The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-02-07
THE NATIONAL ERA.
WASHINGTON. FEBRUARY 4, 1880
THE COMPROMISE RESOLUTIONS OF Mr.. CLAY
A STORMY DEBATE.

In SENATE, January ~
ost week we had room merely to allude TO tn'
Compromise resolutions Of Mr.. Clay, ana 'n'
stormy debate that sprung up on their introouc
ton Il had been rumored for some time that the
Senator from Kentucky WAS laboring to mature
some compromise which should amicably dispose
of the Question of Slavery in all its relations
and the Senate, on the goth, was crowded, in ex'
pectation that the long-looked-for plan would
that day be disclosed. Southern Senators, more
than Northern, seemed interested in the matter
for not few of the latter were out of their
places
Mr.. Webster did not make his appearance
till Mr. Clay was almost closing his remarks and
MIR. Corwin was not present at any time
When Mr. Clay arose, all eyes were turned
upon him, as il he held in his hands the settle
ment of the momentous Question. He prefaced
his resolutions with few remarks, deprecating
discussion at present, and asking for his plan as
much consideration as he-had bestowed in pre-
pairing it. The following are the resolutions
submitted by him; 49,, ,.-
at being desirable, for the peace, concord, and
harmony of the union of these States 10 settle and
adjust amicably All existing questions Of contro-
yersy between them arising out of the institution
of slavery, upon fair, equitable, and just basis
Therefore,
al Resolved, That California, with suitable
boundaries ought upon her application, to be adj
mitted as one Of the States of this Union, without
the imposition by Congress of any restriction in
respect to the exclusion introduction of slavery
within those boundaries.
80 Resolved That, as slavery does not exist by
law. and is not likely to be introduced into any
of the territory acquired by the United States
from the Republic of Mexico, it is inexpedient
for Congress to provide, by law, either for its in
PRODUCTION into or exclusion from any part of the
said territory and that appropriate Territorial
Governments ought to be established by Congress
in all of the said territory, not assigned as the
boundaries of the proposed State of California,
without the adoption of any restriction or condi-
ton on the scbject of slavery
So Rssolued, That the western boundary of
the State of Texas ought to be fixed on the Rio
del Norte, commencing one marine league from
its mouth, and running up that river to the
southern line of New Mexico thence with that
line eastwardly and 80 continuing in the same d-
rection to the line established between the United
States and Spain, excluding any portion of New
Mexico whether lying on the east or west of that
river.
a. Resolred, That il be proposed to the State
Of Texas that the United States will provide for
the payment of all that portion Of the legitimate
and boga 6ds public Debt Of that State contracted
prior TO it's annexation to the United States, and
for which the duties on foreign imports were
nledoed nv the said State to its creditors not
ceediog the sum Of s. in consideration of the
said duties 80 pledged having been no longer APP
plicable to that object after the said annexation,
but having thenceforward become payable to the
United States and upon the condition, Also that
the said State of Texas shall, by some solemn and
authentic act of her Legislature, or of q conyen-
tion. relinauish to the United States any claim
which it has to any part of New Mexico,
as 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 that State,
without the consent Of the people of the District,
and without just compensation to the owners of
slaves within the District.
a6 Resolpsd, That it is expedient to prohibit
within the District the slave trade, in slaves
brought into it from States or places beyond the
limits of the District either to be sold therein as
merchandise. or TO be transported to other mar
kets without the District of Columbia.
"7. Resolued, That more effectual provision
ought to be made by law, according to the require
ment of the Constitution, for the restitution and
delivery of persons bound TO service or labor in
any State who may escape into any other State or
Territory in the Union
"And g. Res9lged, That Congress has no pow
err to prohibit or obstruct the trade in slaves be-
tween the slaveholding States but that the adj
mission or exclusion of slaves brought from one
into another Of them, depends exclusively upon
their own particular laws"
On the first resolution he remarked that there
had been some irregulsrity in the manner in
which the State Constitution Of California was
formed It was not preceded by any act of Con-
gress authorizing the Convention and defining
the boundaries of the new State, according to the
usages of the Government in all cases except that
Of Michigan.
Subsequently, he was corrected by General
Cass, who stated that the people Of Tennessee
had organized State Constitution without any
authority from Congress.
Mr.. Clay admitted that California had much
more reason than Michigan for doing what she
has done and he was willing to pass over the ir-
regularity. The second resolution, he said, de-
clsred two truths-one Of law, one Of fact that
Slavery does not now exist in the territories ac-
quired from Mexico and that it is not likely to
be introduced there Some denied the first but
he believed they would be found to be in small
minority; as to the truth Of fact, even Califor-
mia, which was supposed to be peculiarly favora-
BILE for the introduction of slave labor, had pro-
hibited it, This fact, with many others accessible
to gentlemen, confirmed the statement in the reso-
luton. The latter part of the resolution asserted
the duty Of Congress to provide Territorial Gov
ernments for the portions of territory not en-
hraced within the proposed State OF California
lie was sorry to differ from the Chief Executive,
but he could not reconcile it TO his sense of duty
to leave those Territories in state of anarchy.
On the third and fourth resolutions, he said the
subject of the boundaries of Texas was COM
pick one He did not propose to 90 into it. She
h"d claim, and it was supported by plausible
reasons but he did not believe in the validity of
her title TO any portion of what is called New
Mexico. But, as her claim was plausible. for the
sake Of concord the resolutions proposed an eouiv.
alent or inducement for her REIMBURSEMENT of
the claim
The fifth resolution asserted, he said, substan.
tally no other principle than that which was
asserted by the Senate OF the United States.
twelve years ago, by four.hfths majority.
In his sixth resolution, be did not mean by the
slave trade the alienation OF transfer Of slaves
within the District--he did not mean to touch the
right y property in slaves here.
But the slave trade to which refer was, |
think, pronounced an abomination more than
forty years ago, by one OF the most gifted and
distinguished sons Of Virginia, the late Mr.. Ran
dolph. And who is there who is not shocked at
ITS enormity Sir, It is great mistake at the
North, II they suppose that gentlemen living in
the slave States look upon one who Is regular
trader In slaves with any particular favor or lind