Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-05-23
Volume IXs#:":.=;;;a:Number 81.
.TlIE COMPROMISE.
Report of the Select Conn usistce of 'Fhlr-
teen im the U. =. senaic, llay 8, le5O.


fornia To other poons Of the territory recently acquired
by the United States from The republic Of Mexico, and
other subjects connected with the institution Of slave
- " - REPoRT:
The committee entered the discharge Of iher dn
Ties -iIh deep of their great Importance, aud
with and solcitue arrive such
illusions might be satisfactory the Sen and TO the
country. Most of the matters referred have been not
only subjected and public discussion
th rougut the country but n debate the Senate it,
self singular for its eluboraeness aud its duration
that foil exposition 0f all ihnso motives and views
which, the subjects coh6ded the committee,
have determined The conclnsiens at which they have ar
rived, seems quite unnecessary They will, therefore,
restrict themselves by few general aud 10
some reflections which grow out of those subjects
Oui of our recent territorial acquisitions, aud in con-
nexion with The Institution of slavery, questions most
grave have sprung. which greatly dividing and aeiang
tile people of tie United States, have threatened to dis
turb tho harmony ii not 10 endanger the safety of The
Union. The COMMITTEES believe IL To be highly desirable
aud necessary speedily adjust all those questions
spirit of conc"rd, and in manner to produce, If pract
cable, general satisfaction. They think it would be
wise o leave any of them open and unsettled TO foster
in the public mind, and prolong if not aggravate the
existing agitation Ia has been their object. therefore,
this report, make such proposals and
as would accomplish general adjustment OF all those
questions
Among the subjects referred TO The committee, which
command their FIRST attention, the resolutions offered
TO the Senat" by the Senator from Tennsssee Mr. Bell
BY provision IN the resolution OF Congress annexing
Texas 10 the United States, it is declared that
States of convenient exceeding four number,
ia addition To said State Of Texas, and having sufficient
population may, hereafter by the consent OF said Slae,
be formed Of the territory thereof, which shall be
ted TO admission under the provisions of the Federal
Constitution and such States as may BIZ formed out Of
portion of said territory living south of Sc deg 80
min north latitude commonly known the Missouri
compromise ine shall be admitted into the Union with
or without slavery, as the people Of each State asking
admission may desire"
The committee unanimously of opinion, that when
Staes formed Of the territory Of
Texas not exceeding four, having sufficient population,
with the consent Of Texas, may apply be admitted in
the Unon they entitled such admission
all doubt, upon the clear, unambguous, and absolute
of the solemn compact contained the resolution
of annexs adopted by Congress and a-sented by
Texas. But whilst the committee conceive that the
right of admission into the Union of any new States
carved of the territory of Texas exceeding
number specified and under the conditions stated
Dot be Justly contTovered; The committee do not think
that the formation of any such States should
originate with Congress. The inative, in conftnmy
with The usage which has heretofore prevailed should be
taken by portion of the people Of Texas themselves
desirous of constructing a State, with the
OF Texas. And IN the formation of such State, il
will be for the people composing 10 decide for them
selves whether they will admit will exclude slavery
And however they may decide that purely municipal
question: Congress is bound acquiesce and fulfil in
good faith the stpulaons of The compact with Texas.
The committee aware that II has been contended
that the resolution Of Congress annexng Texas
constitutional AT former epoch of country's his
tory, there those (and MIR Jefferson under whose
auspices tho treaty OF Louisiana concluded,
among ihem) who believed that the States formed out of
Louisiana could be received the Union Without
amendment OF the Constitution But the States of
Louisiana Missouri Arkansas, and Iowa have been all,
nevertheless, admitted. And who would think of
opposing tho admission of Minnesota, Oregon other
new States formed of the ancient province of Louis
lana, upon the ground of alleged original defect Of
constitutional power! In grave national transactions,
while yet in their earlier incipeht stages differences
may we'll exist; but when they been decided
by constitutional majority, and consummaled,
in process of consummntion there be other
safe and prudent alternative than to respect the decision
already rendered, and TO acqussce in il. Entertaining
these views, majority of the committee do think
necessary proper recommend, this limo, pros
pectvely, any State States 10 be formed out of
the territory of Texas Should any such State be here
after formed, aud present itself for admission into the
Union, whether with without the establishment of
slavery, cannot be doubted that Congress WILL under
full of honor of good fsilh and of all the high OBJ
legations arising of the compact with Texas decide,
Just will decide under the nuenue of similar
sideraiions in regard States formed Of of
New Mexico aud Utah. with without the institution
OF slavery according the constitutions aud judgment of
the people who compose them, to what may be best TO
promote their happiness.
Ia considering the question Of the admission of Cali.
forna as a Stale into the Union, majority of The
mtec conceive that any resuarity by which that State
organized without the previous authority of act
of Congress ought to be overlooked in consideration of
the omission by Congress establish territorial
enment for the people of California; and the consequent
necessity which they under to create government
for themselves best adapted 10 their There
instances, prior the Of California. Of
ibs admission of new States into the Union without any
previous authorization by Congress The sole condition
required by the Constitution of the United States IN re-
specl to the admission n State that lis constllu
ton shall be republican in form. California presents
such constitution and there rs no doubt of her having
greater population than that winch, according 10 the
practice of government has been heretofore deemed
sufficient 10 receive a Stale into the Union.
In regard the proposed boundaries of California the
committee wonld have been glad there existed more
foil and accurate geographical knowledge oi the territory
leyc that, large they are, they embrace no very dis
proponate quantity of land adapted TO cultivation. And
1t they contain extensive ranges OF
Trims, deserts of sand, and much unproGuctve SOIL IL
might have been perhaps, better 10 have assigned 10
California more limited front ON The Pacific; but
il there had been reserved The shore OF that ocean
portion of the boundary which 1t presents os any other
State States il is very certain TINT accessible
interior OF sufficient extent could have been given TO
them render approach TO The ocean through their
limits of any very great importance.
majority of the committee think that there are many
and urgent concurrns considerations in favor of admit
ting California with the proposed boundaries, and of
curing her this time the benefits of State Govern
ment H. hereafter, upon increase ot her population,
thorough exploration Of her territory, aud an
certsnment Of the relations which may arise between The
people occupying various parts, IL should be found
conducive to their convenience and happiness form a
State OF California have every reason to be-
lsve from past experiences, that the question OF Its nd
mission will be fairly considered and justly decided
majority of the committee, therefore, recommend TO
the Senate the passage OF the bill reported by the CON-
mee Territories for the admission of California as
State of the Union To prevent misconcepton, the
committee also recommend that the amendment reported
by the same committee the bill be adopted, to
leave inconestibe the right OF the United States the
public domain and other public property iu California
Whilst majority Of the committee believe il TO be
necessary proper under actual circumstances ad
nit California, they think quite and prop
er to establish for the residue Of the territory
derived from Mexico and 10 bring it within the pale OF
the Federal authority The renceness of that territory
from The of the general government the dispersed
state # its pnpuation the variety ei racesPure and
mixed-of which il consists; the ignorance al some of
the Of laws language, and habits their exPo-