The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-23


This was the foundation upon which arrived al
the conclusion embraced in that resolution. The
United States, having appropriated TO themselves
the duties arising from imports which have been cen
and Just power, ought now to pay the debt for
which these duties were solemny pledged by a
power independent and competent TO make the
pledge.
Well, sir, | think that were you to give to Texas
the large boundary that is assigned to her, when
you take into view the abhorrence-for think
am warranted in using that expression--wlth
which the people of New Mexico, east Of the Rio
Grande, would look upon any political connexion
with Texas; and when you take into view the large
amount of money, liberatng and generating
Texas from portion of her public debts, equal to
that amount; when you take all these circum-
stances into consideration, think they present a
case, with regard TO which, confess, l should be
greatly surprised if the people of Texas themselves,
when they come TO deliberate upon this seriously,
should hesitate a moment to accede
have finished my remarks upon this resolution,
and if the Senator wishes it, will give way to an
adjournment.
MIR. FOOTE moved that the Senate proceed to
the consideration of Executive business, but gave
way to
Mr.. MANGUM who moved an adjournment /;
which was agreed to, and
The Senate thereupon adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, February 6, 1850.
Mr.. CLAY resumed and concluded his speech,
as follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: If there be in this vast assem-
bage of beauty grace, elegance, and intelligence,
any who have come here under the expectation
that the humble individual who now addresses you
means TO attempt any display, TO any am
bilious language, any extraordinary ornaments or
decorations Of speech, they will be utterly disap
pointed. The season of the year, and my own
season of life, both admonish TO abstain from the
use OF any unnecessary ornaments; but, above all
Mr.. President, the grave and momentous subject
upon which it is my duty TO address the Senate
and the country forbids my saying any thing but
what appertains strictly to that subject and my
sole desire is to make myself, with seriousness,
soberness, and plainncss, understood by you, and
by those who think proper to listen to me.
When, yesterday, the adjournment Of the Senate
took place, at that stage Of the discussion OF the
resolutions which have submitted, which related
to Texas and her boundaries, thought had con-
cluded the whole subject; but ] was reminded by
friend that perhaps not sufficiently explicit
upon single point and rhat is, the relation of
Texas to the Government of the United States, in
regard to that portion of the debts Of Texas for
which think responsibility exists upon the part
Of the Government Of the United States. 1t was
said that it might perhaps be understood that in
the proposed grant of three millions-or whatever
may be the sum when 1t may be asccrtained-to
Texas, in consideration of her surrender of her
title to New Mexico this side of the Rio Grande,
in that grant we merely discharge the obligations
which exist upon the part Of the Government OF
the United States, in consequence OF the appropra-
ton of the imports receivable in the ports of Texas
while she was an independent power.
But that is not my understanding, Mr.. Presi7
dent, of the subject, as between Texas and the
United States. The obligation on the part of Texas
to pay the portion of the debt referred to, is com
pete and uncancelled; and there is, between
these two parties no obligation ON the part Of the
United States 10 discharge dollar of the public
debt Of Texas. On the contrary, by express
declaration in the resolution of admission, it is de-
clared and provided that in event the United
States to be liable to or charged with any portion Of
the debt or liabilities of Texas. II is not therefore,
from any responsibility which exists to the State of
Texas on the part Of the Government of the United
States, that think provision ought to be made for
that debt. No such thing. As between these two
parties, the responsibility upon the part of Texas is
complete TO pay the debt, and there is RESPONSE
bility upon the part of the United States to pay
cent it. But then there is third party, party
to the annexation whatever-that is to say, the
creditor of Texas-who advanced his money upon
the credit and faith of solemn pledge made by
Texas to him to reimburse the loan, and by the APP
preparation OF duties receivable upon foreign i'm
ports. The last is the party to whom arc bound,
according to the view presented upon the subject.
Nor, sir, can the other creditors of Texas COM
plain that provision Is made for particular por
ton of the debt, leaving the residue unprovided for
by the Government of the United States; because,
In SO far as we may extinguish any portion OF the
debt OF Texas, under which she is now bound, in
far shall contribute to the benefit of the residue
of the creditors of Texas by leaving the funds Of
the public lands held by Texas and what other
sources she may have applicable to the payment of
those other debts, with more effect than If the
tire debt, including the pledged portion Of it,
well as the unpledged, was obligatory upon her.
and she stood bound by it.
Nor these creditors complain for another
reason. Texas has all the resources which she
had when an independent power; with the ex-
ccption of the duties receivable in her ports
upon foreign imports; and she is exempted from
certain charges, expenditures, and responsible
ties, which she would have had to encounter if
she had remained separate and independent
power. For example, she would have had 10 pro-
vide for certain amount of naval force in order TO
protect herself against Mexico against any for
eign enemy whatever; but, by her annexation TO
the United States, she becomes liberated from all
those charges, and Of those entire revenues
may be applied 10 the payment of her debts except
those only which are applicable to the support of
the Government Of Texas. Bot, if the United
States should discharge that portion Of the debt of
Texas for which the duties foreign imports were
pledged, Texas would become the debtor of the
United States to the extent of the extinguished
debt. With this explanation of that part Of the
subject, pass to the next resolution in the series
which had the honor TO submit. IL relates, il am
not mistaken, to this District:
9Th. Resolved, That il is inexpedient TO abolish
slavery in the District Of Columbia, whilst that in
sttuton continues 10 exist in the State of Mary
without the consent Of that State, without the con-
sent of the people of the District and without Just
compensation TO the owners of slaves within the
District.
MIR. President, an objection made 10 this
resolution by some honorable Senators upon the
other side Of this body, that it did not contain
assertion OF the unconstitutonalty Of the exercise
Of the power Of abolition upon the part Of Con grcss
with regard 10 this District ] said then, as have
uniformly maintained in this body, as I contended
in 1898, and ever have done, that the power to
abolish slavery in the Districto Of Columbia has been
vested in Congress by language too clear and ex-
phcit to admit, in my judgment, Of any rational
question whatever.
What Is the language Of the Constitution Con-
gress shall have power
"To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases
whatsoever over such District, not exceeding ten
miles square, as may by cession Of particular Statcs
and the acceptance Of Congress become the seat Of
Government of the United States"
Congress, by this grant Of power, is invested with
all legislation whatsoever over the District Not
only is IL here invested but il is exclusively invest
ed with all Legislation Whatsoever over the District
Now, can we conceive Of any language more par
ticular and comprehensive than that which invests
legislative body with exclusive power in all cases
whatsoever Of Legislation over given district Of
territory or country Let me ask, is there any
power to abolish slavery in this District Let me
suppose, in addition 10 what ! suggested the other
" hat al had alyo -. A