The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1850-03-01


WASHINGTON, Jan. 2lst, 1850.
His Erc'y, John A. Quitman, Gorer1ior, dc:
SIR: We, the Seuators and Representatives |
in Congress from Mississippi, feel it incumbent
upon US to advise you, and through yon our COM
mon constituents, that we have we'll defined |
opinion, that California will be admitted a
State of this Union the present session Of Con
gress. The President earnestly recommended
II, and we cannot be mistaken III suppoSing that
a majority of both houses of Congress will be
found to vote for it. Our individual positions
have undergone no change. We regard the
proposition 10 admit California as State, under
all tile circumstances Of her application, an
attempt TO adopt the "Wilmot proviso" Ill ano-
ther form But separated, as we are, from our
constituents, and having no convenient means q
consulting them as 10 their views on the phase
Of this perplexing question, we desire through
you, to submit the single fact to the people and
10 tie Legislature, that California will most
Likely obtain admission into the Union with her
constitutional prohibition Of slavery. and we beg
leave 10 add that we shall be greatly pleased 70
have such expression of opinion BY The Legls-
lature, the Governor, and if practicable by the
people, as shall clearly indicate the course which
Mississippi shall deem il her duty 10 pursue in
this new emergency.
Very respectfully, your ob,t seryt's,
[Siguedl JEFF. DAVIS.
Ii. 5. FooTE,
j. THOMPSON,
W. s. FEATHERsToS.
WM. McWILLIE,
A. G. BRowN.
Aad whereas, it is respectful to our Senators
and Representatives seriously TO consider and
faithfully 10 respond to their appeal and whereas,
we, a portion OF the people OF Mississippi, con-
vened, pursuant to public notice, for the pur-
pose oil considering tie above recited letter, and
believing that tie time has arrived when The
friends Of the Union and the President. shonld
clearly show forth their opinions touching the
subject now specially submitted to their con-
sideration; therefore,
Be IL reS0lced, That we do not concur with
our Senators and Representatives in regarding
the proposition to admit California into the
| Union, as an attempt TO adopt the Wlimot pro
yiso in another form, if we regarded it, the
measure could receive no favor or countenance
/ from US.
BE Il further resolred. That it is the "wel
defined opinion" Of this meeting, that the people
of Mississippi would sustain their Senators and
Representatives in aiding to carry cnt the policy
of the President in reference 10 the admission
Of California into the Union, as unfolded in his
admirable message TO Congress on the SUBJECT;
and we will state few OF the reasons by which
we are confirmed in our opinion:
lst A majority of the people of the State:
cast their votes at the last Presidential election
in favor of a distinguished statesman oil the
North, who was know n not only to be opposed
in feeling to the institution OF slavery, but TO
hold the doctrine that the people OF tie terrific
ries have the exclusive right to adjust the ques
ton of slavery therein, upon their own respon-
sbiity and in their own manner
Cd No evidence has been afforded that the
majority of the people Of the State have modl-
fed their views Of this subject since they gave
the vote Of the State to Gen Gass; and 1t IS TAR
to presume in the absence OF evidence to the
contrary, that, like their representatives. their
''positions have undergone no change"
Sd. Although the people of California are
stigmatizeG in the Aforesaid message Of the
Governor as 'a handful OF adventurers who
have lust set foot on that distant acquisition;
some Of them bold and hardy pioneers from our
own country, but many OF them aliens and
strangers to our institutions" yet Gen. Cass,
for whom His Excelency, together with ma
lority of the people Of Mississippi. voted as
their favorite candidate for the Presidency, has
recently, on the floor of the American Senate,
pronounced the constitution adopted by the peo-
pie Of California, to be among the very best
ever adopted by any people; and as that disiin-
guisiied man, in fayoring the admission Of Cali
fornia, is but carrying out what be, while can
didate for the Presidency, declared TO be "our
true principle" in reference to this "perPlexlng
question" we cannot suppose that his friends IN
this State will be found to condemn his course
4th But lastly and above all; we have an abl-
ding confidence in the devotion OF The people
of Mississippi to the constitution ant union ol
these States; and we are well assured that the
admission OF California is not such an emergen'
CIV as would cause them to think for moment
Of pursuing any course calculated to endangel
either the ore CO the other.
Which report on motion of Mr.. Lea was re
ceived and agreed to.
4 The resolutions were then put upon the pas
sage, when Judge Clifton made all animatet
speech against them,S and concluded by mo
ton to lay them on the table; but not meetin;
with a second. the resolutions were ably sup
ported by Messrs. Fisher Foote, w. P. Ander
son, Pope, and others, and after the discussion
were adopted with but one dissenting voice.
Resolutions were then severally moved by D
W. Adams, Geo. S. Yesger and A. c. Baine
but ona suggestion from Mr.. Lea, and Gen
Henry, that they were not responsive to tn
purpose for which the meeting was called, Inc.
were withdrawn.
On motion OF Geo. S. Yerger, it was resolved
that this meeting, in view Of the uiomentous all