Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-02-02
sLAvERY.-MR. CLAWS PROPOSITION.
IN sENATE-JANUARY 90, 1850.


IN SENATE,-JANUARY 90, 1850.
Mr. CLAY. Mr.. President hold in my hand series
Of resolutions which desire submit to the consideration OF
this body Taken together in combination they propose
amcabe arrangement of all questions in controversy between
the free and the slave States growing out Of the subject OF
slavery II is my ntention Mr. President, at this time,
enter into full and elaborate discussion OF each OF these
resolutions taken separately, the whole OF them combined
together composing system OF measures but desire to
present few observations upon each resolution, with the
purpose chiefly of exposing fairly and fully before the
Senate and before the country and may add, with the in
diligence of the Senate towards the conclusion general
observations upon the state of the country and the condition
of the question to which the resolutions relate. Whether
they shall shall not meet whe appreciation and concur
of the Senate-as most ardeny hope they may
most sincerely believe they ought trust that at least some
portion Of the long time which have devoted, with and
deliberations to the preparation OF these resolutions and to the
presentation Of this great national scheme Of compromise and
harmony, will be employed by each Senator before he pro-
against the proposition embraced in these resolutions
The resolutions sir all preceded by short preamble to
which of course attach very great Importance The
preamble and first resolution are as follows:
being desirable for the peace concord and harmony of
the union of these States to settle and adjust amcaby all
listing questions of controversy between them arising out OF
the institution OF slavery upon ar equitable and just basis
Therefore
ls,. Resolved That California, with suitable boundaries
upon application admitted of the States
of this Union without the imposition by Congress Of
strcon respect the exclusion introduction OF slavery
within those boundaries
some rreguay in the which have terminated
the adoption of constitution by California and in the
expression Of her wishnot yet formally communicated 10
Congress- is true, but which may be anticipated in few
days-o be admitted into the Union State There has
been irregulary in the in which they have
framed that constitution 1t preceded by any act Of
Congress authorizing the convention and designating the
boundaries of the proposed State according to all the early
practice Of this Government according all the Of the
admission of States this Union, which occurred
prior, think, that Of Michigan. Michigan, if am not
Mistaken the first State which, unbdden, unauthorized
by any of Congress- undertook to form for her
constitution and knock the door of Congress for
admission into the Union ecolect that at the time when
Michigan thus presented herself, opposed,
quence Of that deviation from the early practice Of the Gov
ernment 10 the admission. The majority determined other
wise and il must be in candor admitted by all that
California has much do what she has done
sanctioned and unauthorized by previous act Of Congress-
than Michigan had to do what she did,
Sir notwithstanding the regulariy of the admission Of
Michigan into the Union, il has been happy event. She
forms of the bright stars of this glorious Coincide
She has sent here to mnge in councils Senators
and Representatives, emnently distinguished, with
whom may all associate with pride, with pleasure, and
with satisfaction. And trust that if Cafonia-egular
her previous action may have been in the adoption of
stution, but Unsuitable than the action Of Mich-
ganf she also shall be admitted, is proposed by this first
resolution, with suitable limits that she will make her
contribution of wsdom of paosm and of good feeling to
this bcdy in order to conduct the affairs OF this great and
bouDdless empire.
The resolution proposes her admission when size applies for
it. There is intention my part to anticipate such
application, but thought right present this resolution
part Of the general plan which propose for the usment
of these unhappy difficulties
The second resolution, sir, is as follows:
3D. Resolved That slavery does not exist by law and is
not likely be introduced into Of the territory acquired
by the United States from the Republic of Mexico it is mex
pedent for Congress provide by law, either for its intro
ducton into exclusion from part the said territory and
shed BY Congress all of the said territory assigned
the boundaries OF the proposed State Of California without the
adoption OF any restriction or condition on the subject OF
slavery
This resolution, sir proposes in the first instance de-
claraon of uthsone Of law and the other fact The
truth of law which declares is that there does exist
this time slavery within any portion Of the territory acquired
by the United States from Mexico. When say sir that it
is truth, speak my solemn and deliberate conviction
am aware that gentlemen have held different doc
ne but persuade they themselves when they
to review the whole ground, will sufficient
for change, at least modification Of their opinions but
that at all events they adhere that doctrine they will be
found TO compose very small minority of the whole Of
the people of the United States
The next truth which the resolution is that slavery
likely to be introduced into any portion of that territory
That matter of fact and all the evidence upon which the
fact rests is perhaps accessible to other Senators it TO
me- but must say that from all have heard read, from
the testimony of all the witnesses have and conversed
WITH from all that has transpred and ransppg do believe
that within foot of the territory acquired by from
Mexico will slavery ever be planted and believe could not
be done by the force and power Of public authority
Sir, facts daily occurring to justify in this opinion
Sir what has occurred And upon that subject and indeed
upon this whole subject invite Senators from the free States
especially consider what has occurred since the last
sessoneven since the Of this session-nce
they left their respective constituencies without opporun
~ Of consulting with them upon that great and
facthe fact that California herself of which asserted
and predicted that she would establish slavery within
her limits when she to be admitted State that
California herself embracing of all other portions Of the
country acquired by from Mexico that country into which
would have been most likely that slavery should have been
nrodued that California herself has in convention,
and by unanimous VOTE embracing in that body savehod
from the State of Mississippi, we'll as from other
parts who concurred in the e.outon-,hat California by
unanimous has declared against the introduction OF
slavery within her Unite think then, that taking this
leading fact in connexon with all the evidence have from
other the subject am warranted n the conclusion
which constitutes the second truth which have stated in this
resolution, that slavery "no likely be introduced into
any Of the territory acquired by us from Mexico"
Sir the latter part Of that resolution that It's the du
Of Congress to establish appropriate territorial governments
within all the country acquired from Mexico exclusive Of
California, not embracing in the by which these
men shall be constituted either prohibition admission
Of slavery.
Sir, much am disposed to defer to high authority,
anxious really find myself in position that would
enable me to cooperate heartily with the other departments
Of the Government in conducting the affairs of this great
people, say that cannot-withcu dereIiction OF
dutyconsent to abandonment Of them without govern
men eavng them all those scenes Of disorder confusion
and anarchy which apprehend 10 respect of Of them
there is too much to anticipate will II is the
duty the solemn going to add the sacred duty
Of Congress TO legsats for their government il they ca
and all legsTate for them and give them the
benefit Of law and order, and security.