Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-18

country and in Congress Non. action as respects LEI
gslahon on the subject OF slavery one thingand tor
tha go; but action far as giving to these people,
separated from their connexion with the Republic OF
Mexico and brought under our jurisdiction non action as
to giving suitable governments totally distinct
thing am IN favor OF action as respects government
tor the territories, but in favor OF non action as
respects the question oslavey. think that the hon
orabe Senator from Mississippi, (MI; Davs) when ne
comes to consider the distinction. will see that mere IS
no inconsistency between my present course ana 'nat
which took few days ago.
Now sir with respect to the amendment offered by
the Senator from Mississippi The Senator says there
is right on the part OF the Shareholder IN any OF the
slave States the Union TO carry his slaves into Utah
and New Mexico on his side or on the other side OF the
Rio Grande that the constitution of the United States
has abrogated abolished the laws OF Mexico, and
that therefore, in virtue of the operation of the constu
ton. this right exists. He went on further to intimate
that the laws of Texas perhaps privileged them, and
that the laws of Texas might have abrogated the laws
of Mexico the subject Of slavery. These are the
opinions of the Senator from Mississippi. 1t my mis-
forune-and regard it one, assure him-to have to
declare that differ from him And. sir, how is the ex
sting difference to be seedl By that very judicial
thority which the Senator in former session so
ready to refer it. IT | am right in my suppositon or
opinion in regard to the prevalence of this that law
why them when the question comes before the Supreme
Court OF the United States, to which it will be carried
the right carry slaves there will be disavowed IT. on
the other hand, the Senator from Mississippi is right
either in supposing that by the constitution OF the United
States or by the local law the introduction of slaves is
tnaL the laws OF Texas stretch the
country and authorize the introduction of slaves Ell
Their contingency the Senator will attain the object he
proposes-he right OF the Of slaves carry them
there think with these two charges against me the
honorable Senator ought to be satisfied believing he
appears to believe that both the constitution OF the u S.
and the laws Of Texas authorize the carrying of slaves
there; whereas go upon the ground that the laws Of
Mexico did stretch there and that the laws OF Texas
did not because although it may be conceded for the
sake of argument that Texas had good title yet she
had not the possession de actO and assure him,
and put to nobody confidently that there
is difference between title without possession, and
the obligations OF the local laws or the obligations of
the government de acto to maintain its authority not
whstandng it is not connected with the title Sir,
there are numbers of OF this kind In the case Of
the Stuarts in England when contending for the COM
monweal th-when the throne was vacated, when
Charles l. was beheaded when England under the
commonwealth, whoever supposed, after there was
restoration Of the authority Of the Crown, and re-
placement of the monarch the thronewhoever sup
posed that the passed during the reign of the
| monweath had no force because they were laws by
government de facto and not by government dejure
However, these questions which not worth TAX
ing up the time OF the Senate consider and the sim
pie question before the Senate is whether it will
adopt amendment and shall feel myself consrain.
ed to vote against it, although greatly regret to differ
from the Senator from Mississippi, (Mr. Davis) But
will take his amendment as he intends to propose it, and
l shall vote against 1t upon the supposton that the
sense which he intends TO convey sn fact conveyed by
its language. Then what is hat proposition? The
propositons that by express legislative authority you
ry these slaves into Utah and New Mexico that thew
should be carriabe there by the authority of Congress
that they may be transported there by the authority of
the amendment which the Senator offers.
Now, sir, l can only repeat, what have often had
occasion to say before that while willing to stand
aside and to make no legislative enactment one way or
the oher-to lay OFT the territories without the Wmot
proviso the one hand with which understand we are
threatened, without attempt to introduce clause
tor the introduction of slavery into the territories
while am for rejecting both the one and the other,
n m ed he lavv ctolI
II there be any diversity OF opinion to what it means
am willing that it shall be settled by the highest judi
cal authority OF the country While am content
thus to abide the result must say that cannot vote
for any express provision recognising the right to carry
slaves there.
And allow me to say to the Senators from the South,
and to my friend from Mississippi, if he will allow me
to apply that expression to him, which | do with the
most profound truth and snceritytor he is not only
my iriend but he was also the friend of who now
no moreaow to ask him, sir, and the other South
Senators, it, with their views OF what ought to be
done on the subject OF slavery, they think it right
that Congress- by express enactment, should author
ze its introduction into these errtoresl Does not that
power, in virtue of which you would expressly provide
for the introduction of slavery imply the of the
proposition, and the right to pass law for the pohib-
ton OF savery9 And yet if have been fortunate
enough to understand the doctrine of Southern gene-
men generally lit is OF entire absence of all legis-
ation upon the subject OF slavery, either pro or con-
Yet,h the amendment Of the Senator from Mississippi
be adopted, as understand it, it recognises, by an
slstable concusion the power OF Congress prohibit
as well as to introduce slavery into these territories
Now, MIR. President, appeal to the Senator from
Mississippi upon this occasion, with the great object
| in view which animates US all with great desire
desire which is prevalent throughout the country
to terminate the discussion on these questions, and to
settle them upon some basis of amicable accommoda-
tion-isit worth while for us to be disputng about
what The right to carry slaves where no man on
carry slaves north OF the line delneaed in the bill for the
adjustment of the territorial question with Texas;
toscary them where they cannot co. where they would
not be held as gift and where labor at this moment
may be obtained at the of from three to four dol.
lars per month? Sir, hope will not allow our
selves to be divided upon this unmportan question, but
that we will dispose of it in such manner as will
show that we are anxious to consummate the great
object we all SO earnestly desire.