The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-24

PiaSu W act VI NOhSc no pidce what
ever for the Texas compromise. do hope that when
the senator comes again to examine this subject he will
see that the Texas boundary acquesced in not only
advered to in former discussion but with which, per-
haps the senator having been absent from public life ai
the time is not familiar the war commenced
or before the treaty by which acquired any country
from Mexico had been signed, and in the establishment
OF post Offices and post roads between the Nueces and
the Rio Grande., And among other acts. which show
clearly that the boundary claimed by Texas is her
knowledged one, is the map accompanying the treaty
with Mexico To this the senator thinks but little inn
porance s to be attached but think il Is matter Of
great deal OF Importance On that map the situation OF
the territory referred to in the treaty clearly laid down
There part OF the territory east of the Rio Grande is
represented as part Of Mexico, and none Of i is so
treated at all In addition TO that fact it stated on the
margin of the map that represents Tie States and de-
parments Of Mexico organtsed and established BY
rious acts of that republic
Neither in this map nor in any other portion Of the
treaty is this strip Of territory Of the Rio Gande
considered part Of New Mexico and therefore if does
ceded BY her Yet those who made that treaty under
stood this question, and had this map before them But
however this boundary is settled, hope shall not be
deprived Of this portion Of Texas lying south Of 80 deg
| 80 min.
have had calculation made Of the quantity Of land
lying north OF the line proposed by the senator. The
10 this map, is 244sa square miles That part of it
north OF SO deg 80 min is $4,000 square miles, leaving
balance Of 74s32 and this by this third resolution of
the senator from Kentucky is taken off from the territory
given us BY the Texas compromise think that to be
most serious objection to the resolution
Mr.. President, have been induced, sir. from sug
geston which have seen in one OF the letters OF Mr.
Madison to look into the discussions of the convention
which framed The constitution the subject Of slavery,
and have found sir, that this thing Of restricting the
orles was notion at that time not at all entertained
even thought Of In all the exciting and potracted de-
bates on the slavery question: in that llustrous body
does not appear that there was ever whisper to
indicate that the intention idea OF any member
OF the convention that the emigration or transpor-
aon Of slavery from one portion Of the Union 70 another
Here is what Mr. Madison says on this subject in his
letter TO Mr.. Monroe, in 1920:
.sThe questions to be decided seem to be-
81 Whether territorial restriction be assum pon of
% misase legitimate power and if the latter only,
escence In the misuse, or from Illustration of IT, be the
'On the first point. there certainly room for difference
Of opinion; though, for myself must own that have al
ways leaned 10 the belief that the restriction within
the true scope ofthe constitution.
on the alternative presented by the second point there
those acouiesc,ng in concatoy course the demand for
which was deemed Urgent. and the itself deemed
not irreconclabe with the constitutions
This is the hasty view have taken Of the subject.
am aware that may be suspected OF being influenced by
ers; and have certainly felt ali the influence could
justly how from conviction that uncontrolled dsper
only best for nation bn slaves
also. both TO their prospects Of emancipation and
their condition Ia the mean time .en Na
~ have observed ye in none OF the views taken OF
the ordinance of l7S7 interdcng slavery northwest
river ohlo an ausion to the circumstance that when
passed, Congress had authority prohibit the mpoa
tion of slaves from abroad that all the States had, and
some 10 the full exercise o, the right TO import them
and, consequently that there mode in which Con-
could check the evil but the indirect one of narrow
ing the space open for the reception OF slaves. ~ r
"Had federal authority then existed to prohibit, directly
,hat would ha~s peea exeed and tha, % bav
N merely the edc Of PTeyea',ng the interior disposition
ncson among he States in the degrees Of their
y, would not have been adopted perhaps thought t.
Mr.. Madisonto hr. Monroe, Fsbnsary 10. 1870
Mr.. President call the attention Of the Senate for
moment TO the first OF these quotations from Mr. Mad
son. which he gives il his decided opinion that there
is OF objection in the tanspor tation OF slave
from one State TO another; and that whatever our
thoughts sentiments the subject OF slavery may be-
that they should not prevent the exercise OF this right
Now, this is exactly the question presented here 1t s
not question TO whether slavery shall be increased
at ALL whether, if it be evilwhich do not admit
shall be extended or not but question TO what II is
best TO do under the fact that exists and be got
rid Of On this subject have presented 10 you, in the
extracts have just read the opinions OF Mr. Madison
(and think they ought to have much weight with those
who regard the opinions OF the fathers Of this
that not only no objection but desirable and better
for the slave HIMSELF well as the community, that
the slave population should be dispersed rather than
confined The whole controversy here is, not whether
slavery shall be increased but whether II shall be
tended or not As 10 the benefits resulting TO the slave
from the extension OF the institution think may APP
peal to the senator from Kentucky himself believe il
generally understood that u the formation or amend
ment OF the constitution OF Kentucky, he at that
lime opposed to the further introduction Of slaves into
that State Well he did not succeed In securing he adop
ton OF that restrictions but suppose that he bad, and
slave had been permitted to go into Kentucky, would II
have diminished the number in the country or made
them happier than they are Were they not in reality
lined one locality by being allowed go where they
are and where the States OF Missouri and Kentucky
they the happest people earhi ask, them II the
slave, whose condition appears much 10 engross the
sympathes OF certain pseudo philanthropss, has not
actually beeh made happier in his position by being al
lowed be transported to those States All these at
tempts al restricting the extension of slavery, lar
from facilitating emancipation, have had tendency TO
retard H. and to increase IFS aggregate numbers And
srated, far from aiding emancipation, most mate.
rally retarded i; because, ii slaves had been allow
ed TO be brought into Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, few
in number though they would have been, they would
have been emancpaied and set free perhaps before
whereas by conning them TO the present slave States
they remain slaves, and are likely ever TO remain so.
WE'LL as il was then, il will be in regard TO the
Territories. Suppose slaves allowed 10 be car
red TO California: il, is contended they would not be
profitable there they would soon be emancipated, and
thus the aggregate number Of slaves would be reduced
But yet those who hold this argument and who expend
so much sympathy Tor the slave in his present condition.
will not allow him to 90 whore, according 10 Their own
argument, emancipation would be certain 10 follow him.
Bat the chief object had in referring the opinion o
Mr. Madison was to show the truth OF his suggestion
that in all the debates in the convention on this sabect
the idea OF restricting the emigration OF slaves from one
part OF the United States to another never for
moment thought Of When the ordinance OF 1857 was
agreed to, the constitution not in existence al that
lime, there prohibition existing against tne lo,
eign importation OF slaves, the people al The Norm
thought il necessary that provision of ms kino