The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1850-06-04
Report from the aOmprO-
mise Com mittce.


Committee of Thirteen, appointed some
weeks ~, to which was referred the sever.
al subjects connected with the institution Of
slavery.
The Senate's Committee of Thirteen, to
whom were referred the various resou.
tious relating to California, to other por.
tions of the territory recently acquired by
the United States from the republic OF
Mexico, aud to other subjects connected
with the institution of slavery, have, ac-
cording to order, had these resolutions and
subjects under consideration, and beg
leave to submit to the following report ::
The conntte entered on the discharge of
kheir duties with deep sense of their great
importance, and with earnest and anxious
soIlcitude to arrive at such conclusions as
might be satisfactory to the Senate and to
ths.country. M)st of the matters referred
have been not only subjected to extensive
and serious public discussion throughout the
country, but to debate in the Senate itself,
Singular for its elaboratenesS and its duration;
SO that full exposition of all these motives
and views which, Oh the several subjects
icon ided to the committee, have determined
the conclusions at which they have arrived
seems quite unnecessary. They will, there.
fore, restrict themselves to few general OBJ
servations, ami to some reflections which
grow out OF these subjects.
Out Of oar recent territorial acquisitions,
and in connexion with the institution OF
slavery, questions most grave have sprung,
which, greatly dividing and agitating the
people OF the United States, have threaten
ed to disturb the harmony, if not to endan.
ger the SAFETY of the Union. The commit
tee believe it to he highly desirable and nee.
essary speedily to adjust all those questions,
in spirit of concord, and i'll a manner to
produce, if practicable, general satisfaction.
They think it would be unwise to leave any
Of them open and unsettled, TO tester in the
pubic mind, andto pro!ong, if not aggravate
the existing agitation. 1t has been their
object, therefore, in this report. to make such
proposals and recommendations as would ac-
compiish general adjustment of all those
questions.
Among the subjects referredto the COM
are the resolutions offered to the Senate by
the Senator from Tennessee, Mr.. Bell. BY
provision in the resolution of Con gress an
nexing Texas to the United States; it is de-
rcared that new States of convenient size,
not exceeding four in number, in addition to
said State Of Texas, AMI having sufficient
population, may hereafter, by the consent OF
hlA nu CF Io
thereof, which shall be entitled to admission
nnder the provisions of the federal constitu.
zion; and such States as may be formed out
of that portion Of said territory lying south
of 80 deg 80 min. north latitude, commonly
known as the Missouri commpromise line,
shall be admitted into the Union with OF
without slavery, as the people of each State
asking admission may desire
u The committee are unanimously OF opn-
ION, that whenever one or more States,
formed of the territory of Texas, not exceed
ing four, having sufficient population, with
the consent of Texas, may apply to be ad-
mitted into the Union, they are entitled to
such admission beyond all doubt, upoli
the clear, unambiguous, and alb 'olute terms
Z
olntion of annexation adopted by Congress,
and assented to by Texas. But whilst the
eonmittee conceive that the right of admis.
son into the Union Of any new States carv.
ed ont of the territory of Texas, not exceed
mg the number specified, and under the con.
lions stated, cannot be justly controverted,
the committee do not think that the forma.
On ofany such new States should now orig.
iuhie with Congress-
Ehe initiative, in conformity with the
age which has heretofore prevailed. should
pe taken by portion of the people OF Tex
81 themselves. desirous OF constituting a new
tate. with the consent of Texas. And in
re formation Of such new State, it will I've
fof tho people composing it to decide for
themseves whether they will admit or will
exclude slavery. And however they may
aeciie that purely municipal question, Con-
sress is bound acquiesce, and to fulfil in
good faith the stipuations OF the compact
with Texas. The committee are aware
that It has been contended that the resou.
ton OF Congress annexing Texas was un-
constitutional At former epoch Of onr
country's history there were those (and Nj.
Jefferson, under whose auspices the treaty
of Louisiana was Concluded, was amonr
them) who believed that the States formed
out Of Louisiana, could not be received into
the Union without an amendment of the con.
etitution But the States of Louisiana.
Missouri, Arkansas. and Iowa have been all,
nevertheless. admitted. And who won!d
now think of opposing the admission of Min
nesota Oregon, or other new States formed
out ofthe ancient province OF Louisiana, up
on the ground of an alleged original defect
OF constitutional power In grave nationa
transactions, while yet in their earlier or in
eipient stages. differences may well exist: /:
ent when once they have been decided by a
constitutional majority. and are consumma.
ssd. OF are in a process Of consummation