The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-03


He then alluded to the Fugitive Slave biili here
peated that he believed the people of the northern
States were ready to discharge the constitutional
obligations imposed upon them. He favored the
amendment to the act OF 1893, proposed by the Sena
from Massachusetts In preference TO the bill from
the Judiciary committee, or the bill reported by
the committee OF thirteen.
He opposed the part of the bill making proposals
10 Texas, and paying her several millions oil dol
lars He examined the title OF Texas TO thS terri
tory in dispute, and Expressed u decided opinion
that Texas had no claim thereto lie alluded 10
the different opinions as To the elect OF this Dill
upon the subject of slavery, and said that he con-
sidered the only safe to adopt was to vote Tor
no bill that did not contain positive prohibition OF
slavery.
the halls of Congress, he would naturally ask whe-
Their California was an intruder, an enemy, or some
foreign power forcing herself upon us! To all these
questions negative answer would have to be
given. 1t would have To be admitted that Cahfor
MIA il portion of ourselves, and that her greatest
offence that she asks us 10 allow her the right TO
prevent our selling each other In her limits. lie
then alluded To the manner in which California
had rid herself of the subject OF slavery, and com
mented upon the injustice OF making her adinis
sion part of any settlement Of any difficulty
growing out of that subject.
He then alluded to what was called the plan OF
the President, and in connection with it enumerated
the points of the measures reported by the com
promise committee. He said that he preferred the
recommendation vi the President. The bill reported
OF California dependent upon certain conditions.
These conditions he considered DIS UNJUST, injurious,
and oppressive to California The conditions were,
that territorial governments be given to New Mex
leo and Utah, without any prohibition OF slavery,
and the settlement Of a border dlfilculty between
Texas and New Mexico.
In the garland OF the compromise there appeared
dextcrousy woven two other mattcrs--the abolition
of the slave trade in this District andahc provision
for the recapturc offugtivc slaves. The settlement
of the first three was made Il condition for the adj
mission Of California. She wanted the aid OF nci
Their to tnti;le her to adulission the contrary
she is called upon to aid, by her claims, the pas
sage of those measures which do not meet with
equal favor. These conditions were not only un-
Just and in furious to California but also to Texas
New Mexico, and the District of Columbia, who
were the other parties to the condition.
This bill was well calculated to meet objections,
and admirably arranged 80 as to enable Senators to
vote for certain provisions and then to vote against
them II enabled members to vote Tor the exclu
sion Of slavery, and then to vote against the ckclu
sion ofsavery, &c.
This bill was unjust to Texas, because ii implied
that the insertion of that part Of the bill relating to
the purchase of her territory not certain OF
the favor Of Congress, unlcss it coupled with
these other BY adding IL 10 the bill for
the admission of California, instead Of bringing it
forward a distinct measure, II Implied either n
want OF confidence in the Justice of her claims, or
want of faith III the justice OF Congress. He then
examined what the proposals. were, and the legal
mode OF settling the question IL @as,sald that this
was proposal whereby the government could buy
peace. He could never imagine Texas elevated 80
high and the United States stopped 80 low TO re-
quirc him 10 set his hand to any compact to pur-
chase peace with her He said that he believed Texas
had good claim on the United States for the pay
ment of her debts and he war willing 10 settle tina I
with her, but he was not willing TO buy her terri
tory.
He then proceeded i'll detail, TO the examination
OF the title of Texas to the territory and maintained
that she had no title thereto.
he he
with large TO this he could not, by HE
vote, assent. Texas had many things in her his
tory TO attract admiration, and her Senators know
how to preserve that admiration for her. and it
would appear that Texas knew how to coin money
out of admiration.
Mr.. HOUSTON asked the Senator to yield the
floor for moment.
Mr.. SEWARD said that il was late in the after
noon, and he desired to conclude what he had to
gay. With all respect TO the Senator, he would
have to decline yielding the floor.
MIR. RUSk called the Senator to order. He had
spoken Unexpectedly of Texas.
The VICE PRESIDENT asked that the words
might be taken down.
Mr. RUSk repeated the words.
The VICE PRESIDENT ruled that the language
of the Senator was not out Of order.
Mr.. SEWARD resumed. He spokc of the Of
fccts OF this bill on the question OF slavery. The
soil of New Mexico and Utah were now free, and
bill passed, he did not know, and In this uncertain
ty, thought the best course to pursue TO pro
Libit il by positive legislation.
The condition of this bill was vi Just TO New Mex
leo By her ancient boundaries by her former pc
lical organization, &c, he contended shc was, Il
some extent, an independent republic, and that il
would be unjust To dismember her or TO change her
appropriate and long established limits. This bill
pro, oscd give portion Of her territory to Texas
and to pay Texas for another portion oft. 1t pro
posed 10 cedc away certain portion OF her soil now
free to State whose LAVE undisguisedly recognised
slavery.
Al. l.. ~.
TO certain principles Of liberty contained in her an
cicnt charter. These he eItolled and commended
that itwoud be just 10 alter change those prin
ciples of human freedom 40 long cherished and cs
tablished. He could never vote for such inca
sure.
II was said that slavery excluded by the Law
# nature, &c. With this he did not agree The
bill itsef admits that slavery may be carried there
for il provides that New Mexico shall be admitted
as slave State into the Union IL her people, in
their constitution, shall so provide. How sh,
TO be slave State, unlcs. slaves to be carried
there? For this reason, if none other existed, h,
could not vote for the bill.
1t was sad that the proviso excluding slavery
abstraction. He then referred TO the Deca.
ration of Independence, the preamble to the Con.
sututiOn, the writings Of Algernon Sydney, and
other sources, TO chow that many Of the great and
fundamental principles Of human liberty were mere
distractions.
He then justified the course pursued in California
for the establishment Of a State government, and
that IL this bill passed, he would still bail the nppli-
cation Of New Mexico 10 be admitted into the Union
State
lie alluded Ia tho difficulties during tho last Con.
gross, and during this session, in giving suitable
governments TO the Territories He commended
the wise policy which dictated the President re
concentrations concerning the Territories, and
urged that to The course suggested by the Presi-
dent they would have to come at last.
lie did not agree with those who considered the
country in such danger, excitement, and alarm as
had been 20 feariully pictured. lie did not think
that this bill calculated to quiet any apprchen-
sions in any section; he did not think il would
meet the approval Of the country.
He then took up in regular order the five great
wounds, from which it was alleged the country wa
bleeding, and examined the several remedies pro
posed by the Committee Of Thirteen. lie denied
| that the wounds were what they were represented
10 be, and that the proposed remedies were caicu
| lated to be very healing. This part Of the subjeo
wac continued for some time; and Mr.. \. conc udec
by some general remarks in opposition the bill
| MIR BELL obtained the floor, but gave way q
| the motion, and the Senate then adjourned.
| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
| Mr.. THOMPSON, Of Mississippi, asked III,
| House To take up the bills now lying ON thu