Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-01
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1850.
SEN ATE.

SENATE,
After the presentation of petitions Mr. Clay rose and offer
I'd a series 0 resolutions. The resolutions were puDsheu
in the Enquirer yesterday
Mr. Clay explained the resolutions After referring 10 the
irregular mode in which California had formed her State
ycncnt and 10 the proprety OF admitting her az State
with her laws he passed to the third resolution
lie did not think that Texas had claim 10 any part 81
what l;.ht be considered New Mexico. He proposed
limits which would give Texas three iiur large States
limits with which she ought 10 satisfied.
The second resolution proposed Ia pay 10 Texas the
amour, vi advances of her creditors Tor which she had
pledged hlr revenue from imports, The United States by
The :.i:cyaon Texas had assumed the redemption oi that
pledge What she would have received from duties,
ii she had remained in the lnon II could not BE- lsctrtanc;
but il was supposed be equal 10 the amount 81 her debt
c willing also 10 allow something 10 Texas ON ac-
of her claim To any PAT Of New NleN'".
One of the resolutions declared that naa lncNpern 10
abolish slavery in The District Of Counha but was proper
"a, prob the slave trade in it, far regarded The slaves
brought into i from other places II was long ago GecaF'd
the Senate that the slaves ought not to be enancated with
out the concurrence three condonsthe assent o Mary
lard the 10 it by Owners and the compensation t"
~.
The regular slave dealer might 20 Alexandria, 10 Rich
mon or 10 Norfolk and unnecessary that nc should
br allowed parade slaves in view OF the capitol and have
llS for them iii sight OF the Capit" rms was an aooii-
nation and ough, be prevented
The resolution also provided that fugitive slaves b.
cred by adequate owners and declared thai Congress had no
power 10 Interfere with slavery IN The states.
These were the results OF his deliberate judgement How
far hcy would be acceptable he could NOT The PROJECT
contained equal amount o concession and orbcaancc
the North and larger concession could have been asked from
the Norm lcal.sG il numerically stronger Than the
slave States and because with the aorih this matter was
sentiment and not practical question.
The North made sacrifice by it, and incurred III loss
no ,r The South held large amount ri property, which
together with domestic quiet we're pcriIrd by he hos
ty of the North 10 this Institution 0i slavery, while the
North looked safety regardless OF the effect III measures
which the North had originated BY the aeita IN "i Ills
question: every thing that rendered desirable 10 the South
ern people gas hazarGd.
CLAY concluded solemn warning Congress-
lend themselves to any purpose which endangcrs the
Union
Tie series Of resolutions presented plan OF scoommodd
ton which he hoped would b. considered. He mn"'d that
tnc, postponed 'i- day week and be the special order
for that day.
Mr. Rusk rose to saw that he regretted that the Senator
from Kentucky had in his a,dable zeal 10 settle momen
question: made peace offering Of one halt OF his State
to the spirit OF Northern cncroachmcn He would pledge
himself proper time 10 prove that the rghilu boundary
uf Texas tine Rio Grande.
NIr Eooe cordially approved Of The spri; OF the resolu
tons of the honorable gentleman from kentucSy bun he
could not let il be supposed thai he approved o the doctrines
and political views and propositions they contained lie
would protest against The Than useless proposition a.
The District of Columbia He wished TO take stronger
ground. ~
lie was entirely convinced also that the claims OF Texas
the Rio Grande boundary were well founded Upon Ger
tain conditions, which he proposed heretofore III OIL he
would oppose that part OF the resolutions which related
10 California.
The assumption OF the debts OF any State he opposed
II would be respectful 10 pay certain sum 10 icNs
Mr. CLAY explained that the Senator ii9,n Texas (Mr.
Ruskl had mistaken the limits he proposed fie gave her
part no; the shoc OF the Rio Grande boundary Bn II was
an offer which Texas accept reject he was e,d
that the directions the Senator from Mssisssppl talr
Fg,ieI w. e limited this District. As To the limits OF a
,rnia lie had made up hls mind, moi having me
popcr information yet Ii the Senator would examine
The subject he would lind that the resolution put snvey IN
this District the strongest ground Hewas not tenacious
Of the words used Threeourts OF Congress were OF the
opinion that there constitutional power in Congress over
slavery in this DlstTlc bun The exercise OF II would nc
breach of faith TO Maryland and Virginia.
Mr. Mason Ii is with much reluctance Mt any unie INA,
tespass on the time the Senate alter the hon o. actla
business has arrived but do not feel iseif al liberty,
standing as do upon this question 10 allow me resolutions
offered BY the from Kentucky 10 pass unnoced on
nv part lest it should possibly BE- considered that the State
which represent in part is prepared would almost say 10
any extent respond the spirit OF these resolutions
regret deeply that the earnest and honest desire which
have no doubt the Senator enterans TO have these dis
rbng questions composed he felt his duty represent
ing one OF the slayehodna States offer such PROPOSE
ton would go with him who wen, farthest but within
The limits OF strict duty in adjusting these unhappy differ
ences but do feel liberty TO NOV one step towards
such compromise ii constitutional right invaded in the
slightest degree.
Sir so far as have read these resolutions there is but