The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-20
MIR. Ixaufman,. RESOLUTIONS.

Inc ioNOWiuB arc the prcaI1Oie ana reSout0n6
which Mr.. KAUFMAN asked the unanimous con-
sent of the House of Representatives to introduce
during the confusion of Monday last:
Whereas the union of these States is founded upon
the equality of its members, and can only be pre-
served by the cultivation of friendship and Kind
feelings amongst the people thereof; and
Whereas 1t Is of vital importance Immediately
and finally settle all the various questions arising
out of slavery that distract the country, and
that are rapidly sowing the seeds of alienation and
dstrust between the different sections of this great
Confederacy; Therefore,
l. Be Il resolved, That, in accordance with the
presidents established in the admission of Iowa and
Wisconsin, California should not be admitted into
the Union as q State without restriction Of her
limits, and that her southern boundary ought to
be the line of $50 30 north latitude.
2. Resotped, That the people Of each Territory
having sufficient population, after its boundaries
are fixed andNthe qualifications of its voters
prescribed by Congress, have the unquestionablc
right to decide Dr themselves whether or not
slavery shall exist within its limits when they meet
to frame their constitution preparatory to their
application for admission as State Of the Union
g. Resolved, That, Notwithstanding the principle
laid down in the second resolution is apparently
efevident and now admitted by all, yet II should
be remembered that 1t denied by the slave
holding States on the application Of Missouri for
admission into the Union and her admission was
not contaminated until the North, sustained by
numbers, absolutely abolished slavery in four ffhs
OF the sioce territory purchased from France under
the name of Louisiana.
4. Resolved, That, waving the expression Of any
opinion by Congress to It's constitutional power
to prohibit establish slavery in the Territories Of
the United States, It is hereby declared to be i'm
proper and unjust for Congress to provide by law
for the introduction inhibition Of slavery in said
Territories, and that appropriate territorial gov
ernments ought To be established by Congress
in said Territories not included within the pro-
posed limits of California, without any provision
whatever upon the subject of slavery
8. Rssoired, That the western boundary of Texas
is the Rio Crande from its mouth to its source and
thence north TO the forty second degree of north
latitude; and that 10 legislate upon the boundary Of
Texas Tor any other State) after her admission
into the Union, ,cithouf her consent, would be an
enormous assumption Of power, palpablc infrac-
ton OF the Constitution, and subvcrsve Of the very
foundations of this Government.
3. Resolved, That Texas previous toh admission,
having agreed only that the treaty making power
might negotiate with Mexico in regard to her
boundary, it would be gross violation Of the COM
pact Of annexation, and breach Of good faith, for
this House TO attempt the exercise of any control
over question, referred by ifsef in the passage Of
the annexation resolutions and, indeed, BY the peo-
pie Of the United States and Texas, to the treaty
making power, viz: the President with the advice
Of two thirds Of the Senate.
4. Resolved, That after the unconditional re-
cognition OF the boundaries of Texas, as claimed
by her at the period of her admission, ,ohich hape
not been crrfaiied By treaty sci Merico negotiations
should be entered into between the Governments Of
the United States and Texas for the surrender Of
might be compatible with her policy and that Of
the United States, for a valuable consideration:
Provided, That in such negotiations shall be stip-
ulated, az fundamental condition of said surren-
der, that no legislation shall ever be had by Con-
gress in such territory the subject Of slavery.
3. Rssoired That, waving any expression of
opinion TO tie constitutional power OF Congress
10 abolish slavery in the District of Columbs IL b
hereby declared unjust and in bad faith not only
TO Maryland but 10 the whole South, 10 abolish
slavery in said District, and such a proposition
should not be tolerated.
9. Rssoired, That, in regard 10 the subject Of
bringing slaves into the District Of Columbia mere
ly for sale, limited discretionary power should be
invested in the Corporations Of Washington and
Georgetown, provided that said power should never
be exercised by said corporations in contravcntion
Of the laws and policy Of Maryland upon that sub
jcct
TO- Resolved That many Of the non-slavcbold-
ing States having repealed their laws giving assist
ance TO the slaveholdng States in recovering "fu-
gitives from labor" in accordance with section
two article four, Of the Constitution of the United
States, and thrown impedimcnts in the way of such
II Is hereby declared to be the duty Of
Congress to amend the act of 1793 on that subject
in such manner as TO give full force and effect TO
said provision Of the Constitution.
II. Resolved, That Congress has no jurisdiction
over the subject of the slave trade between the diff
fercnt savebolding States of the Union, but that
each State has reserved to itself the right Of legs
lating upon that subject in such manner az il may
IA. Rssoicsd, That the Union can only be pre-.
served by adhering 10 the compromises entered into
At It's formation and they who would disturb those
compromises, whether under the prctencc of false
Or mistaken philanthropy with desire 10 secure
political power, should be held by all good citizens
ss enemies OF the Constitution and the Union.