The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-04-23
Ole Alio>lebnrp Register.
Middlebury, April 90, 1850.
New Mexico.

When the question of the Wlmot Provi |
with reference TO any territory that might
be annexed TO this country rs Il result of the
Mexican war--it was almost universally I'M
ocrstood that the original object of such an.
ncxation was TO enlarge the area of Slavery.
The stand then taken by large majority OF
the Representatives Of the Free States, was
manly and determined. Their position was
such as the emergency demanded, and such
us the Northern scntiment-the permanent
and abiding convictions Of the people of eve
ry Free Staie-rendercd indispensable. We
have never for a moment doubted the con-
stitutionaity, expediency, or justice of that
measure. We have never wavered in our
support of the great principle attempted to
be carried out thereby. We cannot do 50.
The people of Vermont, on this subject,
will never change front, or faltcr.
In California, the question is already set
tied by the people, who have nearly or quite
unanimously decided that they will have
nothing to do with Slavery. 1t is conceded
on all hands that this first and free Pacific
State will be admitted into the Union during
the present session of Congress One half
yes, and vastly more than baf-of the
great intent of the WiImot Proviso, is thus
fully secured and accomplished.
The only remain ing subject Of dispute,
accordingly, is New Mexico. The first and
most imminent difficulty is, TO our mind a
proper adjustment of the boundary between
this territory and Texas. Shall one half or
three tourlhs Of the territory, now free, be
given up TO the clutches of a graspig Slave
State This, we repeat, is the all-impor
tant question. To this almost every other
point of the present agitation is altogether
subordinate aud trivial.
There is HHic danger, we have for some
time believed, that Slavery can, in any case,
penetrate into that cold and mountainous re-
gon-any more than it was likely to find its
way to Oregon. In the nature of the case,
i, is next to impossible. Yet, we choose to
have this Anti>SIayery principle fundamcn-
tai element IN erery territorial government
and if New Mexico is TO be organized as a
territory, we do not wish to see the Anti.
Slavery clause omitted. We oppose the or-
ganization Of any territorial government
there, at present. 1t does not seem 10 be
nceded-and such an organization cannot
be effected, except at great sacrifice of the
good feeling that should subsist between the
different sections Of our Union.
1t is our belief, we repeat, that there is
no great danger that Slavery can ever, in
any event, exist in New Mexico If thi.
were a settled point, the whole object o! the
Proviso would be gained Mr.. WEBSTER
h. as such a settled conviction in his own
mind, and makes it the ground for waving
entirely an enactment of the Wilmo Prov
SO, so far as that territory is concerned w
do mol endorse this position, but we are will
: ling 10 do this distinguished Wing statesman
ustice-and to believe that he has ncrer
for moment, looked upon further extern
) sion of Slavery otherwise than with abhor
S renee.
The subjoined correspondence throws od
ditonal light on this much agtated topic
f WAsHINGToN, April s, 1850.
To Hon. HUGH n. SMITH,
+. Delegate from NeW MEXICO:
DEAR SIR beg leave 10 present yol
T. with copy of my speech, delivered in tn
3 Senate on the 9TH of March last, and t.
draw your attention to the remarks made b.
me on that OCCASION upon the general char
acter of the country of New Mexico, am
its adaptation TO slave labor. You have bee
i resident in the country for several years
and, rs have understood you TO say, hay
: travcrscd it from end TO end You arc
native of one Of the Slave States of thi
a Union, and of course acquainted with til
Il usual cost of slave labor, and the modes {
/ cultivation to which it may be proGtably ar
d piled. You are, therefore, | am sure, quit
competent 10 express an opinion on tn
e points which have suggested, such as sha
d be satisfactory
\. | will be obliged TO you, also, to state whd
/. the fact is, at the present time. respectin
e the existence of Slavery in New Mexico
and whether the existing laws and Constit,
ton of the country allow it.
have the honor 10 be, my dear Sir, you
lobedicnt servant,
l. (Signed,) DANIEL WEBSTER.