The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-31
SLAVERY IN OREGON AND NEW
MEXICO.

The maign influence of the Federal Gov
eminent over the Territories is pointedly illus
trated in the desperate effort to introduce Sla-
very into Oregon while it was yet Territory
and into New Mexico. Oregon, as our readers
are aware, lies north of 400 north latitude, but
its mild climate might tempt the cupidity of
shareholders, and the Administration of James
Buchanan has done all in its power to crafty
them 1t will be recollected that the people of
Oregon, in the formation of State Constitu-
ton, voted Slavery out by majority offour to
one; and yet the attempt is again made,
prompted doubtless from Washington, to pro-
tect slaveholding in the Territory. 1t seems
that majority of the Judiciary Committee, in
Guiding the chairman, have proposed this
measure, and we are not informed what dis
position was made of it, But Oregon is now a
State of the Union, with Constitution forbid
ding Slavery, and it is to be hoped that this
scheme will fall to the ground. We are strength
ened in this hope by the fact that the greatest
part of the Federal patronage will henceforth
be taken away from the corrupt minions of the
Executive. The OregOnian, in which we find
the following Legislative proceedings, justly re-
marks that "there are men in Oregon who
dare do anything, under the garb of Democ-
racy,' relying entirely upon the charm of that
talismanic word to cover up multitude of
sins"
That paper continues:
"Below will be found report from W. W.
Chapman, of Lane county, chairman, and w.
G.. T'Vault, of Jackson county, two of the .Ju-
dietary Committee presented to the late Legis,
lative Assembly of Oregon, together with bill
TO protect slave property in Oregon.
Mr.. Speaker: The undersigned members OF
the Judiciary Committee to whom was referred
the petitions of sundry citizens of Oregon upon
the subject of passing law for the protection
of slave property in said Territory, have had
the same under consideration, and respectfully
report:
40 That it is our opinion that the spirit of the
Constitution of the United States, as pronounced
by the Supreme Court in the bred Scott case
authorizes the holding of slaves in any of the
Territories of the United States that the Con
stitutien does not authorize Congress TO legis
late Slavery into or out of Territory, but pro
tects citizen of any of the United States, who
may think proper to locate in a Territory, in the
possession and use of any property he may be
possessed of which is recognised as property
by the Constitution and laws of the State from
which he may migrate
"'W We believe that while Territory remains
as Territory, that it is as much the property OF
a slaveholding State as it is of non. slavehold.
ing State, and that the citizens of a slaveholding
State have the same constitutional right to con,
vey their slaves to said Territory, and use them
there, and be protected in their rights, as the
citizen of non-slaveholding State has the
right to convey any chattel property he may be
possessed of 10 said Territory, and be protected
in his right to such chattel property.
1--WE do not believe that Congress. in legis
lating for Territory, has the constitutional
right to decide what class of citizens shall locate
in Territory, nor what kind of property they
| shall be possessed of; nor do we believe thai
any power can be delegated by Congress TO a
| Territorial Legislature that is not possessed by
| Congress therefore the Territorial Legislature
cannot prohibit Slavery in the Territory. 70,
the inferior cannot exercise power that is not
| granted to the superior.
awe do believe that when Congress doe.
organize Territorial Government extending
to the people the right to legislste for their re
! spective Territories, that the Constitution O
the United States guarantees to the inhabitant
of such Territory the right to legislate anC
regulate the manner how any person shall hav,
his property protected, and he shall obtain tn,
possession and control of such property, be thu
same a slave or any other chattel property
Although your committee has not had thu
time and opportunity to investigate this sub
iect as its importance requires, yet we are de
cidedly of opinion that the foregoing hast
conclusions are fully warranted by the Consti
tuition and its legal construction, and beg leav
to report the following bill for the protection
of slave property in the Territory of Oregon
and recommend its passage.
"'W. ". CHAPMAN, Chairman
| "'W. 6. TVAULr'"
Biz to prol.et Properly in Slaves in the Territory
| prsson.
SEC. l. BE ii snacted By he Legislative As
senably of the Territory Of Ofeg4b, That an
person or persons who may have brought slave
to this Territory, and owning property in sucl
slaves, as construed by the Supreme Court il
| the Dred Scott case, shall have all the right
and remedies Ia the several courts in this Ter
ritory. which are allowed for tho protection
and recovery of any personal property of iik
| value.
SIC. 2. Every person who shall knowingl
hire harbor, or employ, any slave brought int
this Territory, without the consent of the owner
shall forfeit and pay five dollars to the owner
for every day such slave shall be hired, har
bored, or employed by him, to be recovered b.
sction of debt,
| SEC, s. Slaves shall be rated and assessed q