Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-06-01


form its constitution. think that the South has beer
unfsy dealt with in this matter think it is an executive
proviso which has been applied here-a provso in conse
quence of the non-acton Of Congressbut still is not
contend violation OF any principle upon which eve
stood.
Bot sir look at the balance of this territory California
though embraces very large and valuable portion of this
territory all of by any II il perhaps
than one-fourth or third of the whole. 1t is tTue
said that il is the most valuable part Itmay be II is
certain that ii is so. There believe il,
but there may be great mistakes upon this subject There
one matter which has been referred to by the Senator from
Virginia contained in the report Of Mr. King, which has also
been referred to by my friend from Mississippi, Mr DAVIS
as going to show that is mistake TO infer this Territory OF
Utah is sterile and barren We are told that on the Colorado
there are indications OF eiyha on the Gila there resides
tribe Of Indians living in state OF comfort and partial cvi
zaon superior to any savages on the continents and that
thew have an ample country sustain them. This much we
are told Mr. President in regard to that valley OF which we
know .arcey any thing which Is waered by the Colorado
There may be valuable lands there though we know but e
about them As for New Mexico, we are wanting in nfo
nation there Also The settlers there have boen encroached
upon by the Indians Many mines have been abandoned IN
but there some acs which lead US to be-
eve that msy be valuable than we have supposed
that country is sterile and barren 1t Is represented 10
be- and there are no valuable precious metals in it. how did
it happen that two ohunded years ago, situated as II IN
the very of this great continent 1t was IN ad
vance of California, which is on the seacoas and which
ought to have attracted attention much sooner consi
der that effects of that kind are not Produced without
There must be found for the earlier settlement OF
this country.
Again sir If this is sterile country, why IS 1t that the
PRINCIPAL trade with Mexico has for years travelled over deserts
and among dian tribes from Missouri through this part of
the Mexican territory Perhaps the mos, valuable trade they
have ever had the gold and silver which these ca
brought from Mexico from this barren country Ifue
many of the mines not known to be woksdare not
now occupied Their very little now but may
turn out and believe in all probability will turn OUT when
American settlers have driven back those Indian tribes to their
Businesses and open these mnes that they will be found to
be of great value But whether they are or not we have go
principle applied the Territories which three times
large California; principle for which we have always
conended and whatever other may think, one which
consider Of great Importance
Mr.. President there another principle Of the compro-
mise which has been assaed 1t is that with regard to the
fugitive slave bill Very much to my surprise, my col
league in discussing this part of the subject seemed to
think that the committee had taken that subject up in
Justice had been done to the North and not to the South
md that the provisions OF the bill calculated to satisfy
The North and not the South. Now, understood
If my honorable colleague has any doubts upon the sub
ject, presume if he will make motion, when the bill
up to strike out the section, venture to say that he
will find many Northern men-there is not Northern
who will go cheerfuly for striking it out
Now, what is this section, bill rather Why, we are
told that instead Of lessenng the difficulties Of recaptuing
fugitive slaves, it will increase them. 1t will not be that
But if it does, like every other provision of
the BILL il be amended. But as it stands, it is not
subject the objections which presented. What it
provides that in order to obviae the difficulties in taking
proof in the State to which the slave may escape before the
owner goes, ne may go before some court and take copy
Of the record which shall BE- considered evidence of his right
this property him, and upon presenting such other tes
aony may be necessary he shall have right to take his
slave home with him.
Now, there is probably difference Of opinion to the
true construction Of this clause. Perhaps the honorable
chairman of the committee gives different construction from
ha. would give My construction is only that it is sccu-
mnative remedy to aid in the of our rights-ha it
affords additional evidence, and takes nothing away that
we now have.
Mr.. Clay Win the hon rable Senator allow me TO say
tha, entirely with him in the construction he has
put upon 1t may be necessaryand it will be recolecied
that thought there possibility Of its being necessary
make little modification, putting the amendments
together with the bill. He is right.
Mr.. DowSs. Here is the provision. 1t will be seen that
it provides for additional remedies, and takes away
Here it is: . :.n ..& .H.. WI.
When any person held labor service any State
Territory, the District of Columbia, under the laws
thereof shall escape to another State the party whom such
service due by himself legal agent apply to any
court Of record and make proof whereupoa the said
to be made and transcript OF this duly authenticated
the signature Of the clerk and seal of the court shall be
taken e full AMI conclusive evidence of the fact of escape
and that labor and service due by the person. before any
Judge, commissioner, other authorized officer Of the
United Staes before whom he may be brought when found
Upon this certificate and other evidence necessary sub
IT. the escaping must be delivered up
The Southern may take il if he chooses if not he
can go he does now conceive that the construction
my honorable colleague is altogether erroneous.
Well again, 81, to the provision for trial by jury
Can there be any reasonable objection TO that None
all Is there Southern State in the Union which does not
authorize trial by jury 10 slaves asserting their freedom
This frequently my State, and is tried as any other
ssue consider IL as amounting to nothing at all We
say and say truly that but honest endeavor 10
capture their slaves and if it is So ask what objections
IN honest man have to give bond for this trial Why,
here are stronger objections to the laws Of some Of the slave
States which protect the slave in his effort TO regain his free
lom by taking him out of the power OF his maste' who is
compelled to bond other guaranty to secure him his
pursuit. We of the South have complaints enough to make
hat well founded and hope that will never make
my other 1t only weakens the force Of these we have
Let it be known that liberal people, without preju
lice, and look at things they really are II we do
,therwise Northern friends will say nothing reasonable
will satisfy But Mr.. President, that provision about
fugitive slaves and about the District Of Columbia is no part
this bill and does not properly up here for discussion
But aude TO it merely prove that the objections that
are raised are without foundation.
But suppose that wrong in all these quesons-that
this bill is Objectionable admit that is Objectionable in
of its feaueshat it not good we could wish
admit that, oo But before Southern ject this,
they ought what better they do. Why, my hon
orabe friend the other day sad that if adopt this section
admits the idea that Congress has right to interfere with
slavery in the Territories which do not think because the
action of Congress this subject and the action OF Terrific
rial Legislatures authorized by Congress- may be very differ
As understand it has been laid down that in odi-
nary cases. Congress has right to gsate for the Terri
tories She, however, may regulate power in the initiative
state which she could not exercise directly herself.
But my honorable colleague tells us that if we pass this
provision i, the day perhaps the Wmot proviso
will be bitched it. would like know whether there is not
another hing that is much likely to happen, we reject
it If we will take nothing but the whole loaf now, would
ask with what hereafter when we bnd
aslx n he