The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-30
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
TUESDAY. january 20. 1850.
sENATE

Ae~SDNs, seAAu"1y -, iooO'
SEN ATE.
Private memorials were presented by Messrs.
DICKINSON, WALKER, TuRNEy, PEARcE, SEWARD,
SOUS, HAMLIN, DopeE of Iowa. and BuTLER.
The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate 2
ror, covering report by the Commissioner Of PEN
sions OF the number OF persons the various PEN
sion lists
REPoRrs FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr.. KING, from the Committee on Foreign Re-
lations reported bill to carry into effect the
vention between the United States and the Emperor
Of Brazil Of tie 9th day of January, in the year
1910.
Reports on several private bills were also made
by several Senators.
bill establishing port Of entry at Milwaukee, in
Mr.. SEWARD, pursuant to notice, introduced q
bill granting portion Of the public lands to the
refugees who took part in support Of the struggles
other European countries.
Mr.. PEARCE submitted the following resou-
ton, which was adopted:
Resoiued, That the Secretary of the Senate report
the circumstances which have delayed the delivery
praons as required by the joint resolution Of Jan
uary z, 1886.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD submitted the following re-
solution, which lies over:
States sympathize with popular movements to re-
form political institutions Inconsistent with the en-
ghtened opinions Of the present age and do rejoice
to see all the nations of earth adopt the American
written constitutional limitations, they disclaim
any right to intermeddle with the domestic policy
OF other nations, and rcpudiac all attempts To con-
troll the action Of foreign governments in respect to
their internal affairs or civil 'dissensions.
Mr.. U. moved the resolution be printed.
Mr.. FOOTE thought it was hardly necessary to
print the resolution, as it was intended to call up
the resolution of MIR. CAss to-day.
The motion to print the resolution was then with
drawn.
Mr.. CLAY said that he held in his hand series
of resolutions which he desired to submit to the
body, which are to be taken in combination. They
propose an amicabic arrangement Of all the qucs-
lions now III controversy between the free and the
Of the subject of slavery II was not his intention,
at this time, to enter into discussion Of the reso
lutions, but he desired to submit few observations
on each resolution, in order to explain them fully
and fairly before they go out to the country, and
also few general observations on the state Of the
country.
Whether the resolutions shall or shall not meet
with the concurrence of the Senate as he earnestly
desired they should be begged that Senators would
give some portion Of their time to the consideration
Of these resolutions before they opposed them; he
had devoted long time to the preparation ofthem,
with view to the settlement Of the difficulties now
existing. The resolutions were preceded by short
preamble.
Mr.. C. read the resolutions, accompanying each
with remarks They are as follows:
1t being desirable, for the peace and harmony Of
the Union Of these United States to settle and adj
just amicably all existing questions Of controversy
slavery, upon fair, equitable and just basis,
therefore
Resolped, That California, with suitable bounda-
ries, ought, upon her application, to be admitted
as one OF the States Of this Union, without the i'm
position by Congress of any restriction in respect
TO the exclusion or introduction of slavery.
Resolved, That, as slavery does not exist by law,
and is not likely to be introduced into any of the
territory acquired by the United States from the
republic Of Mexico, it is inexpcdient for Congress
to provide by law either for its introduction into,
or its exclusion FROM any part of the said terrtoy
and that appropriate territorial governments ought
to be established by Congress in all of the said ter
ritory not assigned as the boundaries of the pro-
posed State OF California, without the adoption of
any restriction or condition on the subject of
slavery.
Resolved That the western boundary Of the State
OF Texas ought To be fixed on The Rio del Norte,
commencing one marine league from its mouth,
and running up that river 70 the southern line Of
New Mexico; thence, with that line, eastwardly;
and so continuing, in the same direction, TO the
line as established between the United States and
Spain, excluding any portion of New Mexico, whe-
ther lying on the east or west Of that river.
Rss0iped, That il be proposed 10 the State of
Texas, that the United States will provide for the
payment OF all that portion of the legitimate and
bona de public debt Of that State contracted prior
to its annexation to the United States, and for
which the duties on foreign imports were pledged,
by the said State to its creditors not exceeding the
sum Of g., in consideration of the said duties,
30 pledged, having been no longer applicable to
that object after the said annexation, but having
thenceforward become payableto the United States;
and upon he condition, also that the said State Of
Texas shall, by some solemn and authentic act Of
her Legislature or OF convention, relinquish to the
United States any claim which it has to any part
of New Mexico.
Resolped That il is inexpedicnt to abolish slavery
in the District of Columbia, whilst that institution
continues exist in the State Of Maryland without
the consent Of that State without the consent of the
people Of the District, and without just compensa-
ton 70 the owners Of slaves within the District.
But resolusd, That il is cxpcdicnt to prohibit,
within the District the slave trade in slaves brought
into IL from States places beyond the limits Of
the District, either TO be sold therein merchan
disc TO be transported TO other markets without
the District Of Columbia.
Resolved, That more effcctual provision ought TO
be made by law, according 10 the requirement Of
the Constitution for the restitution and delivery OF
persons bound to service labor in any State, who
may escape into any other State or territory in the
Union.
Resolved. That Congress has no power TO prohibit
or obstruct the trade in slaves between the slave
holding States; but that the admission or exclusion
OF slaves brought from one into another Of them
depends exclusively upon their own particular laws.
As 10 the first resolution: II was acknowledged
by all that there had been irrcguarity in the
movements adopted in California, resulting in the
formation of constitution, and the application on
her part for admission into this Union as q State.
The course pursued was admitted 10 be irregular.
II was not preceded by any act Of Congrcss dehn-
ing her boundaries, the usual practice here
tofore Michigan was the first state which, with
out Being authorized by act of Congress, formed
constitution and knocked at the doors of Congress
for admission into the Union. He had opposed that
departure from the usual practice but the majority
bad decided otherwise; but II must be acknow-
lodged that there was far greater reason for the
cour,c pursued by California, than there for
Michigan 10 do what she had done. Happily the
event Of Michigan's admission into the Union had
proved highly advantageous; she was now bright
star in the constellation, and she has sent here to
mi1gle in our councils Senators OF great ability,
and one particularly Of the most distinguished cha
rader, and with whom they all might associate
with pride and satisfaction.
hCalfornia be admitted, too, even with these
like Michigan, she too may send
here Senators sctuatcd by patriosm and desire 10
promote the good interests Of the country. The
resolution provides for her admission into the
Union, and forms part Of the general plan hchad
prepared 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 ia