Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-08-26
SPEECH OF Mr.. UNDERWOOD,
OF KENTUCKY,
ON THE PROPOSED COMPROMISE BILL.

The Senate having under consideration the bill To establish
Territorial Governments in Oregon New Mexico and Cali
fonia-
Mr.. UNDERWOOD, OF Kentucky, addressed the Senate
as follows
Mr. President / am that member Of the committee who
was altogether dissatisfied with the provisions OF this bill
rise TO discharge duty which owe to myself and to explain
to my constituents the policy advocated.
The Senator from Indiana Mr.. BRIGHT) had proposed
before the special committee was raised to apply the Missouri
compromise line of 500 30 north latitude to the newly
CURED territories of California and New Mexico in the pre-
terms in which it had been applied TO the country out of
which the State Of Missouri formed. moved to amend
by declaring expressly that emgants might settle with their
slaves south OF the line $50 3d. and should be protected IN
the and enjoyment OF their slave property when set
ed long the country Of their residence remained under
territorial government When converted into States of the
Unon course they would look TO their Stale Governments
for protection willing to extend this line in which
the country had acquesced, to the Pacific but ong
desired clear and explicit declaration that south Of the line
Shareholders should be protected in their slave property This
unable obtain There marked difference between
the Territory of Louisiana when purchased from France
and the Territories of New Mexico and California when we
acquired them by the treaty with Mexico. In Louisi-
slavery tolerated the time she annexed TO the
United States. So OF Texas But in New Mexico and Ca
oa slavery had been abolished previous TO their acquis
on and when acquired did exist in either AS
quence Of this of things slavery would continue in Lou
siana, and could not exist in New Mexico and California
without changing the laws which operated upon this partcu
lar subject BY the Missouri compromise the law chang
ed in regard to Louisiana and slavery prohibited in all the
country north of $50 30 leaving continue south of that
line By recent acquisition of territory, the boundary Of
the United States has been extended upon the Pacific
from 420 to 320 80 north latitude. Thus by extending the
Missouri compromise line to the Pacific only -four degrees
latitude would be set apart into which SHAREHOLDERS might
emgrae with their slaves while FIVE and half degrees of
latitude OF the newly acquired territory would be appropriated
exclusively free labor This division would leave the States
and Territories from which the institution slavery excu-
ded larger by than half million Of square miles, than
those in which il is tolerated and with such division it
Northern brethren might be satisfied. Sla-
very moi favorable to the dense population Of country
The of the nonslavehodng States with population Of
972s 49, according to the Of $780, about
square miles, The of the slaveholdng States excluding
Texas, is about 600 600 square miles, with population of
1892 ASP, of whom 70O,279 blacks according to the
same True, large portion of the States to the
South has recently been covered by Indian tribes and closed
against white settlements. But, after allowing for this is
manifest that the onsavehodng States in population and
political strength now, and will always continue to be-
more powerful than the slaveholdng States. Under such
considerations and with division Of the Territories
which apart much the largest portion to the Of free
labor could perceive any of dissatisfaction any
good reason why the compromise line Of So so should
/ be extended to the Pacific.
Members Of the committee from the nonslaveholng States
however, could be induced in express terms declare
that shareholders might emgrae and settle with their slaves
any part of the Territories south of 800 3V and hold that
kind Of property under the protection of the laws of the Unit
ed States. Ascertaning that impossible obtain
guaranty that shareholders might settle and hold their slaves
south of 36o 30 submitted scheme by which, had it been
adopted the question Of slavery would have been disposed Of
by the people of the Territories. The people Of Oregon,
the bill stands have that privilege. proposed to confer
the same privilege upon the people of California and New
Mexico My plan organize in each of those Territories
legislative assemblies consist of two branches chambers
be composed of representatives elected by the male c
above wenyone years OF age and the other OF the
governor and judges appointed by the President with the
advice and Of the Senate each chamber to have
gave upon the proceedings and resolves Of the other
posed to limit and restrict the power of the legislative assem-
bles thus constituted such the committee might
agree to be expedent and in the following particulars to wit
that they should not interfere with the disposition sale OF the
vacant domain public lands, contract any debt the
part Of the Territory, establish any corporation In other
matters proposed confer full legislative powers, and to give
effect TO all laws which might be enacted and which not
incompatible with the constitution and laws Of the United
States thought there striking advantages likely
suit from the adoption Of this scheme In the first place, we
should by comforting the elective franchise, ndocnae the
people Of California and New Mexico with the first elemen-
ary principle Of American liberty. We should teach them
by degrees the responsibility Of the representative the
suent body and they would gradually learn to admire and
practise all the political duties OF republican people Thus
they would become instructed the principles Of segovern
ment and fitted to take their positions Independent States
Of Union very distant day. While these advantages
secured my plan guarded against possible injury to
the interests OF Government by retain an absolute ne
gavc, in the hands Of the governor and judges appointed by
us upon all legislation sprngng from the elective branch OF
the legislature The legislature thus constituted in view Of
the climate and SOIL and their capacity produce those sta
Piles peculiarly suited TO the employment Of slave labor would
be free TO mould the social and civil Institutions of the
Territories according their convictions Of duty and interest
They would be free introduce the institutions Of Kentucky
Ohio, Of South Carolina Massachusetts, and in confer
ring that liberty upon them, should but pcy just homage
TO the principle of sefgovemmen which, in professions
| at least, sevotedy reverence.
Why should gentlemen from the North refuse to permit the
people Of these Territories decide for Themselves the
question OF slavery Why let the people organize their
society upon the basis with that Of their neghbors OF
Texas with whom they constituted part Of the same Mexican
confederation Of States few years since The refusal TO al
low the privilege reflection upon the understandings Of the
people Of these Territories, and reproachu il not insulting,
the Southern States II is equivalent saying that the
people Of New Mexico and California have not capacity TO
discern their interest," lack moral honesty TO guide
them. BY the constitution the institution Of slavery presents
barrier the social and political embrace of the North and
the South and yet Northern politicians arbitrarily
tying the hands of Cafonians and New Mexcans, and de-
nyng TO them the right decide this question for themselves
In this very denial they declare TO the people OF the savehod
ing States that their institutions unworthy Of imitation and
adoption Sir il is impossible, under such state Of feeling
and action expect any thing but heabunngs and bitter
animoses And as the North the right whou, re-
gard the opinions preudce you please Of the South,
dictate regardless the concatory spirit Of offered
PROMISE il expect that such conduct will be met by firm
resistance, il not revolutionary defiance.
All schemes Of compromise and Cancellation fell by the dv
sons Of the committee and this bill has been reported the
pdndccahe healing bam-for distractng agiafDns.
have confidence in the remedy.
do doubt the power Of Congress make laws for the
government the people who inhabt territory belonging