Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-01

anu exposing 10 serious danger pTlncl-
pies winch hold to be indispensable the safety of the
Southern States OF the confederacy, and to the integrity
OF the Union itself. | know well that the honorable
Senator'S intentions are pure and patriocthat he de-
signs only the safety and happiness of the whole repubc
and yet do verify believe that fhe resolutions now in
ttoduced by him shall be adopted ACCOMPANIED by the
remarks which he has just uttered in our hearing with
out any response or even suggestion of objection from
any Southern Senator, presumption OF acquescence
might arise which would be deeply detrimental to
cause which hold dearer than life itself do not pro-
pose to discuss these resolutions IN ertenso will not
thus tar interfere with the wishes oil the honorable Sena
tor from Kentucky; but few remarks by way OF pro-
test, must be allowed at to put in. These,
though will be as brief possible. In offering such
| marks find myself somewhat embarrassed in conse-
quence OF never having had opportunity reading the
resolutions OF the honorable Senator, and only having
heard them read by him in the course OF his comments
upon tllem Ii msconstrue their import in any pat
situte just ground of complaint against me.
Ii understand the resolutions properly they OBJ
Iectonabe, as II seems to me l. Because they only
ser that it is not eTpedient that Congress should abo
sh slavery in the District of Columbia thus allowing
the implication arise that Congress has power to le
gislae on the subject OF slavery in the District which
may hereafter be exercised if it should become expe-
dent TO do whereas, hold that Congress has under
the constitution, such legislative power at all and
that any attempt thus oegsate would be gross fraud
upon all the States OF the Union.
2. The resolutions OF the honorable Senator assert
that slavery does exist by law in the territories
recently acquired from Mexico; whereas / am of
| opinion that the treaty with the Mexican Republic
RED the constitution ao all its guarantees to all the
every Southern slavehoderto any part of it, at
tended by his slave property, and to enjoy the
therein free from all moestaon hndrance whatso
| ever.
g. Whether slavery or is not likely TO be introduced
into these territories, or into any Of them is pro-
position too uncertain in my judgment, to be at present
positively affirmed; and am unwilling to make a So
emn legislative declaration the point Let the fu
ture proUide The appropriate solution Of this interest
| ing question.
A. Considering, have several times heretofore for
mally declared, the title OF Texas to all the territory
embraced in her boundaries as laid down in her law OF
1885, full complete and undenabe, am unwilling to
say anything, by resolution otherwise which may in
the least degree draw that title into question, think
is done by OF the resolutions OF the honorable Sc
nator from Kentucky
5. am, upon constitutional and other grounds, Who'll
ly opposed to the principle OF assuming State debts,
which understand to be embodied in of the
lutions Of the honorable Senator from Kentucky. II
Texan soil is to be bought (and with certain appropri
ate safeguards am decidedly in favor oft let pay
10 the sovereign State of Texas the value thereof in
money, TO be used by her she peases 1t will be, as
think, more delicate and respectful to let her provide
Tor the management OF this matter, which is strictly
domestic In its character, in such manner she may
presllng that she will act wisely, justly and
| honoraby towards all to whom she may be indebted
g. AS to the abolition OF the slaue trade in the Dis
tric OF Columbia, see no particular objection to it,
provided it is done in delicate and iudicious manner
and not concession to menaces demands OF fac
tionists and fanatics. If other questions can be adj
justed, this one will, perhaps, occasion but little diff
Guilty
T. The resolutions which provide for the restoration Of
fugves from labor or service, and for the establishment
of Territorial Governments free from all restriction on
the subject OF slavery, have my hearty approval The
last resoutlon--wlnch asserts that Congress has
power prohibit the trade in slaves between State and
State-l equally approve.
8, Ii all other questions connected with the subject of
slavery can be satisfactorily adjusted, objection
to admitting all California above the line OF Sc degrees
80 minutes into the Union; provided another slave
State be laid off within the present limits OF Texas
to keep up the present equiponderance between
the slave and the tree States OF the Union; and pro-
Old ,rfba
IN order 10 save the Uhlon Gas dear to as to any
man livng)
Having thus frankly stated my objections to the hon
! orable Senator's resolutions, and having stated also
wherein approve them, shall cease to occupy the at
tenton of the Senate.
Mr. CLAY. 1t my purpose not toengage at present
in the discussion OF this subject Nor do rise to make
any observations, except two in respect to what
| the Senator from Texas Mr.. Rusb> has said He,
think, misunderstood the line referred to in the resolution
as the proposed boundary OF his State. 1t does take
him to the Del Norte, but does give him the whole
Oft from the mouth TO its And in regard 10 the
portion OF country acquired from Mexico, called New
Mexico it is proposition his State On this subject
have expressed the opinions hold, and at anytime
shall find necessary to discuss those opinions with the
honorable Senator, perhaps might be disposed to do
SO, for | differ in toto with him Sir honor the
Senator's wathchfuness, torit all proper him. as
one OF the representatives OF the State OF Texas when
he found that her garments TO be touched rise
and make his protest against it, But really sill, whenl
think OF the iberay the Offer | cannot but think
that both he and his State had better accept than reject
it, 1t is offer, however, and may be rejected or not
ltso each party will remain in possession OF its own
rights.
Respecting what the Senator FRONT Mississippi (Mr
Foote) says, know that he speaks from kindness in
every thing that he has uttered, and am very happy to
find his objections leveed rather at the affairs OF the
District OF Columbia except as respects the limits of
California, which sub Tor fair consideration when
the question OF her admission shall come up. | was
not able to get maps to consider the question Of her
limits, and have therefore expressed 1t in the resolution
similar limits leaving my own mind open upon the
subject
think the Senator from Mississippi also will find,
when he comes to consider the resolution that the
basis OF slavery in this District is put on firm footing
with regard to the constitutional question: have ex-
pressed my opinion and we argued the matter twelve
years ago in the Senate, and majority in this body
large majority, thought that there was implied faith
on the part OF The Government not to abolish slavery in
the Districts but that the power existed | suppose at
least theeiourths OF this body believed that time
And III lieu OF the adoption OF a resoutlon-whch |
think was offered by the Senator from South Carolina,
(Mr Carbohydrates illness ! have heard with pro-
found sensations OF regret and OF whose probable
speedy recovery have heard with great peasurewhch
took the ground and advanced the doctrine OF its being
uneonsillnona TOOK different ground ana at least
two thirds, ii not largerportlon OF this body, concur
red with me. We thoughtsthe power existed but that
could not be exercised without violation Of the good
faith implied in the terms OF the cesson of the District
That is the ground then taken, and think the same
ground taken in this resolution, is impregnabe now
MIR FooTE am muchgratied to hear the expla-
nation OF the Senator still think, with great deter
ence, that the resolution itself not so strong as the
Senator has Just stated 1t is thing assert the in
expectancy OF measure, and certainly very different
thing to assert that if adopted it would be fraudulent
and adopted in bad faith. This is my opinion and this
the opinion expressed by the Senator from Kentucky
now, and as | understand formerly expressed by him
Mr. CLAY. 1.-THE Senator will attend to the latter psrt
OF the resolution he will that the expression ner-
pedient on the principles referred to- dare say there
are many phrases in the resolutions which can be inn
proved by suggestion from the Senator from Mississippi
and others, but if he will reflect for one moment he
will find that say nexpedient without-what? 1t
is inexpeden unless Maryland and the people Of the
District consent, and unless the property is paid for
when taken. think that is as strong ground as can
be assumed Iwoud not use the word UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Mr.. FooTE | regret that the resolutions Of the
honorable Senator, in regard to the power of Con-
gress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia,
are not explicit comprehensive as his present
~. -la..lL