Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-03-16
COMMITTEE ON A COMPROMISE.

In SENATE. WxDsrsDAY, MAHcH.l3, 1850.
The VICE PRESIDENT. The time having arrived for
the special order Of the day. the Senate w now proceed 70
the consideration of the resolutions o tns senator rom
nessee which the Senator from Mssisppi has moved refer
to a select COMMITTEES Of thirteen.
Mr. BERRIEN. As Understand the resolution now pre-
sented the motion Of the Senator from Mississippi, does
not specify the resolutions which TO be REFEREED
Mr.. FOOTE. did specify them in my motion
The VICE PRESIDENT. The Senator win recollect
that the resolutions Of the Senator from Tennessee
der consideration when the motion wss made by the Senator
from Mississippi to refer them.
Mr.. BALDWIN. desire to offer an amendment as
follows:
Except the sixth resolution which referred the Com
ttee Territories with instructions report bill in con-
formity with said resolution"
The sixth resolution is in these words
Resolved That the constitution recently formed by the
people Of the portion of California and presented
Congress the President the 18th day of February $780,
be accepted and that they be admitted into the Union
State upon equal footing in all respects with the original
States.
Mr. BENTON. My mind has been directed to the same
point that referred by the Senator from Connecticut
for proposing amendment in the same terms, but
afterwards thought for the purpose Of making all sure and
of keeping the question of the admission of California wholly
unmxed with every thing that is going here in connexon
with the subject Of slavery would be preferable Offer the
amendment in this shape:
But nothing in this resolution shall be construed
thorize the said take consideration any thing
which relates to the admission Of the State Of California into
necticut accept that amendment !
Mr.. BALDWIN. accept il, sir.
The VICE PRESIDENT The resolution Of the sena
tor from Connecticut is modified as follows
Mr.. CASS. Mr. President
Mr.. WEBSTER. Will the member from Michigan per-
NIT me to say word or two.
Mr.. CASS. Certainly.
Mr.. WEBSTER. The distinguished member from Mich-
gan (Mr CAss is kind enough to allow opportunity
Of saying that have desire oppose this resolution
the honorable member from Misssspp any body thinks it
necessary, would be useful But from what have seen
sir and from what have all and heard, within the last
month, my persuasion is that benefit is likely arise
from any attempt to draw up series of resolutions for the
settlement of all the questions now in agitation. |
hope that such series Of resolutions would pass the
Houses of Congress At the close of my remarks Thurs
day. sgn6ed that should take opportunity, early
might be convenient consistently with the rights Of Others
say what had say the subject Immediately embraced
by the resolution Of the chairman Of the Committee the Ter
rtories (Mr DoUGLAs and the amendment proposed to it
BY the honorable member from Missouri, (Mr BESTos.)
Upon the direct subject Of the admission Of California, under
the circumstances have not particle of doubt clear
in the opinion, that the true and the only of
proceeding efficiently is to keep that separate and
am prepared vote for the admission of California exactly
she presents herself with her boundaries precisely they
are; and hope in very short Of observations ad
dressed to the Senate, to show that the question
here before and were ourselves to prescribe bounda
ries for California could make any boundaries for that
State better than provided for by her constitution In
order to make out this propose say something upon the
nature Of the country, the extent of the territory and what
sOever else may appropriately belong to the question Of the
boundaries of States in that quarter of the world In Short
incline think expedent, quite expeden proceed in
that Of legislation which the President has suggested
in his transmitting the constitution Of California
Mr.. CASS addressed the Senate in remarks
the report of which, being detained evison did reach
us in time for this daya paper In the of these
marks the following explanation was made by
Mr.. CASS. On this subject sir agree precisely with
what said by the distinguished Senator from Kentucky
(Mr CLAY shall vote for the reference. should vote
for almost any proposition that had the appearance Of bringing
this country into harmony upon this perpexing question
almost any proposition that may be submitted which has
the appearance Of such result do not any possible
objection to this course. 1t commits one simply
instruction committee inquire into what be done
1t does not suspend the operation Of the Senate at all Its
discussion, its Debates its votes will though this
question had not been submitted to committee It is
chance for terminating this fearful controversy.
agree too, with the Senator from Kentucky that my hopes
not strong any favorable result to grow out Of this
committee The chances have been much diminished by the
vote taken yesterday. If that vote contained any indca
ton Of the feelings in this chamber with regard to the
mtee ITSELF and the benefit to result from it. sorry to
say that can anticipate very little good from the proposition
OF the Senator from Mississippi (M FooTK,) relative to the
resolutions prepared with great and submitted with great
good sense and excellent good feeling such have Away
DISTINGUISHED the Senator from Tennessee, Mr BBLL) For
myself am not prepared say what my views will be upon
this whole matter. They yet formed say merely
that this course holds out hope the oe and therefore
well worthy of adoption So far as respects proposition
TBs
nom Tennessee (Mr. BELLY said that doubt has been
suggested with respect to the disposition of the Senate and
perhaps OF the country to carry into effect the Texas guar
antes believed that the gentleman wholly in
am sorry to find, from various indications here that he
not For myself without going into the general question
all am prepared to say that long as have give
Will faithfully carry out the spirit the articles Of
ton, and will not look behind their guarantees. will
abide BY them, and prepared at all times to say So
But however this proposition may terminate think the
country Is under lasting obligation the Senator from Mis-
ss.Pp for his efforts to settle the existing difficulties
While ne has proved himself his own section of the
country, ne has proved himself true TO the whole country
ne mas stood manuly for the rights Of the South but he
has stood up also for the obligations of the constitution
And must ALSO that have seldom an instance of
greater moral courage than has been displayed by him. The
distinguished Senator from South Carolina occupies all
KNOW nigh position in the country and from the ZEAL
ana energy and ability with which he has long advocated
the cause Of the South he has almost rendered himself the
representative Of Southern opinions When in the name of
that section OF country he advanced claims which, pess ed
would have presented nsumouutabe obstacles to the ami
cable adjustment of these difficulties the Senator from Mis-
ssspp forward to dsavow the sentiments thus adyanc
ed He messenger Of peace, pour oil upon the
troubled waters He deserves the gratitude Of the country
for this noble eJrt must confess my impressions
agreed with the impressions of the honorable Senator from
Mississippi thought the speech Of the Senator South
Carolina calculated produce the unavorabe results
listened, Mr.. President with great regret to the speech
Of that distinguished Senator, (Mr CALHoUN.) am
going cicise it. My great respect for that gentleman will
prevent me from doing it, will merely say that there
strange collection Of facts well strange collocaton Of
them, and that these followed by strange conclusions
think Mr. Presidn may say, and imagine this feeling
general in the Senate that sombre hue pervaded this
whole speech in consequence Of its being prepared In the