Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-02-12
70 SETTLE d SLAVERY QUESTION
no TIE EDIToR.

M. BELLER-SlR: ! hope you will not consi.s
!!::der il presumption in me for attempting tna'
s (which the greatest men ofecur nation nave at
tempted ia vain, and that is, TO prePose a plan oy
/ which the North aud the South may be reconch-
ed upon the subject of slavery. l believe tnat
:there are but few in the South who are not per-
fectly willing to extend the principles OF the MIS-
souri Compromise to our newly acquired terrific
:ry of California and New Mexico. That com
promise, it is true, would give to the North a
greater extent of territory than to the S9piiaFes
things are at present arranged, but that ausan
taue of the North would be but temporary Tor at
least three additional States can be carved out OF
the territory of Texas alone, which, with the
States that can be formed out Of the territory west
of Arkansas. will enable the South to balance
1.-THE States which may, at some future day, DC
formed out OF the Northwestern territory. Now
air, | propose TO divide the territory of Calitornla,
which, it is admitted, is entirely loo large Tor one
State, by a line. OH the latitude Of t~lrirty-six de-.
grecs thirty minutes, Uhe Missouri compromise
1ine,O 10 the Rio Colorado OF California, thence up
The main channel OF said river TO its fork about
in the latitude of hirty-sevenJegrce thirty min
! utes,. according to Mprse's map, thence npsthe
east fork TO its source, thence due east 10 the
| western boundary OF New Mexico, and thence to
: The eastern boundary thereof. The territory
north Of this line TO be sub-divided by a line run
! ming due north and south OIL the line ofthc ll6th
degree of west longitude from Greenwich and
slavery-t to be imtetdicted in both of these subdivi'
sions which shall he erected into separate terrific
rial governments, aud TO be admitted into the
Union az States SO soon as the population os each
~ al ...sIl 1,,.3iT, Tho f.7FFitDFU SNntEl nj the
main division line to- be snbdivided by a line run
ninr north and south on the line Of The 10th de.
gree OF west longitude from Greenwich. The
territory east 0f this line 10 be added to and made
a part of the territory Of New Mexico, and that
west of this line to be erected into a separate ter
yitorial government. In both Of these subdivi-
alons, including New Mexico, slavery TO be al.
lowed or prohibited as the people OF each may
determine when they come 10 form a State tsV-
ernInent. This may appear, at first view, scmer
Thing like an arbitrary division OF the territory III
question. But a few moments reflection, l think,
skill show any mau, that while its arbitrary Fea-
tures are derived from the Missouri Compromise.
i! is based upon convenience, and is an equitable
arrangement as it regardsthe claims of the North
and the South. In the first place the whoie,ler-
ritory acquired from Mexico is divided into con
vrnient sized territories in View ottlIeir becoming
States, and so divided as 10 give to cach-ali the
natural advantages that it is capable of, and at
the same time having a due regard 10 Shape and
proportion. In the second place the whole terri
Tory is divided into four parts, two of which I" be
susceptible Of Southern institutions, and two TO
ba free. Could the North ask more and would
not the South, in view of the Missouri Compro-
mise, be justified in yielding this much for the
sake of the Union More than this no Southern
man will yield. Indeed, were it not for the Prin-
cipIes OF that compromise, (Which has always
seemed odious to me,) and the faith which has
been tacitly, at least, pledged to 1T, nothing would
= - s-l.- = ."n tS-~ ft.ncn
suggestions, l give up no opinion which ] enter
tain as to the constitutional power TO interfere
with the subject of slavery in the territories.
believe that Congress has no rightful power over
The subject. But there are questions which some.
times arise in the Legislation Of a country which
haze to be settled outside of the constitn;iona
limits land this may be one OF them. 1t is in this
view only that I could be brought TO favor The
scheme here proposed, aud il ii were adopted !
should look upon it more az a passive acqnies
cencc on the part of those who accord with me in
opinion, than an active participation in The mea-
sure. THE UNION.