The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-02-22

peared 70 ne nearly unanimous in the commit
tee, hat 40 other conditions ought now 70 be
required than those which were specified IN
the last session Of Congress for the admission
Of Missouri into the Union, and that consider
ing all the circumstances attending that act
the settlement which il made OF the question
Of restriction ought not TO be disturbed that
this opinion limited their enquiry 10 the con-
sideration Of the single question, whether the
constitution which Missouri has formed for
herself, contained any thing in it. which fur
nished valid objection, 10 her incorporation
in The Union And on that question they
thought that there was no other provision in
that constitY -. to which Congress could Of
right take execution, but that which makes it
4 the duty OF tie gisiature of Missouri 10 pass
laws TO prevenq free negroes and mulatoes
from gong 70 AID settling in the said state.
| Ia regard TO tbat,clause, the same diversity OF
opinion existed among the members OF the
committee, T.fh had been previously mani
| tested IN theHoase one portion believing il
I liable to an Interpretation repugnant 10 the
/ constitution of the United States and the
either thinking it not exposed TO that objec-
| ton or that if it were, the exceptionable
Interpretation was superseded by the para
mount authority of the federal constitution.
With these conflicting opinions the commit
Tee thought it best that without either side
abandoning IFS opinion, an endeavour, should
be made to frame an amendment 10 the Sen
ate's resolution, which compromising neither,
! should contain an adequate security against
any violation Of the privileges and immuni
ties OF citizens of other states, in Missouri !;
and majority of the committee thinking that
such a security could not be sufficiently afford
ed without some previous act TO be done by
the Legislature OF Missouri, the amendment
was finally agreed upon which they now beg
leave to report
According TO this amendment, Missouri is
to be admitted into the Union, upon The fund
amental condition that the state never pass
any law, preventing any description of per-
sons from going TO, and settling in the said
state, who are now, or hereafter may become,
citizens of any Of The said states of this Union !;
and upon the Legislature Of the said state sig
nItying lis assent TO that condition by solemn
public act, which is TO be communicated to
the President of the United States; he is to
proclaim the fact, and thereupon the admis-
sion OF the said state in the Union is TO be
complete without any further, or other pro
ceedings on the part of congress. To pre-
vent, however, the amendment from being
considered as impairing any right which may
appertaln 10 Missouri, in common with the
other states, to exclude from her jurisdiction,
persons under peculiar circumstances (such as
paupers, vagabonds &c.) further proyiso is
added, declaring, that nothing in The said
| amendment is TO be construed to take from
Missouri, when admitted into the Union, the
exercise OF any right, or power, which the
original states may constiutionally exert.
The modification which the committee thus
respectfully recommend Of the Senate's reso-
luton is the result Of spirit Of concord, under
the guidance OF which they have anxiousy
sought. without the sacrifice of principle on
either side, to reconcile the variant opinions
among them. There cannot be doubt, but
that Missouri, soliciious as she must be, to
participate in all the right advantages Of our
excellent union, will equally seize the oppor-
tuDity Of testifying her attachment 10 The fed
eral constitution, by giving the solemn pledge,
which she is asked TO make, to respect the
| privileges and Immunites which it secures to
citizens of other states-a pledge necessary,
in the opinion ola large and respectable por-
lion of the house by the terms which they
employed, in a clause Of her constitutions
Nor will there be doubt Of the sincerity or
efficacy Of such pledge, on the other hand If,
by postponlng, for short period, her admis-
sion into the Union, circumstance every day
\ less and less important, in consequence of the
lapse Of the time allotted ia this session, those
who thought her invested with perfect right
10 be admitted, without delay, are not fully
! gratifed, they will be consoled by the reflec-
ton, that the amendment requires only the
performance OF a precise and simple act,
which cannot be mistaken by the highly re-
sponsibe officer, 10 whom the Judgment of its
execution is conhded.
| And the whole House must be grati6ed
with any proper disposition of the subject,
which will hereafter free the public delibera.
tions from the agitations and disturbances to
which it is but too likely always TO give rise
And your committee believe. that all must
ardenty unite in wishing an amicable term,n-
alton, OF question, which If it be longer kept
open, cannot fail to produce. and possibly to
perpetuate prejudices, and aRimosities, among
a people, to whom the conservation of their
moraties, should be deareF il possible, than
hat OF their political bonds sharing as the
| committee do largely. in this sentiment, they
| respectfully submit to the House the amend
| ment which they propose, in the hope that it
Will be received and considered I'm the same
Sufrtf III which N has been devised