Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-03-13
CONGkESSiONAAI.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Monday, January %.
MISSOURI.

On motion OF Mr.. Clay, the House
resolved itself into a committee of the
whole ON the state of the Union, Mr..
Smith, of Md. being called to the chair /;
and the resolution from the Senate, for
admitting Missouri into the Union, with
caveat against the provision, if there be
any, which conflicts with the constitu-
ton of the United States, was taken up.
Mr.. Randolph moved to strike out
the hroviSo Cor eaveat) from the resolu-
ton, but waived his motion for the pre-
sent, to accommodate Mr.. Clay, who
wished to address the committee on the
whole subject.
Mr.. Clay then delivered his senti-
ments at large on the present state OF
this question. He was in favor of the
resolution from the Senate, and should
vote for the resolution, even though
more emphatically restricted against any
supposed repugnance of one of its pro-
visions to a provision Of the constitution
of the United States, the existence of
which, however, he did not by any means
admit.
When Mr.. Clay concluded
Mr.. Randolph renewed his motion to
strike out the hroviso, and spoke for
about Is minutes in support Of it.
Mr.. Lozvndes deprecated the motion,
as going to present to the house the
naked question which it had already de-
cided in the negative, and as preventing
a decision upon the proposition as it
now stands.
Mr.. Barbour assigned the reasons
why he should vote against the motion !;
himselfregarding the proviso as useless
and unnecessary, but willing to retain it
to CRAFTY gentlemen who were of diff
ferent opinion.
Mr.. Sergeant enquired whether it
would be in order, this proviso being
stricken out, to move to introduce diff
fercnt one.
The Chairman decided that it would
The question was then taken on s,rik-
ing out the proviso, and decided in the
negative, 80 to 81. So the proyiso was
retained.
Mr.. Stevens assigned the reasons why
he should vote against the resolution.
Mr.. Foot, moved to amend the resolu-
ton by adding to it another proviso, that
it be taken as fundamental condition on
which said state is admitted into the
Union, that so much Of the constitution
as requires the Legis lature to pass laws
to prevent the migration of free people
of color thither, shall be expunged from
the constitution of the state within two
years from this time, in the mode pre-
scribed for amending the constitution.
This would admit Missouri into the
Union forthwith, on the condition stated
Mr.. Baldwin having expressed his
intention to vote for this proposition
Mr.. Clay moved TO amend the amend
ment by adding words to this effect:
" so far as the same (the clause of the
Missouri constitution tends to deprive
citizens OF each state Of the privileges
and inmunities of citizens of the several
states" This motion, however, he sub
sequently withdrew.
1t being suggested that other gentle
men had amendments which they wish
ed to propose, and that it would be we'll
10 have them all presented to-day, so as
to be examined and compared
Mr.. Sergeant rose, as it might be
supposed, from the question he had put,
that he had all amendment to offer, to
say that he had not that he should vote
for every amendment which should bring
the resolution nearer to what he wished,
but with clear determination, for which
he would hereafter assign his reasons,
to vote against the resolution, however
amended.
Soon after this, the committee rose,
without coming to any decision; and the
House adjourned.
Thursday, February l.
On motion of Mr.. Clay, the House
then again resolved itself into a COM
mittee of the whole on the resolution
from the Senate declaring the admis-
sion of the state of Missouri into the
Union, and the amendments proposed
thereto.
The whole day was spent in animated
debate and interesting proceedings. As
a full account of the whole proceedings
will be published hereafter, we shall at
tempt at present to state only what was
actually done.
The amendment moved by Mr.. Foot
was, to strike out the proviso of the re-
solution from the Senate, and in lieu
thereof to insert the following:
" Provided, That it shall be taken as
a fundamental condition upon which the
said state is incorporated in the Union,
that so much OF the twenty sixth section