Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-10-14
Anti GlQurrp.
From tie National Era.
The Five Acts Of the General Gov
eminent,

GrnmGDt
1t may be we'll to present the various acts of
the Confederation and Union on the question of
the extension of slavery.
IV.-THE TEXAS COMPROMISE.
Shut in on the north and northwest, the class
Of persons interested in the support and ez .ension
of slavery began, subsequently to this adlstment
of the Missouri compromise, 10 plot for me ac-
QUESTION of territory on the southwest 50 that
they might have an indefinite range for their
slave labor-a species of labor which can live
only by the continual and rapid expansion ofthe
field of its operations. The results of their
sCheming were the insidious introduction of sla-
very into Texas, its revolt, its independence, its
application for admission into our Union, the an
nexaton contest. There was much in the ma
ture Of the acquisition proposed to the American
People, assimllatlng it in Importance to the ac-
QUESTION of Louisiana; and the public mind, be-
ing poisoned with groundless jeaousics offoreign
intrigue, opposed less resistance than it other
wise would, to the project of annexation. The
question of slavery extension, as connected with
this project, was settled hastily and bndly, after
little discussion, by the application, in blum
derIng way, of the principle of the Missouri
Compromise.
rive SIepS marx CI6 dIlHeAdtlOn vi tAds'--
The first is the Joint resolution of Congress, APP
proved March |, lS45:
ResOlced By the Senate and House of Repre-
sentativeS Of the United States Of America IN
Congress assembled, That Congress doth consent
that the territory properly included within and
: rightfully belonging to the republic of Texas,
may be erected into new State, to be called
the State of Texaa, with republican form of
government, to be adopted by the people of said
republic, by deputies in convention assembled,
with the consent of the existing Government, in
; order that the same may be admitted as one Of
this Union.
: 60 Aadbe t further resolved, That the fore
going consent Of Congress is given upon the fol-
lowing conditions, and with the following guar
antees, to wit" &c.
The third Of these conditions the only one
which now concerns US, is as follows
" Third New States, of convenient size, not
exceeding four in number, in addition to said
State of Texas and having sufficient population,
may hereafter, by the consent of said State, be
It formed out OF the territory thereof, which shall
d be entitled to admission under the provisions of
n the Federal Constitution. And such States as
may be formed out Of that portion Of said terri
: tory lying south of thirty-six degrees thirty min
# utes north latitude, commonly known as the
n Missouri Compromise line, sha, be admitted in
# to the Union with or without slavery, the peo
l. pie of each State asking admission may desire
And in such State or States as shall be formed
ont of said territory north of sad II SSOuri Com
l. promise line, S!GUry, or inoOluntw.W Scrc'taIe
(e1cept for crimc) shall be prohibited"
e The second step is the Joint resolution Of the
l. Congress of Texas, approved June %, 1915, the
L preamble to which, having recited the terms and
conditions proposed by the oiut resolution of the
e Congress Of the United States, is followed by
If the following resolution
h BE 1T roSoJoed by tie s. nate cn4 House of
t. Representatives. Of the r,pu5Hc of Teas IN Con-
a ,greSS assembled, That the Government Of Tex Is
doth consent that the people and territory of the
~ republic of Texas may be erected into new
l. State, to be called the State Of Texas, with a re-
tie publican form of government, to be adopted by
W the people of said republic, by deputies in Con-
lie ventlon assembled in order that the same may
be admitted as one ofthe States of the American
Id Union and said consent is giUen on the terms,
70 guarantees, and conditions set forth in the pre-
m anlbt to this joint resolution.
SEC. 2. Be it further resolged That the
IS proclamation of the President of the republic OF
lg Texas, bearing date May fifth, eighteen hundred
is and orty6ve, and the election of deputies to sit
ut in convention at Austin, on the fourth day OF
d. July next, for the adoption of constitution fol
er the State fTexaS, had in accordance Herewith
er hereby receives the consent of the existing Gov
eminent of Texas"
in Next in order is the ordinance of the Texar
it people, whose delegates, in Convention assem-
re bed, adopted July 4th, l845, the following;
ess "Whereas the Congress of the United State
as of America has passed resolutions providing 70
the annexation of Texas to that Union which
Oh resolutions were approved by the President of TIN
err United States on the first day of March one thou
ole sand eight hundred and forty-fve; and wherea
len the President Of the United States has submtte
len to Texas the first and second sections Of the sal
resolution, as the BASIS upon mhich 1'eTaS ma
TIL be admitted as one of the States Of the said IN
Use ion; and whereas the existing government of tn
lar republic of Texas has a$Sented to the proposal
md thus made, the terms and conditions of which ar
eep as follows:
ogs [The two first sections of the Joint resolutio
Of the Congress of the United States are her
as quoted.
ant "Now in order to manifest the assent of III
Ids people Of this republic, required in the abor
out recited portions of the said resolutions we, tn
,ss, deputies of the people of Texas, in Conventio
ilk assembled, in their name, and by their authority
do 0rdain and declare, that ue assent to and a.
my cept the proposals, conditions, and guarantee
Au- contained in the first and second sections Of III
he resolution of the Congress Of the United Stat
aw aforesaid.
in THOMAS ]. RUsK, President"
ore The fourth step is the formation of the Cor
rly titution of Texas by the same Convention
an (which recites as follows:
n 4" We the people Of the republic of T'ezds, at
ave knowledging with gratitude the grace and bcnet
in cence Of God, in permitting us to make choice
tile our form Of government, do, IN ACCORDING
ON WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT REsoLUTIo
lre FOR ANNExING TEXAS TO THE UNITED STATE
ady approved March first, one THOUSAND eight hui
TART bred and forty-6ve, Ordaia and establish tn
ne Constitution"
will This Constitution was ratified by the poop
of Texas at the ballot-box.