Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-02-19


from the free States especially to consider
what has occurred even since the last session
even since the commencement of this ses.
sion-since they left their respective consti.
tueucies Without an opportunity ofconsulting
with them upon that great and momentous
fact-that California herself of which IL was
I asserted and predicted that she never would
establish slavery within her limits when came
10 be admitted as a state: thar California her.
! self embracing, Of all other poriions Of the
country acquired by us from Mexico, that
country into which il would have rbeen most
/ likely that slsVery shoud have been introdu-
| cei: that California herself has met in con-
ventiop. and by p unanimous vote. embracing
! in that body shareholders from the State Of
/ Mississippi, we'll as from other parts who
concuued in the resoluion--ihat California
bya unanimous vote has declared against
the introduction OF siaver within her limits.
I think then. that taking this leading fact in
connection with all The evidence we have
/ from other sources on the subject. am war
rented in the conclusion which constitutes
/ the second truth which have stated IN this
resolution, that slavery is mot likely 10 be
Introduced into and Of the territory acquired
/ by us from Mexico.
Sir. the latter part ofthe resolution asserts
| appropriate ierritn,ial governments within all
the country acquired from Mexico. exclusive
of California. no, embracing in the acts by
which these Governments shall be constitu
ted either prohibition or an admission OF
slavery. Su much as | am disposed To de-
/ fer TO high authority. anxious as | really am
TO find myself in position that would ena-
! bls me to cooperate heartily with the other
departments Of The Government in conduct
{ ing the affairs of ilIs great people, l must
say that | cannot-wUhuut q derelIc ton OF
J duty--cOnsent To an abandonment OF them
without government, leaving them TO all
those scenes OF disorder. confusion, and anar-
I chy which apprehe nd, in respect Of some
1 OF them. these is too much reason To dDIicl-
pate will arise. II is the duty, The solemn
II was going 80 add the most sacred duty
Of Congress 10 IegislaIe for their government
if they car. and AT all events TO legislate for
them, and TO give them the ccneh OF law, or
der. and security.
The next resolutions are the third and
fourth, which. having an immediate connex-
ion with each other should be read and con-
sdered Toe ether. They are as follows:
3D. Resolved, That The western bounda-
~ Of the State of Texas ought to be fixed on
Rio del Noue CO "inencing one marine lea
que from It's mauih. aud running up that riv
ertc the southern line of New Mexico, thence
with The line eastwardly. and continue IN the
same direction, TO the line as established be
tween The UniIed STATES and Spain, exclnd'
ing any portion of Now Mexico. whether lay
iuf on TIN east or west OF hat river,
4th. Resolved That i, be proposed 10 The
State of Texas. that the Uuited States will
prou;de fnr the payment of all that portion OF
4 4, Iabf
that Sae contacted PRIOR 10 iis annexation
to the United States. and Tor which The du.
ties Of forsig imports were pledged by the
said State 20 It's creditors. not exceeding the
sum of-1ollars. in consideration Of the
duties as pledged. having been no longer APP
plicable tn that object after he said annexa.
tinn bu, having thenceforward become pay
/ able Ia the UnteL States; and upon condl.
lion also. that the said State shall. by some
solemn and authentic act Of her Legislature
OF OF aConvenriou, reinquish TO the United
States any claim which il has to any part OF
New MeSico.
I'VE abridge Mr.. Clay remarks on these
resolutions. but give the substance:
Mr.. Clay did not intend to 60 INTO the
complex question as 10 what were the due
limits Of TexSs.
His opinion was that Texas has not
good lille to any portion Of what is called
New Mexico; but he was free TO admit
that, looking al the ground which her Sen.
ators assumed. the law of Texas OF '36. the
treaty with Ssnta Anna. then 1T Wha, trans
pired between Mr. Trist and the Mexican ne.
gotiators between the treaty of peace was ne
eoiated, aud then the fact that the United
States have acquired all the country which
Texas claimed as constituting portion OF
her territory, aud so on looking TO all these
facts but not yielding TO them all the force
which gentlemen claimed for them. he must
say that there was plausbility in the claim
which she sets up. He proposed then that
whether the Nueces or the Bravo is, or is
not, the boundary OF Texas that her western
limit shall be on the Del Marie. from It's
mouth to the mouth OF the Sabine. he
proposed also in connection with this decis-
ion of the question nf boundary. that Con-
gress shall pay the debts OF Texas FOR the
liquidation OF which the duties on foreign
goods imported into Texas was pledged pri
or TO annexation. After some remarks rela
i've 10 the circumstances connected with the
contraction oi these debts by Texas. Mr..
Clay said in his humble opinion, he thought.
il there was justice or truth. we owe to the
creditors OF Texas, the duty of reirnbursine
those revenues. which were cut Oh by an
nexarion. He proposed also, that Texas
should. for the consideration mentioned. re-
linquish any claim she may have to any por
ton OF New Mexico. He was willing o give
something for even an impefec claim OF this
Kind for the sake OF peace.
The fifth aud sixth resolutions were as fol
lows:
5th. Resolved. That it is inexpedient to
abolish slavery in the District Of Columbia,
whilst that institution continues TO exist in
the State of Maryland. without the consent
Of fthat State. without the consent ofthe peu-
pie o! the District, and without just compeu-
salion to The owners of slaves within the Dis
trict.
9th. Resolved. Tharir Is erpedient to pro-
hbit within the District the slave trade, in
slaves brought into it iiom States or places
beyond the limits of the District. either TO