Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-03-28
CaIifornia--wiImot Proviso.

Webster says that the law of nature and of God
prohibits slavery in California and New Mexico, and
that he will not re-enact the laws OF God IN the
shape of "a Wilmot" No man knows better than
Daniel Webster, that in so saying, he is guilty OF
gross extravaganza, and we may add, deception 1t
is impossible for Webster believe his own state
ment for he knows that the history of slavery falsl-
6es it, He knows that slavery exist In California
and New Mexico, and still further north than the
Missouri compromise line, provided no great obstacle
is thrown in its way, either BY law public sentl
ment He knows too that Southern men feel certain
of THE and that slaves being shut out from the mines
by the provso in the California constitution, is the
real cause of the exhibition of wrath, during the pre-
sent session. on the part of Southern leaders. The
strong point made by both Benton and Clay is. that
slavery was abolished and prohibited by the laUs of
Mexico, before our acquisition of the territory. and
that the law is still of force and will thus remain
until changed by the people in their State Constitu
TONS If Congress would put this opinion of Benton
and Clay in the shape Of ldlU then ''tle Wilmot''
would be indeed mere goats WOOL legal de-
claruton of that kind would be entirely satisfactory.
and .tbe Wilmot" would be of no more use than so
much "bIank paper"
The profits and loss of slavery depend upon other
that slavery might be made comparatively profitable
in Indiana, though the slaves themselves might not
fare as well as in more Southern climes. But that
it would be injurious TO the of white laborers
we have as little doubt. They would be less
impoverished and degraded, as they in the slave
states in degree according to the admission Of
Southern men.
We have no doubt that many men honestly believe
that slavery cannot be made profitable in the terrific
ries, in question, because of the supposed unavOra-
vorable climate: others, like Webster, make use of
the same idea as Pretert reconcile their consti-
tuents to dereictiOn in duty and professions. In
subsantiation of these opinions, ask candid
sideration of the following letter. written by person
who has no friendship for "a Wilmot," and who ex-
ulis over the pro-savery position of Webster. If
slavery has been vastly profitable in the Ural
tains of Russiu, what is TO hinder from being in
California AID possibly in New Mexico Facts are
of more importance than the magniloquent declaru-
tions CT even Daniel Webster.
Correspondence of the Journal Of Commerce.
WASHINGTON, Friday March Is.
The attention of the Government is mainly turned
to the disposition proper to be made of the immense
mineral lands Of Calfornia-the gold mines and pla-
cers-and the mines of silver and quicksver-ail Of
which, with The exception heretofore mentioned Dy
me. are the property of the U. S.
II has been proposed to sell them lease them
and others think the government should retain the
ownership of them and convert them into source of
revenue.
The government is very poor manager of such
property of which had proofs in regard to the lead
and copper mines in the West The government
never made anything by renting them, and no, much
by their minimum price of 81 80 per acre.
Mr. Thomas Butler King. who is writing his
report on the Of California, the legislation
needful for her. &c. has taken this subject into
sideration and will present his views in regard TO H.
II stated here, some time ago, by Mr.. Bodsco,
that the Ural Mountains in Russia were uDProduct-
i've while under the exclusive management of the
government The Emperor directed that every pro-
prieor of and serfs, In the provinces where
gold abounded should have the ri .ht TO work them.
They entered into the business with cheap labor-the
serfs-and gradually brought science and machinery
10 their aid.
They required, under penalties, 10
bring all the gold obtained to the Imperial mint,
where il coined. The proprietors received back
the entire value in coin public securities, deduct
ing only six per centum for expenses and for segn-
orRge.
The result was, that the product Of the mineral
and is likely 10 be much increased.
| presume our government will adopt some very
liberal course.
But the government, considering the expenses which
will attend and have attended the acquisition and pro-
lection Of California, ought to demand segnorage
Of ten per cent.