Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-11
a and allow him to assert and establish his freedom if
can, aordng to him for that purpose all needtul ia

nal, and allow him to assert and establish his freedom if
ne can afordng to him for that purpose all needul ia
cilities
The committee indulge the hope that if the fugitive
BILL with the proposed amendments shall be passed by
Congress it will be efectual to secure the recovery of
all ugltives from service labor and that it will re-
move all causes of complaint which have hitherto been
experienced that agtating subject But if tits prac-
teal operation it shall be found insufficient and if no
adequate remedy be devised for the restoration 10
their owners of fugitive slaves those owners will have
United States
1t remains to report upon the resolutions in relation to
slavery and the slave trade in the District OF Columbia
Wlthout discussing the power OF Congress to abolish
slavery within the District in regard to which diver
sly OF OPINION exists, the committee OF opinion that
II ought not to be abolished 1t could not be done with
out indispensable conditions, which not likely to be
asreedto 1t could not be done without exciting great
apprehension and alarm in the slave States If the
power were exercised within this district, thew would
apprehend that under pretext or another it might
hereafter be attempted to be exercised within the slave
holding States 1t is true that at present all such pow
er within those States is almost unanimously dsayow-
ed and dsclamed in the free States. But experience in
public affairs has too often shown that where there is
desire to do particular thing, the power to accom-
psh it, sooner Or later, vii be found or assumed
Nor does the number of slaves within the District
make the abolition OF slavery object of any such
consequence as appears to be attached it in some
parts OF the Union Since the retrocesson of the Po
tomac the District now consists only of Washington
county, on the north side of that rivers and the returns
OF the decennary enumeration of the people of he Uni
tea States show rapidly progressive decrease in the
number OF slaves IN Washington county. According
to the census of 1880 the number 4505 and in I840
II was reduced to 1890 showing reduction in ten
years of nearly third. fit should continue in the
same ratio, the number according to the census now
ABOUT to be taken, will be only little upwards of two
thousand
But majority of the committee think differently in
regard to the slave trade within the District By that
trade is meant the introduction of slaves from adjacent
States into the District for sale or be placed in the de-
pot Tor the purpose subsequent sale transportation
to other and distant markets. That trade majority
OF the committee are OF opinion, ought to be abolished
Complaints have always existed against it, no less on
the part OF members of Congress from the South than
on 'he part OF members from the North 1t is trade
sometimes exhibiting revolving spectacles and one in
which the people OF the District have interest but
on the contrary, believed be DESTROYS that it
should be discontinued Most if not all of the slave
holding States have either in their constitutions or by
penal enacmens, prohibited trade in slaves as mer-
chandlse within their respective Jurisdictions Congress-
standing In regard to the people OF this District on
this subject in relation sma to that of the State Lee
gsatures to the people of the States may safely follow
the examples OF the States The committee have pre-
pared land herewith report bill for the abolition of
commend 10 the Senate This bill has been framed at.
Ter the model OF what the law of Maryland was when
the General Government was removed to Washington.
The views and recommendations contained in this re-
port may be recaptulated in few words:
l. The admission OF any new State or States formed
out of Texas to be postponed until they shall hereaf-
when will be the duty of Congress fairly and faithful
y to execute the compact with Texas by admitting such
new State or States.
3 The admission forthwith of California into the
Union with the boundaries which she has proposed
The establishment OF territorial governments with
out the Wimot Provso, for New Mexico and Utah,
embracing all the territory recently acquired by the
United States from Mexico contained in the bounda-
res of California.
a. The combination of these two last mentioned mea-
! sures in the same bill
bob.o 4oft ho
boundary Of Texas, and the exclusion from her jurs-
dcton Of all New Mexico, with the grant to Texas of
pecunary equivalent And the sanction Tor that pur-
pose to be incorporated in the bill admitting California
and establishing territorial governments for Utah and
New Mexico.
g. More effectual enactments of law to secure the
prompt delivery OF persons bound to service or labor in
State under the laws thereof who escape into ano-
ther State.
And 7. Abstaining from abolishing slavery; but un-
der heavy penalty, prohibiting the slave trade in the
District OF Columbia.
If such OF these several measures require legisla-
ton should be carried out by suitable of Congress-
all controversies to which our late territorial acquisi-
tons have gwen rise, and all existing questions
neced with the institution of slavery, whether resulting
from those acquisitions or from its existence in the States
and the District Of Columbia, will be amicaby settled
and adjusted, in manner is confidently believed to
give general satisfaction to an overwhelming majority
oil the people OF the United States.
Congress will have fulfilled its whole duty in regard
to the country which, having been ceded by Mex
to the United States, has fallen under their dominion
1t will have extended to its protection, provided for its
several parts the inestimabe blessing of free and regu
lar government adapted to their various wants. and
placed the whole under the banner and the FLAG of the
United States. Meeting courageousy its cesr and en-
tire duty Congress will escape the unlerted reproaoh
OF having from considerations Of doubtful policy aban-
doned to an undeseved late territories of boundess ex
tent, with sparse ncongruous, and alien, if not I'M
friendly population, speaking different languages and
accustomed to different laws, whilst that population is
making irresistible appeals to the new sovereignty to
which they have been transferred for protection for 90
vernment, for law, and or order.
The committee have endeavored to present to the Sc
nate comprehensive plan of adjustment, which, re-
moving all causes OF existing excitement and agitation
leaves none open divide the country and disturb the
general harmony. The nation has been greatly con-
vued not by measures of general policy but by ques-
tons Of sectional character, and, therefore, more dan
gefous and more to be deprecated 1t wants repose 1t
loves and cheshes the Union And it is most cheering
and gratifying 10 witness the out5urss of deep and abb
ding attachment to it which have been exhibited in all
parts OF it, amidst all the trials through which we have
passed and are passing people patriotic as those
OF the United States will rejoice in an accommodation
OF all troubles and difficulties by which the safety of
that Union light have been brought into the least dan
ger: And under the blessings of that Providence who
amidst all vcssitudes, has ceased to extend to
them his protecting care His smiles and His blessings
they will continue to advance in population power and
prosperity and work out triUphantlY the glorious pro-
oem OF mans capacity tor li-government