The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-05-14
COMMITTEE OF THIRTEEN.
~ REPORT.

relating to California, to other portions OF uie
territory recently acquired by the United States
from the Republic of Mexico, and to other sub
;ects connected with the institution OF slavery,
submitted the following report
The committee entered on the discharge OF
their duties with deep sense OF their great I'M
portance, and with earnest and anxious solicl'
tnde to arrive at such conclusions as might be
satisfactory to the Senate and the country
Most of the matters referred have been not only
.,b;ected 10 extensive and serious public dis
cnssion throughout the country. but to de-
hate in the Senate ITSELF singular for its elabor-
,teness and its duration; so that full exposition
of all those motives and views which, on the
several subjects conided to the committee,
have determined the conclusions at which they
have arrived, seems quite unnecessary. They
will. therefore, restrict themselves to few
general observations, and to some reflections
which grew out Of those subjects.
Out of our recent territorial acquisitions, and
in connexion with the institution of slavery,
questions most grave have sprung, which, great
ly dividing and agitatiug the people Of the
United States have threatened to disturb the
HARMONY; if not to endanger the safety of the
Union. The committe believe it to be highly
desirable and necessary speedily to adjust all
those questions, in spirit of concord, and In
manner to produce, if practicable, general salts
faction. They think itwould be unwise to leave
anv of them open and unsettled, to tester in the
public mind, and to prolong, if not agggravate
the existing agitation. 1t has been their object
therefore; 10 this report, to make such proposals
and recommendations as would accomplish
general adjustment of all those questions.
Among the subjects referred to the commit
tee. which command their first attention, are the
resolutions offered to the Senate by the Senator
from Tennessee, Mr.. Bell By provision in
the resolution Of Congress aunexing Texas, to
the United States, it is declared that new States
of convenient size, not exceeding four in mum.
her. in addition to said State of Texas, aud
having sufficient populotion, NAV hereafter, by
the consent of said State, be formed out OF the
said territory thereof, which shall be entitled TO
odn,ission under the provisions of the Federal
Constitution; and such States as may be formed
out ofthat portion of said territory lying south
of36 degrees, 80 minutes north latitude, com.
monty known as the Missouri compromise line,
skan be admitted into the Union with or without
slavery as the people Of each State asking ad.
mission may desire.
The committee are unanimously of opinion,
that whenever one or more States, formed out
ofthe territory of Texas, not exceeding four;
having sufficient population with the consent OF
Texas, may apply to be admitted into the Un:
ion. they are entitled to such admission, beyond
all doubt, upon the clear, unambiguous, and OBJ.
solute terms of the solemn compact contained
in the resolution of ofannexation adopted by Con-
gress and assented to by Texas But whilst
the committee conceive that the right of admis-
sion into the Union of any new States carved
out of the territory of Texas, not exceeding the
number specified, and under the conditions sta.
ted, cannot be justly controverted, the com.
mittee do not think that the formation of any
such new States should now originate with
Congress. The initiative, in conformity with
the usage which has heretofore prevailed, should
be taken by portion of the people of Texas
themselves, desrous of constituting new State,
with the consent of Texas. And in the forma.
ton of such new State, it will be for the peo-
pie composing it to decide for themselves wheth-
er they will admit or exclude slavery. And
however. they may decide that purely munich
pal question, Congress is bound to acquiesce.
and to fulfil in good faith the stipulations of the
compact with Texas. The committee are
aware that it has been contended that the reso-
luton of Congress annexing Texas, was uncon.
stitutional. At former epoch Of our coun.
try's history, there were those land Mr.. Jefer.
son, under whose auspices the treaty of Louis.
lana was concluded, was among them) who be-
rieved that the States formed out OF Louisiana
could not be received into the Union without
an amendment of the Constitution. But the
States of Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas and
Iowa have been all, nevertheless, admitted
And who would now think of opposing the ad.
mission of Minnesota, Oregon, or other new
States formed out of the ancient province of
Louisiana, upon the ground of an alleged org-
nal defect of constitutional powers In grave,
national transactions, while yet in their earlier
or incipient stages, differences may well exist;
but when they once have been decided by a
constitutional majority, and are consummated,
or are in process Of coDsummation, there can
be no other safe and prudent alternative than to
respect the decision already rendered, and to
acauiesce in it. Entertaining these views, al
majority of the committee do not think it ne.
cessary or proper to recommend, at this time,
or prospectively, any new State or States to
be formed out of the Territory of Texas
Should any such State be hereafter formed, and
rs into LII