203
WRITINGS OF SAl\'1 HOUSTON, 1850
Mexico, and proposals to Texas for the definite settling of her northern and western boundaries. For weeks the debate concerned Texas almost exclusively, and senators-especially those from the northern states-sought to limit the Texas claims and diminish its territory. Both Rusk and Hous- ton fought valiantly to maintain the Texas boundaries as they had been claimed when Texas was admitted to the Union. For this debate see Congressioncil Globe, XXII, 1242-1446 and onward. Houston had already made long speeches on the Texas-New Mexico boundary question on June 11, June 12, June 13, and July 3; See these speeches above in this volume. 2 On July 23, 1850, Senator Bradbury (Maine) offered the amendment to the effect that the President of the United States should name three com- missioners to meet with three commissioners appointed by Texas, and that these men should survey and make decision on the boundary line between Texas and New Mexico, beginning at a point where the Red River inter- sects the aparallel of 100° west longitude; that they should send the result of their work to the President, who in turn, would submit it to Congress with such recommendation as he might think necessary, and that whatever Congress might decide and approve should become obligatory upon both parties-Texas and the United States. For full legal wording of this amendment, see Congressiomil Globe, XXII, 1450. Then, on July 25 (see the Globe, p. 1435), Rusk moved to amend Brad- bury's amendment by adding: .iProvided, That the State of Texas is hereby declared to be entitled to all rights which she possessed to territory East of the Rio Grande on the day of the ratification of the Treaty of Hidalgo, and since that date." And it was this amendment offered by Rusk, that Houston argued should be adopted. 3 Colonel Stephen W. Kearny, on August 22, 18•16, issued a proclamation, declaring himself temporary governor of the territory of ·New Mexico, and setting forth a sort of code by which the territory should be governed. He stressed the fact that "the United States wished and intended to provide for New Mexico a free government, with the least possible delay, similar to those in the territories of the United States; and that the people of New Mexico will then be called on to exercise the rights of free men and elect their representatives to the territorial legislature; but until that can be done, the laws hitherto in existence will be continued until changed or modified by competent authority; and those who hold office will continue in the same, for the present, provided they will consider themselves good citizens, and are willing to take the oath of allegiance to the United States." He absolved all who lived in the territory of New Mexico from further allegiance to the Republic of Mexico. He declared that those who remained quiet should be considered good citizens and would be protected; but that those who were found in arms, or instigating others a~ainst the United States, should be considered traitors, and treated accordingly. For the text of the code see H. H. Bancroft, Histo1·y of Arizona <ind New Mexico, foot- note No. 10, pp. 417-418. For the story of Kearny's campaign for the occupation of New Mexico, see Ibid., pp. 408-428. The Kearny Code may also be found in Niles' Register, LXXI, 138-140, 157-159. See also Speech on Texas-New Mexico Boundary, June 29, July 3, 1850, in this volume.
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