Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-04-08
and the acquisition Of new territory il
consequence. 1t is as follows

PrOr1ded, That, as an express and funda-
mental condition to the acquisition of any
territory from the Republic of Mexico by the
United States, by virtue of any treaty that
may be negotiated between them, and to the
use by the Executive of the moneys herein
appropriated, neither slavery nor involun-
tary servitude shall exist in any part of said
territory, except from crime whereof the
party shall be duly convicted.
The resolution received the support of
every Northern Representative except two
Douglas and McClernand-and passed the
House by a vote of "a to 7S, but failed in
the Senate. that body adiourning while it
was under debate. The next year it in
troduced again, and, after fierce debate,
again adopted by the House, but no vote was
taken upon it in the Senate.
correspondent of the New York sun,
styling himself 20 Burlegh.'' referring to a
report which has appeared in some of the
newspapers that Judge Brinkcrhof drew up
the Wilmot proviso and had it presented by
the late Judge WilmOt in Congress, gives
the following account of the matter, which
if true, deserves to be authenticated by some
real name. The ingenuity of the cxpedicnt
made use of to get the prOvisO before Con
gress seems to give probability to this account
of it's origin
90 The history of the proviso is this
In 1917 political club met at the corner of
Eighth street and Broadway, to partake of a
weekly dinner The club was composed Of
acknowledgements opposed to the ex-
tension of slavery.
'' At the dinner referred to. Mr. Howe. a
Western member of Congress, was present.
His purpose in visiting New York was to
counsel with the friends Of freedom how to
head off the pro-slavery Democrats. Among
the members of the club present were John
Van Buren. Samuel J. Tilden John A. Ken
nedy, Isaac Y. Fowler, Andrew IL. Green,
and other well-known free soil Democrats.
- During the consultation, John Van
Buren, said that the protest against the OK
tension of slavery introduced into Congress
was not worded right He suggested that
the exact words of Jefferson in the famous
ordinance of 'S3 and 'S7 should be used.
This agreed TO.
q Mr.. Howe stated that it would be diff
cult to introduce the proyisO, as the Speaker
would not give the floor to any one friendly
to freedom. Mr.. Tilden. as the chief organ
izer of the movement about to be made pro
posed that a strategem should be played. 1t
was agreed that each man composing the little
body of sixteen or eighteen free soilers in
Congress should have a copy of the proviso
in his pocket. Each should spring TO the
floor at the first chance, and shout. Mr..
Speaker 1t was thought that one Of them
would be recognized. Mr.. Tilden with other
members of the club, went to Washington to
aid in carrying out the plan. At the time
agreed upon, the Spartan band, each with
the proviso in his hand, sprang to the floor
and in concert shouted, Mr.. Speaker The
Speaker was bewildered. He could not ig-
more the whole crowd. He selected Judge
Wilmot as the most moderate Of the party,
and so the Wilmot Proyiso passed into his
/ tory.