Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-01
THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
MR.. CLAY's PROPOSITION TO COMPRO
MISE

| IN MHue, IUcSHuy OHHuUiy ~, looO.
| Mr. CLAY Mr. President, hold in my hand series
Of resolutions which desire to submit to the consdera
ton of this body Taken together, in combination,
they propose amicabe arrangement of all questions
in controversy between the free and the slave States,
growing out OF the subject OF slavery 1t is not my in
tention Mr. President at this time, to into full
aud elaborate discussion OF each OF these resolutions
taken separately, or the whole of them combined to-
gether, as composing system OF measures but de-
sire present few observations upon each resolution,
with the purpose chiefly of exposing it fairly and fully
before the Senate and before the country and may
add with the Indulgence Of the Senate, towards the
cuson some general observations upon the Of the
ounry and the condition Of the question to which the
resolutions relate Whether they shall or shall not meet
with the appreciation and concurrence OF the Senateas
| most aIdently hope they may as most sincerely be-
eve they ought trust that at least some portion OF
the long time which have devoted, with care and de-
beraton the preparation of these resolutions and
the presentation OF this great national scheme OF COM
promise and harmony, will be employed by each Sena
braced in these resolutions The resolutions sir all
preceded by short preamble, to which OF course at
tach very great Importance The preamble and first
resolution as follows:
1t being desirable for the peace concord and harmony
OF the union OF these States settle and adjust amcaby
all existing questions OF controversy between them
sing out OF the institution OF slavery, upon fair, equa
BILE, and just basis Therefore
1st. Resoloed, That California with suitable boun-
daries ought upon her application, to be admitted
OF the States OF this Union without the imposition by
Congress OF any restriction in respect to the exclusion or
introduction of slavery within those boundaries.
MIR. President it must be acknowledged that there has
been some irreguarity in the movements which have
terminated in the adoption OF constitution by Calor-
MIA, and in the expression OF her wsnot yet formally
communicated Congress, it is true, but which may be
anticipated in few daysto be admitted into the Union
| as State. There has been irregulary in the
manner in which they have framed that constitution
1t preceded by any of Congress authorizing
the convention and designating the boundaries OF the
proposed State, according to all the early practice ohs
Government according to all the ofthe admission
OF States into this Union which occurred prior,
think, to that of Michigan. Michigan, if not mis-
taken was the first State which, unbidden unauthorized
by any previous act OF Congress- undertook to form tor
herself constitution and to knock at the door OF Con-
gress for admission into the Union. recolec that at
the time when Michigan thus presented herself was
opposed consequence OF that deviation from the early
| practice OF the Government to the admission. The
majority determined otherwise, and it must be in candor
admitted by all men, that California has much
reason to do what she has done, unsanconed and I'M
authorized by previous act OF Congress- than Michigan
had to do what she did.
Sir notwithstanding the irregularity Of the admis
sion of Michigan into the Union, it has been happy
event She forms Of the bright stars of this
glorious Contederacy She has sent here to mngle in
councils Senators and Representatives eminent
ly distinguished, with whom we may all associate with
pride with pleasure, and with satisfaction And trust
that if California irregular as her previous action may
have been the adoption OF constitution, but more
UNSUITABLE than was the action OF Mchgan-it she also
shall be admitted, as proposed by this first resolution,
with suitable limits, that she, too will make her contr-
button OF WISDOM OF patriotism, and OF good feeling
this body, in order to conduct the affairs OF this great
\ and boundess empire.
he resolution proposes her ADMISSION When she
, plies for it. There is intention my part to anti
cipate such application, but thought fright pre-
this resolution part OF the general plan which
! propose for the adjustment oil these unhappy difficult
u ties.
The second resolution, sir, is as follows:
ID. Resoloed, That as slavery does not exist by law,
and likely to be introduced into any OF the terri
tory acquired by the United States from the Republic of
Mexico, is nexpedient for Congress provide by
law either for its introduction into exclusion from
any part of the said terrtoy and that appropriate Ter
> rtoria Governments ought to be established by Con-
gress in all of the said territory, not assigned the
boundaries of the proposed State Of California, without
the adoption OF any restriction or condition the sub
ect OF slavery.
This resolution, sir, proposes, in the first instance,
declaration of two truhs-one of law and the other of
fact The truth Of law which it declares is, that there
does not exist at this time, slavery within any portion
Of the territory acquired by the United States from
Mexico When say sir, that is a truth speak nv
own solemn and deliberate conviction am aware that
some gentlemen havehed different doctrines but per-
suade myself that they themse Ives, when they to
review the whole ground will sucientreasons for
change, al least modification OF their opinions;
n but that, at all events, if they adhere that doc
tne they will be found to compose very small mno
rty of the whole mass OF the people of~the United
States
The next truth which the resolution asserts is that
slavery not likely to be introduced into any portion of
that territory That matter OF ac and 1.-THE evil
dence upon which the fact rests is perhaps accessible
other Senators as is TO but must say that from
all have heard or read, from the testimony Of all the
witnesses | have and conversed with, from all
that has TRANSFERRED and transprng, do believe that
not within one foot of the territory acquired by us
from Mexico will slavery ever be planted and believe
it could not be done by the force and power OF
public authority.
Sir, facts are daily occurring to Justify me in this
opinion. Sir, what has occurred! ndupon that sub
ec and indeed upon this whole subject, invite Sena
from the free States especially to consider what has
occurred even since the last sessioneven since the
commencement OF this session-snce they left their
spectve constituencies without opportunity OF con-
sultng with them upon that great and momentous fact
the TACT that California herself OF which was asserted
on1 ofaI
within her limits when she came to be admitted as a
State; that California herself embracing OF all other
portions OF the country acquired by from Mexico
that country into which it would have been most likely
that slavery should have been mtfoduced that Ca1or
mia herself has met in convention, and by unanimous
vote embracing in that body shareholders from the State
OF Mississippi well astrom other parts, who concur
red in the resoluon-hat California, by unanimous
vote, has declared against the introduction OF slavery
within her limits think, them that taking this lead
ing fact in connexion with all the evidence have
from other on the subject, am warranted in the
conclusion which constitutes the second truth which
have stated in this resolution, that slavery is mot likely
to be introduced into any OF the territory acquired by
| from Mexico
Sir the latter part of that resolution that is
the duty of Congress establish appropriate territorial
governments within all the country acquired from Mex
co, exclusive OF California, not embracing In the acts by
which these governments shall be constituted either
prohibition or an admission OF slavery.
Sir much as am disposed to defer to high authority,
anxious as really am to find myself in position that
would enable to operate heartily with the other
departments OF the Governmentn conducting the affairs
OF this great people, Unjust say that lcannotwithout
derelction OF duy-conSent to abandonment of them
without government leaving them to all those scenes
OF disorder, confusion and anarchy which apprehend
in respect OF some OF hem there much reason to
anticipate will arise. 1t is the duty the solemn was
going to add the most sacred dutyof Congress to le-
gsate for their government if they can and all events
10 legsate for them, aud to give them the benefit of
| law, and ORDER and security
The next resolutions are the third and fourth, which,
having immediate connexon with each other, should
be read and considered together They as follows:
| 3d. Res0tued, That the western boundary of the
State OF Texas ought to be fixed on the Rio del Nore
commencing marine league from lis mouth, and
running up that river the southern line of New Mex-
co.. thence with that lin eastwardly, and continuing
in the same direction to the line established between the