The Daily spy., 1850-02-05
MIR. CLAY,s COMPROMISE.


Mr. Clay introduced the subject by some remarks
concerning the importance of an amcable arrange
ment of the controversy between the North and the
South He then proceeded to read the first resolu-
ton, with the preamble as follows:
1t being desirable for the peace concord, and harmo-
ny of the Union of these States, settle and adjust
lcaby all questions of controversy between them arising
out of the institution of Slavery, upon fair equality and
just basis: therefore 1851 tlef
l. Resolved That California, with suitable boundaries
ought, upon her applications be admitted one of the
States OF this Union, without the imposition by Con-
gress OF any restriction the exclusion introduction
of Slavery within those boundaries.
Upon this tepic Mr. Clay made few remarks. He
said that there had been regularity in the pro-
ceedlngs of the Californians but he was strongly in
favor OF admitting the state when it applied for ad
mission. He then proceeded as follows
2. Resolued That as Slavery does not exist by law
and Is not likely to be introduced into any of those
rories acquired by The United States from the Repub-
hc OF Mexico, it is nexpedent for Congress provide,
by law, either for its introduction nto its exclusion
from, any part of the said territory: and that appropri-
ate Territorial Governments ought be established by
Congress, in all the said territories, assigned the
boundaries of this proposed State of California without
the abolition of any restriction condition the sub
ject of Slavery.
Sir, 1t proposes the declaration of two truths one
of law and the other of fact-The truth of law which
1T declares Is that there does exist the present
time, Slavery within any portion of the territory ac-
CURED from Mexico. When say what that truth is
| speak my own deliberate and solemn conviction.
L am aware that some gentlemen have held differ
ent doctrine, but persuade myself that they them
selves, when they to review the whole ground,
will see sufficient reason for change modcatios
of their opinion; and if they adhere to it, they
VIII be found to compose avery small minority of
the whole mass of the people of the United States
The next truth which the resolution asserts is that
Slavery Is not likely to be introduced into any portion
of that terrltory.-That is a matter of fact with all
the evidence upon which the fact rests which, sup
pose Is accessible to other Senators as to myself
must say that fiom all have heard or read, from
all the witnesses that have seen and conversed with
from all that has transpired and is transprng | do
believe that not within foot Of the territory ac-
qulred from Mexico will Slavery ever be planted and
believe it could not be done by the force and power
OF public authority. Facts are daily transpring to
justify this conclusion. invite Senator'S from the
free States especially to consider what has occurred
since the last session, and since we have left
our respective constituencies, without an opportunity
of our consulting with them upon that great and mo-
mentous fact. The fact is that California herself al
though 1t was asserted and predicted that she never
would establish Slavery when she came TO be State
has IN Convention, bya unanimous vote, declared
against the introduction of Slavery within her limits
Think Sir taking that leading fact in consideration
with all the evidence which has reached me Il am
warranted in the conclusion which constitutes the
second truth, that have stated in this resolution that
Slavery Is not likely to be introduced in any of the
Territories acquired from Mexico. The latter part
OF the resolution asserts that ii is the duty Congress
to establish appropriate Territorial Governments
within all that territory, exclusive of California not
| embraced in the acts by which these Governments
/ fnd aitho i
mission Of Slavery" Much as am disposed to de-
Ter to high NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. as really am to find
myself In position which would enable me to CO.
operate heartily with other Departments of the Gov
eminent In conducting the affairs of this great peo-
plel cannot concur in the propriety of dereiction
| OF those Terrltorles-of an abandonment of them.
leaving them without government to all those scenes
| OF disorder confusion and anarchy, which, regret
to say, with respect to some of them there is too
much reason to anticipate will arise 1t is the duty
the solemn-l was going to add, almost the sacred
duty of Congressto egislate for that people, if they
can; and, at all events, to attempt to egislate for
them and to give them the benefit law, order and
security The next resolutions Sir, are the Sd and
4th, which having an immediate connection with
each other, should be read together:
3. Resoued That the Western boundary of the State
OF Texas ought to be fixed the Rio del Norte
ing one marine league FROM mouth and running up that
river the Southern line Of New Mexico thence with
that line Eastwardy and continuing in the same drec
tion to the line established between the United States
and Spain, excluding any portion of New Mexico whet
| eriying on the East or West Of that River
A. Rcolved, That it be proposed to the State of Texas
that the United States will provide for the payment Of
all that portion of all the legitimate and bona a public
debts Of that State contracted prior to its annexation to
the United States, and for which the duties on foreign
imports were pledged by the said State to its creditors
not exceeding the sum Of dollars in consideration
the duties pledged, having been no longer appli-
cable to that object after the said annexaon but having
thencelorward become. payable to the United States
and upon the condition also, that the said State shall
by som, solemn and authentic act of her Legislature or
OF Convention, relinqush to the United States anv
claim winch 1t has to any part Of New Mexico.
MIR Clay did not intend TO go into the complex
| question as to what were the due limits of Texas
His opinion that Texas has not good title to anv
| portion of what is called New Mexico but he was
free to admit that looking the ground which her
Senators assumed, the law Of Texas of go the treaty
with Santa Anna, and so on-looking to all these
facts, but not yielding to them all the force which
gentlemen claimed for then he must saw that there
was pausibility in the claim which she sets up He
proposed, then, that whether the Nueces or the Bra
vols, or is not, the boundary of Texas. thai her
Western boundary shall be on the Del Norte from s
mouth to the mouth Of the Sabine. He proposed aJ-
So in connection with this decision Of the question Of
the boundary that Congress shall nav the ,ebts of