WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1852
356
the members of this House-no discussion having been taken in the Senate upon it-and it is to be forced down our throats, the sooner we submit to dictation the better. I will yield, if the majority of the Senate decide against me. All that I can do is to record my vote against the passage of any important meas- ure, involving not merely millions, but principle, which is above millions, unless I am allowed to investigate it. I never can vote for the bill unless it is investigated by the Senate, and until I have heard reasons adduced in favor of its adoption. 1 Congressional Globe, Part III (1851-1852), p. 2233. REMARKS ON PROVISION FOR THE PUBLIC DEBT OF TEXAS, AUGUST 26, 1852 1 Mr. President, so far as the State of Texas is concerned and so far as I represent it, I have, on this occasion, to express my sincere regret that the subject has not met with the earlier attention of the Committee on Finance, and that it has not been earlier submitted to the Senate for its action. For some reason it has not been presented in any shape until the present moment. If the Senate were to act upon it, and to adopt the measure now proposed, I believe it would not only benefit the creditors of Texas, but it would obtain all the ends of justice that they can ever expect or that Texas can ever accord to them, which will, I think, be complete. · I have only risen to express the sincere desire that the amendment may meet with the favorable consid- eration of the Senate and be at once adopted. If it leads to dis- cussion, we have no time further to consider it without interfer- ing with important business; and I shall submit to the decision of the Senate. Whether they will act upon it or not, Texas will take care of herself, and her creditors, too, if she can. ' [Mr. Pearce spoke.] Mr. President, without the reservation having been made in the law of 1850, I should never have supposed for one moment that the Government of the United States were liable for any portion of the debt of Texas. Nor, do I believe that by any but an open declaration of theirs can they ever assume the responsi- bility of her debts. It would have been proper to have ascer- tained from Texas what was the actual amount of debt for which the revenue arising from imports was pledged. That revenue was especially pledged by Texas for the redemption of loans and for nothing else. It was not pledged as to any issues. Texas has
f.' I
i: 'I , I I I . 1;
I
I I 'r .... • I I ,I ' I I I . I I
i '
Powered by FlippingBook