Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-08-05
THE DAILY TIMES.
DEBATE IN THE U. S. SENATE.
THURSDAY, August /, 1850.

DEBATE IN THE u. s. SENATE.
THURSDAY, August /, 1850
ADMISSION OF CALIFORNIA.
Mr. DOUGLAS having moved, and the Senate greeng,
the bill for the admission of California into the Union
! was take up.
| Mr. Douglas moved to amend the bill by adding to
it an additional section, providing that California sba II
never interfere with the primary disposal of the soil
pass no law mparng the right of the United States
to do SO; the public domain to be taxed non resi-
dents to be taxed higher than residents; the naviga-
| Bile waters to be free, &c.
| To which
| Mr. Fooe submitted the following as an amendment
"And that the said State OF California shall never
hereafter claim within her boundaries, attempt
exercise jurisdiction any portion of the territory
at present claimed by her. except that which is embrac
ed within the following boundaries, TO wit commence.
ing in the Pacific ocean, three English miles from the
Shore at the forty degree Of north latitude;
thence with the southern boundary line of the Territory OF
| Oregon to the summit OF the Sierra Nevada; thence
along the crest OF that mountain to the point wheret
inersecs the parallel of latitude of thirty five degrees
thirty minutes thence with said parallel of latitude to
pc int in the Pacific three English miles from
the Shores and thence to the beginning, including all
islands, bays, and harbors adjacent to or included
within The limits hereby assigned to said State. And
Colorado to consist OFT the residue of the territory
braced within the limits Of the said State OF California,
as specified in the constitution heretofore adopted by
the people OF California; for The government OF which
Territory so established, all the provisions of this act
relating to the Territory of Utah. except the and
boundaries therein specified are hereby declared to be
in force in said Territory OF Colorado
| Mr. FooTE | have few remarks in explanation
of that amendment, and wish to state few historic
cal truths which ought to be understood by the present
generation, and by posterty. 1t so happened MIR Pre-
sident that prepared that amendment after very ex
tensve consultation with the friends of this BILL from
the North and from the South. My own mind had
become previously satisfied, almost entirely so, that it
would be impossible to pass what caledt the just
ond uhof arta fono
thought proper to denominae the omnibus bill, without
some additional votes from the South, which votes
took it upon myself to endeavor to to the BILL by
such an explanation was authorized by the existing
friends OF the bill to mako to certain Southern friends
of mine.
There were members of this body, sir including
yourself who most warmly favored the general objects
of the bill, and desired most ardently that the general
measures OF adjustment should be adopted but who en-
ertained, and had expressed in the decided Ian
guage, objections to the passage OF the bill unless
tain notifications could he obtained thereto Among
these notifications this one, and this was the most
material Another was the running of the boundary
line between Texas and New Mexico at the line of the
34th parallel of latitude, the objection to which
afterwards avoided by the proposition to appoint COM
mssioners, whose duty it should be agree upon that
boundary line. Another amendment was one which
had the honor OF laying upon the table few days ago.
and which is printed, which proposed to preserve
the Texas compact of annexation intact Sir after con-
errng with the friends Of the BILL from the North and
the South and from the East and the West the avowed
ana aScertaneQ lTenuS OF Dill, made II duty
call upon you, sir, and other Senators, including my
friend from Alabama, (Mr. Clemens and the Senator
from Arkansas, (Mr. SebastianO to ascertain whether
it this amendment could be engratted upon the bill,
they would give 1t their support With that sort OF
manly patriotism which belongs to those gentlemen
they assured me they could do it. Although this is
not generally known to the country feel authorized to
make this statement. After had communicated " it'll
them lmade the state of things known to the whole
Senate, in way another. Then, sir it was as
certaned to be practicable thing to pass this bill in
the form which it would have assumed after this amend
ment was adopted, if Southern gentlemen who had
previously declared themselves hostile to the measure
upon certain specific grounds OF objection stated by
| them, would manifest willingness to cooperate with
u.s. Yesterday it competent for the South to have
obtained the passage of the California BILL with the
boundaries restricted this amendment proposes to re-
strict them, Yesterday as proposed by me- it was
practcabct0 fave obaFfidd tfo 6ounsdaf Elss
fornia Of IS deg, 80 min.
speak OF what know, ana what no man can dis
pute Statements OF honorable men, constituting ma
Jorty OF this body VIII SHOW That the facts have stated
are the actually existing facts in the history of this at
air DO not speak OF them tor the purpose OF rebu-
king any body; speak ofthem IN the language OLA
mentaton; for IS now most evident, as has been
TO me always, that Inc only means on obtaining the
object which the South has asserted is Smost desirable
to her. with respect to the boundaries OF California has
been refused oy southern men. IL may be that this
morning the magnanlmouS TRENDS OF the bill those
who have behn most warmly devoted to the admission
OF California, may be yet Wiling 10 accord to us this
modhcahon OF the boundary line. II may be that an
appeal to these gentlemen may yet be successful; and
rise for the purpose in part OF making this appeal, al
though must aek9owedge that | make it with no
great degree OF confidence that shall be successful
should CONSIDER u the nappest event ofmy HE II
could accomplish t. And must say to the friends OF
the admission OF California they could reconcile
it to their own sense OF duty, under all the crcumstan
ces OF the hour, to accord to us this amendment it
does seem to me they would not lose any portion OF
that Senatorial dignity and respect which now apper-
talns to their characters but that they would thereby
greatly enhance It. l cannot now clam It with all the
confidence and all the earnesness with which would
Yesterday have urged It, But do conceive it highly
important to the peace OF the country that this mod
cation should be accorded to us, and have therefore
risen to urge il even under the most unPropitious cir
cumstances. But will say that il California be
brought in without any modification OF her boundaries
at least shall not be responsible for at least shall
be free from all responsibility, as had not only urged
this modification OF boundary, but had formed an ar
rangement which would have effected the Object
With these remarks sir, explanatory OF my own atti-
tude, and the actual historic facts Of the case, shall
cease to occupy the attention OF the Senate.
Mr.. DAWSON. Mr. President, do not intend to
discuss this question NY position in relation to is
before us feel great solcitude indeed, and am very