Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-22

Congress should say when they admitted as States thew
might in with without slavery the people of those
might determine But here there is no chance given to
the slave States TO settle the territory The territory first
put in condition in which slavery restricted and when
that done Congress to be pledged divide that territory
into three States whenever the people Of that State may de.
sire it, think, therefore, that this would be dangerous
amendment, and hope i will not be adopted.
Mr.. PRATT feel inclined because Of the contrariev
of opinion which has been expressed here in reference TO this
amendment and the vote which shall give, say word In
reference the objections urged by my friend from Msss
spp. (Mr DAvrs) do not think they urged upon
the full and mature reflection which he usually bestows on
what he says in this body Every amendment, my friend
will bear in mind, which is offered his BILL the biz as
no,u stands and the hypothesis that the bill it
stands will pass, and humbly conceive that this single
mark answers the objection Of my friend from Mississippi
Now, my friend from Virginia. (Mr. HuSTER,) who has
Just taken his seat has fallen into error into which other
Senators who have spoken this subject have also fallen
The proposed amendment does not declare Supposed that
these States be formed by the State Of California it is
notha the subject Of freedom slavery be decided by
the State of California; bat after that State shall
division Of her territory for the formation Of States the
people of the territory thus separated to decide for them
selves whether they will will not have slavery That's
the amendment. Now, may all differ to what may Be
the Interior effect of this amendment Whether the people of
the Territories which may be separated from California for the
formation fnew States may may not be in favor Of slave
speculative question upon which may all differ but
certainly it is question which should be left the people
who may inhabit the territory and not TO the State of Cali
orna decide think that disposes Of the objection urged
by the Senator frm Virginia.
Now, the Senator from Ohio (r. CHAsE,) whose atten-
ton desire to SECURE has made great discovery, for so
occurred me, the political history of this country, and
his argument based upon the assertion that slavery does
not exist north of $50 80 in the State Of Texas. Well
now, sir supposed that Texas slave State and that
slavery existed throughout the whole limits of that State ire
pectve of the extent of her territory The resolutions of
annexation, it true, say that when States formed
from her territory those north Of $50 80 shall be free States
NJ Soc g. Il~.sz n.
not yet discovered that there any portion of territory north
Of 800 80 belonging to Texas.
Mr.. PRATT. The Senator may be right sir but he must
ecoec that Texas has both claimed and exercised usdic-
ton over territory north of $50 3V certainly did UNDER
stand him that the whole Of Texas not slave
State And to show that this is the necessary conclusion to
be drawn from his argument ask the attention Of the SEN
ator to the of argument which he pursued He said
that the amendment attempted to be applied to this bill
parallel to the Of Texas, and why Because,
he sad slavery exist in Texas north Of $50
3O and thus part of Texas according to the agreement
was besavehodng and part avehodng, while herein
reference to California, all free territory and therefore
insult California say that even with the con-
sent Of her people, any portion OF her territory should become
slave territory That the argument of the Senator, and
his whole argument based that hypothesis Now,
shall vote for this amendment BECAUSE under the constitutions
provision adopted similar the one now offered
for assent dissent, States may be formed from the
ory Of California with the assent of California and the as
sent of the Federal Government. Therefore, think
sptional rights of the people Of California Looking then,
to the extent OF territory and the Inconvenience which
mast result heefrom is very clear to my mind that
States will be hereafter formed by the division of California
and in every view of the subject it in my judgment alto
geher proper that the right Of the people Of the Territory
which to constitute the State settle this domestic
question for themselves should be expressly affirmed in this
BILL is question which should be left the decision Of
the people Of the State and the State Of California
Mr.. FoOTE. am Indifferent whether this amendment
be adopted or not but hope that the discussion, which
must regard as Of highly Improbable character will not be
further prolonged No doubts that hereafter State may
be formed out Of California, with her and the
Of Congress- whether adopt clause like this or not.
This clearly provided for by the constitution of the United
States and really there much truth in what has been said
by the Senator from Connecticut and Others that we are
simply proposing to reenact clause Of the constitution
feel of the appehensons entertained by the Senator
from Virginia, (Mr HUNTER and think he will dsa-
gree with upon the question, whether the State of
California is divsbe into many States hereafter, that
State and Congress shall determine to be polite How
the adoption Of the amendment is operate njuouy
to the South than to the North cannot discover believe
that condition in the South and that of friends the
North will be precisely the after the adoption of the
amendment as before; and taking this view of the subject
think unnecessary adopt it, and therefore hope that the
gentleman from New Hampshire will Withdraw his amend
ment so as to enable to take up proposition Of
practical character
example Of the Senator from Mississippi, (r FoorE and
say something in relation to this amendment Notwithstanding
his wishes the contrary for do not regard it. as be does
harmless proposition Nor do think have fallen into
the the Senator from Maryland Mr Parry sup
poses has been the He reminded that these
States could not be formed without the Congress
am aware of that and at the time know that this is
an invitation on the part Of Congress California divide
her territories into States and implies obligation on the
part Of Congress to receive these States when divided into
the Union My objection lie, that first admit California
with her constitution excluding slavery from this territory SO
to be divided and then invite her divide that territory when
there will not be slave in it. The territory will be filled up
under the operation of this an-savey constitutions and Of
slaves will not go there. This will be carved up into
States when it is desirable to California and it becomes
her policy to do Of will be her desire and her
interest to bring in these States with sympathes and policy
similar to her own, and she agrees divide her terri
tory her motive most probably will be increase the power
Of the free States Of the Union Nor do suppose, the
Senator from Maryland (Mr Parry believe, that
the people will division of the territory be emanded to
territorial condition. upon which supposiion is based bis
hope for the introduction of slavery on the contrary when
they obtain the of California and Of Congress thereto
they will be formed into State or States and take
for granted that when the States thus formed they will
come in as free States How be otherwise when the
country has been previously settled under restrictions against
the introduction of slaves
Mr. FOOTE. If the Senator from Virginia will give way
think the amendment. be withdrawn by unanimous con-
sent.
Mr.. HUNTER. I have no objection.
Mr.. FOOTE. The Senator from New Hampshire has be-
fore expressed his willingness withdraw his amendment
and am authorized to do for him now. If this can now
be done with the of the Senate this discussion may
be terminated.
Mr.. HUNTER. have no objection.
Mr.. KING. The amendment is not now within the Sem
a,es control.
M. FOOTE. 1t can be Withdrawn, suppose, by unan
l.,al