The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-02-16
REMARKS OF MIR. CLAY,

readers. After their presentation, Mr.. Clay procee-
ded in substance as follows.
AS to the first resolution: 1t was acknowledged
by all that there had been some irregularity in the
movements adopted in California, resulting in the
formation of constitution, and the application on
her part for admission into this Union as state
The course pursued was admitted to be irregular
1t was not preceded by any act of Congress defn-
ing her boundaries, was the usual practice here
tofore. Michigan was the first state which, without
being authorized by an act of Congress for admis-
sion into the Union He had opposed that departure
from the usual practice, but the majority had de-
cided otherwise; but it must be acknowledged that
there far greater for the course pursued
by California, than there was for Michigan to do
what she had done Happily the event of Michi-
gan's admission into the Union had proved highly
advantageous she now bright star in the
constellation, and she has sent here to mingle in
our councils senators of great ability, and one par
ticularly of the most distinguished character, and
with whom they all might associate with pride and
satisfaction.
If California be admitted, too, even with these
irregularities, like Michigan she too may send here
senators actuated by patriotism and desire pre-
mote the good interests of the country. The reso-
luton provides for her admission into the Union
and forms part of the general plan he had pre-
pared for the settlement Of the difficulties now
existing
The second resolution proposes two truths, one
of law and the other Of fact The truth of law u.s.
that there does not exist, at this time, slavery in
any portion of the territories acquired from Mexico
This truth was the conviction of his own debera-
tons; he was aware that there were other Senators
who entertained different ground; but when those
Senators have considered the question more fully
they will perhaps change their opinions. If they
should still hold to their opinion, he thought it
likely they would find themselves in small minor
ity. The next truth stated in the resolution was
one of fact 1t was that slavery was not likely to
| exist in the territories acquired from Mexico. 1t
was one evident to all senators. From all he had
heard, from all that had been stated by the wit
ness of affairs there: from all that had transpired
and all that would transpire, he satisfied that
slavery would never exist on one single foot of that
territory, not even established there by authority
of law. Facts are of Importance to the considera-
ton of this subject He asked senators, and parti
cuarly those from the free state to pause and con-
slider well upon-what had occurred since they
left their homes and constituents. 1t had been
repeatedly declared that slavery would never be
allowed in California: and California has, in
vention, by an unanimous vote, and in convention
where some of the members shareholders, or
from slave-holding states-from Mississippi, and
perhaps other southern states-declared against
slavery, and forever excluded it from her limits
From all this he was. he thought, warranted in
stating in the resolution, as truth, that slavery
not likely to exist in any portion OF the territory
acquired from Mexico.
The latter part of the resolution asserts it to be
the duty of congress to establish territorial govern
ments for the territories not included IN the limits
of California, and that no provision should be made
either for the prohibition or admission of slavery in
those territories.
Much as he was disposed at all times to defer
to high authority, and anxious to lind himself In
position to act in harmony with the other branches
of the Government, he could not consent to any
derelicton of his duty towards the territories by
abandoning them, and leaving them exposed to all
the dangers of anachy, when it was possible to
prevent it. 1t was the duty of congress to legis-
late for the territories and to extend to them the
benefits and protection of a government and laws
| The third and fouth resolutions should be read
and considered together. 1t was not his intention
then, nor perhaps at any time to enter into an ex
animation of the question contained in the resolu-
tlons. 1t was very complex and somewhat dIh-
cult subject to go into the question of what are the
true limits of Texas His own opinion was
that Texas has not good title to any portion
of the territory called New Mexico Yet while
holding this opinion he was free to admit that
looking at the grounds stated as the foundation
of that title, first at the law of 1886 passed by Tex
as, then the treaty concluded with Santa Anna,
and what has transpired between the commission
ers who treated with Mexico and the fact that all
the country has been since given up to the United
States by Mexico, and without giving these facts
all the weight and importance attached to them
by gentlemen, there was established a plausible
show of claim, but not good title
Without now going into the the inquiry wether
the Nueces or Del Norte is or was the true boun-
Diary of Texas, he had proposed, by his resolution,
to fix that boundary at short distance from the
mouth of the Rio del Norte. and running along that
river to the line of New Mexico and thence along
the line of New Mexico, eastwardly to the old line
established by the United States and Spain She
would then be a large country enongh, when peop-
| led to make three or four States
The other resolution makes proposition to Texas
1t proposes that the United States will provide for
the payment of all that portion of her debts which
have been secured by pledge-made when Tex
as republic, and competent to make such
pledge-of the duties arising from her foreign
imports. How much that debt was, he could not
with all his efforts, ascertain; but it made but little
difference 1t was the principal he proposed to
establish, and in the assertion of a principle the
amount necessary The ground on which
he proposed that the United States should as
sumo this debt, was one which he had more than
once advocatedas founded on the principles of truth
, and justice.
(. Texas free and Independent nation; as
= such she had invited the world 70 roala loaDS +c