The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-09
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
MONDAY, April s, 1850.
SENATE

BADGER.
Mr.. SEWARD presented a petition from Bureau
people of this country be guilty OF the folly Of de-
string separation from the Union, that they be
allowed to separate peaceaby.
Mr. CHASE and MIR. SEWARD presented
large number of petitions upon the subject of fug-
tive slaves, slavery in the Territories, and in the
District Of Columbia.
Mr.. HAMLIN presented similar petitions, signed,
he said, by Democrats who never scratched
ticket
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.
Mr.. BENTON presented the petition of citizens
ofSan Diego, California, praying that an additional
collection district may be made in that State, and
that San Diego be made port OF entry
NOTICES.
Mr. YULEE gave notice of a bill to amend the
act, approved June 80, 1884, regulating trade and
intercourse with the Indian tribes
Mr.. DODGE, pursuant TO notice. introduced
bill to divide the State of Wisconsin into two judi
cial districts.
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
Mr. DICKINSON moved that the Senate proceed
to the consideration of the deficiency bill
The VICE PRESIDENT said that bill was the
special order Of the day, but the unfinished bust
ness of Friday had priority.
COMPROMISE COMMITTEE, CALIFORNIA.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of the motion, made by Mr. FooTE, TO refer Mr..
of thirteen, with instructions to apply themselves
to the consideration of some plan Of compromise
and adjustment OF all the questions growing cut Of
the subject of slavery, u which motion there was
amendment pending moved by Mr.. Benton
excepting from the subjects to be considered by the
committee every thing relating to California
Mr.. BENTON said the motion before the Senate
to commit TO the proposed compromise COM
mttee every thing relating TO the subject OF slave
ry. He opposed 10 committing California to any
committee; the bill for her admission had already
been reported by the proper organ Of the Senate.
He was opposed TO mixing the question Of her ad-
mission with any other subject. California was
State; not yet admitted it was true, but that she
was State in fact no longer TO be questioned;
she considered by the people of the country.
There no precedent for mixing the question
of the admission of State with any other subject,
above all, for mixing it up with the question of
slavery. California had washed her hands of that
subject, at home She had disposed of it so far
she was concerned forever. Every consideration
Of justice and of fair legislation required that she
and her admission should be kept separate and dis
tinet from any other subject By uniting the ques-
ton of her admission with any other matter, many
who might be in favor of her admission, and who
may be opposed TO the other matter introduced,
WILL by the union of the question with others, be
compelled to vote against it. Every subject for
legislation should be kept separately In the con-
stitution of California itself wise provision that
every bill shall be upon subject, and that sub
ect shall be expressed in its title They had heard,
in that far off region, OF log rolling; and she
is TO be considered as subject for this system
of log rolling. She is TO be log rolled into the
Union or out Of the Union, as the case may be- ac-
cording TO the number and manner in which the
rollers can conduct the business.
He objected TO the mixing Of California with any
other subject; he objected especially to mixing il
10 with the ingredients proposed. BY the terms Of
the motion Of reference, California Is TO be mixed
up with these matters-hrst, providing territorial
governments for the two territories; secondly, the
Texas dispute, including the formation and admis
ntO The Union of a Statpa IN
of the territory Of Texas, and the arrangement Of
slavery therein, and the reducing her limits, and
the purchase of her disputed territory; thirdly the
fugitive slave bill; fourthly, the abolition Of the
slave trade in the District Of Columbia; filthy, the
abolition Of slavery in the District of Columbia;
sxthy, the abolition OF slavery in the forts, dock
yards and arsenas OF the United States; seventhly,
the abolition Of the slave trade between the States
and eghthly the abolition of slavery in the States
These were the several ingredients with which il
was proposed TO mix up the admission of California.
These bring US TO the question OF the Wilmot pro-
viso; California has washed her hands of that at
home. Why should she be tried for il here? Why
should she be tried here upon the question Of slave
~, when she has disposed Of it at home, upon her
own soiR
There was a vast difference between the matters
involved in these questions. The one-the adnis-
sion of CALIFORNIA; settled in clear, written,
sttutional law; Congress may admit new States."
Upon the other subjects the law is not clear and
unquestioned. About the admission Of California
there is no doubt; all admit and agree upon the
powers of Congress On the other subjects there is
a vast variety Of opinion as u the powers Of Con-
gress.
The union Of the admission of California with
other subjects will place many Senators in false
position. There are those who believe that il is
constitutional and expedient for Congress 10 legs
late upon the subject Of slavery; there those who
believe il constitutional but inexpedient, (and he
vas Of these;) others we're bound TO vote by
structions upon the subject; and by placing the
subject in the same bill with California, these are
all compelled 10 vote against her admission.
There territorial bills before the Senate re-
ported by the proper organ Of the Senate upon
these, at the proper time he ready 10 VOTE and
he supposed all others were but the subject, To-
gether with the Texas boundary, and others, we're
all large measures, and required a separate con-
sideration. lie would be prepared TO vote upon
them all at the proper time, and in proper bills
Place this bill in relation 10 TeIas-and TO give
force 20 which you must have the assent Of Texas
along with the bill for the admission Of California
and you give 10 Texas the veto upon the admission
Of California Should you make them all one
sure and adopt them a. one measure, she has the
power 10 veto the whole by Withholding her assent
She will have veto upon as many points a. you
place subjects in the bil; for, il the measure be
adopted az general measure, 1t must stand or fall
a. whole.
There was the fugitive slave bill on the table.
and had been there for months. He ready 10
vote upon IL; he was ready 10 vote 10 carry out
efficiently any provision Of the Constitution. lie
utterly objected 10 coupling the bill for the admis
SION Of California with any bill containing prOvis
ions for the recapture Of runaway negroes. Such
a thing was revolving 10 every man in California.
All bills for the admission Of States since the
formation Of the Government separate bills.
He challenged the production Of a single where
the bill for the admission Of a new State had been
coupled with any other measure. Even when two
States we're 10 be admitted at one time, they were
always kept separate
lie objected 70 the coupling Of her admission with
any other subject, because Il may be made con-
diton precedent that, upon the failure Of any Of tn
States 70 carry out the provisions Of The fugitive
slave bill, she being admitted upon the faith that
they would do 30, must be turned out because they
have not done 90. California had nothing 20 do
with fugitive 5laves. She had none at home, and
she was too far away for them 10 10 her.
Mr. y. then examined the questions Of the aboli-
ton by Congress Of the slave trade in the District
Of Columbia the abolition Of slavery in the District
the abolition Of slavery in the forts dockyards, ar
senas, &c, and the abolition Of the slave trade
between the States; all Of which, he said had been
considered points upon which the South dreaded
danger and oppression from the North, and conse-
quently we're proper subjects 10 be considered by
the committee in oOnneEion with the admission Of
California. With all Of these California had no
connection Of any kind, and they should have no
weight against her admission. He cav no cause Of
alarm 10 the country in the probable action Of Con