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

piled In the cessions by the States Of Virginia ana
and have direct and inevitable tendency to disturb and en-
ind resoied That it would be highly inexpedien TO
abolish slavery within any district country set apart Tor the
Indian tribes where il now exists Florida the only Ter
ritory of the United States in which now exl y
the alarm and apprehensons which would be here
nv excited n the States sustaining that domestic institutions
because the people Of that Territory have not asked 20 PC
done and when admitted the Union will be exclusively
entitled 10 decide that question for hemselves because
would be in violation of the spuaons OF the treaty between
the United States Spain. of the 22d OF February 1917
and also because il would be in violation Of solemn compro
MISE made at memorable and critical period ~ he history
Of this country by which, whilst slavery was NORTH
admitted SOUTH OF the line OF hy-sx degrees ana
thirty minutes north latitude"
But this resolution was not finally adopted Upon the
motion of Mr. BUCHANAN to amend said amendment by snk-
ing out the second clause thereof commencing with the word
"rcsolved" il determined in the affirmative, and finally
the resolution which here follows was substituted in place OF
the second clause
That the interference by the citizens any Of the States
with view the abolition Of slavery in this District
endangerng the rights and security OF the people OF he Us
ct and that act measure designed Ito
faith implied in the cessions by the States OF virginia ana
Maand just cause Of alarm to the o ,ae to
holding States, and have direct and nevDie tehuehSy
disturb and endanger the Union"
This was the form in which the resolution was finally adopt
ed passing by vote Of hirty-s to eight here tnen was
fully and broadly asserted the danger resulting from ne IN
reference in the question of slavery in the District Of Coum
ba as enchne upon the rights of the slayehodng States
Twelve wears only have elapsed yet this brief period has
swept away the remembrance Of then deemed
sacred and necessary 70 secure me safely inc onoh
try has been induced look for something that would heal
existing discussions instead Of new barriers against encroach
en ashes down those heretofore erected and augmens the
existing danger representative rom one OF the slavehold
ing States raises his voice for the first time in disregard of
this admitted right Nor, Mr.. President did ne stop here
The boundary Of State, with which we have no more right
TO interfere than with the boundary Of the State Of Kentucky
croached upon The United States sr as the agent for
Texas had right settle the question Of boundary between
Texas and Mexico Texas not annexed territory but
was admitted State, and at the period Of her admission
her boundaries established ny her Congress ohe y
by the terms of annexation, gave to the United States the
right define her boundary by treaty with Mexico but
the United States in the treaty made with Mexico subsequent
to the with that country, received from Mexico not merely
cesson OF the territory that was claimed BY Texas but
much which lay beyond the asserted limits Shall then,
acting simply the agent of Texas in the settlement Of this
question of boundary take from the principal Tor whom we
that territory which belongs to her to which we asserted
her title against Mexico, and appropriate 10 ourselves
Why M it would be violation of justice and OF principle
of law which plain that does not require to have
been bred to the profession of law to understand it. The rn
cpe refer is that agent cannot take for bis own ben
eft the in controversy, after having acquired as be-
longing the principal for whom he acts The right OF
Texas therefore, to that boundary made complete by the
treaty Of peace which enced the only rival claim to the
territory. II distinctly defined by the acts OF her Con-
rress before the time Of annexation and have only TO refer
those show that the boundary OF Texas was the Ro
Bravo del Noe from its mouth to Its source Wha justice
decent regard for fairness, can there be, now that
Texas has acceded annexation certain TERMS IN the
violation Of those terms by the power we hold over her as
part of the Union Can this extend SO far as to take
from her portion Of her territory to assert that there is
q portion to which she is not entitled
These constitute with two great objections to the pro-
positions Of the honorable Senator from Kentucky bat with
stating all the objections that have and they are very
many, will merely say that object to the whole argument
of the Sanator He facts things which mere
matters Of opinion, and think of and injurious
opinion But deferng the discussion to another OCCASION
desire present merely notice the assertion OF the honor
able Senator that slavery would never under any circum
stances be established in California This though stated
fact is but opinion--an opinion with which do
not accord It work the gold mines this continent
that the Spanards first brought Africans to this country The
European engaged in working the mines OF Cali
orna sink under the burning heat and sudden changes Of
the climate to which the African altogether better
adapted The production of rice sugar. and cotton is
better adapted slave labor than the digging, washing, and
quarrying Of the gold mines.
We sir have not asked that slavery should be established
in California We have only asked that there should not be
any restriction that climate and soil should be left free to
tabsh the institution not experience should determine
Sir after the agitation Of the subject within these halls and
elsewhere has prevented the Introduction of aveyby pre-
venting the emigration of shareholders with their property
to be told that the question is settled! More
than that When have acquired territory over which the
constitution Of the United States thereby extended, and
which the citizens Of the United States have right occupy
and establish therein what laws they please in accordance
with the principles Of the constitutional which they have
right to establish what institutions they pease4 now
claimed that the municipal regulations which previously ex
listed shall still govern the people, and that portion Of the
citizens Of the United States shall thus be pecluded from
going there with their property This rule has, however, In
discussion here only been applied to the property Of slave
holders though slaves the only property under the
laws of Mexico prohibited from entering California to
be remembered that the late Secretary Of the Treasury in
report Congress- stated that the Mexican law prohibited the
entrance of sixty articles Of this under
the sanction the special authority Of Congress- and slavery
has been prohibited. II never has been prohibited
by Congress in CALIFORNIA; and the only prohibition ever
issued that contained in the edct Of usuper under the
specous petex that necessary in order to the
invasion Of the country by Spain This decree recognised
by subsequent Congress- far to pass law authorizing
payment for slaves liberated the emancipation of
all the slaves in Mexico please OF abolition, not
of prohibition not in any construction which may be placed
upon it. done in accordance with the forms OF law and re-
quiremens Of their constitution But have not proposed
inquire into the legality Of the abolition, neither has any
Southern asked that that decree should be repealed
that those liberated under its provisions should be returned to
slavery We only claim that there shall be equality Of
mmunes and privileges But sir, are called on to re-
ceive this of compromise Is measure in
which of the minority receive nothing Of
compromise look upon ii but modest mode taking
that the claim to which has been boldly asserted by
others and that may be understood upon this question: and
that my position may 60 forth to the country in the same
columns that convey the sentiments Of the Senator from Ken
lucky, here assert that will take less than the Mis-
souri, compromise line extended the Pacific ocean, with the
specific recognition Of the right to hold slaves in the territory
below that line and that before such territories admitted
into the Union Sstes slaves be taken there from any
of the United States at the option Of their
never consent to give additional power to commit further ag
gressons upon the minority in this Union and will
consent to any proposition which will have such tendency
without full guaranty counteactng connected
with it. fobear commenting any further length upon
the propositions embraced in the resolutions at this time
Mr.. CLAY. am extremely sorry Mr.. President for the
premature and allow me to say In opinion unnecessary