Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-05-17
ss OF CONGRESS.
PROCEe Senate proceeded to o.

SiuSi d1stauAlshAhS AtTfItoTldL'
re Ur Mexico and Utah, a~@ maAihg proposals
10 Texas for the settls-'ehi oi RET "eS'erh ana
Northern boundariss.
Ma. y4oceeded with a statement of the
sentiments prevailing in the Committee at their
| several meetings each member Of the Commit
tee, if left TO himself, probably would have pre-
! sented different report from that now under
consideration. lie was at one time himself in
the minority. lie had not, however, been, and
was not discOuraged--but INDUCED the
hope that every member OF the Committee would
cast his final vote in favor of the recommenda-
tions of the report. He felt assured that the
only adjustment which could be made upon the
disturbing questions by Congress, must be made
upon some such basis as that reported. The
crisis had arrived, and he could not but indulge
the hope that after full consideration and deb-
GRAFTON, the report now presented for settling
the difficulties and avoiding the impending dan
gers would receive the full approval and con-
currence of the Senate.
With reference to the first point reported up
on the admission of States, to be formed
out of Texas, each member expressed himself
ready TO fulfil the compact made with Texas, in
the resolution of annexation. Upon the next
point--the admission OF California as a State
there great difference Of opinion The
first objection to her admission under her pres
ent constitution, was that she came with two
representatives, without any evidence being pre-
sented showing that she had population entIt-
ling her TO two representatives. This objection
was removed by reference to the course pursued
in the case Of Georgia and of Texas and by
proper understanding of the amount of popuIa-
ton necessary TO entitle State TO such repre-
sentation. IL not necessary that State
should have double the population necessary 10
enttle her 10 single representative, before she
could elect two representatives. She was en-
titled 10 the second representative, whensyer
she had an excess over the seventy thousand of
a moiety. BY reference to reliable statistics,
Mr.. Clay showed that the population Of Califor-
MIA on the first of March, was not less than one
hundred and thirty-siX thousand, and expressed
his belief that the new State was amply entitled
10 the representation she claimed
Upon the subject Of the limits of California
there had been a difference Of opinion in the
Committee. Frst, portion of the Committee
were dcsirous Of running line through Califor-
MA at thirty-six thirty. This was objected 10,
and finally a majority of the Committee were
in favor of line at - 30, but when the ques-
ton came 10 the final vote, a majority Of the
Committee voted against the division Of the es-
tate. In this connection, Mr.. Clay submitted
some remarks, for the purpose of showing the
impracticabiity of establishing slavery in any
part Of California
He also answered the objection that Califor-
MIA came here, having erected a State govern
ment, without prior legislation by Congress, and
expressed has conviction that none Of the obiec-
tons hich had been urged ought TO be sufficient
10 cause California 10 be Temanded back to the
territorial! condition.
lie next proceeded to contrast the various
plans suggested for the settlement OF the dis
turbing questions which agitate the country.
He first alluded to the Presidents policy Of ad-
mitting California and doing nothing for Utah
and New Mexico. The Committee co-operated
with the President in his first Recommendation.
A failure to legslate for the territories would
- Al - L. L
bound by treaty stipulAtions 10 give the protec-
ton Of law and order. Was il discharging our
duty 10 say, let these people go, they will take
care Of themselves, no doubt, and when they
are ripe for 4 State Government, we will admit
them into tho Union; He was gratilied to be
able to say, that great change in public senti-
ment had taken place since the commencement
of the session. The glorious North, and the no
less glorious South, had come 10 the rescue
Public sentiment had changed
The passions Of men were modified, and had
the present state Of the public heart and mind
existed al the commencement of the session, he
did not believe that the President would have
contented himself with recommendation for
the admission of California. lie believed there
was no diversity Of opinion IN the Committee,
upon the question of establishing these Govern
ments. All agreed that it was right and proper
to establish them, or at least TO make the al
tempt
The Committee had not inserted in the bill, in
relation to the Texas boundary, the sum pro-
posed to be paid TO Texas for the REIMBURSEMENT
of the portion of the territory claimed by her
They had preferred to postpone the insertion OF
the amount proposed until the question should
come TO be taken upon the passage Of the bill
with view to prevent, much as possible,
specuIations in the stock market, founded there
on.
Mr.. Clay proceeded in reply TO Mr. Benton, TO
defend the combination Of the California Terri
tories and Texas boundary measures in one
bill, contendng that it was parliamentary, re-
publican, democratic and expedient. He showed
the provisions IN the constitution Of Louisiana,
and other States forbddng the uniting of two
or more measures in one bill, to be productive
Of great Inconvenience and embarrassment in
legislation, and argued that the carving out of
such principle was not expedient or profitable.
There was nothing Objectionable in the associa-
ton of Misunderstanding repulsiye to the dig
nifty of California, in uniting her admission with
the laws for the preservation Of the lives, pro-
pcrty, peace and happiness of her neighbors.
lie also cited numerous precedents, for the Pur-
pose of showing that the process of lacking"
as it IS called in England IS very common one
in Congressional legislation, and that it was
therefore made parliamentary here by universal
consent and adoption.
In the course of an explanation OF clause
in the territorial bill prohibiting the territorial
Legislature from legislating in respect to Afri-
can slavery, MIR. Clay reiterated his full convic-
ton that slavery is abolished throughout New
Mexico by the edict of dictator--the consttu-
ton Of the people, and the act of their legisla-
tre. The provision alluded to in the territori-
al bill would leave the Mexican law in full
force, while al the same time il gave the legs-
lature power to act as might be deemed proper.
lie next proceeded to explain and advocate
the bill reported by the Committee in relation
to the recapture of fugitive slaves He believed
that 20 State suffered so much from the escape
Of slaves did the State Of Kentucky, and yet
he anticipated from that State entire satisfaction
with the measure proposed by the Committee.
In the course Of his remarks upon this measure,
Mr.. Clay alluded to Mr.. Stewards position, as
the advocate of higher-a divine law-class
ing him with those who composed the Garrison
rlanntiLl, In N..nu NcrL1 Last uLonk yhnrn he