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

might in with without slavery, as the peops of hoss
States might deermne But here there no chance given To
the slave States TO settle the territory The territory is 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 NAV de-
sire il, Think therefore, that this would be dangerous
| amendment, and hope i will not be adopted
Mr. PRATT. feel inclined, because Of the conariety
of opinion which has been expressed here reference to
amendment and the vote which shall give say word in
reference to the objections urged by my friend from Miss-
sippi, (Mr DAus do not think they urged upon
the full and mature reflection which he usually besows on
what he says in this body. Every amendment my friend
will bear in mind, which is offered to his BILL is TO the bill
IL noU stands, and the hypothesis that the bill il
stands will pass and humby conceive that this single
mark the objection Of my friend from Mississippi
Now, my friend from Virginia, (Mr HUNTER who has
Just taken his seat has fallen into into which other
Senators who have spoken this subject have also fallen
proposed amendment does not declare Supposed that
these States be formed by the State Of California it is
notha the subject Of freedom slavery to be decided by
the State Of California; bat after that State shall consent to
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
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 States may may not be in favor Of slave
ry is speculative question upon which may all differ but
certainly is question which should be left to the people
who may nhab the territory, and the State Of Cali
forHa decide think that dposes of the objection urged
by the Senator from Virginia
Now, the Senator from Ohio, (Mr CHASE, whose atten-
ton desire to secure has made great discovery for it
occurred to me- the political history of this country and
bis 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
spectve of the extent of her territory The resolutions Of
annexation 1t is true, say that when States formed
from her territory those north of go 3 shall be free States
Mr. CHASE. So far as Ihave studied geography, have
not ye discovered that there any portion Of territory north
Of $50 30 belonging to Texas.
Mr. PRATT. The Senator may be right sir but he must
ecoect that Texas has both claimed and exercised ursdc-
ton territory north Of 500 3O certainly did under
stand him to assert that the whole Of Texas not slave
State And to show that this Is the necessary conclusion
be drawn from his argument ask the attention of the Sem
ator to the of argument which he pursued He said
that the amendment attempted to be applied to this bill
was not parallel to the Of Texas, and why Because
he said slavery not to exist in Texas north Of $50
30 and thus part of Texas according the agreement
esaveholdng and part while here
reference to California all free territory, and therefore
was an insult to California; to say that, with the
sent of her people, 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 constitution
provision adopted similar the one now offered
for dissent States may be formed from the ter
ory of California with the assent of California and the as
sent of the Federal Government. Therefore, | think it
would be better that should in this way ream the con-
tutional rights Of the people Of California Looking them
s to the extent Of territory and the Inconvenience which
mast result theefrom it is very clear my mind that
States will be hereafter formed by the division Of California
and in every view of the subject in my judgment alto
gether proper that the right of the people of the Territory
which to constitute the new State, to settle this domestic
question for themselves should expressly affirmed in this
BILL 1t is question which should be left to the decision of
the people of the State and not the State of California
Mr.. FOOTE am Indifferent whether this amendment
be adopted or not but hope that the discussion, which
further prolonged No doubts that hereafter State may
be formed Of California, with her and the consent
Of Congress, whether we adopt clause like this or not
This clearly provided for by the constitution Of the United
States and really there is much truth what has been said
by the Senator from Connecticut and Others that we are
simply proposing clause of the constitution.
feel of the appehensons entertained by The Senator
from Virginia, (Mr HUNTER, and think he will disa
gree with upon the question, whether the State Of
California is divsbe into many States hereafter as that
State and Congress shall determine to be polite. How
the adoption Of the amendment is operate njuously
to the South than to the North cannot discover believe
that our 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
men 50 as to enable US to take up some proposition Of
practical character
Mr.. HUNTER. shall follow not the precept but the
example Of the Senator from Mississippi (Mr FoorE) and
say something in relation this amendment Notwithstanding
W contrary DO not regard H. does,
harmless proposition Nor do think have fallen into
the error the Senator from Maryland Mr Parry sup
poses has been the He reminded that these new
States could not be formed without the Of Congress-
aware of that and at the time know that this
invitation the part Of Congress California to divide
her territories into States and implies obligation on the
part Of Congress to receive these States when so divided into
the Union My objection is, that we first admit California
with her constitution excluding slavery from this territory so
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 I'D into
States when it is desirable California and it becomes
her policy to do Of it will be her desire and her
interest to bring in these States with sympahies and policy
similar to her own, and if 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 as the
Senator from Maryland (Mr PARRY seems to believe that
the people will division of the territory be emanded to
territorial condition. upon which suppositon is based his
hope for the introduction Of slavery on the contrary when
they obtain the consent Of California and Of Congress
they will at be formed into State or States and take
for granted that when the States thus formed they will
come in free States How it 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. 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
be done with the consent Of the Senate this discussion may
be terminated
Mr.. HUNTER. have no objection
MT. KING The amendment is not now within the SEN
a,e's control
Mr.. FOOTE. 1t can be withdrawn, suppose, by unan-
nous consent.
Mr.. BADGER. The yeas and nays have been ordered
and he with