Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-02-02

nvestgaon OF the NATTER and finally TO the adoption Oh such
measure as will preserve the rights Of ALL and restore harmo-
ny to the entire country
Sir, have long that good results from angry dis
cussion upon question: however unmpoant may be
and as this question we'll calculated excite such feeling
conJure gentlemen to keep Tar possible within those
temperate and calm limits which ought to be practicable to
ALL in the discussion Of questions in the Senate Of the United
States which are Of the utmost Importance.
Mr. PRESIDENT while am up, must be permitted to say
that think the honorable Senator from Kentucky perfectly
correct In chaacterzng the constitution of California
being irregular in the mode Of its formation, and in the
measures esoed to for the purpose of establishing system
OF government there How far under these circumstances
may become TO accept that constitution, not for to
say but will simply remark that, unless many objections
that exist according to the representations that have been
made regarding It, removed, never give my sane
on am for pursuing the good old mode that has been
pointed out by the Senator from Kentuckyhe mode that ne
and have been accustomed practsed SO many years.
when we were in the House Of Representatives Then, sir
all went on we'll We gave such territories we had,
territorial them upfed them for the
exercise and enjoyment of institutions and when thus
fitted, and when they had population sufficient to ente
them to become States, received them into the Union,
after they had formed for themselves constitutions and State
Governments. This sir, has been departed from in some
instances but has been departed from in instance in
which departure unustiable than in that which
has been referred the honorable Senator because think
independently OF the interference to prevent certain nstitu
tons from being adopted there not that kind of popula
ton there that justified the formation of State Government
made up that population to be, Of Chinese, Sand
witch islanders Mexicans and the people Of other foreign
countries
With regard to the opinions Of honorable Senators respect
ing the operation Of the laws Of Mexico 10 our
ed territories there may be. and doubt is honest differ
of opinion with regard to that matter. Some believe
that the municipal institutions of Mexico override the prov
ons Of constitution and prevent from carrying our
slaves there That is matter which do not propose to
discuss has been discussed length in the debate upon
the compromise bill putting the ground Of Judicial de-
cson Sir know not-nor is it matter of much import
with me-whether that which the honorable Senator
hat rkaa hu
nator from Mississippi only be conjecura be in reality
not, that slavery go there This is what is
stated however Well be 1t II slave labor be not pro-
ftabe there it will not 60 there if co. who will be bene
flied Not the South. They will never compel it to go
there We msunderstood-grossy, may say-by hon
orabe Senators, though not Intentionally but
tending for principle, and great principle principle lying
at the very foundation of our constitutional rightsnvovng
has been remarked, property in word, involving
safety our honor and all that is dear to American
freemen. Well sir for that principle will be compelled
to contend the utmost and resist aggression every
hazard and every sacrifice That the position which
placed. We ask act Of Congresses has been
properly ntimaed by the Senator from Mississpp-to carry
slavery any where. Sir, believe have about much
constitutional power prohibit slavery from going into the
Territories of the United States have pass
ying slavery there We have right to do either the
the other Iwoud in favor ofthe Wmo povso
would for any law which required that slavery should
60 into any Of the Territories There is material difference
however, between the two The Senator from Kentucky
any have misunderstood the Senator from Mississippi
The honorable Senator from Mississippi could have in
tended that sought procure the passage of act
of Congress establishing slavery in Territories where the
institution did not already exist, in Territories of the
United States which had right to govern by territorial
government prior the time of forming constitutions for
themselves. The difference is this that there shall
security that slavery shall not be prohibited There is the
erencenot that shall be admitted established, but
that it shall not be prohibited Do understand the honora-
BILE correctly
Mr.. DAVIS. That the right shall be recognised
Mr. KING. Well, sir, agree with the honorable Sena-
tor from Kentucky in much that he has said respecting
the District Of Columbia The terms of his resolution in
regard to the District, however, not precisely such
should have used convey the idea that he Intends though
perhaps the Senator has done much appropriately
But sir agree that whether the Congress Of the United
States has under the constitutions the right to abolish slavery
in the District of Columbia not it would be- in the lam
guage of individual who in celebrated inaugural adj
Dress placed the matter before the country in light that
recognised the gross violation of good faith
towards Maryland and Virginia if it had been expressly
prohibited in the constitution long those States
manned slaveholdng States.
With regard to what called the slave trade have
the day-and Senators of it. presume, from
the have pursued heretoore-when not willing
pass law for the purpose Of breaking up those miserable
establishments that exist under the very eyes Of Congress
ITSELF and offensive many gentlemen, who feel per-
haps sensitive the subject than do am free
say that am the very last who would be willing to
courage such establishments.
shall not say any thing about the rights of Texas. Think
with my friend from Mississippi that that question, when
to be tested, will settle itself in way that will secure
Texas all that she originally claimed and which she pro-
bababy would have lost in part negotiations with Mexico
had been brought close but nasmuch the negotiations
broken of and ensued we, the contracting parties
negotiating the hoSnday having possession Of the country
with very bad grace turn round to Texas and say,
have obtained possession Of the country by conquest and
will keep for ourselves That is the whole of the matter
Now, cir, in regard Of the resolutions Of the Sena
tor from Kentucky am disposed to give them attentive
and careful examination am disposed to yield all can in
honor-all can without the sacrifice of essential ghtsin
order settle this question. had hoped that it was the
design of the honorable Senator in introducing these resolu
ons press upon them the part the Senate but
that they intended the groundwork for the settlement Of
the question: by having the subject brought to the attention Of
the appropriate committees and having the whole matter pre-
scented once in order possible agreement
by which the rights of all should be secured and if there
found to be little differences that good and mode
counses should ultimately PREVAIL and satisfactory adj
ustment of the question he effected beg pardon Of the
Senate for having detained them so long,
Mr. CLAY. One word, Mr. President, in reference to
what has been said by the honorable Senator from Alabama
extremely happy hear him express those sentiments
which he has appropriately advanced because Sena-
tor of bis great experience in the councils Of the nation
may reasonably expect matured opinion. happy to
find that there is little difference between have
however merely make single correction which perhaps
hardly necessary My worthy friend from Alabama stated
that admitted that California had in with great M
regularity and through improper That not
my expression. Ibid the word measures. had
reference party measures for separate myself
much possible from oil party with reference this sub
ect meant by regularity that that done which had
bsen done with reference Michigan, and later period
with reference Florida that the attempt made give
to California State government before she had had Terri
toral government that is all / meant.
Sir, single word and have done. My worthy friend
we'll other gentlemen in the Senate have advered the
fact that in this with Mexico which we all know
in part connected with Texas and her limits, the United