Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-02
LATEST NEWS.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, Feb'y 18th, 1850.

WASHINGTON, Feb'y 2sth, 1850.
hear the opinion still expressed by Southern gentle
men that the slavery controversy wears more and
more gloomy aspect. But do not think so. 1t is ad-
mitted all Sides that the North is disposed to recede
from the Wimot Proviso and interference in the Dis
trct of Columbia, and moreover, to unite in proper le-
gaon to enforce the provision OF the constitution Tor
the recapture of fugitive slaves The late extraordinary
manifestations of public sentiment at the great Union
meetings in New York city and Philadelphia and the
modified action of the Pennsylvania Legislature on the
subject OF slavery, make manifest that there has BEEN
since the opening of the present Congress- important
refux in Northern feeling Calculations Of the value
of the Union made in the appropriate
quarter. Those who would recently have jeopar-
died it by offensive legislation, are beginning to
estimate the consequences of its subversion-
The influence of the reaction at home is, | think,
plainly visible in Congress. fortnight ago, a
scheme to force California into the Union, without any
examination into the evidences of her title, and without
giving any opportunity for debate, was sustained by
Northern members with only three or four exceptions
The determination of Southern members to defeat the
immediate ofthe measure in this shape by para-
mentary expedens, was proposed to be met by sum-
mary abrogation of the Rules OF the House. which could
not have failed to bring painful crisis. Fortunate
%
of the unreasonableness of their course and they
have abandoned it. ! take pleasure also in mentioning
the TACT, that their change Of purpose probably in
duced by advances made to Mr.. Doty by more
Southern members. The question of the admission Of
California is now before the Committee Of the Whole,
and will not be decided until discussion is exhausted
and until free opportunity is gained of connecting
with general adjustment of all the subjects in contro
yersy.
Curiosity is still eagerly directed to Mr.. Webster's
position. Mr. Bell of Tennessee, excited surprise yes
terday in the Senate. by introducing important Sc
res OF resolutions embracing precisely the propositions
which has attributed to Mr.. Webster 1t is not
to be supposed that statesman of Mr. Bells eminence
would puposey and without consent, anticipate anoth
Senator in matter of this kind, with plan which,
even in its details, has been awarded to that other in
fer therefore, that Mr. Bell has offered his resolutions at
Mr.. Websters instance. This supposition derives pro-
liability from the circumstance that these two Senators
members of Gen. Harrisons Cabinet, and may
therefore be presumed to be intimate. In my poor
judgment the scheme introduced by Mr.. Bell is the
satisfactory yet suggested II compromises the inte-
rests OF neither section, and involves contraventon
OF Southern principles.
Mr.. Butler communicated to the Senate, yesterday
the request of Mr. Calhoun that he might have his re-
marks on Mr.. Clays resolutions read at o'clock
Monday. The Senate readily assented to the request
Mr.. Clay, in his inapproachable elictous manner,
throwing in few words to express his hearty concur
renee. The reading of Mr.. Calhoun's written speech
will doubtless occupy Monday, and Mr.. Web4er is
pected to follow on Tuesday.
1t was dull day in the House Mr. Parker, OF Vr-
gnia committed great in his debate, by reading
an essay instead of speaking speech do not sup
tbofTp, fhnrf
Conrad, of Louisiana, made conciliatory, but still
firm Southern speech The speech of the session, how
ever, thus far, in the House, is that of Mr. Toombs
w. c. c.
The following are the preamble and resolutions Of
fered by Mr.. Bell:
Whereas considerations of the highest interest to the
whole country demand that the existing and increasing
discussions between the North and the South on the
subject of slavery should be speedily arrested and that
the questions in controversy be adjusted upon basis
which shall tend to give present quiet repess sectional
anlmoses, remove as far as possible, the of
utuie dscord and secure the uninterrupted enjoyment
OF those benefits and advantages which the Union
intended to confer in equal measure upon all its men,
berS
And whereas, it is manifest under present circum-
stances that no adjustment be effected of the points
OF difference unhappily existing between the Northern
and Southern sections OF the Union connected with the
subject OF slavery which shall secure either section all
that is blended for and that mutual concession upon
questions OF mere policy, not involving the violation of
any constitutional right principle, must be the basis
OF every project aording any assurance of favorable
acceptance:
And whereas the joint resolution for annexng Texas
TO the United States, approved March l. lS45 contains
the following condition and guaranty, that is to say
New States OF convenient SIZE not exceeding four in
number, in addition to said State OF Texas, and having
sufficient population may hereafter, by the consent Of
said State be formed out OF the territory thereof which
shall be entitled to admission under the provisions of
the federal constitution; and such States as NAV be
formed out OF that portion of said territory lying south
OF 81 degrees 80 minutes north latitude, commonly
known as the Misrouri compromise line, shall be ad-
mitted into the Union with or without slavery, as the
people of each State asking admission may Desires and
in such State States shall be formed out Of said
territory north OF said Missouri compromise line slave
ny or involuntary sevtude Except tor crme shall be
prohibited" Therefore
l. Resoleed, That the obligation to comply with the
condition and guaranty above reced in good faith be
distinctly recognised and that, in part compliance with
the same the people of Texas SHALL by an act
OF their Legislature, signify their assent by restricting
the limits thereof within the territory lying OF the
Trinity and south of the Red river and when the people
ofthe residue OF the territory claimed by Texas lying
south OF the Bath degree OF north latitude and west of the
Trinity shall, with the assent of Texas adopt consti
tuition republican in FORM they be admitted into the
Union upon equal footing in all respects with the ORR
gina States.
2. Resolued That if Texas shall agree to cede tho
United States will accept cesson of all the unappro-
prated domain in all the territory claimed by Texas y
ing West OF the Colorado, and extending north of the
AID parallel Of north latitude, and pay therefor sum
not exceeding millions OF dollars, to be applied in
the first place to the extnguishment of any portion of
the existing public debt of Texas for the discharge of
which the United States under any obligation, i'm
piled otherwise and the remaner Texas shall re-
quire
g. Resolred, That when the population OF that por-
ton OF the territory claimed by Texas lying south of the
Bath parallel onorh latitude and west of the Colorado
shall be equal to the ratio representation in Congress
under the last preceding apportonment according 10 the
provisions of the constitution and the people ofsuch ter
ritory shall with the assent of the State contem
plated in the preceding reso ution have adopted State
the Union as State upon equal footing with the ORR
gnal States.
a. ResoIued, That all the territory now claimed by
Texas lying north of the 34h parallel of north la-
tude, and which may be coded the United States by
Texas be Incorporated with the Territory of New
Mexico except such part thereof lies Of the Rio
IIc1 &c