Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-02

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Il violation OF justice and ct principle OF law which IS
so plain that il does require to have been bred to
the profession OF law to understand it. The principle
refer to is, that agent cannot take Tor his own Dene-
fit the matter in controversy alter having acquired u as
belonging to the principal for whom he acts Inc
right OF Texas, therefore, to that bounday was mage
complete by the treaty OF peace, winch sienced t1e
only rivalled claim to the territory 1t was distinctly
defined by the acts Of her Congress- before the time OF
annexation and have only to refer to those acts 10
show that the boundary Of Texas was the RIO Bravo
del Norte from its mouth to its source. What JUSTICE
or decent regard for fairness can there be, now
that Texas has acceded to annexation upon certain
terms in the violation Of those terms by The power we
hold over her as a part OF the Union Can tbs power
extend so far as lake from her portion OF her terri
tory to assert that there is portion TO which she Is
t not entitled!
These constitute with great objections to the
r propositions of the honorable Senator from Kentucky
but without stating all the objections that l have, and
they are very many, will merely say that object to
the whole argument OF the Senator. He assumes as
facts things which mere matters OF opinion, and
think oferroneous and injurious opinion. But deterrng
the discussion 10 another OCCASION desire at present
merely notice the assertion OF the honorable Senator
that slavery would never under any circumstances, be
established in California. This though stated as a
fact, is but mere opnon-an opinion with winch 40
not accord 1t was to work the gold mines on tins
continent that the Spanards first brought Africans to
this country. The European races now engaged IN
working the mines OF California sink under the burning
heat and sudden changes Of the climate, to which the
African altogether better adapted. The pro-
ducon OF rice sugar, and cotton is no better adapted
f ofthe gold mines
We sir have not asked that slavery should be estab
lished in California. We have only asked that there
should be any restrictions that climate and soil
should be lett free to establish the institution not as
experience should determine. Sir, after the agitation
OF the subject within these halls and elsewhere has pre-
vented the introduction of savery-by preventing the
emigration Of shareholders with their propefy-are we
to be told that the question is settled More than
that When we have acquired territory over which the
constitution of the United States thereby extended
States a
right occupy and to establish therein what laws they
please in accordance with the principles OF the constl-
tutionin which they have right to establish what IN
situtons they peaseit is now claimed that the NUM-
cpa regulations which previousy existed shall still go
the people, and that portion OF the citizens oil the
United States shall thus be precluded from going there
with their properly This rule has, however, in discus
sion here, only been applied to the property OF slave
holders though slaves the only property under
the laws Of Mexico prohibited from entering California
1t is be remembered that the late Secretary Of the
Treasury, report to Congress- stated that the Mex-
law prohibited the entrance OF sixty articles
OF commerce; this under the sanction OF the special
authority OF Congress, and slavery has been
prohibited 1t never has been prohibited by Congress
in California; and the only prohibition issued was
that contained in the edic OF usurper under the spe-
cious pretex that was necessary in order to oppose
the invasion OF the country by Spain This decree was
recognized by subsequent Congress far toFpass
law authorizing payment for slaves liberated. 1t
theemancpation OF all the slaves Mexico; an act if you
please OF abolition, of prohibitions not any
stucton which may be placed upon it, done in accord
constitution But we have not proposed to inquire into
the legality OF the abolition, neither has any Southern
asked that that decree should be repealed or that
those liberated under its provisions should be returned
1t to slavery We only claim that there shall be equa
,, lily OF immunities and privileges But, sir, are
called on to receive this as measure OF compromise
a measure in which OF the minority receive
!, nothing, OF compromise look upon it as
st but modest mode of taking that, the claim to which
has been boldly asserted by otheIs and that may
be understood upon this question: and that my position
NAV ~ tn
convey the sentiments OF the Senator from Kentucky,
here assert that will take less than the Mis-
souri, compromise line extended the Pacific ocean,
with the specific recognition OF the right to hold slaves
in the territory below that ne and that, before such
territories admitted into the Union States slaves
may be taken there from any OF the United States at
the option OF their owners. | can never consent to
give additional power to commit further aggressions
upon the minority in this Union; and will never
to any proposition which will have such tendency
without full guaranty or couneracng measure is CON
It nected with it. | orbear commenting at any further
length upon the propositions embraced IN the resop-
Q Mr.. CLAY. | am extremely sorry Mr. President for
is the premature and, allow to say in my opinion
necessary discussion which has taken place Whenever
the Senator who has Just resumed his seat chooses to
meet me in argument pledge myself, at the proper
time, to show that there is not the slightest discrepancy
between the course pursued by me in 1885, and the
course which take now, And one OF the resolutions
which the Senator has read
, Mr. DAVIS VIII the Senator from Kentucky allow
me to state
) Mr. DAVIS, The Senator hassaid that he will enter
uponthe argument whenever choose to doso
Mr. CLAY do not choose to give way at present
Mr. DAVIS, Now sthe time to enter upon the argu-
: ment.
Mr.. CLAY. Not until am done am reminded Of
1 my coming from slave State. tell the Senator from
Mississippi, and tell the Senat from Virginia, that
know my duty and that mean to express the opinions
that entertain, fearless OF all mankind "
But sir in regard 10 this resolution Of 1896 regret
y extremely this premature discussion ! think itWould
SENATE
ierred And trust the gentlemen on the other side will
excuse me for saying that it would have been better for
themselves they had iorborne to enter into the discus
sion until the question came regularly up. But, sill
IS do choose that what consider mistaken repre-
sentaon of my sentiments in 1885, should go out will
: simply state what they were then, and what they
, now.
Sir there is not word in that resolution that implies
that any faith pledged 10 the States, other than
Q Virginia and to Maryland, that Congress would not
abolish slavery in this District The resolution says that
the agitation OF the question OF abolition by people living
out OF the District is, in its tendency dangerous to the
slave States and that the abolition OF Slavery in the
District OF Columbia would be just OF alarm not
merely to Virginia and Maryland, but to all the slave
It States. And why? What was it that abolitionists
e then proposed? 1t was abolition without compensa-
ton it to take the slaves without paying for them
And would it not i'll that iormhave been just cause OF
alarm to the other States OF the Union owning property
of that description The assertion therefore, fopinons
which made then was that by the nature and objects
OF the cesslon OF the ten-mle-square by Virginia and
Maryland it could not have been anticipated by either
OF those States that the power con eyed 10 inc General
Government the ten miles-square would be
ercised to abolish slavery within those States respec-
tiyely and, further that, slavery continuing in Virginia
and Maryland such abolition TO take place in
the District Of Columbia and without compensation to
the STAKEHOLDER, it would be, it undoubtedly would
have been Just OF alarm to the of that
description of property, wherever situated Now, sir,
that was my doctrine in 1885, and that my doctrine
still.
ar,l do not regard the mere phraseoogy of the re-
solution, will not substitute the word "unconstitu-
tho ssiuayI ned a not baa
it to be unconstitutional ! cannot believe it, If
power to legsate in all cases whatever be granted to
Congress does not comprehend the power 10 legslae
ecs3 The power is there; but there is implied faith
connected with the power resulting from the circum-
stances to which have referred imposing Congress
the obligation exercise the power long as sla
, very in Virginia and Maryland exists. and now that
VirginahaS separated from the District such abolition