The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-01
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Mr.. BURT, by unanimous consent, offered
resolution, which adopted, instructing the
Committee on Military Affairs 10 inquire into the
justice and propriety Of refundng 10 the State Of
South Carolina the money paid by her 10 troops
who served in the Florida war, and that they report
by bill or otherwise.
on motion Of Mr.. KING, of New York the bill
introduced by Mr.. DoTY yesterday in Committee
Of tho Whole on the state Of the Union, providing
for the admission Of California, and the pending
amendments, were ordered to be printed for the
use Of the House.
The SPEAKER stated that the business pending
the motion 10 refer 10 the Committee Of the
Whole the state Of the Union a resolution from
the Committee Naval Affairs in relation 90 the
purchase Of American water roted hemp, in prefer
onde 10 the foreign article provided il be Of equal
quality and price, for the use Of the navy.
Debate ensued, and was not terminated at the
expiration Of the morning hour.
ADMISSION or CALIFORNIA.
The House then went into a Committee Of the
Whole the tate Of the Union, and resumed the
confederation Of the message Of the President in
lstion 10 California and New Mexico.
Mr.. CONRAD, Of Louisiana, said that the dis
cussion had taken 20 wide range that he did not
rise in expectation Of Offering any thing new; but
this question was important, and had excited deep
interest among bic constituents, therefore he deemed
il proper 10 them well 20 himself 10 state the
principles by which he should be governed. In his
humble view, the importance, not Of the question,
but the importance Of the action Of Congress, had
been greatly overrated In the public mind and in
this body. II any stranger should come into this
assembly and witness the excitement when the sub
ject is before The committee, he would naturally
suppose that the question, whether slavery shall
shall not exist throughout all time in the territory
acquired, depends the deliberations Of this body
Such il not the fact. There is law-maker more
potent than ourselves; one whose ordinances must
superscdc all human cnactmcnts. That lawgyer
is nature IL H. the character Of the country, it
soil, its climate. it, productions that adapts IL 10
slavery; and slavery will find lie way where IL can
exist, In spite Of any thing that can do. II the
country be not adapted TO slavery, no human pow
or can introduce IL there. And he most reluctant
ly confessed that nature has decided this question
rather against the South. All accounts in relation
20 this country concur that IL contains vast regions
Of dezerts, and rocks, and arid plains, and snow
capped mountains, and that large PORTIONS utterly
uninhabtable. II is remarkably destitute Of
water and animal and vegetable life, that the tray
ecr fants for want Of sustenance IN view Of this,
he appealed TO gentlemen Of the North not 10 agi-
tate n question which can lead 70 no practical
suits. The South are contendng for principle. DO
they contend that Congress have the power 10 in.
troduce slavery No; at least he did not. All
that he asked was that the people Of that country
may be allowed 10 determine this all other ques-
tons, according 20 their views, interests, and
welfare. The North contend that Congress can c1-
clude slayery but he denied that there is any con
sututona power 10 legislate. If there is consti-
I tutional power, there II not a moral power. The
soil belongs TO the whole country, and no portion
4 OF the people have the right 10 model civil gov
eminent 70 suit their plans, whether their
ideas arc false or true, and which obnoxious TO
1 the South.
was the duty Of Congress TO establish terrific
\ rial governments at the last session Of Congress.
Justice TO ourselves and 20 the people residing in
\ the Territories required this. The treaty with
Mexico imposes the authoritative obligation 10 pro-
tect the inhabitants in the enjoyment Of their lbcr
I " and property and there can be no protection
until government ~ established in that country.
since then, the people have assembled and adopted
constitution for themselves; and the question
now presents itself, shall or shall not California be
admitted by this Congress a. one Of he sovereign
States Of this Union