The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-26

OH HB HHtSStOU " CWyWHM, uettocfeu w
the House Of Representatives., June 4, 1850.
Mr.. CHARMAN; The war with Mexico, the tri-
umph of our arms, and the acquisitions of the vast
and distant territories which were the result Of
both, have been the fruitful source Of the trouble
and excitement which has prevailed throughout the
country, and whose distracting influences have
found their way into these halls OF legislation For
than five months debate, at times Of great
warmth and sharpness has occupied the time OF
the representatives Of the people The admission
of California, and the policy which shall prevail
respecting the territories which came to us by the
treaty with Mexico, have opened wide field Of de-
bate; and the question of slavery, it exists among
Us, and it is sought to be extended, has been
freely canvassed, assailed, and defended It's early
history, its spread and influence since the adoption
Of the Federal Constitution, have been examined
aud discussed with much ability and research.
do not propose to say much more on these several
heads, nor to call in question, any further than
fair discussion will warrant the opinions of those
who differ with Inc this absorbing and difficult
subject
After a long interval Of repose, a ncw settlement
of these vexed questions is unitedly and firmly de-
mandcd by the South and its friends are again
urged To a vigorous and concerted movement to
assert and defend TO the last its claim to equal
right and share in the lands and territories which,
by the strong hand of war, wrescd from
Mexico. In order to come to safe conclusion in
reference to the right and justice Of such claim,
it may be perhaps allowed that the opinions OF the
past and OF the early days of the republic may be
referred to as sure and intelligent indications Of the
sentiments and views Of those days. propose,
then, to go back for moment TO the period Of the
confederation and of the convention which formed
the Constitution of the United States and ascertain
what were the opinions of the wise and patriotic
men of that day ON the subject of slavery. The
cles of confederation contain provision for the
surrender Of slaves who might escape from their
masters into other States is slavery mentioned
alluded To in the articles, except in restricting
certain rights and duties to free white people The
sole provision respecting representation in Con-
under the Confederation that State
should be represented in Congress by less than two
nor by more than seven delegates, the manner OF
appointing them to be as each State legislature
should direct, each State TO have one vote. The
contribution OF the States to the public treasury
was to be according to the value OF the improved
and surveyed land, and the military quota in pro-
portion to the number of white inhabitants in the
same. Hence il Is obvious-these being the only
provisions in the articles of confederation bearing
IN this subject-that neither slave representation
was claimed, nor taxation in proportion TO the
number of slaves, nor, indeed, as To any property
other than surveyed and improved land, nor was
there any claim entertained for runaway slaves.
Such was the state OF things when the conven-
ton which formed the Constitution of the United
States assembled on the l4th Of May, 1851 at the
city of Philadelphia. On the Goth of May, Edmund
Randolph, of Virginia, offered his of resolu-
tious for consideratlon-the second Of which de-
cared that the right OF suffrage in the National
Legislature should be proportoned 10 the quota Of
contribution or To the number of free inhabitants,
a the or the other may seem best, in different
cases. On the same day Mr.. Charles Pinckney of
South Carolina, also laid before Congress his
draught of a consttution-the Sd article Of which
provides, that the members of the House of Dele
gates shall be chosen every years by the people
OF the several States and the qualifications OF cleo
tors shall be the those of the electors Of the
several States for their egisatures and in article
9th II provided, that the proportion of direct
ton shall be regulated by the whole number Of in
habiiants OF every description IL contained no
provision for the surrender OF fugitive slaves al
though il did for fugitiyes from Justice. On the
30th of May, ~ Mr.. Randophs second resolution,
defining the right Of suffrage, Alexander Hamilton
moved an amendment, that the right Of suffrage in
the National Legislature ought TO be proportonate,
and not under the Confederation.
Rufus King, on the llth June, moved that the
right Of suffrage in the first branch of the National
Legislature ought not 10 be according TO the rule
established in the articles Of confederation but
cording some equitable ratio of representation
which was adopted, TO 3. Mr.. Rutledge, of South
Carolina, moved 70 add according 10 the quota Of
contribution" MIR. Wilson, Of Pennsylvania, Sc
conded by Mr.. Charles Pinckney ,ofSouih Carolina,
moved tO postpone the amendment, and substitute
the following; "ln proportion TO the whole number
of white anu other free citizens and inhabitants Of
every age, sex, and condition, including those
bound ~ seryitude for term Of years, and three
hlths vi all other persons not comprehended ia the
oregoing description, except Indians not paying
taxes IA such stalej which was adopted, 10 TO /.
The unaniity oil this Vote denotes that Mr.. Wilson
\ acted in harmony and after consultation with the
members ofthe convention generally, and that Penn
syiyana has the merit, or responsibility IL may be
viewed, oi having first proposed representation OF
slaves IN the Proportion Of 10 ;. On the 2Sth oi
June, the point Of difficulty that Of determining the
equitable ratio oil representation, was reached. The
smaller and less popuous States were unwilling 10
settle that point until they could secure equality OF
I representation in the other branch, the Senate.
Accordingly, II was moved and carried 10 postpone
the residue oi The resolutions and take up the sub
stitpie ior the eighth resolution, viz: that IN the
second branch Of the National Legislature each
] IA Il. afnN
on the 2sth aud Both Of June; and on Monday, the
20 oi July, the question upon IL was taken and
lost, to b-Gcorgia divided; Connecticut, New
YORK, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland aye;
Massac chusetts, Pcnnsy ylvania, Virginia, North and
South Carolina, po-ihe big siatos of that day
/ against the little ones. The whole matter was
then referred TO committee OF one from each State;
ana on Thursday, the 6th Of July, Mr. Gerry re-
/ ported a recommendation, among other matters,
That each State should have equal vote in the
second branch Of the legislature" For another
/ part Of Mr.. Gerry's recommendation relating 10
the suffrage, Mr.. Rutedge OF South Carolina, pro-
/ posed 10 substitute the following words "that the
suffrage Of the several States be regulated and pro-
portioned according TO the sums 10 be paid towards
! the general revenue by the inhabitants Of each
/ State respectively" which failed-South Carolina
alone voting for Il.
Here We sec south Carolina proposing ia vain
taxation on property, and not population, ss the
basis Of representation. The representative value
Of slaves inhabitants was renounced by her com.
/
| property (which would include slavcs) In South
Carolina such ne that, upon the proposal Of Mr.
Rutlcdgc, her representative strength IN Congress
would have been greater probably than the BASH
Of three ffths Of the slaves, But with the growti
Of other States, New York speciality the proper
ton Of South Carolina would have been dinsnish
This proposition is chiefly important in showing
that slavery not the interest then sought 70 b.
protected, but relative political power Of which the
| amount of taxation paid by each was 10 be the mes
sure. On the 7th Of July, the clause giving an equa
vote 10 each State in the Senate was passed-aye,
s, noes 3; Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland
aud Georgia divided On the 18th Of August, In,
draft Of the Constitution, as reporiedand amended
adopted. with the additional provision, for the
first time proposed, for the surrender Of fogitiy,
slaves. which was passed unanimously.
such were The procecdings Of she Congress OF tn,
Confederation, and Of the convention that framed
the Constitution, upon aud in reference 10 the ques
ton Of slavery. The inference from this statement
is, that slavery and slave representation, ne ele
ments Of political power, were little regarded al
that time: but that The absorbing question Of tha
day Of relative political power, as between
the great and small States, aud not between the
free and the slave States; that direct taxation
20 be based on property, and representation on th'
three hftbs principle. This inequality in the ap
portionment OF representatives not misunder
N ffn Of fiov,