Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-03-06
Report of the Pence Congress.

Wa publish below, the report of the
Peace Convention, in full. 1t is not such,
in all respects, as the Republicans will
generally approve, but it is very much
more favorable to the interests of freedom
that the Commissioners from the border
slave States, would aeeede to. 1t provides
that all present territory north of 3G deg.
50 min. shall be free forever. In all
present territory south of that line, slavery
shall not be under the control of congress
ional or territorial legislation, but shall De
subject only to the decisions of the Supreme
Cou;t of the L. s..
1t seems to us that the provision which
provides tibet no territory shall hereafter
be acquired except by the consent of a
majority of the Senators from the free
States, and also a majority of the Senators
from the slave States, virtually prohibits
all future acquisition of ttrritOry; for it is
not to be expected hat the annexation, or
purchase of territory, either north or south
Of the present boundaries of the United
States, would ever receive the sanction Of
q majority of the Senators from both free
and slave states. As the country is large
enough already, we cannot see that this is
very Objectionable. 1t should however, in
fairness have been left to a majority Of
the Representatives from all the States to
decide.
The following is the Report:
SEC. /. In all the present territory of
United States north of the parallel of
thirty six degrees thirty minutes north lati-
tude, involuntary servitude. except in pun
ishmcnt of crime. is prohibited. In all
the territory south of that line the states
of persars held to service OF labor, as it
now exists shall not be changed. Nor
shall any law be passed by Congress or the
Territorial Legislature to hinder or prevent
the taking of such persons from any of tn
States or this Uniou to said Territory nor
to impair the rights arising from said re-
lation. But the same shall be subjected
to judicial eognizance in the federal courts
according to the course of the common law.
When any territory north or south of
said line, with such boundary as Congress
may prescribe, stall contain a population
equal to that required for a member of
Congress, it shall. if its form of govern
ment be republican, be admitted into the
Union on an equal footing with the Origi-
nal States, with our without involuntary
servitude. as the constitution of such State
may provide.
SEC. .. No territory shall be acquired
by the United States, except by discovery
and for naval and commercial stations,
and transit routes without the con-
currence of a majority Of all the Senators
from the States which allow involuntary
servitude, and a majority of all the Sena-
tors from States which prohibit that rela-
nor shall territory DC acquired by
unless the votes of majority of the
Senators from each class of States herein
before mentioned be cast as a part of the
two-third majority necessary to the ratif-
Of such treaty.
SEC. 3. Neither the Constitution, nor
amendment thereto; shall be construed
o give Congress power to regulate, abolish
II control, within any State or Territory
# the United States, the relation establish
d or recognized by the laws thereof,
ouching persons found to labor or invol-
lntary service in The District of Columbia. +.
the consent of Maryland, and
consent of the owners, or making
he owners who do not consent Just com
sensation; nor the power TO interfere with
T prohibit representatives and others from
with them to the City of Wash {
ngtOn. retaining and taking away, persons
0 bound to labor or service; nor the power t
o interfere with or abolish involun- .
airy service in places under the exc.u- :
i've jurisdiction of the United States with :
n those States and Territories where the 1
anne is established or recognized; nor the