Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-08
Friday Morning, Feb'y 5, 1850.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Feb.

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Feb 6.
The second division of Mr.. Clay's speech, which he
concluded to-day was far more in his ancient style of
eloquence than the first. He expounded and sustained
the resolutions in his series concerning slavery and the
slave trade in the District of Columbia the recovery OF
fugitive slaves and the intercourse in slaves between
the States Inasmuch as his views these points
were almost entirely in accordance with those held
by Southern men, this portion OF his argument
was naturally the most acceptable TO Southefn
ears After getting through detailed review OF
the resolutions, Mr.. Clay spoke for about one
hour on the general aspect OF the slavery question:.
He depicted the past history ofthe country its unnter-
rupted successes n peace and war; and thus came 10
magnificent peroraon the subject OF the Union, and
the various consequences OF its dissolution he declared
the opinion that separation ofthe Contederacy though
ii might peaceabe i'll the outset, would be followed
by war within sixty days, and war attended by dls-
asers and calamaties such have never yetbeen re-
corded in history. He thought it certain that the
Union could not be divided into too separate Confe-
deraces There would be at least three the Confede
racy Of the North the Conederacy ofthe East, and the
Confrderacy of the Mississippi Valley. But, he said
il was impossible to lift the veil which enclosed in
mystery the awful events which would follow dis
union. Il was probable that civil would rage
until some Alexander, or Cesar, or Napoleon, should
arise cut the Cord an knot with the sword and solve at
last the problem of free government. He closed with
imprecaton thatif such an event as dlsunlon was
ever to take place he might be alive to witnesst-
In the course of his remarks Mr. Clay gave very nte-
ssting narrative or the cnt,nttsltes that preceded
and attended the adoption of the Missouri compromise
aud, what will surprise the public, as it did the Sc
nate he discaimed entirely the paternity OF the line Of
So deg 80 min. That line, he made it appear was pro
posed by Mr.. Thomas, of Illinois, whom nobody now
recoects Mr. Clay first suggested different plan, but
fell between the Houses, by the votes Of three
Southern representatives against it. of whom was
John Randolph. Mr.. Thomas's plan finally as
scented to, but with reluctance, by the friends of
promise. Then the Missouri Convention in framing the
State Constitution Inadvertently included provision
excluding free negroes. This re-opened the whole
controversy and Congress, at the next session, in
stale OF greater excitement than ever. Them it was,
haf Mr., Clay influential in producing, though with
the greatest difficulty, settlement of the controversy,
and that settlement general declaration, by
Congress- that Missouri should he admitted upon the
passage of act by her Legislature concedng that any
provision Of her Constitution which was in conflict with
the Federal Constitution should be overruled by it.
was thus that the act of the previous session adopting
the line of Sc deg 80 m was made etficacous by the
simple announcement of well established principle Of
law.
These are some Of the most interesting points of the
latter half of Mr. Clays speech. 1t is impossible not
10 admire the old mans indomitable courage, and the
subsidng fires OF his unsurpassed ofatory. Neverthe
less it to be feared that this undoubtedly great effort
may fail promote good results in the present state OF
the country When Southern statesman steps forward,
at such uncture of affairs surrender for the South
The whole of the main subject matter OF the controver
sy, and the time deplores to his Southern TEL
low citizens the dreadful consequences of their under
Fakng defend their rights, he uses the most efficient
means of lettering Northern men from doing justice.
The disposition to adopt satisfactory compromise
undoubtedly prevails among sufficient number Of
members Of Congress but they sustain themselves
in making concessions those who should speak for the
South, decline to ask what they ready yield?
It's understood that Mr.. Buchanan, who has been in
Washington for severa weeks, using his influence to
procure the OF compromise based ON the Mis-
sour line, and that scheme is thought to have more
strength than any other.
Mr. Mangum, before Mr. Clay took the floor, pre-
sened 20 the Senate the proceedings of public meet
log at Wilmington the slavery question, and made
some very impressive remarks enforcing their sentiment
that the South unitedly determined to stand on the
defensive, and resist any assault upon its rights.
In the House, the resolution tor purchasing the manu-
script OF the Farewell Address, was passed, after
opposition; and in Committee of the Whole, Mr.. Nor
son OF Virginia, made speech, defending himself
against the Republics insnuaton that he was no Wing,
and asserting Southern principles in their strongest as
pect
Just az the steamboat Powhatan was leaving the
wharf here this morning, she broke her BEAM and was
forced to pu, back The Baltimore was undergoing re-
pairs the injuries she received from fire abon
fortnight snce in the wooden parts about the engine
and above the deck She goes down this morning, with
double Of passengers and mails and with carpen
ters still busily at work.