The Texas Monument. (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 18, Ed. 1 Wednesday, November 19, 1851 Page: 1 of 4
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Monumental Committee.
' HONOR TO THE BRAVE.
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No. 18.
l ol. IL
post duties, as
wilf be given, and such sacrifices made,
rich have
I
system,
every county and neighborhood in the
to
a
fifty leagues of land were then directed to
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pome
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all-important subjects, which
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■■■l|K
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III
mediately issued to the State.
cer selected for this mission
B. Shaw, Esquire, the present efficient that those resources were to be
tion that your attention is
fully invited.
' '* b-------- ~j------ -
take charge of the common
no
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Governor’s Message.
Executive Department,
' State of Texas,
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-
enable you to harmonize in the
a
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| 6f monied speculators, who had contribu-
ted nothing
Kgr -
a different
now stands,
rea-
manner which
5^—:- . :4
claim which i
charged to this
l-------b—
r portion to the scholarships taken) a num-
ptibhc min^ as those which luye grown
<>nt of thejmsage by the sjn^ralJJoii- fu| CXa,7,fnodon'«.f die
^hry Bill, and the acceptance of the p
visions <
gislature of this State.
The last few years I
more accurate knowledge of the number and simple in the application of its prin-
and character of our population, ]and the ciples.
true value of our immense
“The Texas
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F-“H3S£!EHSe5=
Published by
matter i----
footing from that on which it
I sonable period,
Indeed the difficulties whidh must be
overcome in its
remains in its
jobvious, that it
prove lhal immediate steps should be ta-
ken to obajate them. I therefore further
1 to the Honorable Legisla-
- but^as it is possible that Congress may
not concur in the propriety of making
this modification,* we should, in anticipa-
ch a contingency, prepare our-
he best manner we can to meet
I trust I have shown the necessity
upon
I I
expect to close it within any
, or in any i
would be at all satisfactory to the Slate.
I
adjustment, so long as it
) resent condition, are so
requires no argument to
prosperity of the country,
have sptead abroad shall be prattical in its essential features,
1 P A II i 1 1 --I » w. . I < 1^. a.
In order to make any plan oper-
ter^ilory is ate equally, schools must be established
’ in every county and neighborhood in the
] State, and to do this with the machinery
which would be necessary to bring them
into successful operation, would involve
an expense greatly disproportioned
any benefits which could result from
them in the present sparse population of
most oft the counties; and I could not
give my'assent to any plan which would
operate unequally, or which would con-
fer benefits on one portion of the State,
in the meantime relieved of its and which could not be felt or enjoyed
in every other section.
The fourth section of an Act approved
January 26th, 1839, contemplates that
of these benefits might not be commen- the immediate adoption by your Honor-
surate with the wishes, or l
of all—yet as this would be going as far
as the present resources of the State will
|justify, when we regard the claims of
it._ is believed
t j _j r ! ..... o the* that it would give general satisfaction to
to embarrass the interest of all others, by class of claims referred to, shall file their die people at large, and add much to the
elinquishment of his claim releases to the United States); declaring,
that in default of their doing so within
the prescUbcd time, the claims shall be
the
• To the Honorable the Senate, and
• House of Representatives:
In the discharge of my official duties,
the task again devolves upon me of com-
municating with you, as the immediate
representatives of our common constitu-
*i mea-
ns in my judgment, I
1 necessities in the administrajtion of the
» I v-a w ci iiuiciii at me lime mej yreie i^oueci*
performance of this duty, frpm the reflec- ’pyg consideration, well understood and
appreciated, induced an i
to the mode of redeeming these securi-
(ties; as no one could entertain the opin-
. i • u i -- a llloment> that the Government -- ---------- ---------------..
many of the important subjects which ] was unjer any obligation, either injustice consequences, cannot be i
.711 *Ia ■ •• ** •• rlit f no fZi— I r- • • • a . . .. • « • •• • • •
• or i
the
that inquiry resulted
and from
on to de-
> a
com-; subject of interesting inquiry to you as
a .1- — I— a _1 /** . * 1*
ig nr disposing
X pon this subject there
seems to exist niuch diversity of senti-
ment in the public mind. Some enter-
tain the opijnion that the whole amount
republican freedom. It is quite un-
necessary for me to enumerate the ad-
vantage^ of w liberal and well conducted
system of popular education—one that
would be uniform and efficient in its
gs, dispensing full and
equal benefit^ to all. The sentiment of
the State is awakened, and is restless
stamp and hue originally derived from
its epnsequen- each particular constituency, is not to be
• re-
I I * I • I I *
laws quire a calm and deJiberate investigation ing, or impairin
Icral of these subjects on the part of each and the means by v
for the Government, by receiving that transfer, all of you, and, perhaps, some patriotic perpetuated.
- J° f
adoption benefits of education.
enev, and of recommending such
sunes
will best conduce to their interest and
p - ■ I : 4. ■ '
„ ;7_ . | HCUU8SJHCS in me aminuiMi <tnuu ui me
I experience much satisfaction in the Government at the time they were issued.
( .'A... ....... r..~ .... .
tion, that coming, as you have done, di-
rectly from the midst of the people, you
have brought wi^h you a knowledge of
their views and opinions in reference to jOf) for
will claim your attention during the pre-1
sent session of the Legislature^; and with
that knowledge, you will be aide, by your
united efforts', to carry out those views in
a manner that will be satisfactory to them,
and at the same time maintain the honor
and integrity of the State, and greatly
advance its present and future prosperity.
' In these efforts, I need not say to you, ) sente(j |
genilemen, that you will receive my hearty va|ue .vh’ich wnrrealizedTy
co-operation and support—trusting, that - r- -
by the harmonious exercise of a sincere
determination, on our part, to do-what is
right, we shall attain that end ; and that
the result of our labors will be such, as
not only to meet the approbation of our
own citizens, but to command the appro-
val of all just men, who may be interested
in, or affected by it.
Amongst the many questions of im-
portance which will be presented for your
deliberation, there will be none, pjrobably,
*so irreat in magnitude, and w lich have
excited so large a share of mteiest in Hie.
public mind* as those which hive
<
gress of wliat is tqrined the Texas Boun-
iro-
of that act by the people and Le-
II is unnecessary, at this time, to recur
to the causes which gave rise tn that bill,
or tn advert to (he variety of opinions en-
tertained by our own citizens in regard
io the measure of justice extended to ns
by it, or the mode by which that justice
was to be administered. The bill doubt-
i less had its origin in a desire to setlie, in !
n manner which would best reconcile con-
flicting views and interests, a question
which had excited much angry feeling,
and which;) at one time, threatened to
disturb the harmonious relations which
should exist, and which I sincerely trust
will ever exist, between the States and
people of this Union; and although many
of ns, admiring as we did, the principle
of Union i
believed that neither the measure of re-
tirees,
vet
the mode of its adjustment,; w|lat°collri,e |lc inlended to n
t we had a right to expect;
g back upon their
-Mis
me, as
;______ ____________________________________
im-] cial to all ; and the Executive entertains of
would enable her to carry the confident hope that such investigation
. I , . v. * x. • x« • . .. . — , tl ^5 | . - — . — — — — ~ ~ , .... . .. . . — — — —I-"” — —” 7
i"ht have done had as will lead to this most desirable result.
O I
That all these views have .weight and
are entitled to respectful consideration, practical bearin
is admitted, but to carry all into practical
is true ;
every i upon this interesting subject, demanding
now stands legitimately prompt and energetic action on the part
( surplus fund, there will of those entrusted with parental care, io
be a large amount left for your disposi- all things that pertaiu to the promotion
tion, and it is in reference to that disposi- of this great cause.
now respect- The framers of our State Government
were so deeply impressed with the belief
That a general system of internal im- ; that a general system for the education
provements by the State, properly’
l A. i . 1 1 — ’ - 1 ■. 1 .
all proper exer-! prosperity there can be no, doubt; but consequence, that they engrafted in the
a modification of | such a system would require _ri o
.... means, which (without a vio- that “a general diffusidb of knowledge
will authorize lation of the Constitution) could not be being essential to the preservation of the
of the Trea- made at this time; and the adoption of rights and liberties of life people, it shall
--■' • ! ------ | -- - i—
LA GRANGE, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 185E I
J ___________i . i .1___________L r
. - , -_______,___________ . ■ 1 1 1 ■ - —
Terms (specially pledged, shall firs! file at the withstanding it may be ascertained prior the loss of her revenues arising from i"
Su.,e.im,ii—t3Dollar.p«r annum, in advance.: Treasury Deijartmenf of the U. States, i to such relinquishment, that a very in- I post duties, as ■ ' ' ' '
Aovkbtimno >1 per square for the first insertion releases of all claim against the United considerable part of that five millions will out her contracts with her creditors, as
•nd50cents for each subsequent insertion. 10 States, for or on account of said bonds be required to cover those claims; and n
lines, or lete, to constitute a square. ; or certificates, in such form as shall be that he has reserved to himself the right
Am^Xn.'nwiir<'berapibb'i.hed f"rWd'and prescribed by Secretary of the Trea- | of deciding, from data to be furnished by
charged accordingly. sury and approved by the President of the State, the amount of the claims
the United States. <
The Republic of Texas having cxecut- were
merce of the world, no one would have the best mode of investin
questioned for a moment her right to have of the surplus,
done so, and her creditors would have no
cause to complain of such an act,
suit from the fostering aid and encourage- as to diffuse its benefits generally through
ment of the government, in works of this (he country ; but after bestowing the best
kind, would be immediately felt in every ! reflection I have been able to give the
part of the land, and although the extent subject, I am not prepared to recommend
the necessities able body, of the system which has been
provided for by the constitution and sub-
sequent Legislative enactments under it.
In considering this great and paramount
interest, it is well to guard against a
mere plausible theory, and in embracing
any system, it were useless, unlesss that
examined in all its bearings,
the individuals holding the bonds
evidences of debt ag
were Ip mid by it, there can
it occurred to me, i
has to pay,1 and
interpose between her and her creditors,
and dictate the manner of its settlement.
1 therefore recommend to the Hon. '
r — .Li. ou|. genator5 jn (Jon-
gress be instructed, and our Representa- latefl
’ lives requested, to use i "
g to the decision of the lions to procure such ..._T
Secretary ol the Treasury, the whole five the filth article (of the 2d section of the j priation of
. 9th 18-50, as '
and require the Secretary of the Trea-
J I • I I 1 A 'I _ . » I _ I
contemplated by the 4th article of the in its details, be likely to present difficul- State to make suitable provisions for
'•ill • • • la « - I -• • . /• ••/-»* I I • I .1 * a • ■ - a’ * 1
to the subject upon which it schools.” The State has thus indicated
which difference her policy in this matter; she has been
a munificent bounty,
and when made available and properly
applied, will fulfil the beneficent inten-
the purpose of education are applied to
system of internal them, it would be the best application of
, patriotic and those means? The subject is referred
. Already the enterpris- to the wisdom of the honorable Legisla-
ing efforts directed by private capital, in ture.
clearing out some of our principal rivers; I It has been suggested to me, and the
in connecting the Brazos river with the ! suggestion has come from a source enti-
Gulf by Canal, the projection of the San tied to respect, that the best mode at pre-
Antonio apd Gulf Rail Road, and other! sent of promoting the cause of education
improvements of less magnitude, have i by the State will be found in subscribing
received the favorable consideration of 1 for a certain number of scholarships in
the'. Country and elicited much anxiety the several institutions already estab-
for their completion. How far it will I lished, and which are about to be estab-
be judicious at this time to embark in j lished by private individual enterprise;
works of internal improvement, until a I the extent of these subscriptions to be
certain and ample fund shall have pro-' regulated by the character and impor-
vided for their speedy completion, is | lance of those institutions respectively.—
submitted to the wisdom of the Legisla- i It is alleged that by doing so, nnd paying
ture. the subscriptions in advance, the State
Amongst the many subjects of para-| will not only aid in perfecting those in-
mount importance and interest, demand- r stitutions, but will hare an opportunity of
ing your present deliberation and action, educating at each one of them (in pro-
but few can justly claim precedence over
that of education. Its importance in the ber of the w’orthy youths of the country,
establishment and maintenance of the j who are unable to educate themselves,
free and happy institutions under which and who, wlu^n thus educated, will be
we have so long lived, was warmly in- prepared to r ‘ ~ *
culcated by the patriots who established free schools which the State wil|,
them. We who have been the favored1; doubt, at some future day desire to es-
ihe ordinary recipients of a rich inheritance, the result tablish throughout the country.
of sacrifices and labors of the wise and i I thought proper to submit this sugges-
good, should never fail to appreciate the tion for the consideration of the Legisla-
blessings it confers, nor ever forget that ture, coining as it does* from a highly in-
its transmission, unimpared to our sue- telligent and respectable source.
cessors, is a sacred duty. Living in the '1 here are many other matters which
middle of the nineteenth century, wiih the | will require your consideration in respect
lamp of experience before us, and; boast-1 to the application of a portion of this sor-
ing of an era marked by great philo-! plus fund. Public buildings of a perma-
sophical research and scientific discovery,nent character—such as are necessary
we cannot safely incur the hazard of loos- properly for conducting the affairs of
ig this boon, in neglecting . Government, and for supplying offices for
which, mainly, it is to be its various Departments, are required to
Those means are to be be erected. The Penitentiary system
found in the universal extension of the should be carried out and perfected—a
" ’ From it will re- State Library should be purchased.—
suit intelligence and virtue, the (rut basis These arc
anticipation of such difficulties, should
not prevent the effort from beiing made;
and I therefore suggest and respectfully
recommend, that adequate appropria-
tions be' made, to aid such enterprises as
are already, engaged in clearing out our
principal rivers, or any other well calcu-
lated and practical system of internal im-
provement, in order that the facilities of
transportation and commerce may be
extended as far into the interior of the promote the cause of education th^n my-
country as the natural capacities will Self, and I will most cordially co-operate
permit. 4 with you in any plan which will- practi-
The^practical utility which would re- cally advance that object in such a way
forever barred.
It has further occturred-to ---- ----- --
President has c ecided that tie revenues j now better known and more appreciated
from imposts were specially pledged (in —a consequent tide of immigration, uni-1
’ act,) for! form and steady in its movements, is
public (jebt almost continually .flowing upon us, arid in a
, short period, wc shall have the satisfac-
tion of seeing immense numbers of these
hardy, enterprising immigrants develop-
ing the resources of the State in its rich
productions; labor, everywhere will be
seeking employment, and capital, a pro-
fitable investment. Our State govern-
ment, i
; as soon as the United pecuniary embarrassments, and cjalculat-
neod the act of the general i ing with certainly its financial ability,
• rr, i ■ ■ /.I___Ml I__ 11 1 -.I 1. r 1 •
give
I indicate her future policy, in Jhe adop- two Universities shall be created, and
. . . - . ... - - - - -
Though be surveyed and set apart for their en-
United States in the Treasury Depart- to the United States as may be deemed
mental Washington city. necessary to exonerate the Federal Go-
A decision which would lead to such ' vernment from any liability fbr any por-
in accordance ■ lion, or all of the debt of Texas.
morality, to redeem them by paving with the spirit and intention of the coni- I recomrnend this course, because it
i amounts expressed on their face; and pact between the Federal Government is the best which my mind suggests to
’ 1 in the passage of the and Texas, although it may be within the relieve; tljiis subject from all difficulty ;
act of the State Legislature of March strict letter of the law; and it has oc
20th, 1848, “ to provide for ascertaining -curred to me, that some further action by
the debt of the late Republic of Texas,” Congress is necessary to place this sub-
which act required the Auditor and Comp- ject in its proper light, and that it will be
troller of the State to reduce al claims pre- proper for tlie State Legislature to indi-
-...... r-- — - L * ’ aS il - . i
Republic may deem best, what that action should of placing this
---‘ / r ‘
contemplation of the boundary
an amount <>f lour |
at the ; equal (if it had been all filed) to the re-
Treasury Department a release and full j served stock, that it migirt he advisable
exoneration of the Federal Government to appropriate the stock, so withheld, to
cision ;of the question as to who were the from all liability for any portion of the ; the payment of that portion of the debt
g claims for public debt of.Texas growing out of the : for which those imposts were pledged,
“were Lg
pledged,” -and the amount of those claims i resources arising from “duties on im- der this decision of the President; said
was referred directly to the Secretary of posts,” all difficulty would at once he slock to be
the TfeasQty of the United States, and removed, and the public debt could with- i
as he could have no meansi bf
ing these facts, except such as were de- proper and speedy
rived from (he State, through
officers, I deemed it my duly
| an < ~ ________o_____r
charged \yith instructions (o ascertain , Executive cannot perceive that any well- the present control ol the State, be ap- new in her position amongst the great dowmentl
pursue in re-
iso to make obligation to pay these debts rests entirely of debt not covered by
for your action
welfare.
not concur in the propriety of makin
lion of s
selves in
it.
the debt of the late Republic of Texas,” j Cortgress is necessary
proper for th'e State Legislature to indi-
for liquidation, to thd actual par cate by resolutions, or otherwise,
ll,e
at the lime of their issue. The evident be.
meaning and Contemplation of that act If the decision of the Secretary of the if -we
was, llrnl the holders of the claims should Treasury remains unchanged (and we
be paid in accordance with the amounts have no reason to expect a change in it
thus ascertained by the Auditorial Board, without an alteration of the law) the State
subject to the revision of the Legislature; may be kept for an indefinite, and proba-
and the amounts so ascertained, were con- bly an interminable period, out of nearly
sidered as all that was actually due from
the State to her several creditors.
the Legislature had the right to pass this of her territory, and this result may bd
I to
other creditor, who, holding an amount not suf- ture, that a law be passed at the present
ainst the Republic, ficienl in i
i be ;
therefore; after a care-
: proviso, that diffi-
ould be pro-
duced in the settlements of our outstand- i
ing liabilities, unless the Secretary of the, led in
to the law'on the subject
her creditors therein referred to, and also State of Texas
other obligation in ‘respect to sacrifices qf preconceived opinions,
"’exas, than an equitable one , <
nut- to give the Slate such an equivalent for ol
. ' » I ♦
y$tem th.it jvill be mutually benefi-
.O’ I f II a ” 1
specially pledged; and also, the in- of such an obligation was a gratuitous act ’ that after the payment is made, df
■J... ,L. 5.... ...L ...1------—.........i. i—A:.
‘ ig Aitor- ; in any sense to be bound. Tl
riod of her history, it became necessary ; ney General of the State, under date of one which Texas owes, and which Texas
’ r, . > i » , -.i i- . |)as t0 pay, and no power can rightfully
ing no sort of proportion to the amounts milled, marked Document C., No. 1,
•!re- ; will be seen 1"
mainly at that time, Yrom small portion of the public
for their redemption.— outstanding, was secured by
ion, as
should operate, and
might not be easily reconcile! —-but the j the dispenser of
pplied, will fulfil the beneficent inten-
tions of the framers of the constitution,
and an addilionahafeguard thrown around
iliat instrument by the intelligence and
moral weight to be derived from the pro-
visions contemplated by the section quot-
ed above.
There is no one who feels a deeper
interest, or who more ardently desires to
cullies and embarrassments w
the settlements of our outstand-
'I'reasury should give such a construction gress will
as
of the 'I'reasury to issue stock to the
for the whole.amount of
liabilities the retained five millions, upon the State,
' ig ;
I ” * I I I
. .. release and full served stock, that it migirt lj|
the i from all liability for any portion of the (the payment of that portion of the debt
specially transfer by the act of Annexation of the and which would consequently come tin-
issued to the creditors hold-
lhes0 pledges ;
ar
as to)
a her proper the agency of our own officers ; “ by ) the same.
to despatch whom it must be ultimately settled.”
officer to the city of Washington, j T
ascertain
founded objection could be urged.
It may now be a question
is the Appropriate
pledge of im- and value of the testimony, to be derived tirtie for the commencement of these es-
i tablishments: and whether or not if the
President. This character of indebted- the practical results, increased wealth I means which the State can advance for
_1__ —_1 i 1 _ 2 — ...k:.i1j are conferrec| upon ! tk““
of the Republic for denominated the second class.
}ey did not atrticipale <lue, niainlj’, to our own citizi
patriotic and j (hose means?
effectually as she mig
her revenues from impost not been sur-
rendered ; but that Government incurred
no other obligation whatever to the cre-
ditors individually, and the assumption operation would be impossible. It i
/* I • V • I • • ’ 1 /* I • 1 /•
by which the State of Texas ought not
he debt is
into witluhese creditors.
The transfer by Texas of
- y of the Treasury, under date of Feb. her sovereignty
. . j ;nj«i - — * » - — i—.l •---
it will he perceived that he has decided imposts was given up, i
not to issue to the State (under any cir- , <
cumAtances) stock for any portion of the resulted from
retained five millions of dollars, until all imposing «
the creditors holding obligations l_.
payment of which duties on impost* were incurred no <
specially pledged, shall have relinquished the debts of T
I
, were ac-
in
the healing of
i iu u, ano io which me
been thus settled Honorable Legislature i
t - o
nothing to do in respect to it, except
the test results to the Slate which it af- duty
appropriation from because they made their contract with the
duty, first—to call your attention to some be drawn ; but viewing the subject
in reference to the ulti- the Executive and Comptroller, each ad- year in the various modifications of the
Jan equal amount from their pri- tariff laws of the late Republic; and in
out of it; and the measures taken by the vats funds sufficient to cover those ex- 1842, upon the adoption of what
Executive, since the adjournment of the penscs, and it is now respectfully asked I known as the Exchequer system, I
last Extraordinary session of the Legis- that an appropriation be made to reim- underwent an almost radical change—
lature, to place tbs matter in such a po- burse them in the spms thus advanced, change which reduced the duties laid slock, tttie jntercst
lition as would enable — •- ' • • ’ . <• . • ... I .
ciently and effectually in reference to it
with perfect equality, may have
tliat nnitlmr tli«» rrtn'icuro nf rn. '
• nor i
such as we had alright to expect, ference (0 fbis matter, and
the people, fallin
devotion to our common country and its receipt of the five millions of siock which,
institutions, chose rather to make a volun-1 |)y tenn3 of (be bill, were
tary sacrifice of their own cherished views
and preferences upon the altar of Peace,
than to jeopardize the National Union,
which hitherto had been the dispenser of
so miany blessings in the guarantees of
peace it had afforded, in the security of
religion which it had encouraged and
protected, and in the maintenance of that
law and order, of which it constituted the
basis. It was in this view i*
positions, offered by the bill, were ac-
cepted with an unanimity rarely found in
political adjustment or in the healing of
party, qissefltions. lo 3, anf] lo wbjch the attention of the thrown her ports open to the free
This matter having I----*’•— —1 ” - - -
with the Federal Government, we have fully called.
now nothing to do in respect to it, except
so lo direct our legislation as to produce vision for sendin
the best results to the Slate which it af-| duty, there was no appropjr
fords; and with that view, it becomes my which the expenses of the mi
of the features of the bill ;;the altitude in too much importance to be neglected, exercised. Indeed, it was exercised every believe that
er, each ad-
are
a !
for; improvements, with wise,
• I I • • Al 1
o. nnaw, require, -me present eilicient mat mose resources were to be apt , ,
Comptroller of the State, wlib, under-i by any other than the Government with furnished in the defence of ihe country.
any other 'individual.in it, was chosen with whom necessarily remained the ri«dit
2 ■■ 11 . .. 1 . ,r vi .... . • .
required to dis-
Had the Government, after the-e • charge the outstanding liabilities of the
ig to the scale which has
or prosperity of the ; been adopted lor ascertaining the actual
re
imposts to a mere nominal amount, I which I
tors, at the lime they were incurred, may J
ire to be im- have had a view lo the supposed and niss amounts to $98-5,422, and has Keen and enterprise, which
The offi- probable resources of the Republic for denominated the second class. It is a people who pursue
was James ibeir payipent, still tljey did not anticipate . du'e, mainlj’, to our own citizens, f " : .
n- • . . 1.„. ----------- * ppfied I personal service^ rendered and supplies I energetic action.
standing the subject, probably, better than whom the contracts were made, and with
t lo I
. modify, or change them
The (best. ’
ing with certainly its financial ability
Texas control of ‘ will be enabled with greater safety, to
the agency of
1 also tjeconlmend that a sufficient lion and promotion of some general sys-
To such a modification of the law, the amount of the five million stock within tern of Internal Improvements. ,r"
The propriated to the payment of that class i family, Texas is fully alert to the nature whether or not this i
. .. , .______ „ . . , . , ’ ‘ ‘ ‘ a I ‘ " .|ri.....L - |. *
the netessary arrangements relative to the upon the State, and although the credi- post duties under tl>e decision of the from the older members, in respect to
institutions, chose rather to make a volun- |)V t|je lcrill3 of t|ie bill,
I
that a general system for the education
’ regu- 1 of the youth of the country, based upon
would eminently conduce to its . broad and liberal principles, was of vital
modification of] such a system would require an appro- organic law this important injunction,' -
means, which (without
From thq report of the Comptroller,
it is evident that the whole jen millions
, as it might deem of dollars will not be
reference tp his peculiar fitness and capa-
city for the discharge of its duties. ””
instructions given to Mr. Shaw,‘and his j contracts were made, deemed that the-State, aCcpfdin
that the pro- subsequent correspondence with the Se- interest of the citizens
cretary of the Treasury, and final Report country required her to reduce her duties amount of those liabilities
of the result of his mission arc herewith on imposts to a mere nominal amount, i which I cad see no just
submitted, marked documents A., No. 1 or to have taken them off altogether and part; and it will therefore] become
is most respect-
As the Legislature had made no pro-
g an agent to perform this just
nfission could j lull knowledge lhal such a right existed, of- the surplus should be devoted to the
as of and would, lo some extent at least, be. internal improvement of the State; others
. a large portion should be
applied to the purposes of education, in
the establishment of free schools, and
was other institutions of learning; while ano-
ther ther class Relieve that it should be in-
■a , vested in home secure ami profitable
t arising from which
r_y ’ A reasonable upon imposts, from a very large to a would be sufficient to meet Lr 7
compensation for the additional labors ; comparatively small amount, and yet no expenses of the State Government, and
, A statement of the . one then asserted, that this change in the | thereby entirely release the people from
amount advanced and expended in the 1 amount of duties to be collected, was a taxation. That these diverse views, en-
performance of this duty is herewith sub- violation of the previous contracts entered tertained and freely discussed by the citi-
No. 1. 1 into with Ahese creditors. ]• ] zens al large, should be brought by their
By adverting to the letter of the Secre-I The transfer by Texas of a portion of immediateirepreshntatives into the Legis-
•to the United Stales, and lative Halls of the country, bearing the
12th], 1851, contained in document A., ( by which her right to collect duties on J
it will be perceived that he has decided imposts was given up, in i
not to issue to the State (under any cir- , ces, was nothing more than would have ; wondered it; and it will therefore-
cumstancex) stock for any portion of the resulted from a repeal of her own I
retained five millions of dollirs, until oZZ | imposing such duties; and the Federal of these subjects
the creditors holding obligations .
on i pi posts
to the United States their claims ;
* U * 1
legislature; may be kept for
; bly an i
1 one-half of the pecuniary considerations
That for which she relinquished a large portion
law, there can be no question ; and, that 1 produced by some obstinate and perverse recommend
;or < , .
lvKuvhv!, ficienl in importance to embarrass his'] session, lipiiting the lime within which | other important interests,
as little : own operations, may by this means seek | the creditors of the State, holding 1"
* a all 1 • \ 1 I t ■ /* a
withholding a r<
on the United States.
This difficulty may, perhaps, be obvia-
the following manner. If Con-
I so modify the act of September
would enable 9th, 1850, as to authorize the Secretary
the State of Texas to define who were
v>. V^.UV*. .-j UILILIII 1 (/ILI I CUIU,
to ascertain the amounts of the 1
of the State which this reserved five mil- t through her proper officers, filin
lions of dollars was intended to cover.— Treasury Department
By the phraseology of the set, the de- '
(
creditors of the State, holdin
which duties on imposts
referred directly to the Secretary of posts,” all difficulty would at
ing
’ • - ~
f ascertain-, out further delay be placed in a train of States will
adjustment through Congress,
as be could have
which it places vs in
mate settlement of the questions growing vanced
Executive, since the adjournment of the
lature, to place the matter in such a |
you to act effi-1 and' also to pay Mr. Shaw
and also, to suggest to you such further imposed upon him.
measures as in my judgment may be ne-
cessary for its final consummation.
The 1st Proviso of the 5th Article of., mitted, marked document B
. the 2d Section of the Boundary Bilj de-
clares, that no-qiore than five millions of tary
the ten millions of stock, which, by the
4th Article of that section, was to be
H ^issued to the State of Texas, in conside-
tion of her relinquishment of Territory,
||M|M^^jfcMl&nce of the boundaries
ghall be issued,
of the State holding
certificates of stock of]
exaa, for which duties ou imposts were
. . 'g n, . -
Treasury Department of the U. States, to such relinquishment, that a very i
account of said bonds be required to cover those claims; and
1 i
prescribed by life Secretary of the Trea-; of deciding, -—y
> now
outstanding, for which duties on imposts
» ..« .... . .."g V . j"' — " J '--*". I— , --F
ed herhonds and other evidences of debt, dividuals entitled lo receive these amounts,
in an exceedingly dark and gloomy pe- : From the opinion of the Actino
Austin, November 1U,^1S51. to i53ue t|iein for nominal amounts, bear- September Sth, 1S-50, and herewith sub-
j ing no sort of proportion to the amounts mitted, marked Document C., No. 1, it
! actually received ; and to pledge her re- will be seen that the payment of a very
sources, arising mainly at that time, Yrom : small portion of the public debt, now
her revenues, for their redemption.— outstanding, was secured by a “special Legislature, that
These securities,generally speaking, were pledge” of impost duties; probably not
concentrated at very low’rates in the hands exceeding six hundred thousand dollars;
• i and yet, accordin
to the achievement of her in- ] I
dependence, or to the relief of her actual millions must be retained in the Treasury act ol Sept
of the United States, until every indivi- - . , . .
dual creditor, owning any part of that six sury to i0ue tq the State all the slock a system, partial in its operation^, would be the duty of the Legislature of thia
hundred thousand dollars, however small,: <
inquiry in respect shall have filed his relinquishment to the said act, upon her filing such releases ties, growing out of differencejs of opin- the support and maintenance of public
*.ig
o
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Smith, William P. The Texas Monument. (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 18, Ed. 1 Wednesday, November 19, 1851, newspaper, November 19, 1851; La Grange, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1291280/m1/1/: accessed July 9, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives.