Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-04


stion or to future acquisition? Where and when Do
we not delude ourselves i'll estimate OF the value OF
that prnciple-the Missouri compromise line! Have
we not had enough oil acquisition the side OF Next
co! Where else do we expect further acqusltons!-
Cuba perhaps. II Cuba ever comes into the Union we
need not argue the question Of the probability whether
Cuba will be slave or free State lin the yicssi-
udes of the affairs Of nations Cuba should be pre-
sented to the United States to be annexed to them we
all know it must necessarily come in slave State
And in the contingency that the slave population OF Gu
ba should their freed m it would not be deslra
bic ACQUISITION to the people of the United States, ort
or South In every point of view, then, regard the
establishment Of the Missouri compromise line as a
thing of no vaue-a working of benefit of any kind.
omitted to state in its proper place that in the terri
tory living north of the 34th parallel OF north latitude,
and west Of the line established between the United
States and Mexico the 23d meridian OF west longl
| tude from Washington, and running north from Red
river to the Arkansas, there is no population allude
to that portion Of the territory proposed to be incopo
rated with New Mexico which lies within the admitted
limits of Texas 1t is altogether unsettled 1t is merely
an open plain traversed by the Camanches and the but
| falo not white man to be found on 1t.
My next resolution proposes to incorporate all the
country reded by Mexico to the United States lying
west of New Mexico and east of the contemplated new
State OF California, territory. The proposition,
of course contemp ates division OF the territory at
some future nle and when the settlement in it shall
require. This is proposed upon the idea that Is not
proper expeden to give any assurance to that pecu-
liar people, the Momons, by providing separate Ter
rtoral Government for them, or to hold out any ex-
pectation that they will ever be admitted into the Union
as separate State may be proper that they should
be admitted; but till we know OF their policy, de-
signs and institutions speak not exclusively OF reli
glous institutons-I should think that Senator would
be disposed 10 do more for them than to extend to them
adequate protection. The proposition in this
luton is to provide for the Mormons, and all other set
dement's and inhabitants in the case OF New Mex
form OF government suited to their condition -
| They will want but little more than the protection of
arms at least, for considerable time against the
| depredalons and massacre OF the Indians.
The next resolution proposes the immediate admission
of California a state of the Union and it embraces
the idea OF accepting present boundaries has been
objected to the admission OF California that her boun
diaries too extensive that her territory is too large
that two States might be carved out OF the ter
rltory assigned to it, Be it lsit desirable that it
should be so divided either to the North the South?
1t will make large and powerful State, is true but
for my part wish it had included the country of the
great Salt Lake in addition TO its present territory
no large it is twill not be large, be-
eve the proposed State to be erected in Texas
1t is objected, and strong exception is taken to the
which the constitution wastramed but it should
be remembered that that constitution is satisfactory to
the in abitants of that country and upon what pretex
therefore, can Congress object? We hear no murmur
ngs OF dissatisfaction on the part OF the inhabitants OF
California. There was, indeed, small minority OPP
posed to it some particular points, but they acqui-
esced in its adoption by the majority As to the
potency OF the people Tor selt-government, | would
refer you the provisions ofhe constitution itself 1t
is not acceptable to me- IS not acceptable to the
South generally on one particular pont but it is clear
that that is point which we must concede since tits
the will OF the people of that country
| know it is objected that many OF the residents of
California are not citizens of the United States that
they not permanent residents; that great portion
OF them foreigners, who have found their way into
that country in pursuit of gold that they are tran
sent passengers But where is the evidence OF that p?
The whole population OF that territory is described as
being about hundred Thousand and some ten or h-
teen thousand no doubt may have gone there with a
view OF returning as soon as they have gratfed them
selves by seeing the country, or reaping as much Of
its fruits they secure. But, sir, there is also
class of permanent inhabtants-not including the old
Mexican inhabitants nterprising men, who have be-
residents who have acquired toothold on the
soil who have made valuable Improvements, who have
fixed their destnies there during life. large number
OF this class engaged in various enterprises; not
merely in gold digging, but in the cultivation OF the SOIL
in the erection OF buildings, in the pursuit OF trade and
commerce, building up towns and cities. These are
the portion OF the population at east was this descrp
ton of population, who had the principal agency in
forming this constitution. They satisfied with it, and
that s sufficient.
framed under the exercise OF improper influence
the part of the President of the United States. have
evidence to sustain that suggestion. The mia
tive in the formation OF that constitution was taken be-
fore any message any ship arrived from the u
States conveying message from the President; before
any intelligence had reached their shores to what
the opinions and policy OF the President upon that
subject That is fact incontestably established And,
sir, regard to the recommendation which he alter
wards gave through his agent, even the impartial OBJ
ecors to this constitution do the President the justice to
impue the most patriotic motives to him; and | add
also that he guided by what then, and would
be now, under the circumstances, the soundest policy
and the trues wisdom in relation to the true interests OF
this country. Wisdom and patriotism were alike
spicuous in the policy OF the President in relation this
subject. And what was it! Merely to give his counte
nance to the manifestation OF their true opinions re-
garding the form OF government which they should
adopt. have not heard one intimation, public pr
vae, founded upon evidence or authority that he de-
sired, medated, or suggested any thing in relation to
the question OF slavery slavery in the formation
OF this constitution, leaving the people entirely free from
any influence he might possess the supreme EXecu-
tive OF the Union. am therefore i'll favor OF the i'm
mediate admission of California into the Union with its
present boundaries, in conneXou with the other propo
sitions which submit. say nothing of what should
do if the question were to come up stripped OF all other
questions.
The next proposition proposes to regulate the man
ne in which and the time when the people of the Terri
tories of the United States shall in future adopt State
constitutions. That, think, all see the importance
OF at the present time. 1t proposes to avoid the regu
larity and anomalies which, IN some instances have
heretofore attended the form alton OF State constitutions
by the inhabitants OF the Territories, which are always
less embarrassing to the government, and are
likely to be still more in view OF the great number of
new States which will be pressing their claims for
admission into the Union. think the proposition speaks
for itself
The next resolution proposes that when Congress
shall consent that the people of any Territory shall form
State constitution they shall have the sole power
gua,e their internal affairs and policy every question
whatever; and that they shall be controlled only by the
express restrictions contained in the Constitution OF the
United States This is only important in view of quiet
ing for the future all apprehensions certain ques
tons which have heretofore given much dissatisfaction
This is merely quoting proposition
The last proposition is that these several propositions
be committed to the Committee on Territories, with in
struclons 10 report bill in conformity with their spirit
and principles.
have purposeIy avoided, Mir President, as the Sc
nate will see, incumbering these resolutions with too
many provisions; with subjects and questions not alto
gether distinct, but which may be easily disposed Of
when separately taken up and considered. There is
the fugitive sa bill; have taken notice that
On that subject entertain distrust that whatever
Congress can do, will be done. And as to the ques-
lion of The abolition OF slavery and the slave trade in
the District of Columbia believe these questions can
be readily and satisfactorily adjusted, if only
settle this great question in controversy relating to the
newly acquired Territories of New Mexico and Cali
fornia.
Mr. President, do not propose to enter into any ge-
neral discussion into the discussion OF the general
Ias involved in this question of slavery now