Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-02
MAINE AND MISSOURI.

MAINE AND MISSOURI.
The question which has so long been ags-
,ated in Congress, and throughout the cous-
nv approaches the crisis Of its decision; as
The reader will and by reference to the pso-
ceedings OF the 2Sth ult. in the subsequent
columns. Notwithstanding the feeling which
100 ssnsibly prevails, we have yet some nope
twill be amicably settled. Its seldom that
she Senate Of the United States is as much a
gitated as il was yesterday. The subject IS
now committed to conference between the
,wo Houses of Congress. Ifthat conference
should no, lead to an amicable result, it is
much to be feared that the present Session
will pass over without decision of" the dis
.racting question" now depending in Con-
gress. lNGtsonol Inteaagencsr.
There seems to be an error generally pre-
svailing, in respect to the amendment adopt
ed by the Senate, to the Main bill, on the
motion of Mr.. Thomas. of Illinois. To recall
public attention TO its real import, i is tho't
proper to repablish it, as follows:
.4nd beat further enacted, That in all the
territory ceded by France to the United
States, under the name OF Louisiana, which
lies north Of thirty six degrees and thirty mi
nutes north latitude, excepting only such
part thereof as is concluded within the limits
of the state contemplated by this act. slave
~ and Involuntary seryitude, otherwise than
in the punishment Of crimes whereof the par
~ shall have been duly convicted, shall be
aud is hereby forever prohibited: ProOided
alrays, That any person escaping in.o the
same, from whom labor or service is lawfully
claimed in any stale or territory in the Unit
ted States, such fugitive mey be lawfully
reclaimed, and conveyed To the person claim
ing his or her labor OF service, as aforesaid"
This amendment was agreed TO in the Sc
nate, by the decided vote OF 81 to 10.
Il has been supposed by some that, by this
vote. the Senate have, in respect TO the Ter
ritory described in this section, yielded the
principle which has been contested in regard
10 Missouri. Not so. The one is question
of expediency, decided under the power Of
Congress to make all needful rules and re-
gulations' in regard to the territories OF
the United States, and applies 10 territory
in which there is now comparatively no po-
pulation. The other is question of restric-
ton on a population, already from its num-
bers entitled to become state, in regard to
what pertains TO the municipal authority of
that state.
1t has been again supposed. that, III ano-
Their view, the principle contested in the case
of Missouri is yielded, by the restriction in
regard'-to the territory, applying equally TO
the territorial governments and to The States
hereafter 10 be formed in that territory, in
This respect our impression is, that Congress
may rightfulIy prescribe rules for the dispo-
si,ion of the territory OF the United States,
and for is goveramsat. If slavery be there
inhibited, during the progress from wilder
ness 10 settlement, there is no probability
that the states hereafter 10 be established in
it, composed OF free population, will desire
TO recognize slavery within their limits, 1t
they do, the question now depending in res
pect to Missouri will then recur; and If will
be time enough then tosettle IT. " Sufficient
for the day is the evil thereof" The exam
pie of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, however,
goes TO show that il slavery be not permitted
10 take root in territory, the people there
Of, when forming state governments, will
not deserve il. Il6id.
Richmond February 26.