The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1847-12-16
HISTORY OF THE PRovIso.

:
The Albany Atlas contains the speech
d David Wilmot Of Pu., delivered ut the
Capitol nn the 10Th uf October, from which
we extract the following history OF the
provisu:
Il is made ground Of complaint BY some
that the Proviso was introduced out Of sea-
son. By others tina. its design was to en-
barrass the administration, that il had its
origin in a political intrigue for Prcsiden-
tial candidate in 1913. lhave been laugh,
that the best ,imo to do right thing, was
the FIRST time you had an opportunity. The
history Of the introduction Of this measure
into Congress is brief. The occasion
which called for 1t, arose but few hours
before the adjournment Of The first session
Of the luto Congress; which took place ut
IL o'clock Nj. Of Monday the 10Th Of Au-
gust. On the Saturday before, the mes
sage ofthe President, asking that two mil
lions be placed NJ his disposal, was receiv-
cd and read in tho house Of Representa-
tives. II was the snbjec. Of general re-
mark ind speculation. That day at din
ner, the conversation turned upon it; in
which Robert Dale Owen, Of Indiana, Rob-
ert T. Dunlap, Of Maine, Jacob s. Yosi, Of
Pennsylvania and myself took part. |
remarked that it was clear, tina, the two
millions asked for by the President, was to
be paid, it paid at all, as tho first install
mcnt Of purchase money, for largo acccs-
sions Of territory from Mexico to the Un-
ted States; and then declared my purpose.
in case Mr.. Mckay, 1.-THE chairman Of the
committee Of Ways and Mcans,) should
bring in bill, to move IN amendment to
the effect that slavery should be excluded
from any territory acquired By virtue Of
such appropriation. Mr.. Owen objected,
and said he would make speech against
il. Gov. Dunlap and MIR. Yost approved Of
such amendment, and advised me to nd
hero to my purpose. fanv thing Of the
kind had been suggested before the house
took recess for dinner, I cannot, and
have tried TO do SO; rccollcct il. l would
not, however, say that it had not. After
dinner, in front Of the hotel, had further
conversation with several members. Those
that now rccoIIoct, were Mr.. Grover, of
ANGW IoIhs MI. DIIuheFtlOOI, O O0lDs MT.
Hamlin, Of Maine, mud Judge Thompson
and myself Of Pennsylvania, were Of the
number, IL VIC did not constitute tho entire
group. Some were engaged in drafting an
amendment, myself among tina number,
and several Of which were submitted; all Of
which underwent moro or less alterations
nj the suggestion Of those taking part in
the business going on. Alter various drafts
had been drawn and altered, the language
in which tho amendment was offered, was
finally agreed upon, rs tho result Of our
united labors. Il is but justice to Mr.. O~-
en- to say, TINT nj no time did he object TO
the principle involved in the Proviso, but
ever declared himself in i,s favor. Irc-
jnicc 10 sec TINT he has taken up his accom-
plishcd and powerful pen in vindication Of
Free Soil and Free Labor. Isincercly re-
GREETED his defeat in his recent congrcsson-
nj canvass. Ito was an honor 10 the West,
and one Of the ablest among the many ablc
men in Congress.