174
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1850
infliction of such gross and unjustifiable wrong? Mr. President, there is a principle involved in this matter which extends far beyond the temporary inconvenience imposed on Texas, or to the actual injustice which may be inflicted on her. It is a principle which lies at the very foundation of our Government-the sub- ordination of the military to the civil power-and the subversion of which is the destruction of our liberties. Is a mere military officer to be allowed to interfere and prescribe to a sovereign State what shall constitute her territorial limits and boundary? In this• case, the former President of the United States, who established in time of war temporary military governments, ordered the government of the territory to be surrendered to Texas as soon as peace terminated the war, or I have been mis- informed; yet the present Executive has continued the mili.tary government, and has not surrendered the territory to Texas. Less than two years ago, the military authority, Colonel Wash- ington, expelled, or rather caused the ejection of the judicial officers of Texas from the territory; and, now, when Colonel Neighbors had succeeded in reorganizing the counties where no military authorities were stationed, and went to Santa Fe, what was the consequence? There the military governor avowed his resistance to the authority of Texas, and caused that hasty and inconsiderate action of the population which has resulted in the handing over of the territory to a mere judge of the Kearny code. 1 And he, forsooth, has taken all under his control, and now assumes to be the sovereign over this wide domain of Texas! Sir, if the military authorities of the United States have a right thus to conduct themselves in that territory-a territory within the limits of what we have ever claimed, and which were recognized by all nations previous to annexation-then they have a right to occupy our capital, or to wrest Galveston from our occupation. That territory no more appertains to New Mexico than does any other 8pot within the limits of Texas. Yet Texas has not been com- plaining, nor has she manifested undue anxiety in demanding her rights from time to time. Years have passed by since she had a right to expect the settlement of her boundary. The territory to which it extended has been acquired by the United States Govern- ment; and in good faith, if they had discharged their duties, they ought to have settled the boundary with the termination of the war, and said to Texas what and where it was. Does any one, for a moment, believe that if Texas had been aware of this attempted curtailment of her limits, she would ever
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