The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-05-16
REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE OF THIREEN.

Mr.. CLAY Mr. President I have risen to
present to the Senate report from the Commit
tee of Thirteen, which was appointed some weeks
ago.
The report is of some length, sir, and there
have been some erasures and alterations in it and
therefore, if the Senate will allow me- there may
be some expediency in reading it myself IL there
is no objection, will do so.
"The Senate's Committee of Thirteen, to whom
were referred various resolutions relating to
California, TO other portions of the territory
recently acquired by the United States from
the republic Of Mexico, and to other subjects
connected with the institution of slavery, have,
according to order, had these resolutions and
subjects under consideration, and beg leave to
submit the following report
1.-THE committee entered on the discharge of
their duties with deep sense of their great i'm
portance, and with earnest and anxious solicitude
to arrive at such conclusions might be satisfac-
tory to the Senate and to the country. Most Of
the matters referred have been not only subjected
to extensive and serious pnbc discussion through-
out the country, but to debate in the Senate It.
SELF singular for its elsboratcncss and its dura-
ton; so that full exposition of all those motives
and views which, on the several subjects confided
to the committee, have determined the conclusions
at which they have arrived, seems quite unneces-
to few general observations, and to some reilec-
tons which grow out Of those subjects.
"Out of our recent Territorial acquisitions, and
in connection with the institution Of slavery ques
tons most grave have sprung, which, greatly d.
yiding and agitating the people Of the United
States, have threatened to disturb the harmony,
if not to endanger the safety, Of the Union. The
committee believe it TO be highly desirable and
necessary speedily to adjust all those questions,
in spirit of concord, and in manner to produce,
il practicable, general 81 isfaction. They think
il would be unwise to leave any of them open and
unsettled to tester in the public mind and to pro-
long, If not aggravate, the existing agitation 1t
has been their object, therefore, in this report to
make such proposals and recommendations as
would accomplish general adjustment of all those
questions.
"Among the subjects referred 10 the committee
which command their first attention, are the res
oluiions offered to the Senate by the Senator
from Tennessee, Mn Bell BY provision in the
resolution of Congress annexing Texas to the
United States it is declared that new States of
convenient size, not exceeding four in number, in
addition to said State of Texas and having suili-
cient population may hereafter, by the consent Of
said State be formed out Of the territory thereof,
which shall be entitled 10 admission under the pro-
visions of the Federal Constitution and such
States as may be formed out Of that portion of
said territory lying south Of 800 30 north lati-
tude, commonly known rs the Missouri Compro-
mise line. shall BE- admitted into the Union with or
without slavery, "a the people Of each State nsk-
ing admission may desire
"The committee are unanimously Of opinion,
that whenever one or more States, formed out Of
the territory Of Texas, not exceeding four, hav-
ing sufficient population with the consent Of Tex
"a, may apply TO be admitted into the Union, they
| a n Ill
upon the clear, unambiguous, and absolute terms
of the solemn compact contained in the resolution
Of annexation adopted by Congress and assenied
to by Texas But, whilst the committee conceive
that the right of admission into the Union Of any
new State carved out Of the territory Of Texas,
not exceeding the number specified and under
the conditions stated cannot lie Justly controvert-
ell, the committee do not think that the formation
of any such new States should now originate with
Congress The initiative, in conformity with the
usage which has heretofore prevailed should be
taken by portion Of the people Of Texas them
selves, DESTROYS OF constituting new State, with
the consent Of Texas. And in the formation of
such new State, il will be for the people compos-
ing IL to decide for themselves whether they Will
admit or will exclude slavery. And however they
may decide that purely municipal question, Con
gress Is bound 10 acquiesce, and TO fulfil IN good
faith the stipulaticn MS Of the compact with Texas
The committee are aware that IL has been con-
tended that the resolution Of Congress annexing
Texas was unconstitutional. At former epoch
Of our country's history, there were those land
Mr.. Jefferson, under whose auspices the treaty OF
Louisiana Was concluded, was among theml who
believed that the States formed out Of Louisiana
could not be received into the Union without an
amendment Of the Constitution. But the States
Of Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas and Iowa, have
been all, nevertheless, admitted And who would
now think of opposing the admission Of Minnesota,
Oregon, or other new States formed out OF the
ancient province OF Louisiana, upon the ground
Of an alleged original defect Of constitutional pow
er1 In grave national transactions while yet in
their enrlier or incpient Stagcs, differences may
well exist bat when once they have been decided
by constitutional majority, and are consum-
mated, or are Ia process Of contamination, there
can be 20 other safe and prudent alternative than
to respect the decision already rendered, and to
sc9uiesce In It, Entertaining these views, q ma
yority OF the committee do not think 1t necessary
OF proper TO recommend, at this time or prospec-
uveiy, any new State or States 10 be formed out
OF the territory OF Texas. Should any such State
DO hereafter formed, and present itself for sdmis-
sion into the Union, whether with or without the
es'aolishment OF slavery, II cannot be doubted
that Congress win under full sense Of honor, OF
good iath, and Of oil the high obligations arising
out OF the compact with Texas, decide, Just ~ il
wiil decide under the influence Of simlisr sonsid-
erstions In regard 70 new States formed OF or oet
OF New Mexico and Utah, With or without the
institution Of slavery according 10 the Conssitu.
lions and Judgment Of the people who composs
them, as TO what may be best 70 promote their
happiness
! ain considering the question Of the admission