The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-24
WASHINGTON, Jan. p, l81g

WASHINGTON, Jan. %, I849.
California and New NIerico-Tae Settlement of
Questions connected there,C,th- The Bills of Judge
Douglass and Mr.. Hilia,d-A Compromise
In former letter, alluded to two bills which
have been prepared by Mr.. Hllliard, OF Alabama.
The great merit of that respecting the limits Of
Texas is, that ii settles open and troublesome
question OF boundary with that new and patriotic
State, and, at the same time, disposes Of the still
more important and disturbing question as to slave
ry in the new territories. 1t will be remembered.
that the attempt to settle this great question failed
at the last session, because the bill OF Judge Doug
lass provided,sn direct terms for the introduction
OF slavery into all that portion of the lately acquired
territory lying south Of the Missouri Compromlse
line, while 1t lett Texas n possession OF all its ter
ritoTy stretching above 80 o 30 The people OF the
North objected TO this. Now, Mr.. Hliard takes
from Texas all its territory North OF SO O 30, and
beginning its Northern boundary on that parallel,
runs II along that line to the summit OF the Neva
da mountains, thence South to the parallel of "a
30, and thence to the Pacific provided Texas shall
consent to this boundary. The bill provides, also,
that this new territory, thus added to Texas, shall
be subject to the conditions under which that
State was admitted. These were, the right Of
Congress to form new States, not more than tour
In number, besides Texas proper, leaving to the
people OF the States formed south OF 30 deg 80 mln
to hold or exclude slaves while it provided that
slavery shall not exist in States formed north OF
that line. 1t will be seen that the bill Of Nv Hill
hard would thus leave the entire country not in
cuded within the limits of Texas, embracing the
State Of California, the vast territory lying Ia the
great basin, and that part Of New Mexico and
Texas cut OIL by the northern boundary of that
State, free from slavery. The advantage to the
South would be, that any such exclusive and hum-
Hating enactment, as that which the Wllmot pro-
vlso contemplates, would be avoided, while the
States hereafter formed of the territory embraced
within The limits OF Texas, might, or might not,
htff ta,
with the general policy of the South. This seems
TO offer fair ground for a compromise; patriotic
men OF the North and the South, who love the
Union more than any single "idea," may meet
upon it. The other bill OF Mr. billiard, which
authorizes the people of California, west of the
Sierra Nevada, to prepare constitution and apply
for admission into the Union, is exact conformity
with the bill OF Judge Douglass IN the Senate. but
differs from II by avoiding some obvious oojections
to that plan. Ii Is believed that Congress cannot
create State; but Mr.. Hiiard proposes to au-
thorize the people OF that portion OF ifornia west
of the Sierra Nevada, to torn STATE, and apply
for admission INTO the Union. The other portion
OF the lately acquired territory not embraced with
the boundaries Of Texas, or the State OF Ca'itor-
MIA, Is to be organized into Territory, aud govern
ed In the usual manner. A large number Of
people are already there. chiefly sting of Nor
mons, who are settled in the neighborhoOd Of the
great Salt Lake:
1t is very desirable that these great questions
should be settled; the condition OF our people
California, the value OF the public property there,
the peace and security of the Union, all require
a speedy adjustment of disturbing causes. Tho
friends OF the present administration may well
covet the glory OF performing this great task, and
thus securing territory 80 vast n extent, and 80
rich in mineral wealth, for the United States. The
friends OF General Taylor may well desire 10 save
his incoming administration from the shock OF
questions which, to say the least, seriously threat
ems the tranquility OF the States. All good men.
who look to the prospe rty and glory OF the Union,
viii re,eice TO see disappear a cloud which hangs
along the whole horizon Of beloved country.
The House to-day, however, refused to suspend
the rules TO enable Mr.. Hdliard to introduce his
billie and he gave notice that he will offer them az
substitutes for those to establish territorial govern
ments in California and New Mexico. q.