Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-02-13
MIR. CLAY.s COMPROMISE.
The Resoiuti Gus offered in the L. 5. senate,
January 29.h, 1850.


January s9.h, 1850.
Mr. CLAW said that he held in his hand
a series Of resolutions which he desired
10 submit to the body, which are 20 be
taken in combination. They propose
an amicable arrangement of all the ques-
tions now in controversy between the free
and the slave States Of this Union; ques-
tons growing out Of the subject of sla.
very 1t was not his intention. at this
time. to enter into a discussion of the res
olutons. but he desired TO submit a few
observations on each resolution. in order
to explain them fully and fairly before they
90 out TO the country. and also few
country.
Whether the resolutions shall or shall
not meet with the concurrence of the SEN
ate as he earnestly desired they should.
] he begged tha, Senators would give some
portion Of their time to the consideration
/ of these resolutions before they opposed
them; he had devoted a long time to the
preparation Of them, With a view 10 the
settlement of the difficulties now existing.
/ The resolutions were preceded by q short
preamble.
/ Mr.. c. read the resolutions. accompany
! ing each with remarks. They were as
| follows:
/ 1t being desirable. for the peace. concord
harmony Of the Union of these l.. States,
/ to settle and adjust amicably all existing
questions Of controversy between them.
rising out of the institution OF slavery.
upon fair,eQui,able and just basis, there
fore
] Rtsolred, That California. with suita
: ble boundaries, ought, upon her applica-
lion. to be admitted as one Of the States
of this Union, without the imposition by
Congress Of any restriction in respect to
the exclusion or Introduction Of Slavery
within those boundaries.
Mr.. President. il must be acknowledged
that there has been some irregularity in
the movements which have terminated in
the adoption of a Constitution by Califor-
MIA, and in the expression Of her wish
not yet formally communicated to Con.
gress, it is true, but which may be antici.
pated in a few days-to be admitted into
the Union as a State. There has been
some irregularity in the manner in which
they have framed that Constitution. 1t was
not preceded by any act of Congress au-
thorising the Convention and designating
the boundaries Of the proposed State. nc.
cordng to all the early practice Of this
Government, according to all the cases ot
the admission OF new States into this I'm.
. ion, which occurred prior. think, to that
of Michigan. Michigan, if l am not mis-
taken, vas the first State which, unbidden,
| unauthorized by any previous act Of Con
gress. undertook to form for herself q
Constitution, and to knock at the door oi
Congress for admission into the Union.
recollect that at the time when Michigan
thus presented herself, was opposed, in
consequence of that deviation from the
early practice Of the government, to the
admission. The ma jority determined 9th.
erwise, and it must be in candor admitted
I by all men. that California has much more
, reason to do what she mas done, unsanc.
/ toned and unauthorized by previous &C,
of Congress. than Michigan had to dc
: what she did.
Sir, Notwithstanding the irregularity o.
| the admission of Michigan into the Union
? it has been a happy event. She form.
, now one Of the bright stars Of this glor
Gus confederacy. She has sent here &c
, mingle in our councils Senators and Rep.
resentatives-men eminently distinguish
ed, with whom we may all associate will
pride, with pleasure. and with satisfaction
And | trust that acknowledgements a.
her previous action may have been in the
, adoption of Constitution, but more JUS
titable than was tne action Of Michigan
if she also shall be admitted, as is propo
, sed by this first resolution, with suitable
limits. that she too will make her contribu
, ton of wisdom. OF patriotism, and Of goot
feeling. to this body, in order to conduc
the affairs Of this great and boundles:
empire.
The resolution proposes her admission
when she applies for it. There is no in
tention on my part TO anticipate such ar
] application. but thought it right to pre-
. sent this resolution as part OF the gener
n al plan which propose for the adjustmen
Of these unhappy difficulties.
The second resolution, Sir, is as follows
: Resolred, That as slavery does no
s exist by law. and is not likely to be intro
0 duced into any Of the territory acquired
s bv the United States from the Republic o
/. Moxco, it is inexpedient for Congress t.
provide by Law. either for its introduction
n into, or its exclusion from any part Of tn,
n said territory; and that appropriate terri
y :oral governments ought to be established
5 by Congress in all Of the said territory no
d assigned as the boundaries ofthe proposed
O State of California, without the adoption
,fI of anv restriction or condition on the sub
j. jec, CT slavery.
), This resolution. sir. proposes. in tn
: first instance, declaration Of two truth
r. -one Of law and the other Of fact. Tn
i truth Of law which it declares is, that ther
= does not exist, at this time, Slavery within
e any portion Of the territory acquired b
r the United States from Mexico. When
n say, sir, that it is a truth, speak my o,v
y solemn and deliberate conviction. l ar
3 aware that some gentlemen have held
s. different doctrine; but persuade myse
); that they themselves, when they come I