Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-05-15
MIR. CLAWS REPORT.
APRIL so, 1850

The correspondent of the Bamor. American gives the
following abstract of the report Of The Committee Of hr
teen, read by Mr.. CLAY, in the Senate on Wednesday
last:
The committee report that they entered the discharge
of their duties with anxious desire TO perform their du
Ties to the Senate and the country They deemed it I'M
necessary TO state the various motives which actuated them
The committee deemed it highly important to settle all the
questions growing out of the acquisition of territory from
Mexico.
They first took up Mr.. Bells resolution They were of
opinion that when any States applied for admission
from Texas, they should be admitted accordance with
solemn compact but the initiation in forming State
must be taken by Texas and not by Congress Some
Of opinion that Texas unconsltutunalIy annexed but
had doubted the proprety of admitting States from
Louisiana account Of any alleged defect in her annexa-
ton into the Union. Iany State should be formed out of
Texas, Congress would be bound admit her into the
Union, with or without slavery, as the people desired.
California had formed state government, and applied for
admission. She had complied with the acquisitions of the
constitution, and had sufficient population. As the boun-
daries of California the committee had not full information
but the quantity of good land in California was not dispru-
pOronate to other States mght be better to restrict the
boundaries the sea coast but future time the State
would be divided: but the majority Of the committee thought
that it was expedient now 10 admit California with her
present boundaries.
The committee believed It mperavey necessary to es
absh territorial governments in Utah and New Mexico
1t would be long time before they would into the
Union States and they needed the protection Of organ
lied governments.
The committee also determined to combine in the same
bill the State Government of California and the Territorial
governments of Utah and New Mexico.
1t has been Objected that would embarrass some Sem
Misunderstanding to vote for measure and not
the other But spirit of mutual concession ought to in
Guce Senators accommodate diversity of opinion and,
for the sake ola great goud elnqush objections what
might be deemed exceptionabe. The constitution was
adopted whole, though many objected to some Of its
parts.
The bill silent 10 savery-neither excluding nor
aboshng it, There was probability that Utah and New
Mexico would, when they become States follow the exam
pie of California and exclude slavery. The Wilmot pro-
viso viewed by the committee mschieyUus abstrac
ton.
The committee also report the Northe and Western
limits of Texas They proposed an amicable adjustment.
They proposed the Rio Gande TO longitude 100 degrees as
the western boundary. The bill proposes compensa-
ton to Texas for the exngushment Of the claim 10 New
Mexico, Of blank millions Of dollars, be applied
first the payment Of her debt The lands to be ceded to
the United States embraced 100000 Of acres. The
majority of the committee agreed incorporate the offer to
Texas in the bills admitting California, and establishing ter
rorial government.
The committee reported bill marked A, embracing the
three measures, and recommended It's adoption.
The committee considered the subject Of enforcing
the constitutional provision for the recovery Of fugitive
for this purpose The Supreme Court have in
its decisions that awtO condemn the legislation Of States
evasive Of their constitutional obligations
But in enforcing the law, regard must be had proper
guards prevent abuses The bill proposed try The f
gilive in The place whence he fled, and where found
The owner or agent 10 take record. with evidence
that the fugitive labor service, and nothing was
then wanting but identify the person Many citizens
had asked for trial Of the fugitive by jury. 1t would be
better for the owner to give up his property than to watch
it great expense and delay This objection would not
apply trial by jury in the place from whence the ug-
tive fled. The committee, therefore, recommend such
trial. The claimant is to be placed under bond to give the
fugitive on his return, fair trial. The committee thought
the of fgves who could not be recovered ought
be ndemned cut of The Treasury Of the United States
In the place. the committee turned their attention
the subject of the slave trade Of the District According
the census, reduction of third in the number of
slaves in the District took place between 1889 and S40
Their number now does not much exceed 1900. The
committee thought the depos for slaves ought be abo
ished They adopted law for this purpose which former
Iy existed in Marylan