Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-02-08
Congressional.
'Ehirty-first COngrcsS---First
...- Session.
WASHINGTON, 10Th January.

In the Senate, Mr.. CLAY submitted
proposition to settle the whole question
Of slavery. He proposes to admit Cali
fornia; reduce the boundaries of Texas;
and establish Territorial Governments.
He hoped the resolutions which he had
offered would be adopted; he had rclec-
ted on the subject with great care, and he
knew they had been conceived in spir-
it of harmony and concession.
First: He thought that California, with
suitable boundaries, ought to be admitted
into the Union as a State. California
had more reason for the course she had
pursued than Michigan for what she had
done. 1t is true, there had been irregu-
larilies, but they should be overlooked.
Second: That as slavery does not ex-
list in California nor is likely to be intro
ced there, it is inexpedient for Congress
to impose slavery restrictions.
Mr.. Clay is still speaking.
SECOND DISPATCH.
The following are the resolutions of
fered by Mr.. Clay:
Whereas, it being desirable for the
peace, concord and harmony of the union
OF these States, to settle and adjust ami
cably all questions of controversy be-
tween them, rising out of the institution
OF slavery, upon a fair, equitable and
Just basis, therefore
RESOLVED, That California, with suit
able boundaries, upon her application,
be admitted as one of the States of this
Union, without the imposition by Con-
gress of any restrictions in respect to the
exclusion or Introduction of slavery with
in these boundaries.
ReSOiUed, That as slavery does not
exist by law, and is not likely to be in
troduced into any of those territories ac-
CURED by the United States from the Re-
public OF Mexico, it is inexpedient for
Congress to provide by law. either for
its introduction into, or its exclusion from
any part of said territories, and that APP
proprlate territorial governments ought
to be established by Congress in all of
said territories, not assigned as bounda-
res of the proposed State of California,
without the abolition of any restriction
or condition of the subject of slavery
ResoiUed. That the western bounIa-
ry of the State Of Texas ought to be fix
ed 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 so continuing in
same direction to the line as established
between us and Spain.
Resoived. That it be proposed to the
State of Texas, that the United States
will provide for the payment of all that
portion of the legitimate and bona fide
debts of that State. contracted prior to
its annexation to the United States, and
for which the duties of foreign imports
were pledged by said State to its credit
ors, not exceeding the sum of - dol
lars. in consideration of the duties as
pledged having been no longer applica-
bic to that object after said annexation,
but having thenceforward become pay
able to the United States, and upon con-
dition also. that said State shall by
some solemn and authentic act Of her
Legislature, or of convention, relnquish
to US any claim which it has to any part
of New Mexico.
ResofUed, That it is inexpedient to
abolish slavery in the District of Colum-
bia, 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 own
ers of slaves within the District.
ResoiUed, That it is inexpedient 70
prohibit within the District the slave
trade in slaves brought into it from States
or places beyond its limits. Let those
within the limits OF the District either
be sold therein as merchandise, or trans
ported to other markets without the Dis
trict.
Res0tUed, That more effectual provis-
ions ought to be made by law for the
restitution and delivery Of persons bound
to service or labor in any State, who
may escape into any other State or Ter
ritory of The Union.
ResolUed, That Congress has no pow
err to prohibit or obstruct the trade of
slaves between slaveholding States, and
that the admission or exclusion of slaves
brought from one State into another, de-
ponds exclusively upon their own panic-
ular law.
! "These resolutions said Mr.. Clay,