Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-02-09
SPEECH OF Mr.. CLAY
/ HIS PROPOSED TERRITORIAL coMPRoMIs

SPEECH OF Mr.. CLAY
ON HIS PROPOSED TERRITORIAL COMPROMISE.
liz SEsATE-FEBRUARr 5, 1850.
Mr.. MANGUM. move that the Senate now proceed to
the consideration of the special ode being the resolutions
proposed by the Senator from Kentucky
The motion was agreed to, and the Senate proceeded to
the consideration of the following resolutions
being desirable for the peace concord and harmony of
the Union of these States settle and adjust amicaby all
listing questions of controversy between hem arising out OF
the institution Of slavery upon a equitable and JUST oass
lst Received That California with suitable boundaries
ought upon her application be admitted one OF the States
OF this Union without the imposition by Congress Of
rcion to the exclusion or Introduction OF slavery
within those boundaries.
3D. Resolved That as slavery does by Law, and is
likely be introduced into of the territory acquired
the United States from the Republic Of Mexico inex
pedient for Congress provide by law either for its intro
ducton into exclusion from part Of the said terrto
and that appropriate Territorial Governments ought be
established by Congress all said territory assign
ed the boundaries Of the proposed State Of California; with
out the adoption Of any restriction or condition on the
Sd Rssolusd That the boundary Of the stas Of
Texas ought be Fixed the Rio del Noe, commencing
Q s s2s SsgPs Y '.s s'sss ss
eastwaSdiy and = eoosalug che shs d1estiss
ding any portion Of New Mexico whether ting the east
west OF that river
4h Resotved, That be proposed the State Of Texas
that the United States will provide for the OF all that
portion Of the Legitimate and public debt OF that State
contracted prior its annexation to the United States and
for which the duties foreign pledged b the
said State its creditors, exceeding the in
consideration Of the said duties pledged having been long
applicable to that object after the said annexaton but hav
ing become payable the United States and
upon the condition also that the said Texas SHALL by
solemn and authentic Of her Legislature, OF
vention, renquish the United States any cla which it
has to any part OF New Mexico.
5th Resoved That is nexpedient abolish slavery ia
the District Of Columbia whilst that institution continues
exist in the State of Maryland without the of that
State without the of the people Of the District and
without Just compensation to the owners Of slaves within the
9th. Bm esoived That it is expedient prohibit within
the District the ayerade in slaves brought into from
States places beyond the limits the District either to e
sold therein merchandise to be transported to other
markets without the District Of Columbia.
7th. Resolved That efecual provision ought to be
made by law according the requirement OF the consttu
ton for the restitution and delivery Of bound to SER
vice or labor in State who escape into other State
or Territory in the Union.
And sh. Resoiue That Congress has power to pro-
b Or obstruct the trade in slaves between the
but that the admission exclusion OF slaves brought
from into another Of thsm depends exclusively upon their
own particular laws
Mr.. CLAY. Mr.. President any former occasion
have risen under feelings Of such painful socude have
witnessed many periods great anxiety Of peril and Of dam
this country, but have before risen to address
any assemblage oppressed, appalled, and anxious
and sir hope will not be out Of place to do here, what
again and again have done in my private chamber to inn
pore Of Him who holds the destnies Of nations and individuals
his hands, to bestow upon country his bessngto be-
upon people his blessing, 10 calm the violence and
rage Of party, D still passion to allow reason more to
resume its empire And may ask Of Him too sir,
betow his humble servant before Him the blessing of
his smiles, and Of strength and ability to perform the work
which lies before him Sir, have said that have witnessed
other anxious periods in the history of country and
to ventures Mr. President to trace TO their original source
the Of all present dangers, difficulties and dstac
ton, should ascrbe to the violence and niemPeance OF
party spirit To patty spirit Sir, in the prngress Of this
session have had the testimony here who
however they may differ other matters, 10 the
ence of that in originating the unhappy differences
which prevail throughout the country the subject OF the
institution Of slavery PARTIES their endeavors obtain
the the ascendancyover the other catch every passing
floating plank in order to add strength and power to each
We have been told, by the Senators whom have
feed, that each of the parties the Noh, in its turn, has
wooed and endeavored obtain the Of small party
called Abolton in order that the scale in its favor might
peponderate against that ofs adversary And all around
every where many evidences the existence ofthe
spirit and ntemperance party might go to other ega-
bodies than that which is assembled in Congress- and
might draw from them illustrations of the melancholy truth
upon which am dwelling, but need not pass out Of this
Capitol itself say it, sir with all difference and respect to
that other portion of Congress assembled in the other wing of
this capitol but what have witnessed there During this
very session whole week has been exhaUsedi think
about weekin the vain endeavor to elect dooskeeper Of
the House.
Here there gea. confusion arising from the continual
pressing forward Of the crowds who thonged the galleries,
The obbe and the floor Of the chamber much almost
to drown the voice of the honorable speaker.
The VICE PRESIDENT directed the Sergeant Arms
to clear the hobbies Of the crowd and order being in
some degree restored
Mr.. CLAY resumed And, Mr. President, what was the
question in this struggle to elect doorkeepsr L was not
the the qualities of the man, VITO is best
adapted the situation was whether the dookeeper
teranej opinions upon certain great national conc
dent with this that side of the House That the sole
question which prevented the election Of dookeePer for
about the period of week Sir, / make reproaches-
none to either portion of that House the fact and
the fact draw from the conclusion and express
.koL boo
of party
Sir what ycssudes do we pass through il this short
mortal of Eight years, nearly sight years,
ago. took my leave finally, and, supposed forever from
this body At that time did conceive of se possibility
Of again returning TO it. Aad my private wishes and
particular inclnaons and the dasire during the short
nant OF my days to remain in spose and quiet could have
prevailed, you would havs occupying tbs seat
which now occupy upon this door, The Legislature of the
State to which belong, unsolicited by me- chose to- desg
nate for this station, and have here, sir obe-
diencs to of stern duty, with no personal objects,
no private views, hessafer crafty, Gnow, sir,
the ealouse the fears, the apprehenons which engen
der by the existence of that party sYrt WHICH have
CAPITOL any who hopes, in ais os honors and
elevation, for higher hoo and higher elevation than that
which lie may occupy, beg hi to beerAkatI, at Least
will never ose him IN the pursuit Of those honors that
elevation beg him to be perfectly persuaded that my
wishes prevail, my name shall be used competition
with his beg to him that when my service Is TERMS
mated IN this body, LAY missiOn far respects The public
affairs OF this world ard upon this earth cosej and closed
If my wishes prevail forever But sir is impossible or
us to be blind to the facts which daily transpng before
imps5le for not to perceive that party spirit