Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-08-10

think ought to settle the boundary of Texas upon pn
cples wholly disconnected with the question Of slavery
But what have we seen upon that subject We saw
vote taken here the other day, Southern man. Ibeleve
except myself voting that the Rio del Nore was the true
boundary between Texas and the United States from its
was not.
Mr. MANGUM beg pardon for ntenuptng the gen.
.eman, but think have never given any such voe
dd misunderstood the question That not in accordance
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. Perhaps the Senator from North
siolna Mr. MAssuM not in the Senate at the time.
a. any rate, the tendency Of the vote, under
IL might not have been here and perhaps the Ian
which used said eyery Northern man. and eve
southern man should be regarded as byperbolcal do
o" 'nas every Senator from these sections Of the
;;s 80 . ~ nus seat at the time. do not to do any
pls y senator but mean to be understood if pos
sole, ana what have got 10 say 10 tell plain tale The
oe 20 wncn have just referred was vote in the main-I
oa NOT say every Northern every Southern Senator with
90. exception but was vote in which geographical posi-
Now, s when the minds Of men, unon mate,s &c sy and
ac are en- mass by geographical position argues
very uniavoraby seems to me, for the proper interests of
he country Bot sir to say that the question of slavery has
nothing to do with the opaions Of gentlemen upon this sub
ec and to say that this bsho be taken on s own merits
as question Of boundary wholly and entirely disconnected
with the question Of slavery, say what perfectly true
and in this point Of view will proceed examine it.
Sir, this bill proposes to pay to Texas millions Of DOL
lars IN stock 10 be issued by the Government bearing five
per cent interest, half FIVE millions Of it. not to be
issued till the Government shall have received assurance
that the creditors Of Texas have been paid and satisfied
Now, SIR that based upon the idea that to pu-
chase territory from Texas upon the idea that Texas
something which she has right SELL Il is based there
fore, upon the double idea that to purchase territory
rem Texas and that Texas has title in the territory SELL
my nrst remark Mr. Presiden upon that subject this If
Texas owns this country do not want to buy it. II she
owns it. want her TO keep every foot Of it. If Texas owns
THIS country, i is slave territory and have differed with
others upon this floor upon this subject Of extending slave
~ over territory, when you cannot increase the number of
slaves BY that extenon will operate to the relief Of those
states which have superabundant slave population and
believe that Kentucky and other States get
rid slavery most sincerely trust they may this extension
and division Of the slave population will help them to get
clear OF that description Of population. But sir, believe
further believe that the Constitution Of the United States
was formed when slavery existed in majority Of the States
forming that constitution. Upon the face Of the constitution
itself is shown that the existence Of slavery regard
cd as an institution which prevented the operation Of the
onal Government for national purposes in any respect what
ever believe that the great powers which existed in the
national Government could be made operate benecay for
the people Of the United States well without with the
existence OF slavery, or well with its existence without
It. Sir the institution Of slavery is domestic institution.
ls limited TO the territory where 10 locally confined and,
like most domestic institutions has nothing whatever do
with the exercise, the part Of this Government Of the
great and general powers for which created 1t has
no more to do with the general powers Of the Government
than would the institution of roygamy, if part Of the
country was inhabited by Mahomedans. Sir hope see
the day-it may not happen in my lifetime, but hope
to see iwhen there will be that harmony and union and
concert among the nations Of the earth settle all difficulties
and contests by treaty pulaons exists in the Constitu
tuition Of the United States, in regard to the great purposes
for which the nation formed leaving all their local
tiers to be settled by local Governments and that the General
Governments shall settle all those questions for which they
seem well adapted Sir, there difficulty in dividing
out the powers Of Government and connng each to the per-
formance of different functions. You examples Of it
daily and hourly in each State. You your county
poraons and your township corporations, and you in
operation in the township the laws Of that township
and the laws OF the county, and the laws of the State, and
perhaps those Of the United State and all this results
from division Of power And there is nothing incompatible
with the exercise Of the distinct functions Of these various
Governments, they will only separate those powers which
belong to the WHOLE
Now, sir, slavery has nothing to do with all this-nothng
whatever and the diffusion of it will not obstruct the
vernment formed then say that if this territory be-
longs to Texas, and Texas holds it it slave territory and
am for permitting it TO remain slave territory and
for opening door, far it is in my power, to let Ken
tuckans or any other people into that territory with their
slaves For this reason, therefore, cannot give my assent
to the purchase Of this territory in order that may be
verted into free territory if that is to be the resslt then
again, if this country belongs Texas dc want to
buy it. do not want to give her millions if it her
count for the chance, after making the purchase Of
verting into free SOIL know that if the country belongs
to her, perfectly SAFE know that the views pos
sessf the country belongs 10 her. snd you will permit it to
ed out and there be obstruction. But sir, If she
owns it. and she sells it, and pay ten millions for it. what
will happen after is sold do not know, and nobody
tell. have my opinion, but it is useless to speculate
and
Mr.. DOUGLAS. / will ask the Senator from Kentucky
whether he will permit to suggest to him that the hour
has arrived for taking up the California bill and also whe
ther will be in order that the Senate pro-
coed to the consideration of that bill
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. I have no objection; but wish
to say that have entertained these views for long tme
and it appears to that the time has arrived for their
expression have collected fact after fact which have never
made their appearance in this Senate yet have document
document which have never been referred to yet and
did not suppose that know something that yet has
been noticed and which think is entitled to great consider
alton this question, would not speak at all dislike,
above all things the repetition for the housandh time Of the
worn-out idea But do know that there is great
deal Of matter in the little budget have before which
has been brought forward and which has much to do with
the question But will give way, and let the gentleman
make his motion.
The bill was then postponed Thursday, on which day
Mr. UNDERWOOD addressed the Senate for hours and
half When he concluded
Mr. EWING Before the Senate passes to the considera-
ton of another subject desire offer amendment to this
BILL that may be laid the table and printed propose,
after the words First The State Of Texas will agree that
her boundary the north shall commence at the point at
which the meridian Of hundred degrees from Green
wich to strike out the words is ntesected by the parallel
of 36 degrees 80 minutes north latitude and shall run from
said point due west to the meridian Of 03 degrees from
Greenwch thence her boundary shall due south the
32d degree Of north latitude thence the said parallel of
32d degrees Of north latitude the Rio Bsvo del Nore
leaving undsturbed the following words Thence with the
channel Of said river the Gulf Of Mexico = and for the
words stricken out substitute Others that the paragraph
will read as folloVva -