The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-05-16

htute as 1t is of any practical import II has new
ertheless had the pernicious effect to excite seri-
Gus, If not alarming consequences IL is high time
that the wounds which IL has inflicted should be
healed up and closed and that to avoid, in all
future time, the agitations which must be pro-
duced by the conflict Of opinion on the Slavery
Question, existing as this institution does in some
Of the States aud prohibited as it is in others the
true principle which ought to regulate the action
OF Congress in forming Territorial Governments
for each newly acquired domain is to refrain from
all legislation the subject in the Territory ac-
quired, 80 long as il retains the territorial form
or Goyernment-leaying IL TO the People Of such
Territory, when they have attained to a condi
ton which entities them to admission az a State
to decide for themselves the question of the allow
ance or prohibition Of domestic slavery The
committee believe that they express the anxious
desire Of an immense majority of the People of the
United States, when they declare that il is high
time that good feelings, harmony, and fraternal
sentiments, should be again revived, and that the
Government should be able once more to proceed
in its great operations to promote the happiness
and prosperity Of the country, undisturbed by
this distracting cause.
"As for California--far from feeling her sensi.
bility affected by her being associated with other
kindred measures-she ought to rejoice and be
highly gratifed that, in entering into the Union.
she may have contributed to the tranquility and
happiness of the great family of States, Of which.
1t IS to be hoped, she may one day be distjD-
guished member
"The committee beg leave next to report on
the subject of the northern and western boundary
OF Texas. On that question great diversity of
opinion has prevailed. According 10 one view of
IL, the western limit of Texas was the Nueces ao
cording TO another, it extended to the Rio Grande
aud stretched from its mouth 10 its source A
majority Of the committee, having come 10 the
conclusion of recommending an amioable adjust
ment of the boundary with Texas, abstain from
expressing any opinion az TO the true and leeiti
mate western and northern boundary of that
State. The terms proposed for such an adjust.
ment are contained in the bill herewith reported
and they are, with inconsidsrable variation. the
same as that reported by the Committee on Ter
ritories
According to these terms it is proposed 20
Texas that her boundary be recognised TO the
Rio Grande; and up that river TO the point com.
monty called FL Paso and running thence IN
that river twenty miles, measured thereon by a
straight line; and thence eastwardly TO a point
where the hundredth degree Of west longitude
crosses Red river, being the southwest angle in
the line designated between the United States
and Mexico, and the same angle in the line Of the
territory set apart for the Indians by the United
States. $3.50. H. -
If this boundary be assented TO by Texas. she
viii be queted TO that extent in her title. And
some may suppose that; in consideration Of this
concession by the United States, she might, with
out any other equivalent, relinquish any claim
she has beyond the proposed boundary that il,
any claim to any part of New Mexico But, under
the influence Of sentiment of Justice and great
liberality, the bill proposes to Texas, for her re-
linquishment Of any such claim, large pecunisry
equivalent. AS n consideration for it, and con-
sidering that portion Of the debt of Texas was
created on pledge to her creditors of the duties
on foreign imports, transferred by the resolution
Of annexation to the United States, and now re-
ceived and receivable in their treasury majority
of the committee recommend the payment OF the
sum Of - millions of dollars to Texas, to be ap-
piled in the first instance to the extinction of that
portion Of her debt for the reimbursement of
which the duties on foreign imports were pledged
as aforesaid; and the residue in such manner as
she may direct The said sum is to be paid by
the United States in stock, to be created, bear
ing five per cent. interest annually, payable half
yearly at the Treasury Of the United States, and
the principle reimbursable at the end of ID years.
according to an estimate which has been made,
there are included In the territory to which it is
proposed that Texas shall relinquish her claim,
embracing that part of New Mexico lying east of
tuo itio hrduuc, " lUtie less tnat lS9,JJ3 square
miles, and about 70, 1857, 100 acres Of land From
the proceeds of the sale of this land, the United
States may ultimately be reimbursed portion, IL
not the whole, of the amount of what is thus pro-
posed to be advanced to Texas
at cannot be anticipated that Texas will de-
cline TO accede to these liberal propositions but
II she should IL 10 to be understood that
the title OF the United States any territory nc
quired from Mexico east Of the Rio Graude will
remain unimpared, and in the same condition az
II the proposals Of adjustment now offered had
never been made
"A majority of the committee recommend to
the Senate that the section containing these pro-
posals to Texas shall be Incorporated into the bill
embracing the admission of California as a State
and the establishment Of Territorial Governments
for Utah and New Mexico The definition and
establishment of the boundary between New
Mexico and Texas has an intimate and necessary
connection with the establishment of a Territorial
Government for New Mexico To form Ter
ritorial Government for New Mexico, without
prescribing the limits of the Territory, would
leave the work imperfect and incomplete, and
might expose New Mexico 10 serious controversy
IL not dangerous collisions, with the State Of
Texas. And most if not all, the considerations
which unite in favor of combining the hill for the
admission Of California as State and the Ter
Texas. BY the union of the three measures, every
question Of difficulty and division which has
arisen out Of the territorial acquisitions from
Mexico will, IL is hoped he adjusted, or placed in
train Of satisfactory adjustment The commit.
tee, availng themselves Of the ardnous and valu-
able labors of the Committee on Territories re-
port bill, herewith annexed, marked A. en-
bracing those three measures, the passage of
which, uniting them together, they recommend TO
the Senate
The committee will now proceed to the con-
sideration OF; and to report upon, the sub ject Of
persons owing service or labor in one State escap-
ing into another. The text Of the Constitution
is quite clear No person held to labor or service
in one State u,ldeT the lars thereof, escaping into
another, shall, in consequence OF any law or reg
ulation therein, be discharged from such service
or labor, but shall be d,Iip1ed mp on the claim Of
the party to whom such service or labor may be
due Nothing can be more explicit than this Ian
guage-nothing more manifest than the right to
demand, and the obligation TO deliver up to the
claimant, any such fugitive. And the Consttu-
tion addresses itself alike To the States composing
the Union aud to the General Government IT,
indeed, there were any difference in the duty to
enforce this portion of the Constitution between
the States and the Federal Government IL is
more clear that II is that of the former thnn of the
latter. Bnt IL Is the duty Of both II is now well
known and incontestable, that citizens in slave
holding States encounter the greatest difficulty in
obtaining the benefit Of this provision Of the Con-
stitution The attempt to recapture a fugitive is
almost always subject Of great irritation and ex
element, and often leads 10 most unpleasant, il
not periloos, collisions. An owner Of slave, it
is quite notorious, cannot pursue his property for
the purpose Of its recovery in some Of the States,
without imminent personal hazard. This is de-
plorable state Of things, which ought 10 be rene
died. The law Of 1903 has been found wholly in
efectual, and requires more stringent ensctments.
There Is, especially, deficiency in the number of
public fanctionaries authorized TO afford aid In
the seizure and arrest Of fugitives Various States
have declined to afford aid and cooperation In the
surrender of fuoitves from labor M the commit |