The Placer herald., 1859-04-16

Now, after this what should Mr.. Brode-
rick have done: Most persons would ans
wer: "Kept his mouth shut" But this he
could not do. lie was not sufficiently in the
trap Although Mr.. Stuart obtained the
floor he insisted upon an explanation:
Mr.. Stuart.-Mr President
Mr.. Broderick. | hope the Senator will allow
me inmate to make an explanation.
Mr.. Stuart.-Certany
Mr.. Broderck. 1t is true the Senator from
California states. that the convention did pass
unanimously provision to make California free
State but | ask him if he did not take part in II
debate on the subject before the constitution was
submitted to a committee of twenty -onc. that
passed it under the previous question. ] believe,
and think the Journals will show, that an effort
was made on the part of many members of the
Convention. 10 make California slave State and
that my colleague raised his voice in favor of
freedom at that time, and think his speeches to
that effect will be found in the debates of the con-
vention.
"Ah" says some friend of "the youthful"
81 Mought he knew what he was talking
about" "You did, did you? Well, let us
see if he did,"
Mr. Gwin. sag IN the first instance that
there tcds no previous question there, and there
acds not a particle Of discussion on the question
from the commencement; but 1t scas unani-
nous cote on inserting the clause that is no,c IN
the constitution; and being IN faror Of it, /
neuer opened my lips on the subject, nor did
dny gentleman, Cith the solitary exception Of
one gentleman from .Nec York (Mr. I1alleck)
aoh0 thought might be put IN a separate clause.
The only difference of opinion was whether it
should go into the constitution as part OF the
constitution, or should be submitted as a separate
clause to be voted on separately. The Journals
prove what | say to be true, and no person can
contradict it.
Mr. Broderick. | will not occupy the time of
the Senate further now but will try to get the
debates of the convention.
Mr.. Gwin. wish you would.
Was there ever such an annihilation? How
could Gwin sleep that night after so much
cruelty? But was this all? No.. The youth
ful tips wink" to one of the pages-looks
very knowing and very triumphant-whis-
pers something in his ear-page flies like the
wind-,pretty soon returns again with book
and delivers it-he scans intently it's the
books not the Senates) pages-looks dis
tracted-combs his hair with an Altman
comb, which Rabalais not we, says is tour
fingers and d thumb-again his countenance
lights up and he tells the Senate what he
has discovered What is it? That Gwin,
after the constitution was made, upon the ques-
ton of boundary, advocated the same boun-
diaries for the State that the territory had
stating that, although SO deg. 80 min. was a
great question on the other side, here it was
nothing, &c When be got through read
ing, this spicy talk ensued:
Mr. Gwin. Is that all there is on the subject
of slavery?
Mr. Broderick. There is speech here of about
one page, which read. | have not had time to
read any more.
Mr. Gwin. Lend me the book. You will find
a good deal more of it,
Mr.. Brodcrick That is strong point.
Mr.. Gwin. Well. sir
The Presiding Officer Will the Senator from
New Hampshire yield the floor to the Senator
from California?
Mr.. Hale. | think / had better put in an in
tcrlude before he replies Qaughtcrl
Mr.. Gwn. The Senator from California has
made an allegation us to the record | want to
! show it,
Mr.. Hale. Very we'll, sir.
| Mr.. Gwin. The Senator stated that there was
a division on the subject of slavery in the con
vention that formed the constitution of Caifor
nia-that there was party there in favor of sla
very. | will read what was done in the conven-
ton. The Senator undertook to give history of
it. He said we stopped discussion by the prev-
Gus question.
Mr. Broderck l thought so have not had
time to examine it yet; but will do so by to-
morrow.
Mr.. Gwin. l will read from the record
"Mr. Shannon moved to insert, as an additional
section, the following:
"Neither slavery nor involuntary scrvitude,
unless for the punishment of crimes, shall ever
be tolerated in this State"
That is the provision in the constitution of
California.
"Mr. Carver moved to amend the amendment
by adding thereto the following:
".Nor shall the introduction of free negroes,
under indentures or otherwise be allowed
| after debate as to the proprety OF a divi-
sion of the two questions, Mr.. Carver withdrew
his amendment
| "Mr. Shannon's amendment then being first in
order, Mr.. Hallctk, after debate in reference to
the particular portion of the constitution which
the provision should appear in. moved that a de-
claraton against the Introduction OF slavery into
California shall be inserted in the bill of rights"
Mr. Shannon temporarily withdrew his amend
mcnt to enable Mr.. Haleck to make the motion.
''The motion of Mr. IIalleck was decided in the
affirmative.
"Mr. Shannon then again submitted his amend
ment, and after further debate as to the eXpcdl-
ency of submitting the question to the people IN
separate article, the proposed section was Wanl-
m0usly adOpted.
''On motion, the committee rOse,, reported pro-
gress, and obtained leave to sit again"
Debates California Convention. page A.
| WnaJ the senator Introduced HcIc Wto uiHOuS-
sion on the question of the boundary, not the
question of slavery, and insisted that we should
not introduce that question at ALL and gave the
opinion which has been universally expressed,
that southern California was a grazing and grape
country not adopted to the products OF inc oouln
for which slave labor was indispensable.
Comment on the above is unnecessary
We therefore, indulge our readers in that
luxury, each for himself Was it not most
excellent mouse trap?
u,~r,xc JNDrANs-A new nlan has been