The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-19
THE UNION.

this bill should be carried through the Senate without
any proposition to amend That could not be done, sir
Then, what is the OF thisl submit 10 the Senate
for understand that the resolution expresses the opinion
that ought 10 20 clear from all propositions amend
that is the sentiment expressed in that amendment il we
adopt il.
MIR. CLAY. (nterposing) | do not wish TO interrupt
the senator but here motion TO raise committee OF
thirteen, and proposition 10 refer to that committee OF
thirteen, certain subjects The senator from Missouri
proposed TO do what To impose certain restrictions
upon that committee which isto consider those subjects
committee is something which stands by ITSELF and not
like bill The proposition, then, ~ to raise committee
The from Missouri proposes restrictions upon the
committee thus 10 be raised What is my proposition
The negative OF his, accompanied by the declaration that
the Senate wishes give no Instructions Ii is not like
bill, where we may offer a succession OF amendments.
We vote them down, it is true but after moving strike
out two, or three there nothing to prevent your
going moving TO strike them out The proposition was
to raise committee Aproposion made to instruct,
and my proposition that the Senate will not give the in
sruclions proposed or any others.
Mr. WEBSTER. Will the Chair cause the amendment
to be read
The amendment was accordingly read
Mr. WEBSTER. II comes TO this, sir and the honor
able senator from Kentucky will excuse for saying
that doubt the propriey of the amendment suppose
it is the idea, that il is adopted il will not be in order
to move any further amendments.
Mr.. CLAY, lin his seat.) Certainly.
Mr. WEBSTER. | very much doubt that am very
much in doubt whether the Chair will not rule that il is
merely inconsistency OF which the Chair cannot take
cognizance. My own opinion is. that it is only an
Mr. HALE Mr. President want to suggest, sir, in
this counexon that il the Senate adopt this amendment
of the senator from Kentucky Mr. CLAY in my hum.
BILE judgment, it is not what the gentleman supposed it
II does not say the Senate will not give any i'm
sructions instructions shall be given moved but
is simply the expression OF abstract opinion, that the
Senate does not deem it necessary to do it. Well, sir,
the Senate might although they would not think it abso
lutey necessary-they might out OF abundant caution,
afx some resolution OF instruction. II IS not binding
il is simple expression Of opinion. that the Senate does
deem necessary TO express its opinions in advance
How long in advanced One hour hence they may be OF
different opinion, and think it necessary. suggest to
the senator and the Senate, that this resolution if it
passed. and if had the point which the honorable
tor from Kentucky Mr.. CLAY] means il should have,
is entirely nugaOry, because il not precept ii is not
rule il is not order that there shall be instruc
tons. 1t is simply expression Of opinion that they
do not exactly think, just now, i Is worth while TO give
any instruction, general specific for the guidance OF
the said committee.
Now, sir does anybody contend that the expression OF
opinion, when the Senate do not think necessary give
members OF the Senate from offering resolutions! APP
prehend not IL to my unsophisticated intellect
that the resolution would not accomplish great deal af
want to call the attention of the Senate to the position
in which we place ourselves by this The honorable
senator from Kentucky, Mr. CLAYl when he expressed
from Missouri Mr. BENToNl knew very well that il
proposed to the admission Of California with
the bill for the recovery OF fugitive slaves that it
only proposed to connect with governments for these
two Territories of Utah and New Mexico. do not
derstand the record TO be so al all but widely different
What was 10 be referred The resolution is not in writing,
but il is explicit The honorable senator from Missis-
spp [Mr FooTEl says, It ls to refer the resolutions OF
The honorable senator from Kentucky Mr. CLAY and Of
committee. What are they sir The first resolution Of
the honorable senator from Kentucky Mr. CLAY relates
TO the admission OF California, which to be referred to
the committee:
ought upon her application, to be admitted OF the
States of this Union, without the imposition by Con-
gess Of restriction In respect to the exclusion intro
duction OF slavery within those boundaries
And the second one is to be connected with it, and is
this:
Resolved That as slavery does not exist by law and
likely be introduced into any OF the territory ac-
quired by the United States from the republic Of Mexico
nexpedent for Congress provide by law either for It's
territory; and that appropriate territorial governments
ought be established by Congress Ia all OF the said terrific
California w.hou, the adoption Of any restriction or condi.
ton on the subject ofslavery.
These are resolutions it is proposed to refer to the
committee and thus the amendment says:
xRssoped Tina, the Senate does deem Ii necessary
advance give any instructions general specific for
guidance ofthe said committee.
We have sir, the proposition that slavery does not
exist and not likely be introduced, in any OF the
territory acquired BY the United States from the republic
OF Mexco then resolve that il is nexpedient 10
press any opinion upon the subject That is exactly the
attitude in which the Senate will place themselves by
feng the resolutions OF the honorable from Ken
lucky [Mr CLAY under the resolution proposed 10
submit the resolutions oil the honorable senator from Ken
lucky and the honorable senator from Tennessee
The Sd resolution relates TO the boundary OF
Texas;
Rssoired That the western boundary of the State OF
Texas ought be fixed in the RIO del Noe ncng
river the southern line OF New Mexico thence with that
line eastery and 80 confusing 10 the same direction The
line established bstween tine United States and Spain,
excluding any portion of New Mexico whether lying the
east or west Of that river.
And then il is resolved that the Senate does not deem
necessary in advances give any instructions general
specific for The guidance OF the said committee or TO state
any opinion, expressed or implied.
Here is the 4h:
Rsoued That II be proposed the State OF Texas that
the Uoited States will provide for the payment oil all that
portion OF the legitimate and bona ide public debt OF
that State, contracted prior 10 its annexation 10 the United
States for which the duties foreign imports
pledged by the said Stae credofs
OF g., in onsderaton OF the said duties pledged
having been longer applicable to that object after tue
annex aon but having thenceorwaTd become payable TO
the United States, and the condition also that the said
State SHALL ny solemn aud authentic OF her egsa
ture, OF convention, reBquh the United States
claim which u has 20 any part Of New Mexico.
And the Senate does not deem il necessary to express
any opinion upon that
The 9th is as follows:
n s0fpei That Il is inexpedent to abolish slavery in the
st in tie State OF Maryland, without the o.
State without the consent OF the people oil the District and
without jusi compensation TO the owners oil slaves within
the District
And the Senate will not express any opinion upon
that
The next-ihe elh-is rs follows:
But Rsored, That prohibit within the Dis
rct the slave trade In slaves brought into II from States or
places hey ond limits OF the District either be sold
me IN nth