Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-06-07

South mere ideal line, without carving along with
any practical benefits whatever. l understand how
ever, now that the Senator from Virginia is willing to
take the line Sc deg 80 min to the Pacific leaving the
local law and the constitution Of the United States to
operate either side OF that line without any express
declaration recognition of the right to carry slaves
South OF that line prohibition of slavery Worth Of
that line. That understand to be the view of the Sc
nator2
Mr.. Mason. Undoubtedly
Mr.. CLAY Assuming that to be what would satisfy
him. the further question which should like to be
swered is whether all the Senators from the South will
be satisfied with that line, and silent the legislation
MIR. Mason, lin his seat) speak only for myself.
Mr.. CLAY. The Senator says it is confined to him
sell He must at once perceive that any change
ration in the existing proposition wthouta knowledge
of some practical result would be- perhaps losing
time unnecessarily. But should like to know wheth-
er every Southern Senator will be satisfied with the
line running 80 deg. ~ min, to the Pacific, nothing
being said about the right to carry slavery south of
that line
Mr.. Mason Mr.. President. have stated to the
Senator very frankly the position which am prepared
assume In this matter. | have told him that | have
done SO as expressing my opinions only and
have given my reasons tor that opinion in the argument
have had the honor to submit to the Senate. He
asks me now whether he is to understand that all the
other Senators from the Southern States concur in the
opinions which express | will state to him sir that
ne will get, apprehend, very speedy expression Of
that opinion he will indicate to the Senators this
side OF the chamber whether he will be for it HIM
self
=. Mr. CLAY. Mr.. President, this is making contract
between two individuals. have no authority to an
swer for any body. | confess the proposition this
morning struck me with great surprise-wh agree
able surprise. Although, sir, would not say thatl
would go, into California to disturb her limits,
yet | think that if the honorable Senator would get
out another compromise, might be very much dis
posed TO 60 along with him. That is to say, would
consent to the line Sc deg. 80 min, without any
line leaving lea loci and the Constitution Of the United
States to operate there. If you make any thing
outot that contrary to my CONVICTIONS shall be very
much disposed myselt-speakng now only for myself
to take the compromise line as the southern bounda-
ny OF California That is to say, to it through Utah
and New Mexico.
Mr.. Mason, lin hisseat) And no further7
Mr. CLAY Certainly not with regard to Callfor-
Mr.. HALE merely rise to correct misapprehen-
sion, which, fear, may arise from some remarks which
fell from the senator from Virginia in regard to the line
36 deg. 30 min. think that "a stranger who had not
read the resolution OF the annexation of Texas, would
understand if he had listened to that senator, that this
f ad b psd to the State sza So
annexation of Texas will show that this is entirely
mistake. There is no line applied to Texas, and the
constitution OF Texas, it it toerates slavery at all
res to its remotest boundary the 42d degree There
is not syllable in the resolution of annexation
squirting at the idea that there is any restriction OF
slavery in any part of it. The provision u.s. that when
ever Texas to cut herself up into States
those which shall hereafter eormed out of territory y-
ing north OF 36 deg 80 min shall not have slavery
That is the whole restriction. There is none until Tex
as, OF her accord, consents to divide her ter
rltory. There was comprOmlse-36 deg. 80 mln.,
any other line-by which slavery excluded
from inch OF territory which she extended
claimed jurisdiction. make these remarks not because
suppose that the senator from Virginia has fallen into
any mistake such | have referred to, but because
thought, from the tenor OF his remarks that there
some restriction on slaveryin Texas. There is
Mr.. Mason. | merely wish to say that every gentle
determine for himself how far the Missouri
compromise line OF 36 deg. 30 min affects the State of
Texas. All that is written down in round text in the
resolution by which Texas was annexed, apprehend,
plain that "he who runs may read, and will admit
of TO misconsruction.
Mr.. FooTE here made some remarks, which, having
been withheld for revision, are omitted.
Mr.. MASON. One word sir. The issue which the
honorable senator has made Certainly did make
it, in regard to the resolutions adopted by the General
Assembly of Virginia. depends upon this: whether the
terms in any interfering with the rights of the
shareholders in the District" and the terms aboishing
the slave trade within the District be taken as
importing the same meaning Now, sir, do not think
that the meaning given to text by some OF those who
made it, still les. by those who subsequently give tes
mony should be invoked in any way to ascertain what
the meaning of it is when the text itself is before US
am very much at loss to see any difference between
interfering with the slave trade in the District of Column
ha, and interfering with the rights OF shareholders in
the District Of Columbia tor Of the rights of slave
holders is the trade in slaves
Mr.. FooTE replied
MT. CAss. Mr. President there is one point upon
which do not understand the honorable Senator from
Virginia Mr.. Mason, in theexplanation he gave the
Senator from Kentucky Mr. Clay He SAYS he is will
ling to accept the Missouri Compromise lne without
the recognition establishment of slavery by Congress
South Of that line. can understand that, by applying
that line to California and stopping her boundary there
the country the South Of it would be again open to
the action of the people, and it would be either forever
to admit or exclude slavery | say, can understand
this But | cannot understand of what possible use
such line would be East of California and Texas 1t
would divide nothing. The Missouri compromise line
said nothing the subject Of slavery South of Sc deg
3amn It left the people to introduce or exclude it
line. This bill leaves the whole territory, North and
South precisely the Missouri compromise line left the
country to the South. That was non action by Con-
action both North and South and gives the peo-
Pile the right to settle the question for themselves.
The Missouri compromise line was political one di-
viding something while this would divide nothing at
all These bills create territorial governments with out
touching the question OF slavery Is the honorable Sc
nator from Virginia willing should be touched? If
complished But thisi compromise line; ii is nom
intervention, fairly carried out. l repeat, what do we
want with such ne Il divides nothing, unless indeed,
you make it divide the Territories, forming two,
North South. But what would be gained by that
for the question we are now dscuSsing2 The people
in each would have the right over the subject
of slavery, and it would not exist in more than
in the other, unless by their action repeat we should
have line dividing nothing so far as this matter is con-
cerned.
Mr.. BERRIEN. Think, Mr. President, that the an
swer to the inquiry OF the senator from Michigan is very
obvious The line proposed by the senator from Vir-
gna would take off Al degrees from the proposed State
of California, in which slavery inhibited if effect
be given to her constitution and would thus bring that
portion OF the Territory within the provisions OF this
BILL as applicable to the Territories which it creates
1t would, therefore, leave it optional with the people
who may hereafter form State there, whether slavery
should should exist within those 4a degrees of the
proposed State OF California in which it is inhbt
ed That is the answer If the line SO deg 80 min. be
run to the Pacific will cut off At deg from the pro-
e cIn
hbited if effect be given to her constitution, and will
leave optional under the provisions of this BILL with
the people Of that Territory when they to form
State out of southern California to say whether slavery
shall or shall not exist there.
Mr.. CAss | must have been very unfortunate in the
remarks made very mperfecty heard by the honor
able senator from Georgia, or certainly he would not
understand the matter precisely he does in relation
California see the effect Of division of that State
by an east and west line, and that while slavery would