The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-12
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
SENATE.
MONDAY, March IL, 1850.

Mr.. CLAY presented a petition. numerously |
signed, in favor of the admission of California.
Also, petition in favor OF the appropriation of
sum of money for the purchase Of cemetery or
burial ground for Americans IN the city OF Mexico
THE VALLEY or THE rio oRANpE,
Mr.. CLAY presented the petition of certain in
habitants of the valley of the lower Rio Grande,
praying that Congress may give them territorial |
government, as they independent of Texas.
Mr. RUSK said that a similar petition was pre- |
scented few days ago. The signers thereof were
mostly persons who had come into that country |
since the war, and were mostly Mexicans The |
real inhabitants of the country had repudated the
whole movement
FLoGeINe AND SPIRIT RATION IN THE NAVY.
Mr.. HALE presented large number of petit |
TONS numerously signed, praying the abolition of
hogging and the spirit ration in the navy.
THE CENSUS
Mr.. DAVIS, of Massachusetts,, moved, and twas
ordered, that the bill providing for taking the sew
enth census be made the special order for Wednes-
day next.
JOHN H MKENNY.
Several resolutions, directing inquiry into the ex
pediency ofvarious bills, &C., were submitted and
adopted.
Mr.. DODGE, of Iowa, moved to take up reso-
luton, calling for copies of certain papers relating
TO the removal of John ii. McKenny, late suttler
at Fort Gaines; and after remark by Mr. BAD
GER, the resolution withdrawn, to be presented
in Executive session.
LAND OFFICE REPORT.
MIR. FELCH submitted resolution directing the
printing of 200 additional copies of the report of
the Commissioner of the Land Office which was
adopted
MIR DODGE, of Iowa, introduced bill granting
TO the city of Burlington, Iowa, the lands hereto
fore reserved between that city and the Mississippi
river.
resolution directing inquiry into the expe-
diency Of providing for the compensation of the
land officers at the ST. Augustine and Newnansvie
(Florida) districts, was taken up and adopted.
cALrFoRSIA.
The Senate then proceeded TO the consideration
of the motion to refer the Presidents message and
the accompanying copy of the constitution TO the
Committee on Territories, with instructions to re-
port bill for her admission.
Mr. SEWARD said that, four years ago. Cafor-
MIA was Mexican province and known only to
us from her port of San Francisco, which, even at
that time was looked at a most desirable sub
iect for acquisition One year ago, California was
an independently Of the United States, and her ac-
QUESTION was considered as most happy achieve
ment. To-day, California is here applying for adj
mission into this Union State, and finds Us
here gravely debating upon dissolution of the
Union itself The question is, shall California
be admitted into the Union? Several objections
urged against her admission. II was said
that she has adopted State government unccre-
monousy and without the previous expressed con-
sent Of Congress, and hence came here under
act of usurpation.
ms charge was untrue-f not IN TACT, at least
in spirit. California was torn from the empire of
Mexico, and added to the domain of this Union:
but in 90 doing a compact was made, whereby it
was stipulated that those Mexican provinces should
be admitted into this Union.
But il said that she comes unauthorized
Michigan, and several other States, came in the
same way. California pleads these precedents. Is
not the plea sufficient II said that il was qua
rantied that Michigan should be admitted by the
ordinance Of 1851; but that was nothing more than
a compact, and California pleaded equally bind
ing one. California was compelled, by the great
law Of sefpreservation TO adopt this constitution,
and seek admission a State. She was a military
colony, exposed TO internal corruption and strife,
and dangerous 10 the parent power; and for throw
ing IL of she deserved not rebuke, but praise and
admiration.
The boundary Of California was not a proper OBJ
lection; there was none, and there could be no
standard of measurement for States. Her territory
was compact, contiguous, and united; no adjacent
States were complaining or mufmuring. census,
and laws regulating suffrage, were not available at
the time. She abandoned by Congress, and
had 70 make the best regulations in her power
The Pilgrim fathers, who were the Mayhower,
were not numbered by an act Of Parliament; yet
they founded an empire. They we're aliens there
too.
The only objection to her constitution was, that
IL was republican,; for il adopts the principles Of
the Declaration OF Independence, that all men are
born free and equal
He then examined the objection that California
was here through Executive interference, and de-
clared IL unfounded, far any evidence
had transpired. The President had all power un-
der the military government; and IL he preferred 10
u lay that power down. and repose IL in the people,
he desired that such President might always be
found in this country.
He gave a sketch Of the future prospects Of this
country, when the Caucasian race shall have set
tied il all over; when the population shall be two
hundred millions Of people; and asked whether IL
was desirable that this whole people should form one
government or nation, or two' He thought the adj
C.lt L.J
this point California, II denied admission, mi ght
be the foundation Of another empire on the other
The Senator from Kentucky had introduced a
series Of resolutions, which were proposed 10 be
compromise all the questions growing out Of the
subject Of slavery. lie was opposed 70 this COM
promise He was opposed 10 all the compromises
which had been submitted. All Legislative com
promises were necessarily vicious and dangerous.
They always take away the right 20 reconsider the
subject, and are an usurpatiOn Of the powers Of
future Legislatures.
What did this compromise offer 70 him, For for
bearance a. 10 slavery in the District Of Columbia
for forbearance a. 20 the fugitive slavesfor for
bearance az TO slavery in the Territores-fOr for
bearsnce as 10 slavery every where, he was offered
freedom in California, where freedom was already
established. For a small portion Of human rights
this compromise required him 70 use forbearancc
towards slavery everywhere.
He considered that California should be admitted
independent 81 the subject Of slavery he would
Stale Her admission would take place in either
case and therefore her admission should form nc
part q q compromise
lie gave the history Of the legislation on the SUBJ
ject Of fugitive slaves and declared that If the laws
now in force imperative and inefficient, no
more stringent laws would avail the STAKEHOLDER
He considered the compact in the Constitution and
law Of 1885, 70 the rendering up Of fugitive slaves
as against the laws Of nature There was bot one
precedent, which in treaty between Russia
and Constantine, in the year nine hundred and
two He pronounced II inhuman, but IL was law
and IL slavebolders desired 10 carry out the Law,
they should make the law less stringent and secure
10 The alleged fugitive the common privileges d
men--the right Of trial by jury, and the Prcsump-
ton Of freedom.
He would vote for the emancipation Of the slaves
in this District No compromise could purchase
his forbearance on this point He would vote any
sum OF money 10 purchase the freedom Of slaves
He could never consent that law 10 abolish slavery
in this District should be defeated by an implied
agreement that such law should not be passed a.
the proper time.
Another feature in this compromise was the ornls.
sion of the Wilmot provso in the territorial gov
ernments Such an omission could not be .atisfac.
tory 10 the people Of the North. and ifs bill should
be passed without the wilmot proyiso the spirit
ftRe people wonld rice, and they would not leave
in the Capitol ono servant who knew his masters