The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-09
THIRTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
WEDNESDAY,, May S, 1850.
SENATE.

SENATE.
MIR. DAVIS, of Mississippi, presented the resolu-
tons of the Legislature Of the State Of Mississippi,
on the subject Of slavery, of northern aggression,
and in defence Of the proceedings at the primary
meetings and at the State convention, in respect TO
the call for a .outhern convention. He read at
length from the proceedings of the primary meet
ings and from the address of the State convention
TO show the which induced the people Of that
State to believe southern convention was neces-
sary. II was not for the purpose OF promoting dis
union, but TO promote faithful adherence to the
guarantees of the Constitution. And all the many
charges that this convention called from mo-
tives of disunion were either malicously false or
uttered in ignorance of the truth He detailed the
many and various subjects of the resolutions and OF
the address, all breathing devotion and attachment
TO the Union contemplated by the Constitution,
and compared those proceedings with those OF the
town meetings and conventions held by Free
Sellers in New England and in the west, where the
violation of the Constitution and disunion were
openly advocated. These proceedings were per-
mitted to pass without rebuke, while those oil
the people of Mississippi which were simply In de-
fence OF their constitutional rights, denounced
as incipient disunion He commented upon the
proceedings of northern States and conventions,
and attributed to them all the alarm and anxiety
experienced at the South. lie hoped that wiser
councils would prevail. and that Of the often
siye and unjust measures of oppression would be
passed by Congress. The majority might tr
umph, but their triumph would find an united
South prepared to submit TO no oppression The
majority mi ght triumph but their shout Of victory
would be checked, before it was half uttered, by
the voice coming from the South-''Wo, wo, TO the
riders who trample them down"
The resolutions were read, and ordered TO be
printed.
BILLS on LEAVE.
Mr.. ATCHISoN, pursuant to notice, asked and
chance and Others.
obtained leave To introduce the following bills:
A bill for the relief of the heirs of Nicholas Ian
A bill for the payment of debt due to the heirs
of Antoine Peltoine.
REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THIRTEES.
Mr. CLAY, from the Select Committee of Thir-
een to whom were referred various resolutions re-
latng To California, to other portions OF the terri
tory recently acquired by the United States from
the republic Of Mexico, and TO other subjects con-
nected with the institution Of slavery, submitted the
following
The committee entered on the discharge of their
duties with deep sense Of their great Importance,
and with eArnes; and anxious soicitude to arrive at
such conclusions as might be satisfactory to the
Senate and The country. Most OF the matters re-
ferred have been not only subjected to extensive
and sericas public discussion throughout the coun-
try but 10 ehAie in the Senate ITSELF singular for
its elabcrAfeaess and It's duration; that full ex
position Of al those motives and views which, on
The several subjects oonfided the committee have
determined the conclusions at which they have
rived, seems quite unnecessary. They will, there
fore restrict themselves to few general observa-
tions, and 10 some rehectons winch grow out oil
those subjects
Out of our recent territorial acquisitions, and in
with the institution OF slavery questions
most grave have sprung, which, greatly dividing
and agitating the people of the United States, have
threatened 10 disturb the harmony, if not to endan
ger the safety, of the Union. The committee be-
heve it to be highly desirable and necessary speedi
Iy TO adjust all those questions, in spirit of
cord and in a manner to produce, if practicable,
general satisfaction. They think 1t would be
wise TO leave any OF them open and unsettled,
10 tester in the public mind, and TO proong, if not
.rf.ssr.s tt.taa 3 haa haA
their object, therefore, in this report to make such
proposals and recommendations as would accom-
plish general adjustment Of all those questions
Among the subjects referred to the committee,
which command their first attention, the reso
lutions offered 10 the Senate by the Senator from
Tennessee, Mr.. BELL. By provision in the reso-
luton of Congress annexing Texas TO the United
States it il declared that 'new States of convenient
size not exceeding four in number, in addition to
said State of Texas, and having sufficient popula-
ton, may hereafter, by the consent of said State
be formed out of the territory thereof, which shall
he entitled TO admission under the provisions of the
Federal Constitution; and such States as may be
formed out of that portion OF said territory lying
south of 360 80 north latitude, commonly known
as the Missouri compromise line, shau be admitted
into the Union with without slavery, the peo-
pie of each State asking admission may DESIRE
The committee are unanimously of opinion, that
whenever one more States formed out of the
territory Of Texas, not exceeding four, having suf
fcient population, with the consent Of Texas, may
apply TO be admitted into the Union, they are en-
titled TO such admission, beyond all doubt upon
the clear, unambiguous, and absolute terms Of the
solemn compact contained In the resolution of an
nexation adopted by Congress and assented TO by
I exas But, whilst the committee conceive that
the right Of admission into the Union Of any new
States carved out Of the territory of Texas, not
ceeding the number specified, and under the con
ditions stated, cannot be justly controvered, the
committee do not think that the formation Of any
such new States should now originate with Con-
gross. The initiative, in conformity with the
III hara led shc be
taken by portion Of the people Of Texas them
selves, desrous Of constituting a new State, with
the consent of Texas. And IN the formation of such
new State will be for the people composing il 10
decide for themselves whether they will admit or
will exclude slavery. And however they may decide
that purely municipal question, Congress IL bound
acquiesce, and 10 fulfil in good faith the stpula
tons Of the compact with Texas. The committee
are aware that has been contended that the
luton Of Congress anneIing Texas was unconsti-
tutional At a former epoch Of our countrys his
tory, there were those land MIR. Jefferson, under
whose auspices the treaty OF Louisiana was con-
cluded was among them) who believed that the
States formed out Of Louisiana could not be re-
ceiyed into the Union without amendment OF
the Constitution. But the States Of louisiana, Mis-
sour, Arkansas and Iowa have been all, neverthe-
less admitted. And who would now think Of OPP
posing the admission Of Minnesota, Oregon, or
other new States formed out Of the ancient province
Of Louisiana, upon the ground Of an alleged origi-
nal defect Of constitutional power! In grave, ma
tional transactions while yet In their earlier or in
cipient stages differences may well exist; but when
once they have been decided by constitutional
majority, and contaminated, or are in pro-
cess Of condemnation, there can be no other safe
and prudent alternative than 10 respect the decision
already rendered, and TO acquiesce in it. Enter
tanning these views, majority Of the committee
do not think IL necessary or proper to recommend,
at this time, prOspectiyely, any new State or
states 90 be formed out Of the Territory Of Texas.
Should any such State be hereafter formed, and
present itself for admission into the Union, whe
ther with or without the establishment Of slavery
Il cannot be doubted that Congress will, under a
full sense u honor, Of good faith, and Of all the
high obligations arising out Of the compact will
Texas decide, just AZ IL will decide under the in
huence Of similar considerations in regard 10 new
states formed Of or out Of New Mexico and Utah
with or without the institution Of slavery, accord
ing 10 the constitutions and judgment Of the PEG
ole who compose them, a. 10 what may be best e
promote their happiness.
In considering the question Of the admission d
California a state into the Union, a majority o.
the committee conceive that any irnoguarity BY
which that State was organized without the prey
authority Of an act u Congress ought 10 be
looked in consideration Of the omission by Congress
toestsbsh any territorial government for the peopl,