Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-02-09

surrender or sacrifice. What are the truths, Mr.. Pres
dent The first is that by law slavery does not exist within
the territories coded to by the republic Of Mexico
sir in the various weighy and important topics
which connected with the subject that now address,
ing you upon that any the five six furnishes theme
for heightened Speech and therefore reduced to the
necessity Think least in this stage the discussion, OF
limiting myself rather the expression of opinions than going
at any great length into the discussion of all these various
topics
Now with respect to the opinion that slavery
does exist in the Territories coded to the United States by
Mexico only refer the fact Of the passage Of the law
by the Supreme Government Of Mexico abolishng it. think
1894 and the subsequent passage Of law by the legislative
body of Mexico forget in what year. by which they pro-
posed-what is true they have yet carried into uii
the OF slaves for the property
of which they stripped by the act OF abolition can
only refer the acquescence OF Mexico IN the abolition OF
slavery from the time of its extinction down to the time of the
treaty by which acquired these countries But all Mexico
far know acquesced in the existence OF slavery
Gentlemen, know, talk about the nregulay OF the law
by which that act accomplished but does become
foreign Power look the mode by which object has
been accomplished by another foreign Power, when she her
self is satisfied with what she has done and when too she
the exclusive judge whether object which is local and
municipal herself has been has not been accomplished In
conformity with her Fundamental laws Why, Mexico upon
this subject showed the last moment her anxiety IN the
documents which laid before the country upon the sub
of the negotiation Of this treaty by Mr. Tnst Amongst
them you will find this passage in one Of his dispatches
exclusion Of slavery from all territory which should pass from
Mexico In the Of their remarks the subject was
sa % a IS order hat the
QUESTION should be therein established the proposal could not
excite stronger feelings Of abhorence than those awakened IN
Mexico by the prospect of the introduction OF slavery
territory parted with by her. Our conversation this topic
perfectly frank, and les. friendly and the more esS
perfect security that although their impressions respecng
the practical fact Of slavery it existed in the United States
were had no doubt entirely erroneous yet there pro-
hal no m
ments slavery considered in ITSELF and those which they
entertained concluded by assuring them that the bare men,
on of the subject in any treaty which the United States
party absolute impossibity that no President
Of the United States would dare such treaty to
the Senate and that if it in their power to offer the
whole territory described in proe increased tenfold in
value and in addition to that covered foot thick all over
not
moment think of communicating it to Washington.
Tbs matter ended in their being fully satisfied that this topic
not to be touched and dropped with good feel
ing on both sides"
Thus you nd s thatin the very act, in the very nego-
aton by which the treaty concluded cedng to the
countries in question, the diplomatic representatives of the
Mexican republic urged the adherence with which Mexico
would view the introduction Of slavery into any portion Of
he territory which she about cede the United States
The clause of prohibition inserted in consequence Of
he firm ground taken by Mr. Ts and his declaration that
was an utter impossibility to mention the subject
take it then, strand availing myself OF the benefit of
he discussions which took place former occasion this
question: and which think have left the whole country
the impression of the of slavery within the
whole Of the territory in the coded eritoesI take it for
raned that what have said aided by tho reflection of gen.
emen, will satisfy them Of that first TRUTH that slavery does
exist there by law unless slavery carried there the
the treaty ratified by the two parties and under
he operation Of the constitution Of the United States Now
eay, say, that upon the idea that Instant upon
he contamination of the treaty the constitution OF the
United States spread itself the acquired territory and
led along with it the institution of slavery the PROPOSE
econciIeable with any comprehension reason
kuouv hnuuto
Why, these United States consist of thirty States In f
cen of them there slavery, in fifteen of them slavery
lid exist WE'LL how it be argued that the fifteen
slave States, by the operation of the constitution of the
United States carried into the coded territory their institution
slavery, any than can be argued on the other side
hat by the operation Of the constitution, the fifteen free
States carried into the coded territory the principle of freedom
which they from policy have chosen TO adopt within their
limits Why sir, let me suppose case. Let me imagine
that Mexico had abolished slavery there at aet me
suppose that existing in point Of fact and in virtue of
law from the shores Of the Pacific to those of the Gulf
of Mexico the moment of the cession Of these coun
tries to by the treaty in question. With what pa
thence would gentlemen coming from savehodng States
listen to any argument which should be urged by the
free States that notwithstanding the existence Of slavery
within those territories, the constitution Of the United
States abolished the moment operated upon and took
effect in the ceded territory Well is there not just much
ground contend that where moey Of the States is free
and the other moety is savehodng, the principle Of freedom
which prevails in the class shall operate much the
principle Of slavery which prevails in the other Can you
,ome, amidst this conflict Of interests principles and egisa
alton which prevails in the two parts Of the Union, to any
her conclusion than that which understand be the
fusion Of the public law Of the world Of reason and ustce
hat the status of law it existed at the moment of the
conquest the acquisition, remains until it is altered by the
overeign authority of the conquerng acquiring power
That the great principle which you scarcely turn over
page of public law of the world without finding recognised
nd every where established The laws of Mexico, they
existed the Of the cesson of the coded territories
this country remained the laws until and unless, they
Uttered by that sovereign power which this people and
hese territories under in consequence Of the treaty of
,ession to the United States.
think them Mr. President that without trespassng fur
her. exhausiing the little stock Of strength which have
and for which shall have abundant in the progress of
he argument may leave that part Of the subject with two
three observations only upon the general power which
hink apperans to this Government the subject Of
slavery
Sir before approach that subject allow say that
my humble Judgment the institution Of slavery presents
questions totally distinct and resting entirely different
within the States and slavery without the
States Congress- the General Government, has power
under the Constitution of the United States touch slavery
within the States except the three specified particulars
hat instrument adjust the subject Of representation;
impose taxes when system Of direct taxation is made and
perform the duty Of surrendeng causing to be delivered
fugitive slaves that may escape from service which they
in slave States, and take refuge in free States And
h ready say that if Congress attack, within
he States the institution Of slavery for the purpose of the
overthrow extinction Of slavery that then, Mr. President
nv voice would be for war; then would be made case
which would justify in the sight Of God and in the presence
the nations of the earth, resistance the part Of the
slave States TO such unconstitutional and usuped attempt
would be made the suppostion which have stated.
Then should be acting in defence of rights, dom
ellis, properly, safety, lives and then, think,
would be furnished in which the savehoding States
would be justified by all Considerations which pertain TO the
happiness and security of man. to employ every instrument
which God nature had placed in their hands resist such