Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-06-08

the effect OF which would be TO release SO much OF the terri
tory of Texas from the institution Of slavery, and subject
j, TO the sole jurisdiction of the Federal Government These
are the propositions presented to the Southern States.
And what is offered equivalent The sole equivalent
s that the North will organize Territorial Governments for
the residue of California, usually called 'Utah," Desc
ret and for what remains of New Mexico, without inroduc
ing the "Wilmot proviso."
Now, sir to these propositions made in the bill, ne
assent cannot assent because they bring down yet
lower and the of four and half degrees the limits
from which to be excluded with slaves And does
takes from of the States of this Union large
territory subject e the institution OF slavery, and converts
properly OF the United States to te governed and con-
roed in its institutions by majority from the -slavehod
ing States. ....- ..
Sir the forbearance to enact the Wlmo provso not only
no equivalent for such concessions but there equivalent
that be givenst least none that can conceive as being
within the capacity OF Congress to offer.
Ny first objection, then, Mr. President to the bill reported
by the committee for the adjustment OF this question s that
il brings down below the Missouri compromise line IN
Texas and the second is that excludes the South from ad
mission with their property into much of the territory OF
California embraced within the limits OF the new State
below the same line Sir violates the Texas,
under which that State brought into the Union By the
terms of the Missouri compromise line to be
sacredy regarded in the formation of new States out OF the
territory Of Texas But the bill, in dismembeng Texas,
adopts new line reaching four and half degrees below
the compromise line, and releases all the territory lying north
and west Of it from the obligations of that compact
So in reference to California, it trenches again on the sPi
Mt of the compromise Of 1920 by excluding slavery on the
Pacific border low down the 32d parallel OF north la
tude. aware, sir will be said that this exclusion Of
the people of the Southern States below the line Of So so
California the the inhabitants Of the Territory, and
the Of the Congress of the United States and there
fore that it is violation Of the Missouri compEomlse on the
part of the latter
Sir shall make no argument prove that California in
the whole extent well the territory embraced within the
limits of the States a' ~''heu .ho" Is yet IN the
political rela ion Government Of "aTertoryaTer
rit0a within the meaning of the of the constitution
property Of the United States and the act of such of
nha the assembled convention and
formed constitution has not the slightest effect to change
that relation California throughout the whole extent
Territory when that constitution formed and Terri
yet nor has that constitution the least validity whatever
and have unless made good against this Govern
by force of arms, ratified by act of Congress
and this assented should rather asserted the
law Of the question by the Senator from Kentucky hmse
(Mr. CLAY. I.
Whenever, them the constitution Of California is ratified
by Congress, the clause prohibiting slavery will become law
ny the Of Congress, and by alone We have had the
question presented in the form in regard to the
Territory of Oregon The inhabitants of that Territory, in
the absence Of any provided by Congress- esta
bshed system Of government for themselves, and by
Of their ordinances excluded domestic slavery from the terri
tory In the bill reported for the organization of terrific
rial government provision inserted ratyng and
fmng all the laws enacted by the provisional government,
amongst which that prohibiting slavery, and the contro
vesy then upon such ratification, all agreeing that to
confirm such law equivalent TO direct enactment by
Congress. ~.-, .
Now sir as to this right in the inhabitants of portion
OF the territory OF California. lhey nave authority
whatever, law and little in justice to assemble
themselves upon the property of the Governmen-he COM
property Of all the Staes-and to pass law which
shall ntedct from that Territory the citizens of half Of
the States Of this Union unless they leave their valuable
property behind them, and that very property which of all
other would be of most value to them in the Territory.
Mr.. President have fallen upon strange times, indeed,
since this question Of the extension nterdcon of slavery
FIRST broug for discussion in the Congress of the
United States. Sir, what have the act of the
Executive of the United States reference these matters
In prescribing the duties of the President the constitution
joins amongst other things that he shall take that the
the property of the United Staes acquired first by conquest
and the title subsequently confirmed by solemn treaty. and for
the consideration OF many millions of dollars paid and pay
able by the United States to Mexico. Now, would sup
pose if there any duty the President the great
bead of the Government cogent than another It
that which would require him to the safety of the pub
lie property, and that the laws concerning were faithfully
executed" ... ...
Yet monstrous may appear, the fact nevertheless
h nads Se s s % wa, %
military commander in the Territory Of California, invite
the inhabitants found there assemble in convention, and
laws and ordinances conaventon of the authority Of
the United States Laws and ordinances by which the in
habitants to defeat and annu the title OF the United
States acquired under the treaty with MEXICO, which the
suton declares shall be the supreme law of the land and
wrest from the Government of the United States this large
and valuable domain the property of the United States
found this charge, sir, the Of the proclamation
OF Brevet Brig Gen. Riley, addressed to the people of Cali
orna dated Monterey the Sd day of June ls49 act
ing says in accordance with instructions of the Sec
retsry Of War; XIV. s.r'".
By this Proclamation election ordered Of delegates
to convention, the number Of such delegates prescribed
election districts assigned the day Of election and the qua
cation of the ascetaned and xed and the day ordered
for the convention assemble in discharge of the duties to
be assumed by them-acs Of highest sovereignty exercised
by military commander the property Of the United
States without shadow of authority in law, and with view
facilitate the Inhabitants of the Territory in deprvng the
pla tho T1pifod States af fharn
How many people so assembled, and what portion of the
inhabitants actually represented shall presently learn
remarkDg only present that the proclamation issued on
the Sd Of June for elections to be held the first day Of
August following, less than sixty days notice. TO people
dispersed Territory larger than that Of the original
thirteen States, divided into hands of gold digge explorers
and hunters, without organizations roads, villages,
the seacoas and separated by mountains lakes
rivers, and deserts.
But these initiative TO abandon to the first comers
the property Of the United Stae strange they by
no means the most strange in this extraordinary Executive
plunge After constitution adopted by those who had
assembled under the proclamation, and ratified said by
the Inhabitants the fact was formally made known to the
military commander General Riley, and he formally and
gavey issued second proclamaton dated the 20h De-
cember ls49, with military order of date by which
ne on that day elnquished the administration Of civil a
lars IN California TO the executive Of the Government orga
nized under the provisions of the constitution &c. And
thus without warrant Of law violation Of the plain letter of
the constitution and Of the less plain Executive trust
the dominion OF the United States large and valuable
Territory the property of all the Saes quietly handed
TO the fret occupants who upon it, and who were invited
and stimulated take it; and as If in sport with 80 grave an
OCCASION the General ends the by agreeing to dey
all the of the of