Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1850-05-24


ten years ofncauly one third. lfit should
continue in the same ratio, the number,
accord, nc TO the census now about to be
taken will be only upwards of two thou
| sand,
But q majority of the committee think
differently in regard to the slave trade
withid the Distiict. BY that trade is
meant the introduction of slaves from ad :
jacent States into the District, for sale, or
to be placed in depot for the purpose of
subsequent sale or transportation 10 other
and distant markets. That trade, a ma
jo,ity of the committee are of opinion,
ought to be abolished Complaints have
always existed against it, no less on the
part of members of Congress from the
South than on the part Of membes of
Congress from the Sout II than OH the
part of members from the North. tits
trade sometimes exhibiting revolving spec
tacles, and one in which the peopl. of the
District have no interest, but, on the con-
trmy, are believed to be desirous that it
should be discontinued. Most, if not all
of the slavcholding States have, either in
their constitutions or by penal enactments,
prohibited trade in slaves as mcrchan-
disc within their respective jurisdictions.
Congress, standing in regard to the pco-
pie of this District OH this subject in IA re-
ation similar to that Of the State Legisla-
lures to the people of the States, may
safely follow the examples of the Statej.
The committee have prepared, and here
with report, a bill for the abolition of that
trade, (marked d. the passage of which
they recommend to the Senate This bill |
has been framed after the model of what
the law of Maryland was when the Gen
cral Government was removed to Wash
ington.
The views and recommendations con-
tanned in this report may be recapitulated
in few words:
l. The admission of any new State or
States formed out of Texas to be post
poncd until they shall hereafter present
themselves to be received into the Union,
when it will be the duty of Congress fair
ly and faithfully to execute the compact
with Texas by admitting such new State
or States
2 The admission forthwith Of California
into the Union, with the boundaries which
she has proposed.
8 The establishment of territorial gov
crnments, without the Wilmot Proviso
Tor New Mexico and Utah, embracing all
the territory recently acquired by the u
nited States from Mexico not contained
in tho boundaries of California
The combination of these two last
mentioned measures in the same bill.
The establishment of the western
and northern boundary of Texas, and the
exclusion from her jurisdiction of all New
Mexico, with the grant to Texas of a pc
cuniary equivalent. And the section for
that purpose to be incorporated in the bill
admitting California and establishing
territorial governmentfor Utah and New
Mexico.
More clfectual enactments of law to
secure the prompt delivery of persons
bound to service or labor in one State,
under the laws thereof, who escape into
another State.
And Abstaining from abolishing
slavery; but, undera heavy penalty, pro-
hioiting the slave trade in tie District of
Columbia.
II such of these several measures as
require Legislation should be carried out
by suitable acts of Congress, all contro-
controversi IS to which our late territorial
acquisitions have given rise, and all exs-
ting question connected with the institu-
ton of slavery, whether resulting from
those acquisitions or from its existence in
the States and the District of Columbia,
will be amicably settled and adjusted, in
a manner, it is confidently believed, to
give general satisfaction to an overwhelm-
ing majority of the people of the United
States. Congress will have fulfilled its
whole duty in regard to the vast country
which, having been ceded by Mexico to
the United States, has fallen untivr theiv
dominion. 1t will have extended to il
protection, provided for its several parts
the inestimable blessing of free and regu-
lar government adapted to their various
wants, and placed the whole under the
banner and the flag of the United States
Meeting courageously its clear and en-,
tire duty, Congress will escape the un
merited reproach of having, from con
siderations of doubtful policy, abandoned
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