The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1850-02-22

would be extremely difficult 10 give To
these declarations--lhe form Of positive
enactment. lhad hoped that they would
be satisfied with the simple expression
of the opinion Of Congress. leaving it up.
on the basis of that opinion, without ask
ing for what seems 20 ME almost imprac
ticable, if not impossbe-for any subse-
quent enactmeDts to be introduced into !
the bill by which territorial governments
shall be established. can only say that |
that second resolution. even without the |
declaration of these two truths, would be !
more acceptable to me than with them.
But | could not forget that | was propos
ing scheme of arrangement and com
promise; and | could not, therefore, de-
part from the duty which the prepara-
tion of the scheme seemed to me To i'm
pose, while we ask upon the one side
surrender of their favorite measure, OF
offering upon the other side some con-
pensation for that surrender OF sacrifice.
Mr. President, the first of these truths
is. that by lau slavery does not exist
within the Territories ceded to US by the
republic of Mexico. 1t is misfortune.
sir, in the various weighty and important
topics which are connected with the sub
ject that am now addressing you upon,
that any one of the FIVE or six embraced
in these resolutions would of itself fur
nish theme for a heightened speech;
and am, therefore, reduced to the ne
cessly think, at least in this stage ofthe
discussion, of limiting myself rather to
the expression of opinions than to going
at any great length into the discussion of
these various topics. Now. sir, with re.
spect to the opinion here asserted, that
slavery does not exist in the Territories
ceded to the United States by Mexico, |
can only refer, sir, to the fact Of the pas
sage of a law by the supreme government
of Mexico aboishing it, | think in the
yeal 1924. and the subsequent passage
of law by the legislative body of Mex
ico-l forget in what year-by which
they pose-what, it is true, they new.
er yet carried into full effect "a compen
sation to the owners of slaves for the prop
erty of which they we're deprived by the
act of abolition. can only refer to the
acquiescence of Mexico in the abolition
Of slavery, from the time of this extinc-
ton down TO the time of the treaty by
which we acquired those countries. All
Mexico, SO far as know, acquiesced in
the non-existence of slavery. Gentle
men, am aware, talk about The Irregu-
arity of the acts by which slavery was
abolished; but does it become US, for
eign power, to look into the modes by
which an act was accomplished by for
Ieign power, when she herself is satisfied
with what is done, and when she, too, is
exclusively the judge whetherthe object
! then local. municipal in Mexico, has o
has not been abolished in conformity will
y her fundamental lava Why. sir, Mexi
n CO, upon this subject, showed to the las
n moment her anxiety. In the document
which were laid before the country upo
! the subject oflhe negotiation of the treat
D by Mr. Trist, you will find this passag
contained in one of his dispatches:
t "Among the points which come unde
u discussion was the exclusion of slavery
e from all territory which should pass from
u Mexico. In the course of their remark
j. on the subject, was told that if it wer
} proposed to the people of the Unite
if States to part with portion of their tel
d ritory, to orde that the inquis'tIon shoul
y be therein established. the PROPOSE
It could not excite stronger feelings of al
horrence than those awakened in Mex
Of co by the prospect of the Introduction I
g slavery in any territory parted with b
| her. Our conversation on this topic W;
r perfectly frank, and no less friendly; al
D. the more effective upon their minds, il
" asmuch as was able to say, with perfe
= security. that although their impression
is res specling the practical fact of SLAYER
n as il exists in The United States, we're,
is had no doubt, entirely erroneous, y
IN there was probably no difference betwee
at nv individual views and sentiments q
of slavery, conside ed in itself, than tho'
IN which they entertained. concluded
es assuring that the bare mention. of the su
'ts iect to any treaty to which the Unite
In States was party was an absolute II
m possibility; that no President ofthe Ur
N, ted States would dare to present any su,
of treaty to the Senate and that ifit we
RS in their power to offer me the whole te
er rtory described in our project, increas
e, ten fold in value, and, in addition to thu
ch covered foot thick all over with pu
lg gold, upon the single condition that 81
very should be excluded therefrom,
in could not entertain the offer for a sing
ot moment, nor think even of commune
at ting il to Washington. The matter en-
N. ed in their being fully satisfied that t
ms topic was one not to be touched, and
rit was dropped, with good feeling on bO
es Sides"
ne Thus you find that, in the very act
lat negotiation by which the treaty was CO
is cluded, which ceded to us the country
nd question, the diplomatic representativ
to of the Mexican Republic urged the a
in. horrence with which Mexico would vie
to the introduction of slavery into any pc
be tion of the territory which she was
nd bout to cede to the United States. B
NV prohibition of its introduction was I
on inserted, in consequence of the I'll
he ground taken by Mr.. Trist, and his d
is, caration that it was an utter imposslb
he ily even to mention the subject. ia
,er it, then, for granted, sir-avaiing mys
ho of tho hane6t of the discussions viii