The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-07

honorable senator from Ksq.ueky to South Carolina I|
call the facts to my recollection arghts they these
We are the owners Of much shipping; we employ many
sailors; among them we employ free people Of color,
OF the United States, ctzens OF the Commonwealth,
entitled to the rights OF citizens. These citizens were
taken from our vessels when they arrived in South
Carolina, and held In custody until the vessels sail
ed again This our citizens complained OF, whether
justly uniustly; they felt that il was an infringe
ment in the first place. OF the rights Of the citizens,
and in the next place, II was great Inconvenience to
men engaged in this trade. II remember correctly,
and \ think do, the people OF Massachusetts, author
zea Their 70 propose at the expense q the
State some proper individual To to the State OF South
Carolina TO contest the right Of that State to hold these cit
asGs q custody u this way i the courts q the State
that the complaint OF citizens and the mission 10
which the honorable senator refers was then instituted,
and the termination OF il believe he has correctly stated
aggressive purpose whatever but simply desired the
Judicial tribunal to settle the question. They wanted
nothing re-they asked nothing more
dent this explanation but have been informed BY an
eminent citizen Of Massachusetts, whose il is not
necessary to mention-no member OF this body--ihat
the motive for the repeal OF those laws OF restoration
or the passage OF those laws OF obstruconthat one OF
the motives was, the treatment Of Mr. Hoar in Charles
ton am glad TO hear that il proceeded from another
causerom what conceive to be misconception OF the
decision OF the Supreme Court of the United States
When the true exposition of the opinion comes to be
known in Massachusetts, trust that she will restore all
those laws for the recovery Of those fugitive slaves that
she repealed from misconcepuon Of that decision.
Mr. President, have great deal more 70 say but !
believe partly made before, that the most stringent
provisions upon this subject that can be devised will
meet with ny hearty and cooperation in the
i The last resolution declares
That Congress has power prohibit obstruct the
trade in slaves between the slavehoding States but that
shf
another Of them depends exclusively upon their own par
Thsis aconcessionno. admit, Of any real consiitu-
tona provision. but concession OF what is understood
believe, by great number at the North TO be consti
tutona provson-from the North TO the South, II the
b adopted TAKE away the decision: q ,hs
oi he subject o hs right Of Congress % regulate
Of the Supreme Court has been founded upon correct
principles; and hope will forever put end to the
queston whether Congress- has or has not the power to
regulate the slave trade between the different States.
Such, Mr. President is the series of resolutions which,
with earnest and anxious desire present the olive
branch g both parts Of this distracted and at this mo.
OF all men upon earth, sir am he least attached to any
production Of my,own mind. No man upon earth Is
have proposed, and to accept. in lieu Of it, anything
which is better But put il TO the candor OF honor.
able senators upon the other sde and upon all sides OF
the chamber whether their duty will be performed BY
simply limiting themselves any one or two OF the Sc
ries Of resolutions which have offered ii my plan Of
peace, and accommodation, and harmony, not right.
how all the questions that have arisen out of this
unhappy subject OF slavery be better settled more
fairly and justly settled TO all quarters of the Union. than
is proposed in the resolutions which have offered Pre-.
sent me such scheme and hail il with pleasure. and
will accept without the slightest feeling Of regret that
Sir while was engaged in anxious consideration upon
this subject the idea OF the Missouri compromise. j,
has been termed, came under my review considered
b. ard sxlu. laeS
worthy Of the common acceptance Of both parties Of this
Union than the project which offer to your consdera
i Mr. President. before enter into particular examna-
ton, however OF that Missouri compromise beg TO be
allowed to correct great error not merely IN the Senate,
but throughout the whole country, IN respect 70 my
the line OF $50 3o established by the agency Of Con-
lgress do moi know, Mr. President, whether anything
with which important historical transactions are ohe-
rated and pass out OF the memory than has the knowl-
edge of the fact that everywhere considered the
author OF the line OF s6e 3o which was established upon
the occasion OF the admission OF Missouri into the Union
MIR, President, would take up too much time to go
over the whole OF that important era in the public affairs
OF this country shall not attempt il although have
ample materials before me, derived from careful and
particular examination OF the journals OF both houses
not sy 0s
with stating that, so far from my having presented as a
proposition the line Of 800 3o upon the occasion OF
siderng whether Missouri ought TO be admitted into the
Union or not il did originate in the House OF which
i was a member II originated in this body Those who
will cast their recollection backand lam the hon
orabe senator from Missouri, correctly perhaps
than anybody ese-must bring to recollection the fact,
that al the first Congress, when the proposition made
to admit Mssouror rather to permit her to hold
venon and TO form constitution preliminary TO de-
Gliding whether she should be admitted into this Union
the bill failed by disagreement between the two houses
the House OF Representatives insisting upon and the SEN
ate dissenting from, the provision contained in the ord
nance OF 1877; the House Insisting upon the Introduction
of slavery, and the Senate rejecting the proposition for
the Introduction Of slavery The bill failed II did
pass at that session OF Congress.
AT the next session II renewed; and al the time
OF its renewal Maine knocking at our door, also to
be admitted into the Union In the House there
majority for restriction OF the admission OF slavery in
the Senaea majority was opposed to any such Testric-
lion. In the Senate, therefore, in order carry through
Missouri, bill provision for her admission, rather
authorizing her TO determine the question OF her admis-
sion coupled with the bill for the admission OF
Maine They were connected together and the Senate
said TO the House, You want the bill for the admission
OF Maine passed. you shall have il, unless you take
along with it the bill for the admission OF Missouri also
There a majoniy-not very large one, but very
firm and decided majority-in the Senate for coupling
them together Well, sir the bill went through all the
usual stages OF disagreement. and OF committees OF
conference for there two committees OF conference
upon the occasion before the matter finally settled
finally settled 10 disconnect the two bills; 10 adj
mi nevton