The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-01

rs not mat II VIII reahrm Mexican laws. We do
not enact or reenact. We let things exactly
they directing only that the officers appointed shall
govern the country according to existing laws
As to the extension of the proviso dreaming that this
was equal to incorporation of the provso enter
ed into my mind for moment | would most cheerfuly
assent to any suggestion which might carry the views
OF gentlemen on different sides of the question: who de-
sous merely to give government to thus country and save
II from anarchy, upon such should be committing
neither one party the other While ask advantage
from the South they will understand my position when
say that we ought not, directly or Indirectly to yield any
advantage TO them
Mr.. BERRIEN obtained the floor, but gave way to
| Mr.. HUNTER merely rise to say that do wish
to enter into any contest upon the question My real and
sincere desire is, that may compromise this question
that may the sentiments the upon
the other side for the purpose of seeing If may not
promise in some way am willing 10 do So if we may
leave this question Undecided If We shall only adopt such
ws may be necessary TO that country from
anarchy and keep the Sir, willing TO compro-
mise, and think that with modification, the propo
s'ion of The from New Jersey might effect that end
Blu, il no insists upon modified this morning, prefer
the proposition of the senator from Wisconsin, Mr. Walk
Err had sincere and bona is intention that
end possIblc that might the people of California
from anarchy and will say now, that if the from
New Jersey Will modify his amendment in this respect,
ready meet HIM making such provisions for that
country.
Mr.. BERRIEN. The reference of the from New
Jersey To renders sary that should say word,
because very that suggested to him the fact that
by official communication made containing letter
from the Secretary of State appeared that there
existing government California and the expression
listing laws suggested TO the SENATOR might be construed
to have reference the laws which should be should
have been enacted by that existing government which II
not the purpose of Congress carry into effect
therefore made the suggestion him of the proprety of in
sertng the word =" Mexican" Thus far the statement is
accurate
But stops short of the important fact namely, that
it part of the modification and not the whole With
to obviate the difficulty of the Senator from Virginia.
Mr. HUNTER proposed also, to insert the clause not
inconsistent with the Of the United States - and
these words are on the paper in my handwriting to be pro-
posed modification by the senator from New Jersey.
Mr.. HUNTER. That would be perfectly satisfactory.
| MIR. BERRIEN The senator from New Jersey declined
that and therefore was-for that and the
considerations which stated to the Senate today-that
declined support the amendment of the from New
Jersey. Now sir desire that the fronrVrgina
will understand having proposed establish
continue the Mexican laws upon the subject Of slavery, or
recognising the proposition which has been asserted that
the laws of ceded territory force until
they altered by the country acquiring them not spechca
y-l do not thaand beg that the distinction may ba
noted do not maatain that it requires specific repeal of
each particular law but the laws of conquered country
remain in force until they repealed either by specific
legislation by general Legislation, which shall substitute
the laws of the conqueng country for that of the
cd country. Recognising that proposition, still maintain,
before whatever tribunal that these Mexican laws not
in force within the principle of the decision which is in
yoked for their support 1t not necessary enter into
that discussion now merely wished to remove the pos
sble apprehension that had suggested an amendment
which could have the effect which the from Virginia
anticipated.
MIR. NILES called for the reading of the amendment;
which done He then proceeded to remark am
very sorry that the proposition of the from New
Jersey undergone such notifications from what
1t originally l was in hopes to have been able to
have voted for this temporary provision for that ter
ritory-not as compromise, Ivy any means. have no
disposition compromise the interests and principles
volved in hiscae but should be willing give my sup
port temporary provision leaving things as they
generally, and particularly regard the which
supposed to be nvolved-the question of the resrc-
ton of slavery think sir that the senator has made his
amendment now in the way of permanent arrangement.
| 1t first limited to the next session Of Congress it
would then have expired of itself, and would have
posed upon Congress the absolute necessity of providing
som othc FORM f Rut is NJ
it is adopted it becomes permanent system until Con-
sress should act And with the difficulties upon this
question, requiring the of the two branches
| OF Congress and the Executive, why, may
sumo that there will be further action untll the
territory into the Union as State Well sir can
not sorry say for this proposition, for
any other of like character. had made up my mind to
voo it, and supposed should be able to do The
amendment has been read and what IL be
permanent system. Why, is very little better than the
proposition for which is supposed to be substituted 1t
throws the whole of this government into the hands OF the
Executive entirely. Now, am not prepared to do that.
not prepared to place this territory under the
of any President would have much confidence in the
President elect any other person who might fill that Of
hcc but am not wiling to trust matter OF this KIND IN the
hands of any Executive The President sir is TO appoint
officers clothed with civil and diplomatic power to the fun
extent which may exist there and that extent we
know very little about. As this stands, he is 10 do
this without of the Senate and for nde
mite period And this is all. He is prescribe and
direct the mapnr in which those officers to exercise
these powers. Is not ths ask throwing the whole
the hands of the Executive If these officers
his control and direction, with the authority given
to him prescribe and direct the in which the
thority vested in them be exercised the whole power
will be in the hands of the President.
Now, would beg inquire whether my friends over
the way prepared TO vote for measure OF this KIND
those from the South mean more particularly Why THIS
question has been before the people, 1t went into the cleo
ton. The late presidential election, believe, turned
great degree in the free States upon this very question that
the Executive would have control this important
question any way form but the exercise of the
power. That the great laid before the peo-
pie. Ii claimed by those who supporte the successful
candidate that inasmuch this question would be safe IN
the hands of the great patriotic wing party not of
much importance how the President mIgh stand upon
II a with thern and they would take of ii.
They assured people that there nothing be feared
the veto and other respect could the President
exercise any control over the question.
And now sir my friend from New Jersey, who proba-
bly, took the ground others during the late contest
comes forward and proposes commit this whole sublec
the President elect suppose. Perhaps march might
be stolen upon him, there upon certain other gentle
this time the session. and the President going
might appoint these officers. But suppose II is as
sumed that the power will be executed by the incoming
President
But whether by the other, prepared to
sustain the proposition. As said BEFORE regret to be
obliged do because was in hopes that we should
something that could unite upon as temporary
measure. had expectation OF anything IN the form OF
a co mpromse and little surprised at this language OF
the senator from Virginia had heard the language
before did know that any viewed tins as com
PROMISE but merely temporary arrangement unit
: something could be done of more permancnt-ani per
: haps should hope of satisfactory character But this
seems, be a compromises settlement of the ques
ton And how is 1t to be settled? Why, by placing the
whole of the exercised that territory IN the