The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-28

tive in an analogous case, during the administra
ton of MIR. Van Buren,.
He read from the debates in the California con
yenton, for the purpose of showing that the people
of California do not attach that importance 10 their
boundaries as is supposed in Washington or that,
II those boundaries were contracted, they would
consider II an injury or oppression lie also read
10 show that the representatives in the convention
from that part of California south OF so so were all
opposed to the establishment of State govern
ment, and were in favor OF territorial govern
| ment He considered the question whether slavery
could exist in California, and contended that, had
il not been for the fact that southern men had been
| deprived of their constitutional rights To carry
their slaves there, California would be peopled now
by thousands of slaves. He cited the debates in the
| convention to show that in the proposition TO
cude all negroes, II was demonstrated that the la
| Dor of slave in the mines would be worth five
thousand dollars year; and who could deny that
they would not be Of the same value in that portion
| of California south OF 800 30!
| He argued that it would be but fair compro-
mise to adopt the division of California by that line
| of 800 30. He would vote, a matter OF compro.
| mise, for scheme Of adjustment, admitting Cali
fornia on the sole condition that she contract her
i boundaries TO the line of 300 BOY He had consti-
| tutional objection to the immediate admission of
California, because he believed that she could be
entitled TO but one representative until such time
/ as enumeration of her inhabitants was had. He
would, though with great reluctance, vote TO
look all the Irregularities and the conduct Of the
President, and that California should be admitted,
on proclamation, by the President, whenever she
Diary the line of 800 80, and her representation
| in the House to one member.
He did not believe that the South would ever
cept any bill as compromise which excluded
slavery from inch of territory south of that line
California would then have five and a half degrees
| on the Pacific coast and leaving little over four
degrees for any other State which may be formed
He next alluded to that part of thesbili settling
the boundary of Texas. He objected to this, be-
cause the effect of II was TO take part OF the terri
tory of Texas, and make il the territory of the
- Sfatas Ma hnI1n daru pf'H aNa MA he
Rio Grande, and she doubtless could make her
claim good. As such she was annexed. The effect
| Of this part of the compromise was to reduce the
northern and western boundary OF Texas 10 the SD
parallel being four and half degrees south of the
Missouri compromise line; and that much of the
soil of Texas, now subject to the laws OF slavery,
would, if in the hands of Congress, become free
| territory. He thought il not only violated the
| Missouri compromise line, but also the compact
made with Texas, that such State which may be
formed south of 36o 30 shall be admitted, whether
she permit slavery not. If this territory be ia
ken away from Texas, and made the property Of
the Union, then it to be the territory of
Texas, and is released from the obligations of the
compact with Texas This the South was called
upon to sanction What was the equivalent 1t
was the Withholding of the Wilmot proviso from
the Territories Of New Mexico and Utah. He did
not consider that this equivalent was a secure one
He read from speech made in the House, to show
that the proyiso not defeated, but only post
poned
He thought that the whole South would be per-
!
son why it should not be acceptable to the whole
country if the Missouri line Of 800 30 were extend
ed from the State of Texas to the Pacific coast.
Such a compromise would be understood by the
people, because it familiar to them, and he
thought that it, and it only, under present circum-
stances, would be acceptable and satisfactory.
Mr.. CLAY said that he would like to understand
from the Senator from Virginia whether he asks
that the line of 500 80 should be established, with
out any thing being said the subject of slavery,
excluding authorizing it north or south OF that
line.
Mr. MASON said that he meant distinctly to be
understood to say that the adoption of the line Of
go 80 as the southern boundary of California, and
as applied from Texas TO that southern boundary,
would content him, without any legislation by
Congress; that for the territory of California south
Of 800 80 territorial government should be pro-
yidcd the usual terms, without any thing being
said of slavery. The same to be done regards
Utah and New Mexico. But if the Senator would
strike out all that part Of the bill relating to the Texas
boundary, then he would be content with the divi-
sion of California by the line OF 800 30
MIR. CLAY said that one of the first occasions
ON which he had addressed the Senate, he had said
that he considered the adoption of the line of 1862 30
without any recognition of the right to carry
slaves south of that line, would be but a mockery.
The Senator says NOW that he will accept such a
line. Can the Senator speak for the whole South,
or can he say that such will be acceptable to the
southern Senator's He understood the Senator TO
, say that he spoke only for himself Now, would
southern Senator'S accept this as a compromise
, Mr.. MASON said that if the Senator from Ken
lucky would say that he would be IN favor OF It, he
would receive response very readily from the
other side
+ Mr. CLAY said that he was gratifed TO hear the
Senator say that he would take that line of 360 30,
without any express recognition of the right to
hold slaves south of il, but the Senator proposed to
divide California. He would say TO the Senator
that he would propose as a sort OF compromise, by
extending that line from Texas, through Utah and
New Mexico, up 10 the eastern boundary OF Cali
/, fornia.
Mr.. HALE said that, from the remarks Of the
Senator from Virginia, il might be supposed that
the Missouri compromise line had been applied to
Texas. He did not understand such to be the fact,
! but that Texas admitted as slave State, and
all her territory slave territory until such time
as she divided into additional States, and then,
and not till them was the line of 36' 80 TO be APP
piled 90 her.
: Mr. MASON said that the resolutions Of anne1a-
a ton Of Texas were printed and before every one,
4 and needed no explanation as TO their meaning
l. from him.
Mr. FoOTE said that when hehad interrupted the
, Senator from Virginia. lac thought he had reason to
suppose the Senator in error in regard To the
last resolutions passed by the State Of Virginia He
4 would read the resolution passed at the last
session in February, 1850 in which he thought tho
instructions against the abolition Of the slave trade
in the District Of Columbia had been significantly
= omitted. II follows:
III ID Resolved That in the event OF the passage oil
the wmot proviso, or Of any law abolishing slave
II ~ in the District Of Columbia, in any manner
interfering with the rights ol shareholders therein
or sboishng slavery in, the slave trade between
the states, Virginia will be prepared TO unite with
. her sister sIayshoding States, in convention OF
/. otherwise, in the adoption Of any measures thai
i may be necessary TO provide for their mutual de
fence, or TO secure their common safety.
r He also read from the debate in the Legislature
IF this subject showing that this omission Of thai
part Of the first resolution referring 10 the slave
trade in this District significant and import
Z ant. He then alluded TO the fact that ex. Presden
,e Tyler, Of Virginia, in 1882 introduced IN the Sen
ate bill TO suppress the slave trade In the Distric
ii Of Columbia Petitions also had been sent TO Con
gress from the southern States 20 have suppressed
I'd He then alluded length 20 the slave trade
expressed himself warmly In favor Of its abolition
v, Mr. CASS said that he understood perfectly wha
x the Senator from Virginia proposed as 20 running
n the line 81 36o 80 through California, for IL gave
chance for the introduction Of slavery south Of tina
line But, regarded applying that line TO th
n. Territories Of Utah and New Mexico, he saw no
a thing to be gained. The bill proposed non-intcr
b. vcntion the subject Of slavery in the whole Ter
D. rtories The line Of 30 30 would be prohibition
oft north Of that line, and leave il open for futur
~ decision south Of that line.
l. Mr.. BERRIEN said that if the line Of 36o -
we're adopted il would leave the State Of Calforni
free and of that portion Of IL lying south Of 81