Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-31
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.

TUESDAY, january ~, looo
UNITED STATES SENATE.
After the presentation OF petitions, Mr. CLAY
and said, he held in his hand series of resolutions
which he desired to submit to the Senate. They pro-
posed amicable arrangement Of all the questions
growing out OF the subject OF slavery, in contro
yersy between the free and the slave States He said
was his intention then to enter into discussion OF
the resolutions, but he desired to submit few observa
tons upon each resolution in order to explain them fully
and fairly before the Senate and the country Mr. G.
then read the resolutions, which preceded by
short preamble, accompanying each with remarks
They follows
1t being desirable for the peace, concord and har-
mony OF the Union OF these States, TO settle and adjust
amicaby all existing questions OF controversy between
then arising out OF the institution OF slavery upon a
fair, equitable, and just basis: Therefore,
LIST. Resolred, That California, with suitable boun-
darles ought upon her application to be admitted
Congress OF any restriction in respect the exclusion
or introduction of slavery within those boundaries.
I'd. Resotred, That slavery does exist by law
and not likely to be introduced into any OF the terri
tory acquired by the United States tlom the Republic
OF Mexlco,t sinexpedent for Congress provide by
law either tor its Introduction into exclusion from any
part OF the said territory and that appropriate Terrific
rial Governments ought to be established by Congress in
all OF the said territory not assigned the boundaries
OF the proposed State of California without the adop-
lion OF any restriction or condition the subject of
slavery.
Sd ResoLued That the western boundary of the State
OF Texas ought to be fixed the Rio del Norte COM
lnencng one marine league from its mouth and running
up that river to the southern line OF New Mexico :;
thence with that line eastwadly, and continuing in
the same direction to the line established between the
United States and Spain, excluding any portion of New
Mexico whether lying on the west of that river
4th Resoloed That it be proposed to the State of
Texas that the United States will provide for the pay
ment OF all that portion of the legitimate and bona fde
public debt OF that State contracted prior to lis
ton to the United States and for which the duties on
foreign imports pledged by the said State to its Gre
oitors, not exceeding the sum OF $, in consdera
lion OF the said duties pledged having been longer
applicable to that object after the said annexation but
having thencetorward become payable to the United
States and upon the condition also that the said
State OF Texas shall, by some solemn and authentic act
OF her Legislature, or OF convention relnqush the
United States any claim which it has to any part OF
New Mexico.
5th. Resoleed, That it is nexpedient to abolish sa-
very IN the District of Columbia whilst that institution
continues to exist in the State OF Maryland without the
consent OF that State, without the Of the people
OF the District, and without just compensation TO the
owners OF slaves within the District.
9th. But resolued, That it is expedent to prohibit
within the district the in slaves brought
At from States or places beyond the limits OF the District,
either to be sold therein merchandise be trans
bia ''''' '' '''7 "''" "'' D's'''o' Oh o0'o'''-
7h Res9lved, That more etfectual provision ought TO
be made by law, according to the requirement of the
constitution, for the restitution and delivery of persons
bound TO service or labor in any State who may es-
cape into any other State or Territory in the Union
And Sth Resolved, That Congress has no power to
prohibit or obstruct the trade i'll slaves between the
savehodng States; but that the admission exclusion
OF 81 aves brought from one into another of Ihem de-
ponds exclusively upon their own particular laws
Mr. Clay said the dlstracting questions sought to be
settled by the resolutions he had offered had occupied
his anxious solictude since the commencement of the
session. How far they would be acceptable he could
not say The project contained equal amount OF
concession and tobearance both sides. He concu-
ded with solemn warning to Congress not to lend
themselves 70 any purposes which might endanger the
solutions be postponed till that day week and made the
special order tor that day
Mr.. Rusk regretted that the Senator from Kentucky
had in his laudable zeal to settle momentous question
made apeace oferiugof one half of his State to the
spirit OF Northern encroachment He pledged himself
at aproper time, to prove that the nghttul boundary
OF Texas was the Rio Grande.
Mr. Foote cordially approved of the spirit of the re-
solutions offered by Mr.. Clay, but dssented from thu
doctrines and political views contained in them pro
Tested against the proposition the District OF Co.
umba and declared that he was opposed to the assump
ton Of the debts OF any State in the Unon by the Gene
ri Government
Mi Clay replied to the objections of Messrs RusI
and Foote. lie said his resolution put slavery in thu
District OF Columbia upon the strongest ground. lii
was not tenacious OF the words used Three-fourth o
Congress were Of the opinion that there was constitu
tional power in Congress slavery in this District
but the exercise OF it would be breach OF faith t.
Maryland and Virginia.
Mr. Mason protested against the assumption tina
New Mexico.
Mr.. Davis, OF Mississippi declared that he wou
consent to take less, compromise than tn
Missouri linewh security for the existence Of SLAYER
South OF that line.
A discussion took place between Mr. Clay and MI
Davis, as to the resolutions adopted in 1888.
MIR. Clay said--no earthly power shall ever compe
me to vote for the positive introduction Of slavery
either North or South Of the line OF the Missouri Com
promise. [Great Applause.l He would say, too, tina
was far better Tor the South leave the whole queso
open, be prepared then to undertake to do, what
was impossible do, to establish slavery by law in an
part Of the Mexican territory. He regretted this prema
lure discussion. He hoped gentlemen would wait, ex
anime the subject, and discuss it deliberately.
Mr.. King had listened with pleasure to many Of tn
remarks OF the Senator from Kentucky, but did not con
in all his views, He wanted no act Of Congress
establish slavery anywhere. He would as soon vote "a
The Wmot provso as Tor law to establish slavery
There should be security that slavery shall not be pro
hbited anywhere by law
Mr. Clay and Mr.. Rusk continued to discuss til
question OF the Texas boundary