The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-06
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION.
FnIpAY, July 5, 1850.
SENATE.

MIR. CLAY presented several petitions from cit-
zens Of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, praying modif
cation OF the tariff OF 1916.
RiGHT OF SEARCH
Mr.. CASS moved. and the following resolution
submitted by him few days since, was taken up
and adopted:
Resolcsd, That the President be requested to com
muncate to the Senate any information, il any has
been received by the Government, showing that an
American vessel has been stopped upon the high
seas and searched by a British ship ofwar.
ALLOWANCES TO NAVAL OFFICERS
Mr. HALE moved, and the following resolution
submitted by him few days ago, was taken up
and adopted:
Re.oived, That the report of the Secretary of the
Navy, made in compliance with a resolution of the
Senate, of the 10Th May last, in relation allow
ances to naval officers be referred to the Commit
tee on Naval Affairs, with instructions to inquire
and report the Senate what further, if any egis
laton is necessary enforce that provision of the
act of March 3D., 1895, regulating the pay of the
navy, prohibiting any pay, compensation or al
lowance, under any circumstances whatever,
cept for travelling expenses when under orders,
other than is provided for in sad act; and that said
committee report by bill or otherwise.
rHH YELLOW LAsps.
Mr.. YULEE moved, and the Senate proceeded to
| the consideration of the bill reducing the mini
mum price of the yellow pine lands; and after
some remarks by Messrs. iULEr, FrLcH, DAVIS of
Mississppi WHiTCoMB, DAwsoN, and BRIGHT, the
bill was re-commtted TO the Committee on Public
Lands.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS GOVERNMENTS.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the bill
reported by the select committee of thirteen, to
admit California State into the Union to
tablish territorial governments for Utah and New
Mexico; and making proposals to Texas for the es-
adjustment of her western and northern bounda-
rice
Mr.. BELL resume the remarks commenced by
him on W Wednesday. He said, that in commenting
upon the bill, and the ardent support of those who
looked upon II n fnvorite measure, he should
have spoken of the high motives and patriotic in
tentions of its supporters.
He alluded to the statement which had been
made, that had il not been for the interference on
the part of the Administration against this bill, il
would have been received with favor by a maj rity
of the Senate. lie said that this be could not be-
eve
Looking at the opposition to this bill from the
North and the South, he could not conceive Of the
possibility Of Executive interference having had
any such effect. The opponents of the bill from
the North were persons who were under solemn in
structons 10 vote against every measure for ter
ritorial government which did not include the Will
mot proviso.
There had been no proof submitted To the Senate
30 far, showing that there had been any interfer-
| cnce on the part of the Administration, with the
exception Of the statement made that the President
had spoken OF the measure in derision omni-
bus bill and that one two Secretaries had spoken
in opposition to the bill. Beyond this, evidence
had been submitted 10 the Senate Of any Executive
interference To defeat this bill.
| He then examined the value of this BILL taken as
compromise. In the sections relating to the terri
torial governments was provision prohibiting the
territorial legislature from passing sny law admit.
ting excluding slavery. Was this the equiva.
lent which was TO b. given TO the South for the ad
mission OF California
He in it no equivalent. nor did he believe the
South would so consider il. IL called non in
tervention, but il might not prove 10 be Inter.
ventou. There a wide difference of opinion ~
to the law of,he territory, and this bill left the qucs
ton to be decided by that local law. There
those who considered slavery was efiectuslly pro
hibited by that local law, and that that law in
full force. To those who were in favor Of the Viii
mot proviso this state of affairs perfectly salts
factory. Bot was it go to the South, They held
that under the Constitution of the United States
they had right Ia GO there with their property
This local law if decided to be in force there
TO exclude them, and there WAS power 10 abolish
IL. Was this mere establishment of territorial gov
! ernments with this section equivalent TO the
South for the loss Of all participation in California;
lie said that he would have considered the Missouri
line Of 36o 3d. If adopted in it, true spirit fair
| equivalent and measure which, although its pas
sage might create a storm, would effect perna
Dent peace for the country.
| Where was the guaranty or compact in the pres
ent bill, that II slave State should be formed out
of New Mexico, that IL should be admitted as such
into the Union clause had been put into the bill
to that effect, but where its binding force and
obligation? IL was compact.
The next equivalent proposed by the bill was the
restoration Of peace and harmony TO the country.
! This a great equivalent, and for il he would
| give up much. Bot WAS there any probability Tint
such will be the effect Of the bill He thought not
He did not think il would have that effect either
| the North or South.
| lie then contrasted the effect TO be produced by
| the plan OF the President. That plan 10 give
them no territorial governments, but admit them
! as States. This plan, he thought, would certainly
settle the whole subject The admission Of Calior-
| mia and New Mexico States would he thought
result in peace, though IL might result in imme-
date storm. He thought the South would be no
worse off in that case than they would be by giving
teFr fr(> ents
II a territorial government were given 10 New
Men leo, the agitation would be constantly opened
ana lac thought that there but the slightest
hope OF her ever being admitted as slave State.
Admit her now, and there hope that she will be
come slave State.
| Mr.. DOWNS asked how could she become slave
State " her present constitution excluded slavery?
Mr.. BELL replied. California had by her con
| .titution excluded slavery. That exclusion not
the unbiased sentiment Of her people. She had no
government; wholly unprotected, she set up State
government, and acting under the impression,
carefully impressed by one. that shc could not
be admitted unless abe excluded slavery che did so
| Bot there, as well rs in New Mexico. when once adj
United, the usefulness and extreme value Of slave
| labor in the mines and elsewhere may induce a
change. and this feature Of her constitution may be
| altered.
The Presidents plan objected 10 because it
gave no protection TO the territories, and the
81 fences OF Sena tors were appealed TO- remember
| the supuations Of the treaty Of Hidago to give
these people protection They said to be now
! alluded TO the military government in New Mesi-
co, and replied to several charges against IL. The
policy Of the President had been called and styled
the action policy which the Senators from Ken.
| lucky, (Mr. Claw aud from Michigan, (Mr.
| CAss,) had both denounced. The latter Senator
had spoken Of the celebrity and distinction Of the
Administration in doing nothing. lie differed from
the Senator. He thought the plan Of the President
instead Of being non action excessive action,
| instead OF non-acton u vas over. action. This
objection, on his part, 10 it, Instead Of pro
| posing 10 leave the people OF New Mexico without
protection, saw. that OF military government, the
policy Of the Administration docs away with the
military government md gives the people stronger
and more efficient government, that Of sovereign
State. He thought that tins, instead Of being non
action should be called excessive action; and that
instead Of Withholding the protection guaranteed
! by the treaty, the treaty stipulation was carried
out too effectively.
lie then examined all the objections to the ad-
miss'on OF New Mexico as State, and TO the quail