Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-06-07

usiment would be for them respectively to determine
lapprehend that should gain not little by cutting
OIL from California that portion of her Pdcific border
south Of 30 deg 80 min., in which slavery now nhi-
oted by her constitution. aPPrehend that we will
adjustment the territory which lies north Of the paral
lei OF 50 deg. 30 min. becomes the territory of the U.
States, instead of 80 much of the Territory as lies be-
tween 81 deg. and her northern boundary At any rate
l only threw out the suggestion measure of COM
promise But found no response to 1t from the senator
from Kentucky, although that Senator expressed
very guarded opinion that he might probably
agree TO running the compromise line through Utah
and New Mexico, he was silent as to its being run
through the ocaled new State of California to the Pa
clhc But, Sir measure OF adjustment IS one thing
and strictly measuring respective rights is another.
Ii shall be the determination OF the senator from Ken
lucky (for he Is the one who introduced this bD to re-
qure us to measure our rights this BILL can only
say, and say with little regret that shall be at
arms lengths But, if he will give his concurrence to
this plan of dividing California by the line of Sc deg
30, min, apprehend that all difficulties will be re-
moved.
Mr.. CLAY. Mr. President, Isuppose that in all me-
gotiatons whether diplomatic or legislative, or of any
other character the negotaors ought to produce ere
dentals OF authority. Now understand the senator
from Virginia to be acting upon his own hook
entirely, if | may vulgar expression. He is not
able to for solitary senator from the South
and does he expect that | should give an answer to
proposition coming from solitary individual, and
perhaps not seconded or concurred in by another
will not say what | would do; but | will say that
it there entire unanimy and concurrence the
part of all the southern senators upon this hoor
should hesitate long before should pronounce abso-
lutey refusal to such proposition | should want
to deliberate. But, sir, the only renponse received
when inquired it other southern senators concurred in
the views of the senator from Virginia, most en-
phatlc nod of disapproval from honorable friend
now in my eye. | could not. OF course, mako any
arrangement with the honorable senator from Virginia.
have been charged, you know, with bargain, intrigue
and corruption. Laughter Does the honorable SEN.
ator expect when he gets up solitary and Alone and
states plan in which he informs us that he has not
the concurrence OF another senator, and calls upon
to respond to it, that shall go into specific reply
his various points This is really case of the total
absence OF all credentials or authority upon the part
OF the honorable senator. l will show him, however
a mode in which he can accomplish his object. The
bill is yet incomplete and open for amendment. Will
the honorable senator make his proposition of the line
Sc deg, 30 min, in the form OF an amendment, and
have vote upon it This will enable him to ascer-
tain what proportion of southern men concur with
him.
Mr. Mason Mr. President do not under stand
that the honorable senator from Kentucky has exhibited
any power or credentials to negotiate on his part but
do understand that he takes great not to COM
NIT himself upon the question. Nay the honorable
senator goes so far only as say that any mode
could be devised by which the current opinion of all the
southern senators could be asSertaned he would GER
tanly take it into very grave consideration. l appre
hend from all this that this proposition will result in
nothing can assure the honorable senator that |
mean to offer no such proposition. standin mnori
ty, and, as the senator from Louisiana said the other
day does not become minority TO offer terms to those
who have power to make them. L shall offer no pro-
position | have merely stated what would meet my
concurrence.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. This proposition of the honorable
Senator from Virginia is not one here. 1t was
proposed by me three years ago. belonged to that
celebrated committee OF eight who framed compro-
mise oil; such they thought ought to be adopted and
before the committee had retired to take the subject into
consideration, had suggested amendment by which
the line OF sc deg 30 min. to be extended to the
faclilc ocean through all territories but in that
suggestion did not content myself with what the Sc
nator from Virginia Mr.. Mason says would now salts
ty him. wanted to extend that line through, and OBJ
tain express declaration that slavery should be per-
mtted 10 go into the territory South OF that line and
that the shareholders should be protected in the and
enjoyment OF their slave property until they form State
constitutions tor their admission into the Union and
then, matter Of course the people of these terrific
res would have the right to dispose of the question
they should think fit Now, sir, it was because could
not obtain declaration to that effect during the progress
OF the last Congressional reference to this subject, either
IN the compromise bill as suggested by the committee
OF eight, or In any other way that went against that
bill. But sir acknowledge that the extension of the
Missouri compromise line, upon the terms he has sug-
gested would, in my humble judgment, be a surrender
OF the entire question: far the extension of slavery
the Senate can bear with me- will beg leave to
somewhat more at large do not think can conclude
what have. to say tonight will proceed as far as
Several Senators. Adjourn adjourn.
At this point of his remarks the honorable Senator
gave way, without concluding; when, on motion,
The Senate adjourned