Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-31
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OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES COMPROMISE

have very fully declared our approval of the gene
raj plan of settlement proposed by the Committee
of Thirteen. In taking this ground we do not,
of course, mean to defend the scheme exclusive
ly in its original shape, and to oppose modifca-
tons which may render it still more acceptable.
Southern Senators are on the alert to secure such
amendments of the details as they think impor.
tant, and we shall be glad if they succeed in re-
moving from the measure whatever does not en-
tlrey accord with the views of such Southern
men as really desire to see some satisfactory ad-
justment adopted
The first of the objections alluded to, as
serts, that the Compromise Bill of the Senate con-
cedss the constitutionazity of The Witnaot Prouiso
Somewhat startled, we confess, at learning that
the bill was regarded by any as making any such
concession as this, we have REQUIRED to its provi-
slons, andif they contain the slightest foundation
for the objection, we are utterly unable to perceive
it. The first ofthe bills reported by the Committee
of Thirteen provides, in the usual manner, as re-
poets the Territories Of Utah and New Mexico,
for the organization of Territorial Governments,
and the only clause having any reference to the
subject of slavery is contained in the 10th and
9th sections, each of which, as originally report
ed is in the following words:
Sec. TO- And be it further enacted That the legis-
lave power of the Territory shall extend all right
tu subjects OF legislation, consistent with the Constu
ton OF the United States and the provisions of this
but no law shall be passed interfering with the primary
disposal OF the soil nor in respect to african SLAVERY;
no tax shall be imposed upon the property Of the
non residents be taxed higher than the lands other
property OF residents All the laws passed by the Lee
gslaive Assembly and Governor shall be submitted to
the Congress of the United States, and if disapproved
shall be null and of no effect.
The design of the Committee in inserting the
words "'aor IN respect to African s1apery" was
evidently to prohibit the Territorial Legislatures
from either prohibiting or establishing the instu-
ion of slavery. They were inserted, as Mr.. Clay
has stated, at the instance Of Mr.. Downs, of Lou
lsiana and for the purpose of denying to those
Legislatures power which the whole South has
denied equally to them and to Congress. Certain
ly these words cannot intend, by the remotest i'm
pication, that Congress asserts for itselfa power
which, in giving general Legislative functions to
the Territorial governments, it forbids them to ex-
ercise Hence the objection under consideration,
Chat the bill comedies the consttutionality of the
Wilmot Provso,) would be sufficiently refuted,
| even if the bill were likely to stand in its first
shape. But, the probability is, that, in conse-
quence of another objection urged by Mr.. Davis ),
of Mississipp the phraseology in question will
be modified, with the concurrence of the friends of
the measure. That Senator argued that if the
Territorial Legislatures should be prohibited from
passing any law whatever in respect to slavery,
they could not adopt such police regulations as
would be necessary for the protection of the slave
holder in his right of property, if his right to in
troduce his slaves should be established. Mr.
Davis therefore, moved an amendment, which, at
the suggestion of Mr.. Pratt, of Maryland, he mo-
| difed so as to read as follows
Strike out the words in respect to- and insert to
introduce or exclude, and alter the word slavery" in
| sert these words: +" Provided, That nothing herein
contained shall be construed prevent said territorial
legislature passing such laws may be necessary for the
protection OF the rights OF property of any kind which
may have been may be hereafter apfuLy introduced
| into said Territory"
1t seems that the word 'slawfully," being an
interlineaton, did no. attract Mr.. DAvs's atten-
ton VIII. he accepted this notification of his
amendments and, on Monday last, fearing that
this word might import an acknowledgment of
the force of Mexican law, he still farther modified
his amendment by striking out "lawfuly," and
inserting " conformably to the constitution and
laws of the United States" The clause would
then read that the Territorial Legislature shall
pass no law I" to introduce or exclude African
slavery
! =" Propided, That nothing herein contained shall be
construed to prevent said territorial legislature from
passing such laws may be ssary for the protec-
ton OF the rights OF property OF every kind which may
have been ormay be hereafter conormably to the CON
sttuon and laws OF the United States held in or intro
duced into said Territory
After explanations between Mr.. Clay and Mr.
Davis, it was agreed as the understanding of both,
that it was the object of tae amendment to pre-
vent the restraining clause of the bill from being
so construed as to prohibit the local Legislature
from extending proper protection to any property,
introduced in accordance with the constitution and
laws, without either affirming or disaifirm ng the
legal rightto Introduce slave property. Thus I'M
derstood, the amendment will doubtless be con-
Cured in by the advocates of the bill; and, whe-
Their concurred in or not, the bill will in no sense
assert either that the STAKEHOLDER is prohibited by
| the Mexican law from entering the Territories
with his slaves, or that Congress has the right to
nterpose prohibition
| We repeat that no warrant whatever is to be
found, in the provisions of the Compromise bill,
for the objection that it comedies the constitutions
atty of the Wimot Proviso Neither is there anv
warrant for that obectionin the report of the Com
mttee, if it were proper Gas it is noD to look to
the report for the legal construction of the BILL
The Committee say that the bill " omts the Will
mot Proviso, on the one hand, and, ON the other
makes no provision for the introduction of slavery
onto characterize the Proviso as the fruitful
source of distraction and agitation;" and assert,
that g there was never any occasion for it to ac-
complish the professed object, with which it was