and re-spectable rrunistiy of the Gospel; and hi vp,
acco dinglo population, us ninny chinch communicants
nso-her portions uf the Stales with constitutions a centuiy
old? These trails are sufii -ient al me-, connected with an
indomitable resolution lo cairv on the woik of im pro-win
nt, to slop the mouth of slander, an J silence; the ignor-
ant d-clanner. and show lo ihe wo. Id that ihey are not
unworthy of then origin. Texas' has been stigmatizid
b Mexico as i serpent, which she had wirmed into vi-
tality lo wound hoi who nourished it in her bosom. If
sprprn: ct all, it m ty prove like the serpent of old, which
being looked upon by Mexico, whose body politic is cov-
ered anddef.jnn-d by a political leptosy, she may he
he iled. The Goie.nmmt a Inch forced us to s paralion
req nres a e hastening hand; it requires to be taujhl to re-
spect the eights of others, which, h retofore, it has tramp-
led under foot. The difficulties benween Te-xas.ind M-x
ico an-blazoned by her lo every court in Europe. The
hatred to Itbeity, felt by some of the powers of Euiope,
leiidsa willing carlo her complaints. The people of
Texas are branded as pwates and robbeis If that Gov
eminent cherishes one sp irk of the sacred fire of liberty,
why did the accomplished and noble Zavala seek a more
congenial land in Teas? Born and nurtured in afflu-
ence, plevalfd to high station, holding the office of cabi-
net ad vis-r, minister to Fiance, within the reach of any
honor to which the be-st and most til nud could aspire,
Zavala died a citizen of Texas. Nwarro, anoth- r no-
ble Mexican, chose, voluntarily, Texas as his country ;
suffered in prison and in chains, with the offer of liberty
and rank if he would return to his ullegionce?; but with-
out avail. He wearied out tyranny itself by his patience
arid fortitude, and returned to the land of his adoption, hon-
ored and honoring the people and institutions of Texas
Yucatan, too, furnishes another instance of the intoler-
anceof oppression of that military despotism, sty I d the
Government of Mexico No charges of brigands, land
ihieve-s, and pirates, could apply to h--r; yet she declared
herself independent, und de eated the army of the usurper
She has never fully reunited herself to Mexico; she has
been permitted in some respects to govern herself. These
examples are enough, and more than enough, to prove
something radically defective in her system Towards
the people of Mexico, sir, I entertain no feelings of ill-
will; nor, do the greater pouion ol my constitui nls. I
believe them amiable and patiintto a fault. They are
quiet, and many of them industiious. 1 he upper classes
are well educated, polished, and polite. The womenare
remarkable for benevolence and kindness. I have not
heard of a singlp instance of unkindness lo our prisoneis,
by that sex, in Mpxico ; on the contrary, many instances of
generosity have been related to me, which would do hon
or to the most noble of the earth. More, sir; some of
those excellent acts of benevolence were the outpourings
of the hearts of indigence and wretched poverty. The
war now carried on will ultimately prove advantageous
to the citizens of Mexico, and -lisseminateand advance the
principles of human liberty. The people I represent look
to no aggrandizement from a conquest of Me-xico. I point
the trave Her to the Colorado, it e Li Vaca, the Guada
loupe; and, in fact, in all the West he will find an indus
trious population in the possession of good farms and herds
ofst.-ck; in tact, in the possession of every comfort and
many of the luxuries of life. The-y are men, sir, satisfied
with their condition, and peaceable and well disposed.
They have waded through ten years of war, during which
time they sowed, not knowing who woulJ reap. Nearly
half of tin- original population have perished in defending
llieir homes and then firtsid'S. The orphan-, made so
by this disastrous war, should be made thp care of the
Government. The last leintory accrues lo the United
S'ates, while many of those who died to defe rid it, have
lefl their families in poie-rtj, to sliuugie through life. Il
may seem strange lo a superficial observer that the Tex-
ians, so fe-w in number, should excite such a great sensa-
tion in the U States; th.y have, however, received aid,
consolation, and support from the citiz- ns of this country,
from one e-xtremity of the Union to the other. A little
deepei insignt into ihem and their condition would show
the moral They were an oppressed and suffering peo-
ple; sucti will ever find a sympathetic response m every
human breast No nation is so degraded, no piopleare
so lost to the feelings of kmdied and comj assmn. as to re
main unmoved at human suffering. I could cite iustan
ces, so common as scarcely to be remarkable, whicli
would harrow up ihe feelings of the most obdurate To
the fact that Texas was themjund party, we owe the
kind ommisseranon we aeknowl-dgo lo have been so
bounteously bestowed Te xas sought pi ace with Mexico
in every mode within her power. The land which might
have bi-pn considered by Mexico as in dispute, though hers
by indisputable title, was not woith, in the opinion of he-r
citizens, a prolonged qu.irrel All her overtur. s were
treated with scorn. Not until ihe overture's for annexa-
tion were made-, and Euiupean Ministers lnii-rmeddled, did
slip give any indica ions of a spirit of peace, or desire to do
her justice Her tarelv pace with the olive branch came
too la'e Hating the Unit-d Slates and her institution,
fearing their influence upon her population, she rushed
madly into war. Now. it is asserted on this floor, that
hei cause is just, nnd we aree ngagtd in a wa of aggres
sion. Annexation fmind us in possession of the territory
in dispute. The Unit-d States is bound by every princi
pie of justice and honor to continue and maintain the
boundary Te-xas had acqui.ed It was not necessary lo
have maintained posts on the Rio del Norte WeJiad
posts west of the Nueces" A -oleum act of Mexico had
decreed de-ath to any ol her cittZ"ns found a leag-ie east of
the Del Norte. Having maintained our position west of
the Nueces, the- Del Norte- b comes by necessity the pro-
per boundary. This the Re-public had acquired; this
she would have maintained as an indrpi ndeni Slate Can
the United StatPS give her less, after all her sacrifices,
than she alone had acquired and maintained?
t Mr. Chairman, I haidly know in what mannpr to re-
ply to the denunciations ol ihpgpntleman from New York,
(Mr. Culver ) of the President and Administration, in
assaulting which he de-scentls to ineiii epithet. The
chargps are rungof'-Old Hickory," "Young Hickory,"
'mushioom, sprung up in a night," &c Theso can
be applied to the grpat and good at all time-s, and are
reckoned the chpappst st le of oratory, if ihpy arp so e mi
tied at all The high functionary, who comes in for the
large-st share, is one whose head has become white in the
service of thp nation These halls tPstified to ihe ability
and industry nth which he pursued his carper to honor
and glory. He bpars along with him the esteem of the
wisp and good from onp end of these States to the other.
In a particular manner he has won the respeel and confi
dence' nf the Slate I have the honor in part to represent.
Hp knew the people of Texas; he used thp powers of his
high station to consummate the I ibnrs commpneed by an-othe-r
Hecompl-ted whutth. bold and e-ne-rgetic Tyler
Ii d b gu.i B ih i ti'i'1 d m u einin i d jr et e.
ihe gratitude of'lexians. and their names will be handed
VOL.
down lo their children's children, with other eminent
slate-smen, to whom Texas is deeply indebied. Mr Pole
know the woith of Texas and the importance -f its acqui-
sition He knew by the acts of our people that they wen
not degenerate; souu-of the (list settlers were of kindred
with him. Hu own State has furnishid large numbers
to sw II the amount of coutageand industry of which we
may well bo si I will not reply to lh-thousand scoffs
and sneers put forth in regard lo Texas. We console our-
selves, that they proceed in most cases from the ephem- ra
of the day thosp insects, which instinctively light upon
the rotten parts, and leave the sounder flesh to no ler ap-
petite's. One part of the gentleman's sp erh I de-sire lo
notice, because it contains an untruth, unintentional, no
doubt. Il is that part in which it is stated th it General
Houston madp a treaty with San'n Anni in reaid to the
boundary : I allude to it with pleasure, because- it enables
me to contradict a sl'itement so injurious to that individ
Ij.tl. and ihe nation. He released Gen'l San'a Anna with-
out any condition, not because he deserved to be released,
but it appeared to be sound policy; 'thereby establishing
his maanamitv. bv releasing a culprit, and earning tbc
..a ...: .u .. i.i pi... .i....i.....i.J. Tri-vrto-"
iiuu uiriiiiifii wi uir tvifiiu i nr urimmumiui a. c uo,
which claims to the Del Norte, has bpen compared to ihe
resolution of the Baltimore Convention, claiming the
right of th United States in the Oiegon territory to 54
deg 40 min. Whatever the title of ihe United States
on'-p was to the whole of Oregon (and I believe il was
good ) u had no parallel at all with the title ol the Rp-
public of Tex is lo the territory cl limed hy it. If it was
good, well; but it had no strength like thee him of Tex-
as. If she had not originally a paiticle of title, she earned
one; she mide her title good by tne bi si of all rights
the power to obtain and def. nd always assuming, as I
fust I have proved, thu she was forced iuio war. Where
the "United Stales may fix the boundaiy, I cannot siy."
says the gentleman; I de-sire to impress upon the House,
th :l thp Texians the mselves have fixed the boundary by
the strongest of titles The sword was thrust upon rn-r
she had to rpceive it, or thrust it bck upon the foe ihnt
invaded her. When arms are once taken up, thp "spoils
belong thp victors;" and morp legitimately thp spoils of
victory have never been won in the political or military
woi Id. than tho e which were achieved hy the P. ople of
Tpxas I rpgret, Mr. Chairman, that I haie bien com
pelle-d to address the House upon this s'tbji'ct at this time
I came- he-re not intending to obtrude myself upon the at
tention of the House-, hut to take an humble- pat in thp bu
sinpss of this grpat nation I camp here, taking as my
counsel and guide, the fleitnl principles of truth and jus
lice those which h.3'J always beeu adherpd lo by Te-xas
in her relations with Mexico, and with othe-r cotinlrie-s,
and which she wished lo see carried out by the United
StatPs in all questions to 'hicri her annexation to this Re-
public should give rise I kr-ow that those principles
will stand like the rocky cliff upon thp seashore, which
looks down in silent majesty for ever, while wave after
wave of theslorrry ocean beats against it and dissolves,
not shaking its immutable foundations. .
AN ACT
To create the County of Hunt.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislatunvof the State
of Texas, That all the territory included within the coun-
ties of Fannin and Nacogdoches, to wit: Beginning at
the south-west corner of Lamar county; thence, south
thirty-eight and one half miles; thence, west twenty-five
miles; thence, north to the south east corner of Collin.
county; thence-, with the eastern boundary line of said
county, to the southern boundary line of Fannin county;
thence, north, eighty degrees east, to the beginning, be,
and the same is hereby created a new county, to beknown
and called by the name of Hunt
Sec. 2. B it further enacted. That the inhabitants re-
siding within said limits, shall bare and exercise all the
rights, pi ivileges, and immunities enjoyed by the- inhabi-
tants of the several counties In this State, except the right
of separate representation and a separate land distiict; and
the inhabitants of said county shall severally be consid-
ered as attached to the counties from which they were ta-
ken, until entitled by numbers to a separate representa-
tion Sec 3. Be it further enacted, That Samupl C. Hook-
er, Mendelh Had, Isaac Banty, James Hobbs, and Wil-
liam Lane, be, and they are hereby appointed commission-
erg, whose duly il shall be to find the centre of said coun-
ty, and select two places within three miles of said centre,
hiving due respeel to donations that may be offered hy
individuals, of land or other property, for a town site for
the use ol said county; the commissioners or a majority
ol them, shall then proceed to hold an election, and the
place receiving the greatest number of the legal votes
polled, shall be the count' seal of said county, and the
place so elected shall be known and called by the name of
Gre-enville; after which the commissioners shall proceed
to lay off a town, and s II the lots therein, at public auc-
tion, on a credit of twelve months, and all the pioceeds ari
sing from the sale of lots or other donations, shall be op
plied by the commissioners herein created to the erection
of public buildings for the use of the county.
Sc 4 Be it further enacted, That ihis act lake effect
and be in force from and alter its passage.
Approved, 11th April, A. D 1846.
AN ACT
To establish the Judicial Districts of the District Courts.
Section 1 Be it enacted by the L gislature of the State
of Texas, Thai the following named count s shall com
pose the First Judicial Distiict, to wii: Matagorda, Whar
ton, Colorado, Austin, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galves-
ton Sec 2 Be it further enacted That the following nam-
ed counties ?hnll compose the Second Judictul District, to
wit: Comal, Guadulupe, Travis, Bastrop, Fuyeiie, La
Vaca. DeU'iil and Uonziles.
Sec 3 Be il further enacted. Thai the following nam-
ed counties shall compose the Third Judiciil Di-tnct, to
wit: Braz is. Rob rtson, Leon, Ltuiesume, Nevarro, Mi-
lam, Burl, son and Washington.
Sec 4 Be it further enacted, Tnat the- following nam
ed counties shall compose the Fourth Judici tl District, to
wit: Calhoun. Jackson, Victoria, Goliad, Refugio, San
Patricio, Nueces and Brxar.
Sec 5 Be it further enacted. That the following nam
ed counties shall c impose the Fifth 'udicial District, to
wit: Jasper, Newton, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby,
Panola, Upshur, Harrison and Cass
Sec. 6 Be it further enacted. That the following nam-
ed counties shall compose the Sixth Judicial District, to
wit: Nacogdoches. Angelina, Houston, Cherokee, Rusk,
Anderson, H uderson, Smith and Dallas.
Sec. 7. Be it further enacted, That the following nam-
ed counties shall compose the Seventh Judicial District, lo
wit: Hams, Montgomery, Walker, Grimes, Liberty,
Polk, Tyler and Jefferson.
Sec. 8 Be it further enacted. That the following nam-
ed counties shall compose ihe Eighth Judicial District, to-
wit: Bowip, Lunar, Red River, Fannin, Grayson, Col-
lin, Denton, Hopkins, Titus and Hunt.
Sec. 9 Be it further enacted. That all former laws
and pans of laws de fining the Judicial Districts of the
District Court, be, and the-same are hereby repealed; and
that this act take effect from and after its passage.
Approved, Uih April, 1846
AN ACT
To incorporate the Huntsville Academy.
Section 1. Beit enacted by the Legislature of the State
of Texas, That thp present trustees of the Huntsville Acad-
emy in the town of Huntsville, and county of Walker, be,
and they are hereby constituted a body corporate nnd pol
inc. under the name and style of Huntsville Academy,
eipihle of suing md b mg suid, pleidui" nnd heini im
pleaded, of holding properly real nnd pergonal, ot selling,
XL NO. 30-WHOLE NO. 555L
conveying and alienating the same at pleasure, and o(do-
ingnnd pet forming all things whatsoever that, they may;
deem beneficial to said institution, not contrary to (he
cons'itution and laws of this Stale: Piovidedt ibal the re-
al and personal property acquired by said corporation
shall notutnny time exceed twenty thousand dollars;
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That this charter and ,
privilege shall extend to the pi esent trustees and their'
successors in office, so long as they confine-the benefits of
the same to the promotion of education.
Sec 3 Be it further enacted, That on the first Satur- ,
day of Match, 1847, (until whic,h lime the presentst.usteea.
shall hold their office) and annually thereafter, the sub- ,
scnbeis to said institution shall ele-ci seven tiustees for lha
ensuing year provided, that no one shall be considered
a subscriber who has not subscribed nnd paid towaids the.
erecuon of the buildings now used, or ivhu may not here-
after subscribe and pay the- sum often dollais for the use
of said institution other than tuition fees.
Sec 4. Be u further enarte-d. That the election shall bi?
held by the President of the bojid of Trustees. or-in his j
absence-, bvanvof lhem..ands.amakrttv ofthosei"Dree?ni
TfritTTolmg, snail be sufficient to constitute ibe peisons vo
ted for duly elected trustees. In all cases ihe old trustees
shall hold their o;iicts until th- lr succe ssors are elected..
Sec 5. Be it former e nacted, 'I nat said truste-e s shall
choose their president and haveall the powers inridentto
corporations that are not inconsisti nt with the constitution
and laws of the Slate and of this act; they shall also ap-
point one of iheir body secretary md lit-esurer, who snail
keep a rPco:d of their proceedings, and if required give
bond for th safe keeping o the mom- s uf s iid senile my.
See. 6. Be it fuilhe-r enacted, That the said board ol
trustees shall have power to pass such by-laws .j they
may deem proper for then own governm. nt. and fir lbs
government of the schools by 1h m established: provided,
they aie not inconsistent with the eeinsiuution and laws.
Sec. 7. Be it fuethei enacted Thai said Academy shall
he forever free of the control of any pafticular denomina-
tion of Curistians, but shall be open tor the use and bene-
fit of all. v
Sc. 8. Be it further enacted, That, this act-take effect
and t e in lorce from and alter jta passage. . jtmsi
The-foregoing Act was pres.niei to therGovernoraor
approval on the 6;n d..y of Apt it, A D 1846, as appeais
from the memieiandum of his peltate secietaey, of (hatdate,
and was deposit d in the Secretaiy of Stale's office onhe
1 1th ol April, A. D 1846, without his-approval.
CH'S MARINER, Act'g Sec'y of Stated"
AN ACT ' I.',
To incorj orate Duval A- ademy.rin the-County of Fan-
nin - -,
Section 1. Beit emcted hy ihe LegislatorR of the State
of Texas, That Bail y English, G Adverts, John P.
Smipson, William Dighy, Daniel Montague-, John YeJ-
ny and Samuel Erwin, be, and they are hn bv incorpo
ated a body politic, under the name and style of the trus-
tees of Duval Academy, capable of suing and being sued,
of pleading and being impleaded, of holding propertyre
ther real, personal or mixeFd, of selling and convejingjthe
same at pleasure, and of doing and performing whatever
else that may be proper and necessary for the advance-
ment of said institution, not contiary to the constitution
and laws of this Stale.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That this charter and
privilpgp shall extpnd to the slid trustees and their succes-
sors in office so long as they confine the benefit of the
sme to the advancement of the sciences and the promo-
tion of useful knowledgetothe rising g neration ; ivnTeh.
mstituiion shall be alike accessible alike to all, without
regard to opinions of religion or politics.
Sc 3. Be it further enacted. That the trustees for tho
time being shall have full power to enact by-laws, rules,
and regulations, for the government of said academy, as
may seem to them neci'ssary for that object.
Sec. 4. Be it furtherenacted, That the institution here-
by created shall be locate d at or near the town of Bonbam,
in said'eounty..
Sec. 5 Be it furthtr enacted, That this acUake effectj-
and be in force from and after its passage, - v -
Approved 11th April, A. D. 1846. '-"..
AN ACT
To create the County of JJmestone.
t -Mrii
Section 1. Be it enacted by the Lpgislaturef the Stale j
of Tejas, That all that portion of Robertto&icounijr uu
eluded in the following bounds bp, and the same is-hereby
created in a new county to be called and known bvUfic
name, oi Limestone, to wiu Beginning at the noub-tast
corner of Leon county, on the Trinity River; thence
with the line of said county to the Navisnto.Rive"r ; thence,
up said river to the noith edst corner oLRob'-rtson county;
and thi nee, with the line of said county to the Brazos Ri-
ver; thence, up the east bank of said river to the mouth
of Tehuacana Creek, where it empties into said river;
thence, north, sixty degrees east, to the Trinity River ;
thence, down the cist bank of said river :o the place of
beginning. And the inhabitants residing in the said .
bounds shall be entitled to all the rights, privileges and
immunities incident to the citiz ns of the original coun-
ties, except the right of se parate representation in the
Legislature, (until entitlpd thereto by numbers.) and the
light of a s pirate land district And the citizens of said
county shall vole with Robertson county for Senator and
Representatives un-sl otherwise p ovided for by I w; and
that this act take effect and be in force from and after its,
pissage.
Approved, 11th April, A. D 1846.
AN ACT
To prescribe thp time of the biennial meeting of the Legislature-of
the Slate of Texas. 4gjj?
S ction 1 Beit ena.-led by the L gislature of thiStte.
of Texas, Thai the Legislature of the Si He of Texas shall
meet at the seal of Gov -rnment and begin their second
bwinial session on th. second M mday in Deiember, A.
D 1847. and on the same day biennially thereafter, until
otherwise p ts-ribed by law.
See-. 2. Be it fuuher entcted, That this act take effect
from and after its passage
Approved, Llth April, A. D. 1846.
AN ACT
To provide for the organization of the several Counties in
the State.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State
of Texas, That it shall be the duty of the Chief Justice
and any two of the county commissioners of each and eve-
ry county to this State, immediately after the receipt of
this act, to lay off and divide their respective counties in-
to convenient precincts, for the election of justices of tho
peace and constables, defining- particularly the bounda-
ries of such precincts, and also, to appoint a convenient
place in each precinct where elections shall be held, of all
which they shall cause the county clerk to make a rec
ord.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty
of the. chief justice and any two of the county commission-
ers of every county in this State from whicfcTanynew
county has been taken al this session of the legislature,
or from which the greater portion of any new county has
been taken, to layoff and divide such new counties into
convenient precincts for the election of justices of tho
peace and constables, defining particularly the boundaries
of such precincts, nnd also lo appoint a convenient placo
in each precinct where elections shall be held; of all
which they shall cause a record to De made, which they
shall send to the chief justice of each new county, when
elected.
Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That it shall be trje duty
of the chief justice of every county in this Statp, to cauao
elecions to be held on the second Monday of July, 1846,
in their respective counties, for ons chief justice, four
93
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Moore, Francis, Jr. Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 11, No. 30, Ed. 1, Wednesday, July 29, 1846, newspaper, July 29, 1846; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48419/m1/1/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.