The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-08

what singular omission will probably hereafter be made
known In that speech the reasons for my vote were
Be to the minds Of my constituents sufficient and sasfac
tory 10 justify my course In relation 10 that measure
ACHING in this behalf under like responsibility with
other senators, denounced no one who voted adversely
10 me,
Since this reply to your communication has drawn
from me partial and informal exhibit Of my views on
excitement am compelled in justice 10 myself to make
this exhibit somewhat more full and extended
voted in accordance with the Missouri compromise.
not aags Sss
of the State OF Texas and her senators and representa-
tives in Congress must be bound by so long con-
stutes portion OF her organic iaw Upon her citizens,
her officers and agents. in whatever capacity they may be
aching, rests with paramount authority which admits
Of no waiver or dispensation Its binding force was de-
berately recognised by Congress in the joint resolu-
ton adopted for annexng Texas to the United States.
Among the conditions expressed IN that enactment, to
which the consent OF that republic was perempioray
sTaeted as prerequisite 70 her admission mtg ne
OF convenient size, not exceeding four in number,
in addition to the said State of Texas, and having
sufficient population, may hereafter, by the consent OF
shall be entitled TO admission under the provisions of the
federal constitution And such States as may be formed
out Of that portion OF said territory lying south OF thirty
known as the line, shall be admitted
into the Union s or p,tioui slavery, as the people Of
each State asking admission. may desire And in such
north Of said Missouri compromise ine slavery Or II.
voluntary servtude excep for crme) shall be prohibited
The consent Of the Texan republic to the said condition
n every ~. possDs mode whereby could Ge
tested in most solemn form by her executive government
by her legislature BY her deputies in conyenon and her
q Inc pg Vi, and finally was attached TO- and
admitted as State into the Union Whenever ques.
ton may arise involving the application Of this RuLE
ACTION" must and will obey its command Such was
10 lfnrth a unnxu n
territory was brought forward No part of this terrific
ry lay south Of the parallel Of ~ degreess southern
limit being more than 81 degrees north Of the Missouri
compromise line.
Oregon, owing her isolated position and the protracted
Iemissness and neglect OF the government OF the United
States, continued through series Of years. touching her
ment Tor her own protection and internal regulation,
whereby slavery excluded from her territory Her
right to 90 So under The circumstances, could not be
bers from the South had voted favor of the Oregon
bill containing this provision against slavery The &C.
QUESTION Of New Mexico and California by treaty pre-
for excitement and pretert for opposition to the then
pending measure In consequence II alleged of
the nhblto.y provision relating TO slavery contained in
California should be admitted at the same time as slave
holding territories This proposition appeared to me I'M
Just IN its bearing upon the inhabitants Of Oregon and its
connexon with the measure for the admission Of that
tory forced, illegal and retroactive The rights Of Ore
gon to admission free territory originated maued and
guaranteed to her by force and virtue OF the Ms
sour. compromise long before the acquisition of New
ter accrued to the United States could not affect the for
mer or impair her pre-exisng rights Indeed the pos
soliiy OF such an effect flowing from the ratification Of
that treaty, seemed to me 10 amount 10 a soecsm too
gross to find advocate The compromise as originally
adopted and remained involae for more than qua tier Of
century, and the faith and honor of every State in the
tain its observance and invioiabiity Il has been re-
peatedly recognised and acted upon by Congress as
solemn compact among the States, and as such i, has
received the sanction OF each individual member Of
the confederacy consider that the vital interests
OF all the States and especially Of the South, are depend
ent In great degree upon the preservation and sacred
observance Of this compact Texas. in adopting the
mand OF the other States part of the price of her
admission, surrendered than OF her ter
stuon Of slavery This sacfi6ce was eSac'ed By
southern as well as by the northern States and the re.
qurement OF South Carolina was no less positive and
Stringent IN the behalf than that OF any other Stale
The sacrifice was received at the hands Of Texas and
among the solemn guarantees then made 10 her in behalf
OF the Union, TO the full benefit OF which she is now en-
Titled that oil preserving the Missouri compromise invo.
Late IS IN my humble judgment, not the least paue
In my vote upon the Oregon BILL therefore, endeav-
ored to carry out the compromise in good faith thereby
ooeyng the behest not Of my own State alone, but
humDy conceive that oil every other State in the Union
and at the same time helping to secure the rights OF
Oregon 80 far they Involved in that measure
and aiding TO wrest one bone Of contention from the jaws
have been charged BY some uncandid persons with
being in favor Of the Wilmot Proviso The charge /
pronounce false No is or can be more opposed 10
the Wilmot Provso than | am, and ever have been
This Pfovso, by its very terms, applied alone to terri
tory hereafter 10 be acquired by treaty or otherwise and
not to that already held by the United States Il had no
connekion with or bearing upon the Oregon BILL and in
guiding my action upon that measure the Wilmot Pro-
yso had no influence regard as OF mischievous ten.
dency and doubt not that Il originated with those who
cared more for their advancement than for the har
mony and the well being OF the Union
, have never believed that Congress could adopt the
Provso or that il would be binding upon the States even
10 The event OF its adoption, without their separate sane
lion or general acquiescence.
Legislation by Congress the subject OF slavery in
me territories Is, in my opinion, useless and inudi.
;lous The line OF demarcaton between free and slave
wing south OF that line TO be admitted with the nsttu
ion OF slavery. il the people asking such admission Ie-
lulre u, cannot be questioned.
The spirit Of the rule would, in my opinion be in.
hinged should Congress by law attempt TO exclude the
institution from any territory lying south OF that line
assert the principe That Congress has no power 10
egsafe upon the subject OF slavery in the States or ter
ories OF this Union Il is institution exclusively OF
domestic regulation subject alone the CONTROL juris
iiction and authority OF the several States-each acting
Independently for itself Congress would have the same
ghi to impose slavery upon State unwilling 10 receive
ADOPTION OF abandonment OF the institution in like man
her. refers itself entirely 10 the choice and option OF each
Independent member OF the confedeacy. Should New
ork determine TO revive the institution OF slavery within
her limits or Louisiana resolve TO abolish il in her own
70 long as each retained republican form OF our govern
erfefe with the action OF either in this behalf than the
Khan OF Tartary or the Pacha Of Egypt Those who
honestly seek 10 crcumscribe the territorial limits of
slavery IN this Union, to ameiorate the condition Of the