Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-07-05
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
In the Senate, on the 9th, after the
consideration of the usual morning busi-
ness, the Omnibus Bill was again taken up.
Mr.. Webster addressed the Senate. He
said Mr.. Soule's amendment was opposed
to the immediate admission of California
as State, providing as it did certain con-
dti0ns which must be first acted upon by
California in convention. In his opinion,
it was highly eXpedient TO admit California
now, and to give her a proper position in
the Union, and such powers as are neces-
sary TO enable her to reYolve with the orbs
of our political system. That he believed
to be the general, although not unanimous,
sentiment Of the country. She had suffi-
cient population; her case was pressing.
NO other State ever presented herself here
under circumstances so peculiar and pres
sing. The emigration TO that country was
immense. One hundred thousand emi-
grants would reach her shores this year
The question then was, what is to be done
with California He did not think il safe
to longer delay her admission, without
looking to the alternative of her separation
from the Union. He did not think it safe
to delay that measure until another session.
lie thought it eXpedient then to admit
her at once, if there were no insurmounta-
bic objections TO such course and what
objections were those presented by the
Senator from Louisiana, Mr. Soule The
first class was that, acceding to the bill,
there was no security to the United States
in the public domain in California and
the second related TO her boundaries, which
he considered too large, inexpedient and
unnatural. He proposed 10 remedy the
first class, by sending back the constitution
of California, with instructions TO amend
it in certain form; and the argument of
the Senator was to the effect that if these
conditions were not imposed and agreed to,
the erection of the territory into a State
would deprive the United States of all con
troll Of the public domain.
Mr.. Webster proceeded to consider and
answer Mr.. Soule's argument upon this
point, contending that the sovereignty of a
State does not cover and hold public do
main Of necessity. If people settle upon
lands unoccupied, form themselves into q
State government, they acquired owner
ship of the unclaimed land. But if peo-
pie settle upon territory belonging to any
country, how could the formation Of
government by that people divest the
owner of the soil of the right of owner
ship and vest the ownership in the new
government! The United States owned
California, how then was the erection of
State government 10 dlyest US of owner
ship The right Of the United States 10
hold land was the same as that of an indi-
vidual, except that the former held it only
for one great purpose, TO sell. Mr.. Web
stcr maintained that the usage, practice,
judicature and laws of the country were
all against the suPposition that California
would become the proprietor of the public
domain within her borders. What then
was there in this case to lead to the over
turning of all the practice of the past
California had expressly, upon the face of
her Constitution, admitted the ownership
by the United States of the public domain.
In conclusion, upon this point of the sub
lect, he appealed to Mr.. Soule to recon
slider this question, and withdraw his OBJ
Jections connected with the public domain
Mr.. Webster next considered the ques-
ton of boundary, reaflirming his position
that no better boundary could possibly
have been chosen than those defined in the
constitution of California. He contended
that South California would be of no value
for slave labor. The soil and climate alb
solutely forbade it the disposition eyinced
by the people of that part of the territory
had been to exclude slavery from their
midst. The South could obtain nothing
practical from such a division. Was il
not better then, under all circumstances, 10
admit California as she is He had no
part III the acquisition of these territories
he was no prophet, and it needed no pro-
phetic vision at the time of their acquisl-
ton to foresee the consequences which must
follow that measure. These consequences
were now upon us. As an American he
was desirous of settling the difficulties i'm
pending, and IN that spirit advocated the
bill now under consideration.
In the House, on the 29th, the Char
stated that the first business IN order was
the Iowa contested election, and that the
question Immediately pending was the mo
ton of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
lIARRIs) to lay the whole subject on the
table. The question was taken. and the
House refused to lay it on the table-yeas
90, nays lO3.
The question required on the resolution
declaring the right of Mr.. -THoMPsoN to
the seat This question was taken and
decided in the negative-yeas 81, nays
I02. The Free Soilcrs voted with the
Wings to Gust Mr.. Thompson.
Mr.. McGAUGHEY introduced a resolu-
ton declaring that there was vacancy in