Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-22


suited as follows
YEAS-Messrs Atehison, Badger Bell Benton Berrien,
Bright Clarke, Clay Clemens, Davis Of Mississippi Dawson
Dayton Dodge OF Wisconsin, Dodge ofIowa, Downs Felch
Foote, Greene Houston Jones' Norris Pratt Rust Seward
Souie. spruance Sturgeon, Turney, Underwood Wales
NAYS-Messrs Chase, Hale, Pearce, Walker, and Whit
comb.
THE COMPROMISE BILL.
The Senate then proceeded the consideration of the bill
providing for the admission Of California into the Union as
State for establishing Territorial Governments for Utah and
New Mexico and making proposals to Texas for the settle
ment OF her northern and western boundaries.
The pending question the amendment offered by Mr.
Me- SoULE.
Mr.. BUTLER. was about making few remarks in re-
ply TO- the Senator from Mississippi the time the Senate
adjourned on Saturday. 1t is not my wish to take up the
time OF the Senate further than to present in distinct form
the propositions which then barely Indicated My friend
from Mississippi said that he going to me,
or deprive me OF the right of being considered State
Rights man. The proposition that laid downwas, that
Congress- by virtue Of its authority under the constitution had
jurisdiction the Territories there is no metaphysics IN
that further minated that believed, pro tGo, il was
the sovereign power tn the extent that could
under the constitution Of the United States and further
more maintained that the safest mode Of admitting NV
to pursue precedent and usage and to allow state to
come into the Union that had not applied to Congress In the
first instance to form constitution and that on pesenting
that constitution should be admitted into the Uon, be-
cause when the people, during their Territorial estence
meet to form ate constitution without such auhofy from
Congress- they necessarily form 1t IN way to accommodate
themselves the majority propitiate the prevailing
in this Government know this doctrine is in conft with
the opinions Of the school Of politicians who believe pat the
people who first settle in the Territories have spces Of
spontaneous sovereignty springing up. believe the
philosophers who believe in the spontaneous production of
plants without seed believe they may be well Chased
with that class of politicians who believe that Congress has no
authority but that the jurisdiction belongs to the first settlers
on the soil DO not intend to deain the Senate by any
lisclss upon these agI
nator from Louisiana designs speak upon his amendment
and shall therefore any further remarks have to
make these points, until address the Senate the
raj question.
Mr. WEBSTER. On the 7th Of March, sir, declared
my opinion to be, that there is square rod Of territory
belonging the United States the character Of which, for
slavery slavery, is not already fixed by some epea
able law. remain Of that opinion. The opinion, sir has
been good deal canvassd the country and have been
respectful anddecoous and sometimes
so loud and empty to become mere clamor. But
have heard argument upon any question Of law embraced
that opinion, which shakes the rmness with which hold
it. have heard any discussion upon any matter Of fact
to that part Of the opinion which rests on facts which leads
to doubt the accuracy of my conclusions to that part
Of the opinion which regarded the construction,
might with proprety say, almost the literal meaning Of
the resolutions by which Texas admitted into the Union
have heard argument calculated in the slightest degree,
alter that opinion. The committee believe, with
accord concured in it, great deal Of surprise, real
affected, has been expressed in the country at the
ment by of that opinion, if there something
in it. Yet there need have been surprise, for there
nothing new in it. Other gentlemen have expressed the
opinion than once; and myself, in speech
made here the 23d day Of March, ls4s, expressed the
opinion, almost in the words with which nobody
here found any aulat which nobody here caviled made
question, and nobody in the country.
With respect the other ground which my opinion is
founded that is The high improbaby in point Of fact that
African slavery could be introduced and established in any of
the Territories acquired by US in pursuance Of the late treaty
with Mexico, have learned nothing, heard nothing, from
that day this that has not entirely confirmed that opinion
That being my judgment this NATTER voted very readily
and cheerfuy exclude what is called the Wmot provso
from these Territorial bills, to keep it out rather, when
motion made to introduce it. did SO, upon very full
and deep conviction that act of Congress- provision OF
law necessary any degree for that purpose that there
natural and sufficient and causes excluding for
ever African slavery from those regions That was my
Judgment and acted it and it is my judgment still.
Those who think differently, WILL of course pursue different
line Of conduct in accordance with their judgments.
That opinion then, and it has been strengthened by
every thing that have learned snce and have
pehenson to-day of the introduction establishment Of
African slavery in these Territories, than have Of its intro
duction into, and establishment 10, Massachusetts,
WE'LL sir have voted not TO place in these Territorial
bills what is called the Wimo provso and by that vote
having sgned disposition to exclude the prohibition, as
thing unnecessary, called upon vote upon this
amendments moved by the honorable member from Louisiana,
Mr SoULE which provides that the States formed out Of
New Mexico and Utah shall have the right and privilege Of
making their own constitutions and Of presenting those
sutons to Congress conrmaby to the Constitution OF the
United States with without prohibition against slavery,
the people of those Territories about to become States
may see fit to declare have much practical utility
in this amendment, agree Nevertheless if should vote,
that is presented me, against it. might leave me
open suspicion of intending wishing to see that accom-
pshed in another way hereafter which did not choose to
accomplished by the introduction Of the Wmot proviso
That is say, might voting against that form of
exclusion prohibition, might be willing still that there
should be chance hereafter to enforce it in some other way
Now think that righteousness and steadness Of purpose
under these compel me to vote for the amend
ment, and shall vote for it. do 1t exactly on the same
grounds that voted against the introduction OF the povso
And let it be remembered that speaking Of New
Mexico and Utah. and other territories acquired from Mexi
and Of nothing else. confne myself to these and,
to them, say that see no occasion to make provision
against slavery now to to ourselves the right OF
making such provision hereafter All this rests the most
thorough convictions that under the law of nature there never
be slavery in these Territories This is the foundation Of
ALL And voted against the proviso and vote now in favor
of this amendment for the that all restrictions are I'M
necessary, absolutely unnecessary and as such restrictions
give offence and create kind Of resentment they create
degree of dissatisfaction and desire to avoid all dissa
tsfacton far CAM by avoiding all that
it. and which in my judgment wholly unnecessary shall
vote voted former occasion, and shall support
the amendment offered by the honorable member from LOUISE
repeat again. do upon the exact grounds upon
which declared upon the 9TH day Of March that should re-
sist the Wlmot proviso-the precise grounds.
Sir does strike other Senators it strikes me-
made the opinion which expressed on the 9TH Of March,
tina. every foot Of territory of the United States has fixed
character for slavery slavery if there be any qua
cation to that remarks it has arisen here from what .eems to
be ndsposion define the boundaries Of New Mexico
that is all the danger there is All that is part Of Texas
- L. a. IL IL n