Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-05-14

relate to slave trade in the District Of Co
lumbia:
BE ii enacted, &c. That from and after
the - day of - next, it shall not be
lawful to bring into the District of Co.
Iunbia any slave whatever for The put-
pose of being sold, orfor the purpose OF
being placed in depot, to be subsequently
transported TO any other State or place
And if any slave shall be brought INTO
said District by lis owner, or by the au-
thori,y orconsent Of its owner, contrary
to the provisions Of this act, such slave
shall tIIereupon become liberated and free.
Sec. 2. md be II further enacted, That
it shall and may be lawful for each OF the
Corporations of the cities Of Washington
and Georgetown, from time to time, anu
as often as may be necessary, TO aoa'e'
break up, and abolish any depot or place
of confinement of slaves brought into the
said District as merchandise, contrary to
the provisions of this act, by such apPro,
pirate means as may appear to either OF
the said Corporations eXpedlent and pro-
per. And the same power is hereby YES
led i'll the County Court Of Washington
if any attempt shall be made within lis
limits to establish depot or place OF con-
fnement for slaves brought into tire said
District as merchandise, for sale, contrary
to this act.
The report concludes with the follow
ing remarks:
"If such of these several measures as
require legislation should be carried out
by suitable acts of Congress, all contro-
versies to which our late territorial acQul-
sitions have given rise, and all existing
questions connected with the institution
of slavery, whether resulting from acqulsl-
tons or from its existence in the States
and the District of Columbia, will be am
icablv settled and adjusted, in a manner,
it is confidently believed, to give general
satisfaction to an overwhelming majority
of the people of the United States. Con-
gress will have fulfilled lis whole duty IN
REGARD to the vast country which, having
been ceded by Mexico TO the United
States. has fallen under their DOMINION
1t will have extended TO it protection, pro-
vided for its several parts the inesumabe
blessing of free and regular government
adapted to their various wants, and placed
the whole under the banner and flag, Of
the United States. Meeting courageousIy
its clen and entire duty, Congress will
escape the unmerited reproach Of having,
from considerations of doubtful policy, a.
bandoned to an undeserved fate territories
of bounbless extent, with sparse, incon-
gruous, and alien, if not unfriendIy, PoPu-
lation, speaking different languages and
accustomed to different laws, whilst the
population is making irresistible appeals
to the new sovereignty to which they
have been transferred for protection, for
government, for law, and for order.
1.-The committee have endeavored to
present TO the Senate a comprehensive
plan of adjustment, which, removing all
causes ofexisting excitement and agitation,
leaves none open 10 divide the country
and disturb the general harmony. The
nation has been greatly ConvuIsed, not Ey
measures Of general policy, but by cues
lions of sectional character, and, there
fore, more dangerous and more to be de-
precated. 1t wants rcpose. 1t loves and
cherishes the Union. And n Is most
cheering and gratifying to witness the out
bursts Of deep and abiding attachment to
it which have been exhibited in all parts
of it, amidst all the trials through which
we have passed and are passing. A peo-
ple so patriotic as those of the y. States
will r, ioice in an accommodation OF all
troubles and difficulties by which the safe
tv of that Union might have been brought
into the least danger. And, under the
blessings of that Providence who, amidst
all vicisstudes, has never ceased to extend
TO them His protecting care, Ills smiles,
and His blessings, they will continue to
advance in population, power, and pros
peritv, and wo.k out trlumPhaniIy the
glorious problem of mans capacity Tor
self-govornment."
Mr.. Ritchie and the Nashville
Convention.