The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-01
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
THURSDAY, February %, 1850.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Private petitions were presented by Messrs.
wmrcoMn, ArcHIsos, BoRiAsp, BRADBURY, CAss,
and DODGE of Iowa.
CHEAP POSTAGE.
Memorials praying reduction OF postage were
presented by Messrs. UNDERWOOD, FELcH, CLARKE,
PRArT, and JONES.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr.. HUNTER, from the Committee on Finance,
reported bill to establish Board of Accounts
MIR. BORLAND, from the Committee Pen
sions, reported bill authorizing the payment OF
invalid pensions in certain cases and bill to
regulate pensions To soldiers and officers of the
army, and sailors and marines who may be dlsa-
bled in the service
MEXICAN BOUNDARY LINE.
The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a
communication from the Department OF the Int
rior, containing statement of the progress made
in running the boundary line between the United
plete the same.
Mr. BUTLER, from the Committee ON the Judi
ciary reported bill authorizing notaries public to
take Acknowledgements in certain cases
COMPROMISE.
Mr. BELL asked the indulgence of the Senate TO
enable him 10 present series OF propositions Tor
their consideration. A large number of PROPOSE
tons had already been submitted by gentlemen OF
high distinction and influence. He did not even
hope that any thing presented by him would be
adopted, or, indeed, that any thing coming from
southern members would be generally acceptable.
II belonged TO the North, who had the majority TO
make the propositions. His propositions could
scarcely be considered original; he claimed to be
nothing more than compiler of the different sug-
gestons Of other Senator'S. He desired only to
make brief explanation of his plan.
By the resolutions of annexation of Texas, il was
guaranteed that new States should be formed out
of her territories; il solemny guaranteed, also,
that south Of 36e 80 slavery should be tolerated.
He had not heard at the South any desire that
a slave State should be now admitted into the
Union; but he thought that it would be advisable
to conform more TO the custom of admitting a
free and slave State into the Union contempora-
neously He proposed this in his plan. Ii required
that new State-a slave State-should be formed
out OF the territory OF Texas-out of the admitted
territory Of Texas, where there sufficient
known population-and that it should be admitted
offset to California. The North, by voting for
this, would sacrifice principle; they would be
only carrying out the solemn guaranty made by
the United States with Texas Ii would be accept
able TO the South, and quiet much OF the apprehen-
sion existing IN that section. 1T would be peace
offering. The only thing required was the consent
OF Texas, and the agreement upon n sum TO be
paid to Texas for the cession Of her territory He
had had no conversation with the representatives
of Texas, and did not know whether they would
give their assent or not But it would, he hoped,
be accepted by Texas. The sum TO be paid 10 Tex
would have TO be settled by Congress-; but the
value OF the Union-its preservation Ill peace and
harmony--was far above any thing that could be
stated in dollars and cents.
This proposition looked TO the future establish
ment of another slave State out of the territory of
Texas; making three-Texas, the one now pro-
posed, and one contemplated-slave States in all /;
and this. he considered, would forever settle the
count of slave States. No other could ever be cx-
pected. Oregon, California, Nebraska, Mime
sofa, New Mexico, and other free territory would
soon, very soon be here with State governments TO
be admitted, and to be admitted free States. He
was confident that with these two exceptions, no
other slave State could ever be admitted the people
of those territories would any thing
but free States II this were 50, he might be asked,
why resist the restriction of slavery in those terrific
RES lie would say that the South considered that
restriction unconstitutional, and was admitted by
all To be unnecessary; and hence the perseverance
with which II was pressed, when unnecessary, made
il more offensive TO the South.
The difference between this plan, and that re-
commended by the President, was, that this
tarded the admission of New Mexico for a while;
and, IN the mean tine the people there would have
become more qualified and ready for admission.
He could not agree with some of his southern
friends in contending for the Missouri line That
line, If it could be adopted, would prove of no bene
t TO the South, for slavery could not be carried TO
the territories; nature had forbidden IL. He also
proposed that all tho ,e--itory included in the
State of California, and west OF New Mexico should
be placed under one territorial government
The next resolution proposed the immediate ad-
mission Of California with her present boundaries.
He knew che a large State, but he wished that
she had included in Der boundaries the whole valley
of the Salt Lake. Ii was said that she was large
enough TO make several States admit this, but did
any one at this time desire 10 have more than one
State admitted!
The constitution of California, on one point, was
not entirely acceptable 10 him the South; but
he could not disregard what he considered the al
most unanimous voice Of the people there The
President had been charged with improper inter
ference in the affair. He nothing 10 justify
this charge. The Presidents policy, in his mind
the most just and patriotic.
Mr.. BELL then read the several resolutions,
and explained them in their order.
He stated that his course had never been violent
or extreme. lie reposed entire confidence IN the
Justice Of the North. He had never countenanced
the southern convention. lie had no agency in its
organization. II any good resulted from IL, he
could claim no merit for supporting or bringing IL
about. II evil should follow from It, none OF the
consequences could be chargeabe him. He
had hrm and abiding confidence in the honesty,
patriotism and generosity of northern gentle
men, and he would continue 20 hold that conh-
dencc, and believed that the North, holding the
majority, would not exercise their power strin-
gently or arbitrarily.
The preservation Of the Union depended not on
the powers that may be brought 90 maintain and
carry out the authority Of the majority, but the
spirit and justice with which all sections should be
treated with entire equality and respect.
The resolutions were then laid on the table, and
ordered 10 be printed. They follows:
Whereas, considerations Of the highest interest
10 the whole country demand that the existing
and increasing discussions between the North and
the South, on the subject Of slavery, should be
speedily arrested, and that the questions in con-
troyersy be adjusted upon some basis which shall
tend 20 give present quiet, repress sectional ami
mosites remove az far possible the causes Of fu-
ture discOrd, and secure the uninterrupted enjoy
ment Of those benefits and advantages which the
Union was intended 70 confer, in equal measure,
upon all its members:
And whereas, II is manifest, under present cir
cumstances, that no adjustment be effected Of
the points Of difference unhappily existing between
the northern and southern sections Of the Union
connected with the subject Of slavery, which shall
10 either section AL that is contended for;
and that mutual concession upon questions Of mere
policy, not involving the violation Of any consttu-
tOnal right principle, must be the basis Of every
project, afIording any assurance Of favorable ac-
ceptance:
And whereas the joint resolution for anneKing
Texas 10 the United Statcs, approved March LIST,
lsf5, contains the following condition and guaran
tee, that il TO say !" New States Of convenient
sizc not exceeding four in number, in addition 70
said state Of Texas, and having sufficient popula-
tion may hereafter, by the consent Of said State,
be formed out Of the territory thereof which shall
he entitled 10 admission under the provisions Of the
federal Constitution, and such States may be
formed out Of that portion Of said territory lying
south Of 36' 80 north latitude commonly known
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