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BY WILLIAM S. JONES.
Bering,
the weekly”
CHRONICLE AND SENTINEL
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THE SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR,
FOR 1850 I!!
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Augusto, October 1, 1819.
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TO PHYSICIAN
THE SUBSCRIBERS are
Jfig pared to furnish lheir customer* with jjfrJ
O PURE MEDICINAL EXTRACTS, pre-»
pared by a new and scientific peeoesa, which will be
found to contain the active principle of the plant from
which it is extracted, in a very concentrated form
Specimens of these Extracts have been vent to vari
ous parte of the United States, am! in every instance
have given ent■ re satiefnrtion. We have also on
hand choice WINES and BRANDIES, for medicinal
use, selected by a competent judge Alho, IM
PROVED MEDICAL SADDLE BAGS, the most
convenient and safe article of the kind ever offered ;
also, Roe's Fr.tcture Apparatus, Trusses of every
deser ption, Abdominal Supporters, Body Braces,
Surgical and Dental Instruments, pure Select Pow
ders, Genuine Cod Liver Oil, in bottlesand capsules,
Brown’s Blistering Tissue, and every new prepara
tion of warranted purity.
rr Stockton’s Incorruptible Teeth, Genuine 1
Stubbs’s Separating Files, Gold and Tin Foil, •
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mh!7 w <
l
HATS, CAPS AND BONNETS.
SPRING AND SUMMER FASHIONS, 185€
Be. l. ferry a co. would
invite the attention of Merchants to their
•xtensive assortment of w'zX
HATS* CAPS AND BONNETS,
embracing every variety of style adapied to the sea
son, and in part consisting of
Mens’ and Boys’ Panan a HATS ;
•* “ Leghorn and Palm HATS;
•• •* Rough and Ready Braid HATS,
with every variety of Russia Fur and Keaver Hats,
of the new Spring Fashion.
Also, Ladies’ Fancy Straw BONNETS;
•* Pearl and Chip Do ;
“ fancy and plain Leghorn BONNETS
with a variety of other styles. All of which will be
offered low, and on reasonable terms. Call at E. L.
Fkbry A Co.’s Store, Augusta, Ga,. near the Man
sion Housa. f 027 w
AQRICUIaTURAL IMPLEMENTS
fsc JVUT RECEIVED at the
AGRICULTURAL WARE-
HOUSE, Augusta, a lot of Choice
PLOUGHS, consisting of Double Mould Board, Hill
Side, Subsoil, Eagle Self-sharpening, and one and two
Horse Ploughs, ot all descriptions. Also, Cylindrical
Churns, Corn Shelters, Cora Planters, St raw Cutters,
Grain Cradles, Road Scrapers, Manure Forks,
Trucks, Ac., Ac.
mh!9-w A. W. AW. P. CARMICHAEL
LIVERY STABLES,
MADISON, GEORGIA.
HARRALL A HARRIS
leave to announce to
their friends in Madison and
\ JiSr ■■■ the travelling Public gene-
that they have opened the above STABLP>,
that they intend to keep as fine CARRIAGES,
BUGGIES and HORSES, as can be found in any
Stab*’* ““With careful drivers. Citizens of Madison,
and sL ran K er9 ’toiling Madison, by to us will
anywhere
they wi h on reasonable taxejs,
Ma.liwm, J»n, 251 ISSO. ts
A FINE HORSE STOLEN.
SIOO REWARD.
JV— STOLEN from my Plenlation, eight
A'lv miles ees< of Lexington, Georgia, on the
night of the 25'h of March law, a Bay HORSE, al
reoet a I town, fire fert a> ti probably an inch h gh, 8
yeors oliJ, was abo. tl all round when stolen, rides
pretty well, not much used to harness, Iks a L>ng
black mane and tait; no otter ma,k« recollected.
For tl>e apprehension of the thmf. with evidence
to €.«».«, «d the .ocoeere .nd delienry ol tbs
horse I will P»v Dne Hundred Ifollars; or I will
Fwsntv-five Dollars, lor the horse alone.
pay iwsmy JOHN WYNNE.
State*’ Rights, Ga., June 4, 1860. je7-w2m
COPARTNERSHIP DISSOLVED.
The firm of Wtxntm A Limtbicvm was
thi* day dissolved by mutual consent. All
penM>rs having claim* against the concern, will pre
vent lhe same to A. W ilsom, and <ll persons indebt
ed to the tinn will please com forward ami ck*e the
same by cash or note with A. Wtlson, whoisauth r
ised to settle ihe same, as krnger indulgence can no: be
riten . WILSON A LINTHICUM.
Augusta, April 14, Id&O. apl9-uj
THK LIVKRY STABLE Business
will becLKitinusd, in all iu vanoos branches,
by A. WitaoN & Co. W® solicit a cou
tiuuation u? the same libera! patronage extended to
th* recent firm. We will keep good Hordes ami
Baggie*. Saddle Rorees for hire. A!«<k are de
termined to keep the fteest efCem-tges, and good gen
tie pairs ol' Hor e« and trusty Drivers. We ateo'will
keep au extra 9 passenger stage, for the aceomißoda
lion of pertwe or fetcihes wishing to visit the up.
country ol' Georgia or South C-jr\4i«. We <feo
continue to run a daily hoe of 4 horse Coacbe* to
Savannah and Macon, in conoectfoa w-.th the Central
Railroad via Ninety Mile Station. We wd) send an
extra Coach through in day time, if desired. Fare
through io Macon or Savannah, $6.50. Tkfcets to
be bad as J. N. Ruvta. Augusta, oc at the Rail
road Depots i« Savannah or Meccr.
A. WILSON.
J. P. FLEMING.
JAS M. ANTHONY,
CLARIONETTE FLAYER WANTED.
WANTED to pure base a Negro Man who ia a
good Performer on the t I.ARIONEFTF.
Apple to WM. M. MORTON.
jaS-if Athem,
POLITICAL.
Proceedings of The Nashville
t CONVENTION.
FIRST DAY.
*■ Monday Afternoon.
The Convention was called to order at 3
o’clock. P. M.. by Ex Governor A. V. Brown,
1 of Tennessee. The proceedings were opened
c by prayer from rhe Rev. J. B. Ferguson.
The Chairman stated that a Committee con
sisting of representa»ives from the different
, States in their preliminary meeting this morn
ing had agreed upon the following report and
recommendation, which they had requested
him to submit to the Convention, and which
1 was unanimously received.
Rewired, That the Convention vote by States, and
eacii delegation be counted as one vote.
Resolved, further, That the following gentlemen
be officers of this Convention, viz:
William K. Sharker, of Mississippi, Presi
dent.
Governor McDonald, of Georgia, Vice Pre
! sident.
j William F. Cooper and E. G. Eastman, of
Nashville, Secretaries.
The report of lhe Committee was unani
mously adopted.
Judge Sharkey, upon taking the Chair, made
a brief but animated speech, which was re
ceived with hearty applause. He thanked the
Convention, most profoundly, for the honor
done him, in elevating him to a position which
he had no desire to fill, but which, after the ap
peals which had been made to him, he could no
longer decline. He ailuded briefly to the caus
es which had induced the meeting of the Con
vention. The several States, he said, had uni
red upon terms of equality. Equal rights had
been guarantied to all by the constitution, but
he said these rights had baen violated ; and the
government could not stand the shock of the
desecration of lhe constitution. The Conven
tion, he declared, had not assembled merely
io devise measures, to protect the rights and
property of the Southern people, bu: to pre
serve lhe government which had been handed
down to them untarnished—it had not been
called to subvert, but to perpetuate the Union.
Who, he were the better patriots, those
who would wait till the direst calamity had
fallen upon the country, or those who pro
posed to adopt measures in advance to avert
that calamity ?
It was for the Convention, he said, to device
a remedy for lhe evils under which the South
was laboring and for the people to carry it out.
H? trusted that a remedy would be found. In
conclusion he repealed that lhe objec. of the
originators of the Convention was not to dis
solve the Union, lhe slanders of its enemies to
lhe contrary notwithstanding, and expressed a
hope that the Union might be the last Ching to
perish amidst the universal wreck of matter.
Judge Wilkinson, of Miss., moved that a
list of lhe States be called and the members
from each be requested to present their cre
dentials. The motion was adopted.
Gen. Pillow moved that the vole be recon
sidered ; he wished to amend the motion of
the gentleman from Mississippi, so as to raise a
committee of one from each Slate to receive
the credentials of the members and to report
names to lhe Convention.
After a short discussion between Gen. Pil
low and Gen. Walker, of Alabama, the motion
to reconsider was carried, and then the amend
ment to raise a committee was accepted by
Judge Wilkinson and adapted.
The following gentlemen were appointed
said committee :
Gen. Pillow, of Tennessee; Judge Wilkin
son, of Mississippi ; Gen Walker, of Alaba
ma; Gov. Henderson, of Texas; Col. Pick
ens, of South Carolina; M. J Crawford, of
Georgia; Judge Tucker of Virginia; Col.
Pearson,of Florida; and Mr. Powell of Ar
kansas.
The Convention then adjourned till 10
o’clock to-morrow morning.
Second Day, Tuesday, June 4.1850.
The Convention met this morning in lhe
McKendree (Methodist) Church, and was
opened with prayer by Rev J. B. MeFerrin.
Mr. Winston of A>a moved that as mu eh of
the report of the Committee on Organization
presented yesterday, as referred to lhe manner
of voting in the Convention, to wit, “that each
Statebe entitled to one vote in the Convention,”
be recommitted, and supported his motion
with a few remarks.
Mr Crawford of Ga. thought it would be
better firs: to ascertain who were members of
the Convention. He would be better satisfied
11 he was certain of being a member.
Judge Smith of Miss, said the Committee
on Elections were ready to report, and alter a
few remarks from him, the question was taken
on lhe motion of Mr. Winston, and it was re
jected.
Gen. Pillow, chairman of lhe Committee on
Elections, reported the following list of dele
Virginia. — Willoughby Newton, R. 11. Clay
bro>k, Wm. P. Gurdon, W. O. Goods, Thus. S.
Gholson and B-verly Tucker.
South Carolina.— Hou. L. Chorea, R. W. Barn
well, J 11. Hammond, Samuel Ottcreon, John A.
Bradley, J. W. Whitner. A. C. Young, Maxey
Gregg, James Qhestnutt, jr., W. J. Hanna, R. F.
W. Alston, F W. Pckenti, Drayton Nance, G. A.
Trenholm, Wm. Dußose, D. F. Jamison, and R
Barnwell Rhett.
Georgia — Hon. Walter T. Colquitt, Hon. Chas.
J. McDonald, Co! H. L. Henning. M. J Crawford,
E*q., Obadiah C. Gibson, Esq . Ja*. W. Ramsey,
E>q., Obadiah Warner, Esq , Simpson Fouche, Esq.,
G n. Robert Btodaoe, Andrew H. 11. Dawson, Eeq.,
and Dr. J. G. McWbor er.
Alabama.—Cov. B. Fitzpatrick. Jno. A. (’amp
bell, Jno. A. Winston, L. P. Walker, Nichol is
Davis, Jas. Abercrombie. W. M. Murphey, S. B.
Bethea, B Boykin, G. W. Guyon, S. Buford, R.
Shorter, Geo. Goidthwaite, J. S. Hunter. Daniel
Coleman, Wm. Cooper, R. Chapman. This. A.
Walker, Ci. S. Walden, John Erwin and W. M.
Byrd.
A/fetfesippt. Jodge Wm. L. Sharkey, C. P.
Smith, A. M. Clayton, J. W. M tthews, T. J. Word,
J. L. Neil, J. J. Peters, J. J. Me,Rea, and E. C.
Wilkenson.
Florida.— Col. B. M. Pearson, Jas. Hernandez,
A. J Forman, Q. 11. DuPont, J. F. McClellan, E.
Q. Cabell.
7¥*as.—J. P. Hendcram.
Arkansas.— J 11. Powell.
7 ennessee. Col. R. Warner, R. Jon?s, W. A.
Sewell, T. W. Bn nta, Howo’l Taylor, Js-*. I*.
Green, Thoe. Shepard, Gen. W. Hall, Wto. B.
Bate, E. Boddie. Geo. W. Winchester, Gen. D.
Donelson, G-o. W. Bond, Isaac M. G'lwrr, Boling
Gordon. S. B. Mo re, Elward Gantt, J. W. Whit
field. B. B. Satterfield, G. B. Fowlkes, Jas. Patter
son, T. J. Lonely, A. Ezell, Geo. T. '(alone, F. T.
MeLauren, G. Everly, Tt»o®. Buford, C >1 Jn«*. Der
gin, D. U.S. Nowl n, N. Y. Gavin, J. F R Riy,
Jno. Poindexter, H. I». Johnson, D P. F. Noiflet,
Wm. Overton. James H. Estill, C. C. Garner, W.
E. Venable, H. K. Euili, rh«u». Jackson, Gen. G.
J. Pillow, Wtn. H. Polk, W. J. Straihorn G. R.
Gantt. A. J. Partee, W. <’. Whit'horn, (3. J. Dick
e.tson, J>s. Walker, I’’. Watkins, R. G. Payne, Put
td’oPatton, R. N. L. Wilkes, Polk, R. D. Casey.
Thos. H. Hopkins, W. P. Rowles, Win. B. H ill,
Wm. Moore, A. W. Overton, A. Ferguson, Dr. Fe
lix. Robertson, Gen. Robs. Armstrong, Gov. A. V
Brown, A. O. P. Nicholson, V. K. Stevenson, Wm
Williams, Dr. Jno. Maxey, J. J. B. routhall. John
Mclntosh, Dr. J. N. Ease I man, Andrew J. Dondson,
Wd’o Williams, Jacob McGavock, Daniel Grab cm,
A. W. Jolinscn, Andrew Jackson, W. F. Watkins,
Frank McGavock Gen. W. G. Harding, Tbo. Clai
borne. L. P. Cheatham, W. E. Owen, M. Barrow,
W. B. Shephard, Gen. E. W. Hickmam, L. Hunter,
11. Atkinson, J. B. Clements, T. D. Moseley, Gen.
D Uriel Douelson, Westley H. Humphreys, Geo.
W. Buchanan, Jno. I*. Neil, Sami. Duke, Sam. H
Whitthorn, Geo M. Cunningham, E. L. Paget, J.
M. Quarto, R. F. Eupton, and John Stephens.
Mr. Moseley,of Tennessee offered the fol
lowing resolution, which was adopted :
Resolved, That the clergymen of the ci y are re
spectfully invited to seats in the body of the cham
ber.
Hon. A. V. Brown offered the following
resolution:
Re solved. That a committee be appointed to con
sist of two members from each State, cr one where
there is only one trim a State, to be appointed by the
delegation from each State, to whom all resolutions
relating to the business or subjects to be acted on by
this Convention shall be referred, without debate on
their merits, until the same shall have been reported
on by said committee.
Mr. Pickens of 3. C. moved that the parlia
mentary law as contained in Jefferson’s manu
al. be adopted for the govern men. o f the con
vention. The motion was carried
Mr. Brown’s resolution coming up, was op
posed by Mr. Erwin of Ala. on tho ground
that the report of the committee on organiza
tion should first be disposed of.
Mr. Brown withdrew his resolution, and
thereupon Mr. Pickens moved the adoption of
the report of the committee on organization.
Mr. Erwin opposed the motion. He said
he could not support the report. If it was a
dopted, he might acquiesce, but he thought it
subversive of the authority of the people. He
contended that Congress was the model of the
Convention, and hence it was that delegates
had been appointed by the people to represent
the State at large, and other delegates to re
present the congressional districts. In this
connection, he referred to the appointment of
distinguished gen:lemen to represent the State
of Alabama at large, and others to represent
congressional districts. He was one of the
latter, and bad no authority to represent the
State. Each congressional district was enti
tied, he contended, to a separate vote. Unless
this vote was allowed them. how. he asked,
were the people of the districts, who appointed
them, to know whether they had been proper
ly represented. He denied, also, that the re
presentatives for the Slate at large had any au
thority to represent hrs district. Byway of illus
tration of the injustice of the method of voting
recommended in the report Uuder considera
tion. he referred to the fact, that the State of Ar
kansas had but one delegate m the Convention,
and he the representative of a congressional
distr ct. He denied that this delegate had any
authority to represent the sovereignty ol lite
State—to exercise equal power with those
who had eent full delegation here He refer
red also to Virginia, which had but a small
delegation, some of whom were unwilling to
vote for the state al large. If the principle
recommended was adopted, where, he asked,
was it io be stopped. If the coriven ion were
permuted to exercise this stretch of power, to
appoint delegates for Arkansas and Virginia,
why should u not afeu appoint delegates for
Missouri and Keu ucky. which had no dele
gates here? In conclusion, he said the cor.-
L veniiou was no ordinary body—the occasion
was no ordinary one, and no step should be
I taken without mature deliberation-
Mr. Henderson of Texas, said he waa the
only delegate from that State, but, in recom
mending, as one of the committee, their report
he did not assume to represent the whoie of
Texas. He claimed the privilege of represent
ing iliose with whose opinions he was familiar
—those who were with the south—and they
could approve or reject his action, as they
thought proper. He was in fav or of the report
of the committee.
Mr. Mcßae, of Miss., said he concurred with
the gentlemen from Ala. iu the importance of
settling this question, but he did not think it
should be permitted to excite the convention
It was a matter upon which they might have a
difference of opinion. He offered an amend
inent byway of a substitute, for the report of
lhe committee, as follows :
Resolved, Tint the manner of voting in this Con
vention shall be by states, and that each state shall Le
entitled to vore in this convention in lhe same ratio of
its representation in Congress, including Senators and
Representatives, allowing to each state only the same
number of votes which it has congressional districts
represented, and delegates from the people of the
slate at large, and that trie counties represented shall
cast the vote of the congressional district which they
1 compose, or of which they area part.
Judge Smith, of Miss., after referring to the
; difficulty, if not confusion, in which they were
I involved, said he wanted to know how they
were to vote upon lhe resolution, whether yer
cap ta. or otherwise. He referred to the man
ner of his .appointment, and his duty, in ac
cordance with his instructions, to devise means
to resist Northern aggression Was Mississip
pi to be overslaughed by any other State ?
He replied to the objecti >n that Arkansas, with
only one representative of a district was not
entitled to equal rights with those States having
more representatives,—and denied that the
Convention had any right to go behind lhe
fact of a delegate’s appearance here, —and to
inquire as to whom he represents.
The discussion was continued by Messrs.
Erwin and cf Alabama, Qoodc, ;
of Va., Pickens, of S, C . Colquitt, of Ga.,
and Brown, of Tenn. When Mr. Brown
concluded, Mr Walker, of Ala., called forme
Previous Question, and having refused to
withdraw his call, Mr. Mcßae withdrew his
amendment.
Mr. Walker subsequently withdrew his call
for lhe Previous Question, that an amendment
prescribing the mode of voting by Congres
sinnal Districts might be offered by a gentle
man from Virginia, Mr. Goode.
Mr. Mcßae seized lhe occasion and renewed
his amendment and spoke in explanation of it
Here the Convention got into confusion,
and a number of gentlemen endeavored to
bring order out of chaos. The President
finally assumed the authority to decide th?
manner of voting,* and stated the order of the
questions before the Convention to be, first,
on the amendment of lhe gentleman from Mis
sissippi ; second, on that of the gentleman
from Virginia, and third, upon the report of
the Committee.
The question was then taken on the first
proposi ion. the amendment byway of sub
stitute introduced by iMr, Mcßae, and it was
rejected.
The question was taken on lhe second pro
position, and it was also rejected.
The question was taken on the proposition
of the Committee of Organization, and it was
adopted.
The Convention then adjourned to 4 o’clock
P. M.
Afternoon Session. —Mr. Warner of Ga.
offered the following resolution f
Resolved, I hat when lhe delegates from a State
are called upon to vote, the Secretary shall call the
names of such delegates in their alphabetical order—
that the delegates bhall then vote as their names are
called, the Secretary taking down the votes so given,
and the m j >rity ol such votes shall be considered
the vote of the delegation of the State; Provided,
This mode of voting shall be required only when lhe
vole of the Cjnvention shall be taken by ayes and
noes.
The resolution was rejected.
Gov. Brown, of Tennessee, re-offered his
resolution withdrawn in the morning, refering
all questions which may come before the Con
vention to a committee.
Mr Walker, of Ala., offered an amendment
to appoint a committee to prepare resolutions 1
for the adoption of the Convention, and an ’
address to the people, and referring all sug
gestions which may be made for the action of 1
the Convention, whether in the form of reso
lutions or otherwise, without debate, to said 1
committee.
The amendment was on motion of Maj. 1
Polk, laid an lhe table.
Gov. Brown then made an addition to his
resolution, making it lhe duty of the Commit- ‘
tee to report on all subjects which they may
deem proper for the action of the Conven
tion.
An then, after a short speech from Judge 1
Tucker, of Va , against the resolution, and ‘
Mr. Dawson, of Georgia, in reply, the reso
lution was adopted. 1
The Convention then adjourned to 10
o’clock to morrow morning.
Wednesday. June Sth, 1850. •
ment and was opened with prayer by Rev. C. ,
D. Eliott. (
The following gentlemen appeared and took
their seats as delegates—Samuel S. Boyd,
and T. Jones Slewart, of Miss., Gov. Roane,
of .Arkansas, and T. J. Judge, of Alabama.
The following gentlemen were announced
from the several delegations as members ol the
committee ordered by lhe resolution adopted I
yes’erday. to consider and report upon all res- ’
elutions, &c., which may be presented for lhe
action of the Convention.
Viremia. — Messrs. Newton and Gordon.
Georaia — Messrs. McDonald and Cambell.
South Carolina — Messrs. Barnwell and Ham
ilton.
Alabama— Messrs. Murphy and Campbell.
Mississippi — Messrs Boyd and Clayton-
Terns Henderson.
Florida Messrs Forman and Pearson.
Tenasssee—Messrs. Brown and Nicholson. 1
Arkansas— Messrs. Roane and Powell.
Mr. Campbell, ol Ala, offered the following >
resolutions, which were read and referred to i
the above Committee on resolutions. 1
1. Resolved, That the territories of the
United States belong to the people of lhe sev- ;
eral States of this Union as lheir comuuu 1
properly That the citizens of the several
Slates have equal rights to migrate with lheir
property to these territories, and are equally
entitled to the protection wt the federal govern
ment in the enjoy ment of that property so
long as lhe territories remain under the charge
of that government.
2. Resolved, That all laws that have been
passed t>y Congress for the purpose of exclu
ding from lhe Territories of the Union prop
erty lawfully acquired by the citizens of the
States under their laws, violates lhe rights of
lhe citizen under the constitution.
3. Resolved, That it is the duty of Congress
to provide governments for the territories, and
to extend to them the sway of lhe constitution
and laws of the Union. 'That the spirit of
American institutions forbids lhe maintenance
of military Governments on American territo
ries in limes of peace. That it is the duly of
the federal government to refuse a recognition
of foreign laws in American territories, which
serve to bring into dispute the rights of the
citizens of the states of the Union, to the en
joyment of their religion, properly or prrson
al security within their territories; but it should
provide as ample guarantees for the exercise
of these rights in the territories as exist in the
States nt the Union.
Rw/euf, That for the protection of the
property recognised in the several States of
lhe Union (as well as for other causes) the
people of those Slates invested the federal
government with the power of war and nego
tiation, of maintaining armies, and navies, and
of forming alliances and compacts, and denied
to the State authorities these powers. That
no discrimination was made in the federal
constitution as to the extent of the protection
to beatiorded, or the description of property
to be defended. Nor was it permitted to lhe
federal government to determine what is prop
erty.
Whatever the laws of the State constitute
as property lhe federal government is bound
to protect as such, it is therefore lhe sen-e
of this Convention that every act of lhe fed
eral Government which places any portion of
the properly lawfully held tn the States of the
Union, out of the protection of the Federal
Government, or which discriminates in lhe na
ture and extent of lhe protection to be given to
different species of property, or which impairs
lhe title of lhe citizen in any of the territories
of lhe Union, without affording just compensa
tion, is a plain and palpable violation ofihe ob
ligations of the government; and is contrary to
the spirit and meaning of the constitution of
lhe United States.
Resolved. 5. That the slaveholding States of
the Union, from a just regard to the conritu
tion ofihe United States audio the rights and
honor of their citizens cannot and will not sub
mit to lhe adoption by Congress of any discrim
inations against the owners of slaves, in favor
of other proprietors, nor that the imposition of
any onerous conditions or restrictions shall be
imposed by federal authority upon lhe rights
of masters to remove w ith lheir property into
the territories of the United States.
Resolved. 6. That a plain recognition and
firm support of the equal rights oi the citi
zens of the several states in the territories of
the Union, on the part of the federal authori
lies, with a repudiation of all power to make a
discrimination against the proprietors of any
species of property held under the laws of the
States, would restore peace io the country ard
reconcile the divisions that now exist between
ihs Slates. That it is the opinion of this Con
vention that lhe toleration which Conaress has
given to lhe nation that the powers of the Fed
oral Government might.be indirectly employed
to overturn those insiuutions in the states which
are confessedly bev ond lhe direct control and
jurisdiction of lhe Federal Government con
stitutes a principal source of tha. discord which
menaces the tranq nlity the country and
has reduced the Federal Government to a
| condition ol imbecility and inanition.
I Resolved 7. Tha we ask ibis recognition
. upon ihe authority of that fundamental princi-
I pie of equality in the re'ations which the States
I and Utetr citizens bear to each other in the con
stitution of the Union. This principle ca nnot
be disturbed without disturbing the frame work
of the American institutions. The assaults
upon the rights of the shareholding States in
the lemtortea. are blows aimed at the constitu
tion itself. The defenders of those rights are
the defenders of the constitution. The men
who would defeat or destroy them are guilty
ot infidelity to lhe constitution and if disunion I
follows from them, they are dtsunionisu.
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY AIORNING, JUNE 19, 1850.
8 Resolved, That upon this principle ihe ;
difficulties that environ the country, would be
removed. The territories of the Union would
be gradually settled and lhe popula'ion discip
lined and improved without interference from
wily politicians. Their institutions would be
adjusted by the wants and opinions of the im
migrants and their constitution as Siatos would ,
be the result of deliberate choice and not of
extraneous intermeddling—a people thus form
ed might properly claim an admission to the .
Union, and all would admit the sufficiency of
the claim.
9. Resolved, That upon this principle, lhe
questions, in regard to the boundaries of Tex
as. would lose their sectional character, and
might be adjusted upon a magnanimous con
sideration of what is due from lhe United
States without reference to the passions or
prejudice of any part of the country
10. Resolved That upon a recognition of
this principle aspiritof conciliation would he
infused into the discussion of every question
which has grown out of this controversy and
a permanent and satisfactory adjustment could
not fail to takn place.
Resolved, 11 th. That the opinions avowed in
Congress that, it should be the policy of the
Federal Government to surround the slave
holding States with free territory, that slave
ry might be abolished in the States ;
that the enactment of laws restricting
the removal of slaves to the territorie
of the Union should be adopted; that the Re
presemativesofslave States in Congress should
be cured of a propensity to declare wars and
to make conquests: and that slaves beeomt
free by lhe fact of touching any soil of the U.
S. beyond the jurisdiction of the States, are
alarming manifestations of hostility to lhe equal
positions of the slave-holding States in lhe
Union, are dangerous declarations agains.
their peace and tranquility, and demand from
this Convention a special notice and unmixed
leprob&t.ou.
Resolved. 12th. That the appropriation by
the non-slaveholding States of the Union to
their aggrandizement and use of territories
earned by the expenditure of the blood and
treasure of lhe people of all the States, cannot
fail to produce lasting consequences of evil to 1
the country. Whether lhe political ties which
bind the parts of the Union together can with- 1
stand so enormous a pressure of outrage and *
injustice, convention wili not inquire
Conceding ihat they can sustain the trial, per- ’
manent heart-burnings, discontents and mis 1
trust would certainly remain. The spirit of 1
uationahty which has marked the Ameri •
can people in the time of war, and ‘
which has secured succe& to their arms !
would be destroyed. A want of confi ’
dence in the faith and justice of the common
government would paralyze the energies of the 1
soldier and confuse lhe counsels of the patriot. 1
It would finally be a triumph of fanaticism, r
party spirit, sordid and selfish ambition and «'
sectional hate, over the broad and comprehen- ‘
Hive principles and the plain meaning, intent 1
and purposes of lhe Constitution of the United I
States. t
13. Resolved, That in the event a dominant
majority shall refuse to recognize the great ’
constitutional rights, we assert and shall con- I
timie to deny the obligations of the Federal f
Government to maintain them, it is the sense I
ofthis cons ention that the territories might be t
treated as property, and divided between the
sections of the Union, so that the rights of both t
sections might be adequately secured in lheir i
respective shares. Tnat we are aware that r
this course is open to grave objections, but we e
are ready to acqtiisesce in the adoption of the
line of 36 deg.J*'3O min. north latitude as the l
line of division as we did on a former occa- c
sion upon considerations of what is due to the I
stability of our institutions. I
14. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this v
Convention that this controversy should be r
ended, either by a recognition of the constitu
tional rights of the Southern people or by an ti
equitable partition of the territories—That the a
spectacle of a confederacy of states involved in ii
quarrel over the fruits of a war in which the tl
American arms were crowned with glory, is b
humiliating. That the offer by the majority of tl
terms of settlement which 14 states regard as
dishonorable, is degrading to the country. A S
termination to this controversy, by a disrnp- «
lion of the confederacy or an abandonment of n
the territories acquired in the treaty of peace, tl
to preventthatre ult, would be a climax to the j’
shame and disgrace which already attaches to a
it, results that it is the paramount and urgent n
duty of Congress to avert. \
15. Resolved, That this convention has no «
right to conclude that Coagresj wili adjourn
wiihont making an adjustment of this contro- v
versy and in the present condition of the ques- S
lion does not feel at liberty to discuss the mea- J
Biires suitable for a resistance oflaws involving n
a dishonor of the Southern State. tl
16. Resolved, That when this Convention shall r
adjourn that it adjourn to meet at this city the
day of next. 8
A resolution offered by Mr. Winston, of ’♦
Ala., directing the secretary to call the Slates P
al|)habelical order ? for the purpose of re 8 '
to the Committee on resolutions, was adopt- *
ed.
The secretary thereupon proceeded to call °
the States and
Mr. Erwin, of Ala., offered the following 1 ‘
resolution, which was read and referred.
Resolved, That the reception or consideration
by Congress of resolutions, memorials or pe- c
tiiions, from the Slates in which domestic ( |
slavery does not exist, or from the people of g:
said Sate*, in relation to the institution of n
slavery where it does exist, with a view of es- «
feeling its abolition, or lo impair the rights of u
those interested in it. to its peaceful and secure
enjoyment, is a gross abuse and entire subver
sion of»he right of petition as secured by the „
Federal Constitution, and if persisted in must,
and will, lead to the most dangerous and la
mentable consequence —that the right of peti- c
lion for a redress of grievances as provided for j
by the Constitution was designed to enable
the citizens of the United States to manifest H
am! make known to Congress the existence of (1
evils under which they were ptiffrnng ; v
whether affecting them personally, locally, or t |
generally, and to such evils to be redressed by g
lhe proper and competent authority, but was
never designed or intended as a means of iu p
Aiding injury on others, of disturbing lheir do
mestic tranquility, or of impairing or jeoparding t
the peaceful and secure enjoyment of their ,
rights, whether existing under the constitution
or under the sovereignty and authority of lhe
several States. j-
Mr Benning, ofGeorgia, offered the follow
ing resolutions, which were also read and refer- o
red. 1
Resolved, That lhe United States are a Con
federacy in which the several Slates are equals i
and sovereign. |
Resolved, That the public territory belongs f
lo the S;ates thus united in Confederacy. t
Resolv d. That the Slaveholding Shies have t
a right to share with the non-Slnveholding in c
whatever belongs to lhe United Srates—and L
more particularly in lhe land acquired from t
Mexico and California, and in all lhe incidents i
of such land, including its property of confer- i
ring political power That this right tm t
braces lhe right of having, for (heir citizens, the c
privilege of emigrating to and settling upon €
that land, and of being protected there in the t
possession and use of whatever they held as c
property, according to the laws of the respec t
live States from which they may have emigra- r
ted, not excepting slaves. t
Resolved. That the Slaveholding States have J
an equal right with the non-Slaveholding lo t
have lheir citizens pass into the District of f
Columbia with their property, including slaves, (
and while there to possess and use such pro- >
perty in every way in which citizens of lhe
non-Slareholding States may possess and use £
their property, not excepting lhe traffic in c
such slaves. t
Resolved, That these rights are not only of
the essence of the Confederacy principle j
f.om its very nature, but are directly recog- f
nized and guarantied in several pirts of the (
instrument of confederation itself—the Con- £
stitiition, as in this stipulation, viz : “The
Congress shall have power to dispose of and
make all needful rules and regulations res- ‘
peeling the territory or other property btlung- t
xng to the United States— and nothing in this .
Constitution shall be so construed as to pre- (
judice any claims of the Un ted States or of .
any particular State,” and that any denial of. (
or injury to such rights, by the nou-Slavehold j
ing States, through the action of Congress,
would be unconstitutional. j
Resolved. That it is the duty of the non- f
Slaveholding Stales, under ihe Constitution, (
to see to it themselves, that Slaves escaping
into their borders are delivered up to the <
owners on tha claim of lhe latter.
Resolved. Tnat the boundaries of Texas, as j
claimed by her, are the true boundaries, and .
that the claim set up by the non-Slaveholding J
States to a part of lhe soil within those boun- (
daries, on a pre e-ceof its being a portion of ;
New Mex co, is false.
Resolved. That the Slaveholding States have *
a right to the use and enjoyment by their citi
zens of property in Slav es within the limns of {
such States without disturbance, direct or in
direct. from the non-Slaveholding States or ■
their citizens.
R'Solvtd, That the 'non-Slaveholding States,
withan exception or two, have almost destroy- (
ed some of these rights, and are iu course of
destroying the rest.
Ist. They have not only failed to provide,
that fugitive staves within their lines should be
surrendered lo lheir owne r s on demand, but
they have carefully parsed laws to protect such
fug dives from recapture by such owners.
2d. They avow lhe purpose of seizing and
of holding all of New Mexico and Cafilorma.
to lhe utter exclusion of the Slaveholding
States
3d. They also avow the purpose of appro
priating to themselves more than a third part
ot Texas, amounting to little ’ess than 150.000
square miles, under pretence of its constituting
a por ion of New Mexico.
4th. They also avow the purpose of abolish
ing the traffic in slaves iu the District of Co
lumbia. And all of these purposes they are
now preparing to execute through Congress-
ssh. They are by systematic ami slavery
“agitation.” and in every other indirect, and
in some direct, ways, endeavoring to unsettle
and undermine the principle of property in
slaves iu the slave States lhemseives ; and nre
actually disturbing lhe enjoyment in tnose
States of slave property, in a word, they are
I letting it be plainly seen diat. if they do not
I now resort summarily and directly to univer- i
* sal aboUuou by act of Congress, it » not be- |
cause they want the wfil to pass the law. but
' because for the present they lack the power to
execute it.
Resolved, That to prevent the consumma
tion by the non-slaveholding States of the
destruction of these and other rights, of the
slaveholding Slates, something is necessary
which shall be sufficien 1 cither to change these
hostile purposes on (he part of the non-slave
holding States, or to prevent them from ac
quiring the power to execute tho*e purposes.
Resolved, That whatever will add to ihe
: strength of the slaveholding States will con
tribute to lhe accomplishment of boih of these
objects.
Resolved, That the obtaining by those States
of a part of the territo/y acquired from Mexi
co. the retention by them of the whole area of
Texas as claimed by Texas—the uniting of
heir citizens as one man in party organization
separate from the North in reference to the
-lavery question, would be of those things
which would strengthen the South.
R solved. That the g r eat principle of the
Missou i Compromise >oth at the time of its
adoption and at each of i-8 various repetitions,
wa 3 - a division of the public Territory between
be slaveholding and rhe non-slaveholding
States upon ihe parallel of 36° 30' latitude.
Resolved, That although this principle is not
free from constitutional doubt, and although it
will not, if applied to bur present pubiicter
ritory give the slaveholding States a fair, and
just share of :he same any more than it did ol
our past public territory when applied to it,
yet for the sake of a compromise and settle
memos the controversy between those States
md the non-slaveholdjng States in relation to
he territory known its California and New
Mexico, and for no otfier purpose, the slave
holding States should ag tin waive the consti
tutional question in the principle, and
looking over its practic?LXinfairness towards
them agree tha:ii to chatter
rrilury. /
Resolved, That Congress ought therefore to
divide California and New Mexico between
the slaveholding and the non-slaveholding
States on the line of 36° 30' N. latitude, and
this it might do by distinctly recognizing the
existence of slavery in ail that part of them ly
ing South of that line ar.d prohibiting it in uli
that part North of the line. That the South
ought to submit to this but to nothing less.
Resolved, That California is peculiarly well
adapted to slave labor, and if the tenure of
slave property were by a recognition of this
kind secured in that part of it South of 36°
30' N. such part would in a short time ripen
into one or more slaveholding States to swell
lhe number and power of those already in ex
istence.
Resolved That it is too plain for argument
that the slaveholding Stales would lose, and
lhe non-slaveholding greatly gain by thesur
render to the latter of nearly half of Texas,
and that the payment io Texas of a few mil
lions as the price, however it might minister
to her distress for money, would be no com
peusation to them, more especially as most ol
the money would come out of lheir pocke-s.
Resolved, That lhe people of lhe slavehold
ing States, by becoming a unit as respects po
litical or party organ zalions, separate from the
people of the non siaveholding Slates, would
place themselves in a position of great advan
tage in at least three particulars.
1. It would enable them to turn to account
tl e political panics of the North by putting it
in their power to throw their whole undivided
might in lhe scale of whichever party there
showed the best disposition to do them justice.
2. Il would ehable them to turn to account
lhe potent sentiment of love for the Unian
cherished by lhe North, by putting it in their
power to terminate the existence of tnat
Union promptly and without internal discord
whenever the North came to disregard their
rights.
3. It would enable them if the worst came
to lhe worst to defend them elves to lhe best
advantage. And therefore it would be a thing
in the highest degree couserva’ive, not only’ of
the Union, but of the sentiment of fraternity
between lhe people of lhe North and those of
lhe South.
Resolved, therefore. That the people of the
South ought lo drop old party distinctions and
organizations, and for lhe future, let the test of
merit in the different candidates for office be
this only, which of them is likely to do the most
just, friendly and fraternal part by the South,
and to this end that Covenlions, both for the
norninatou of Slate officers and President and
Vice President, ous’ht hereafter to be held
without reference lo past party relations.
Resolved, That we therefore invite a Con
vention of the people of the slave holding
States to assemble on the fourth Monday in
June. 1852, at fur the purpose of deter-
mining which amonu the various aspirants for
lhe Presidency and Vice Presidency, ought to
receive lhe suffrages of the South.
Resolved, Thai unless the non-slaveholding
States, at lhe next sessions of lheir respective
legislatures, repeal the laws which they have
passed to obstruct the recovery of fugitive
slaves, and a’so take effectual steps for the
surrender of such "4a' the s.’aveholding
States ought without delay to adopt measures
of retaliation and non-intercourse.
Resolved, Tnat we have little confidence in
the efficacy of any law which Congress may
pass lo secure the observance of this clause of
ihe constitution, because public opinion at the
North is so much opposed to such a law that it
could uot be enforced. We look chiefly to
the States themselves, who are parties to the
stipulation for the observance of the stipula
tion. Bu», any law passed by Congress which
«ave to the fugitive a j«ry trial in the S ate
into which he fled, would as a remedy
boa mere mockery.
Resolved, That in case a majority in Con
gress shill, regardless of these clear rights of
the South, pass any law which shall deprive
her of that part of California, and New Mexi
co situated south of 36° 30' N.. or cut off from
Texas any part of lhe territory lying within the
boundaries which she claims as her own, or
in’erfere with slavery or the trade in staves
m the Di-tricls of Columbia, then tiiis Con
vention shall on the Monday after
the passage of such law. re-as*emble at ,
fur the purpose of considering the remedy to
be adopted lor redress of the wrong thus
perpetrated upon ihe South.
Mr. Dawson, of Georgia, offered a resolti
tion recommending to the liberal patronage of
the people of the South the press proposed
to be established at Wasl ington to defend
Southern rights, which was also read and re
ferred.
Mr. Me Rea of Miss , offered a series of res
olutions which were also read and referred.
They are as follows :
Resolved, That lhe object of this convention
is conciliatory—that its design is, to advise lhe
people of lhe non-slaveholding States to res
pect the constitutional rights of the people of
the siaveholding States in the recapture of
lheir fugitive slaves—lo advise them, in view
of the dangers attending this subject, lo for
bearance in the agitation of lhe slavery ques
tion in al! its forms at horn®, and to forbearance
in the exercise, through their Representatives
in Congres®, of what they consider the consti
tutional powers of government on ihe subject
of slavery in places over which Congress has
exclusive legislation in the several States, in
the District of Columbia, and in the territory
ofihe United States—toadvise the people of
the slaveholding States of these constitutional
rights on the subject of slavery, and to recom
mend lo them in all their action, in lheir pri
mary and legislative capacity, and through
their representatives in Congress, to assert
their rights calmly, firmly, temperately, and
decidedly, and to unite solemnly in the meas
ures necessary effectually to preserve them.
That the end and aim of mis convention is, to
preserve unimpared the Union of the several
Siat°s by the preserva iou inviolate of the
constitution of the United States, which made
the Union.
2. Resolved, That the Union of the several
States composing the United States, was estab
lished by, and exists solely under the constitu
tion, and without lhe constitution the Uniou
does not exist.
3. Resolved. That die several Stales com
posing the Union -were* before and at the
time of the adoption by Cham respectively of
the constitution, equal, independent sovereign
tie.,—that thay entered into the compact of
union established by the constitution, as such
equal*, and they remain so under the constitu
tion —without this equality the Union was not
formed, and without it does not exist,
4. Resolved. Tnat the government of the
United Stares isihe government for lhe sev
eral Scales composing lhe United States, crea
ted by them severally, established by and exis
ting solely nnder the constitution,’and with
out this it has no existence whatever.
5. Resolved, That the government of the
Untied States is the creature of the several
States, and their agent under the constitution
having the origin and limit of its powers in the
constKutioR —that these powers are limited
and well defined by the cons.ttu ion. and with
out iliose the Government has uo powers what
ever.
6 Resolved, That the Congress of the Uni
ted States is a branch or depar meut of the
government of the United States, having ihe
origin and limit of its powers in the Constitu
tion—that these powers are limited and well
defined by lhe constitution, and without these
Congress has no powers whatever.
7. Resolved. That the territory of the Uni
ted States is the joint and common property
of the several States, and that the sovereignly
over said territory resides in the several Sutee,
to be exercised by Congress as their agent un
der lhe cunsututix.n.and within lhe limitations
imposed by the constitution.
8. Resolved, That when territory is ac
quired by the United States in any manner
whatever under the Cnnsti ution. the Consti
tution of the United Stales, with all its pro
visions, extends immediately over said Terri
tory, and guaranties to the citizens'of the sev
eral States equal rights in all things in said
Territory-
9 Resolved, That the power to legislate
over property, se as to discriminate between
ns different kinds, ar.d declare what shall, or
wha: shall not be property, in the several
Slates or in ihe territory ot the United States,
is nut delegated to Congress by the Consti’u-
Uon.
10. Resolved. That wb*»re territory belongs
to, or is acquired by the United States in any
manner whatever under ihe con-utution. the
power to obstruct the removal us the citizens
of the several stiate* with their property
lof whatever kind into said territory or to abol
ish their right to such property, at lhe time of
or after their removal wnh it into said territo
ry. is not delegated to Congress by the Consti
tution.
11. Resolved, That while we thus firmly de
clare our constitutional rights as setforth iu the
preceding resolutions, we are yet willing in a
spiritol harmony and conciliation, to meet our
brethren of lhe non-slaveholding States, in
good faith, in carrying out the Missouri Com
promise by extending the line of 36 deg. 36
min. to Hie Pacific Ocean, with the establish
ment of suitable territorial governments south
of that line, to be admitted as stales into the
Union, with or without slavery, to be deter
mined I y the people of these territories at lhe
time of the formation by them, when anthor-
I ized by their State Constitutions respectively
: lor admission as stales into lhe Union, denying
!to Congre s atihe same time the constitutional
! power to establish a line, excluding the citi
zens ofihe several Stales, with lheir property
| of whatever kind, from any territory of the
United Slates,.but adopting this line as a mea
sure ofequality and good faith in the division
of the territory acquired from Mexico, as a
i measure acquiesced in for the public safety,
i» the admission of Missouri into the Union,
and again demanded by the rights and ne
cessities of the yeople of the slaveholding States
and the safety of ihe Government.
12. Resolved, That if the people of the
nonslaveholdiug States will not accord to the
South the enjoyment of their slave property,
as secured to them by the Constitution, accor
ding to the principle herein declared, we re
commend to the people of the slave States as a
mode of resistance to lhe continued aggressions
of the North that
Fourth Day.— Thursday, June 6.—The
Convention was opened Uns morning with
prayer by Rev. Dr. Edgar.
The Secretary proceeded to call lhe States,
and Virginia having been called, Mr. Tucker
said he had n series "of nropositions to pffiar,
v. ich had been submitted to a portion of ihe
delegation from his State, and approved by
• hem. He had not, he said, prefaced them with
the word ‘ resolved"— he could not consent to
use that word, because like the terms “patriot
ism” and “philanthropy,” it had now no mean
ing, and when a person now “resolved” to do
any thing, instead of being determined, he was
ready to back out from his “resolve.” He
then read his propositions, which were as fol
lows:
This convention ho’ds the following propo
sitions to be incontestible:
2- That the territory of the United States,
not within the limits of any particular State,
belongs to all the said States collectively, and
that lo them belong the right of property and
the rivht of empire tn and over the same,
2. That the said Slates, in forming the con
stitution of the United States delegated to Con
gress power to administer the right of property
over all such territory.
3. That this power implies a power to pass
all necessary laws for keeping off intruders:
for disposing of all such territory, and fixing
the terms on which it may be sold, the persons
who may buy, and the conditions on which it
shall be held.
4. That all attempts on the part of any oth
er authority to add to, take from, or in any
wise anticipate or modify the conditions so
prescribed or to be prescribed by Congress, is
a plain usurpation of a power con’erred on and
belonging to Congress alone.
5. That the power of Congress to adminis
ter the right of property in such territory is so
modified by the equality of all the States that
Congress cannot lawfully dispose of the same
under such conditions as shall give to purcha
sers, being citizens of one State, advantage?
denied to other purchasers, citizens of any oth
er State.
6. That to the full enjoyment of property in
land, it is ind spensable that the proprietor be
at liberty to enter upon, occupy and improve
the same, taking with him all his property of
every kind.
7. That a proposition often pressed on Con
gress, and called and known by the name of
the Wilmot Proviso, does propose to give and
secure such enjoy ment to the citizens of some
States and to deny it to others.
8. That the said proposition is therefore un
constitutional, and that those Stales whose cit
izens would be thereby wronged, have
but done their duty to themselves by declaring
that they will resist alt attempts to enforce such
proposition, at all hazards and to the last ex
tremity
9. That the United States, in forming their
constitution did not delegate to Congress pow
er to exercise the right of empire over such
territory, and that the same remains dormant
and unrepresented in the Slates collectively
until lhe same is transferred in lhe only inode
known to the constitution.
10 That Congress has power, under the
constitution, to authorise the erection and es
tabiishtneni of new States within lhe territory
of the United Stales.
11. That this power implies a power in
Congress to s irrender, on behalf of the States
collectively, the right of empire over such p ’r
‘CTJifit'riii/i ui ib» limit tiraw'-il'newwW.oiMiteii-
righ»uf empire, until then dormant, immediate
ly awakes and becomes active in such new
State.
12. That any attempt on the part of Con
gress, or of any other, to exercise the right of
empire over any portion of the territory us the
United States, before a State shall have been
thereon erected and established by metes and
bound* by lhe authority of Congress, is a plain
usurpation of a power belonging to the States
collectively, and never by them delegated lo
Congress, or to any ulher agent or represenla
.ive.
13. Tnat it is the natural right of every
community inhabiting a territory where there is
no law, to govern, regulate and manage its mem
bers and their property by temporary laws of
their own making.
14. That it ts the right of every community
inhabiting a territory wherein ’here is no law
but that established by an authority which has
ceased to exist, to continue the authority and
protection of that law over its members and
their property bo long as they may approve it,
unless it be changed by the power which has
the right of empire over such territory.
15. That such, by the laws of war, and the
treaty of peace and cession were lhe rights of
the inhabitants of the conquered and ceded
province of California, and in their rights, by
the laws of war, and the treaty of pe ice and
cession, it was the duty of the Government of
the United States to protect them.
16. That lhe character of inhabitant, on
which these rights are predicated, does not be
long to mere sojourners, having no fixed pur
poses of permanent residence, and owning no
part of the sail, nor to any wr.ose mere pre
sence in the territory of the United Stalesis an
offence against ihe laws.
17 That to permit and encourage such so
journers and intruders to make laws for the
government of the persons and property of
lhe actual inhabitants of the country, residing
there permanently and rightfully at the treaty
of peace and cession, and entitled thereby lo
protection from the Government of the United
Slates, is not to permit and protect, but to vio
late and trample upon lhe above mentioned
rights of the inhabitants, as ascertained by the
law of nature and nations, and confirmed by
treaty.
That to permit and encourage such sojourn
ers and intruders to make laws interfering with
the right of lhe United Slates to dispose of the
lands in California to such persons, and on
such terms, at Congress may by law prescribe,
is a palpable dereliction of lhe duty to make
all utedful rales and regulations for the dispo
sal of lhe territory of the United Slates, which
has been committed by the Constitution to
Congress alone.
19 That to use lhe military force of (he
United Stales for lhe purpose of compelling
the inhabitants of California to submit lo a
constitution and laws, not of their own mak
ing, nor established by lheirformer sovereigns,
but imposed on them by sojourners and intru
ders, is an act of injustice and tyranny.
20. That to accomplish, by means of such
complicated violation of law. treaty, and con
stitution, the very wrong which the Wilmot
proviso was intended to perpetrate, is to mul
tiply the intensity of lhe wrong by the number
of unlawful acts through which it is inflicted.
21. That these Stales which pledged them
selves lo resist the enforcement of the Wilmot
proviso at all hazards and to the last extremity,
are yet more bound by consistency, self res
pect and duty to their own ci izens and to the
constitution, to resist the claim of a loose,
wandering multitude of sojourners and in
truders to ihe sovereignty of California
Mr. Claybrook, of Va.. remarked that the
propositions just read had not been submitted
to him. He had neither approved nor disap
proved of them. His opinion was suspended.
He deemed them, however, of sufficient im
portance to be referred.
Mr. Gholson, of Va., said the propositions
had not been submitted to him either.
They were then referred to lhe Committee
on Resolutions.
Mr. Erwm. of A!a., offered the following
resolution, which was read and referred:
Reso red. That the siaveholding States have
a ciear at.d undoubted right to the fuli and
complete benefit of the second clause of the
2d section of the 4ih Article us the Constitu
tion of the United Slates, providing for the
restoration of fugitive slaves, it respective and
independent of any comprotni-e or adjustment
by Congress of the other questions of c n
troversy existing between lhe said States and
the non-s’aveholding States; that the said pro
vision was inserted in the Constitution for the
special benefit and protection ot the slavehold
ing Slatesand their citizen®, and as a leading
and prominent inducement lo such of those
Slates as were in existence at the time of lhe
formation of the Constitution, to adopt it, and
become members of the Union thereby pro
posed to be formed ; and that if Congress—
whose members are sworn to support the
Constitution—shall neglect or refuse to pass
such act or act® as shall be required to secure
io the citizens of lhe siaveholding States lhe
entire and peaceful benefit of said provision,
according to its spirit and true intent it will be
a most manifest, glaring and grievous derelic
tion of duty on their pan ; a plain and pripa
ble evidence of marked and sealed hostility
to the rights and safety of the siaveholding
States, fraught with the most dangerous conse
quences to lhe peace and stability of lhe Union,
and imperiously requiring 'he aggrieved States
to interfere and adopt effectual measures to
arrest lhe evil and afford protection to their
I citizens ia the enjoyment of their rights and
property.
>• Mr. Erwin, also, offered (he following peso
i- j luiions. which were read and referred:
i 1. Resolved, That the Stales composing the
Federal Union assoeiaied together and are con
e 1 nected under lhe Constitution, on terms ol
a perfect equality; and. that they, and their citi
r zens. are under the Constitution, clearly and
n indisputably entitled to the enjoyment of the
i- same rights and privileges, without any diffe
-0 rence or distinction whatever.
i- 2 Resolved, That the domestic institutions
h of the Southern Stales under lhe Consiimtiofi
e are inviolate— and that Congress possesses no
•- i power whatever, to pass any act or resolution,
b i touching or concerning them, or in any man-
- . ner affecting them, either directly or indirectly
y ! —and that any eflbrt on «ts part to do so, is an
» ; unwarrantable attempt to exercise power re-
I j served exclusively to the Slates.
3. Resolved, That the Territories of the
< United Stales, in whatever manner acquired,
• are (he common property of the States com
- posing the Union—and that no State or States,
i have any right or privilege in relation there o
i to which every other State ia not equally en
, ! tilled—and that the citizens of (he Southern,
, or slavehold ng States, have a perfect right to
• em igrate to the said Territories, and to lake
j with them, and enjoy therein, lheir personal
property of every kind, whether slaves or any
s thing else without hindrance or molestation.
j 4‘ Resolved, That the right lo declare and
establish what shall constitute property, be
longs exclusively to the several States cumpos-
- irg the Union, and that any attempt ou the
t part of Congress to inteifere with lhe free ex
-9 ercise of such right, or to discriminate between
property, recognized and exibtiog in any of
the States, would be a gross and palpable
usurpation of power.
1 Mr. Dupont, of Florida, offered the follow
ing resolutions, which were read and referred
’ Ist Resolved, That with a view to avoid em
barrassing lhe action of ihe representatives in
1 CwngrexFfiroui jhe“Btevebo! ling Sutes. n f-on
1 the vitally important questions now t ending
before that body; it is inexpedient for this
' convention to declare or specifically define
what particular action by Congress, ought to
be deemed such an infringement upon lhe con
stitutional rights of lhe s'aveholding States, as
would call for lhe interposition of Slate re
sistance ; but in setting forth the rights of the
Stab's, it is sufficient fur this convention to de
clare “that the States are to stand in the con
federacy upon terms of perfect equality, and
that it is the right and duty of each of lhe
Statesto determine for herself and in her sove
reign capacity, when that principle of equal
ity is violated ”
2d. Resolved, That it be recommended to
the people of the siaveholding Slates, that
whenever a State shall determine that the prin
ciple of equality above referred to, has been
infringed upon by the action of Congress, in
the enactment of any obnoxious measure
whatsoever, the people of such State shall
forthwith adopt measures for the organization
of a convention of the slaveholding Spates
which convention shall be invested with full
power and au hority lo determine the mode
and measure of redress.
3J. Resolved, That it be further recommend
ed that whenever and so soon as nine of the
siaveholding States, shall concur in the call, of
lhe said contemplated convention, the same
shall convene with lhe least possible delay.
Mr. McClelland, of Florida, offered the fol
lowing resolution, which was read and refer
red :
Resolved, That it is the sense of this con
vention. lhat lhe Southern Slates, on lhe pas
sage of an act by Congress, prohibiting slave
ry in the District of Columbia, without the
consent of lhe free white voters of said Dis
trict, and the inhibition of the slave trade
between the several States, or lhe intermed
dling with itiu any way between them, or in
the arsenals, navy and dock yards of lhe
United States, or the conversion of what is
now slave territory, into free territory; or if a
Slate presenting herself for admission in the
Union is rejected, by reason of her having
adopted slave institutions a-* her domestic po i
cy, is such a violent and palpable violation of
the Constitution, and equality of lhe States,
lhat they should assemble and take those steps
that are inherent in them ft»r redress.
iMr. Pearson, of Florida, offered a series of
resolutions. a<lopted by a public meeting in
Florida which were read and referred.
Mr. Polk of Tenn., offered lhe following
amendment to the 14ih of the series of resold
lions offered yesterday by Mr. Campbell of
Ala., and referred to lhe Committee on Reso
lutions :
Re solved, That in the event that the partition
proposed cannot be secured on the line of 36°
30' North latitude, this convention does not
intend lo be understood as expressing an
opinion adverse to ihe plan of adjustment pre
sented in the U. S. Senate by the Committee
of thirteen, with such amendments thereto as
may he made in accordance with lhe views and
wishes of Southern Senators.
Air. Walker objected lo the amendment, and
moved to la> it on the table.
- Mr- Rhett, of S. C., said that the amend
ment of the Convention, should be referred.
Mr. Polk insisted on the reference.
Air. Stewart, of Miss., rose to a point of
order. The resolutions, he said, were not
before the Conveniion, and it was, therefore,
not in order to entertain a proposition to
amend them.
The President decided that the amendment
was informal, but would be entertained unless
objected to
Mr. Walker pressed his motion to lay on the
table.
Mr. Polk said, he wished to know whether
the gentleman from Alabama desired to ham
per the committee —to prevent them from de
liberating np the Compromise—or to prevent
the Tennessee delegation from laying its views
before ihern. If that was the case, they w mid
resort to other modes (he spoke for himself
alone) (o express ther sentiments.
.Mr. Moore of Tenn., sustained the motion
to lay on the table. He wished to see the
amendment offered on its own merits
Mr. Polk then withdrew his amendment and
offered itaga;nas a distinct separate proposi
tion, and it was referred.
The Convention then adjourned till 10
o’clock, A M., tomorrow.
Fifth Day.— Friday June 7.—The Conven
tion was opened with prayer this inort.ing by
Rev. Mr. Smith.
The Secretary proceeded to call the States;
whereupon,
Mr. Coleman, of Alabama, offered the fol
low ing resolutions :
Resolved, That lhe enactment of laws by
several of the Northern Slates, to hinder, ob
ytrtict and defeat the propositions of the acts of
Congress for the recovery of fugitive slaves, is
a violation of the Consiitntion of the United
States, and a violent aggression on the rights
of the South.
Resolved, That the adoption of resolutions
by the Legislatures of several of the Northern
States, denouncing, in the bitterest and most
elaborate term , the tnslitiition of slavery, and
iirg ng its abolition; and the publication and
careful transmission of such resolution* by srd
legislatures io the legislatures ofihe Southern
Slates, whom it was idle to suppose they could
expect to convert to abolitionism, are circum
stances affording strong proof of a desire to
excite our slaves to resistance, and manliest
a reckless disregard for lhe obligations due
from one portion of the Union to the other.
Resolved. That it is expedient to remonstrate
with our Northern brethren on lhe great in
justice of such conduct, and of its inevitable
lendency to alienate the fraternal feelings of tha
Southern Slates, and ript.ii them for disunion:
but that we have nothing to say to, and we
have nothing to hope from, those who assert
that “there is a rule for lhe government ol
public men and private men of superior obli
gation to the Constitution of cur country.”
Air. Buford, of Alabama, offered the follow
ing resolution*:
Is?. Resolctd. That agitation in the North
ern Stales is the source of Southern danger;
and all that we lose in compromises, that du not
and cannot cure that agitation, i* so much lost
without any equivalent in return.
2d. Refulverl. That for ihe sake of the
Union, we will accept and abide any reason
able Compromise that puls an end to this agita
tion.
3d. Resolved. That the policy of President
Taylor, iu reference to the territories, is better
for the South than the plan of the Compromise
Committee.
Ist. Because the President leaves Texas en
tire to the South, while the Committee gives a
third of it to the Norih.
2d. Because the Committee*? plan (accom
panied. as it is, with the declaration of the
Chairman, that the Mexican law, excluding
slavery, will be maintained by the National
Government) wi I certainly deter S mtbern
men frum occupying any of ihe remaining ter
ritories; whereas, it these territories were left
a* lhe President propose*, without law, South
ern valor might have some chance to vindicate
its equal riffht upon the soil.
3d. Because the Committee’s plan mocks
the South by s’tving her «»n!y the recaption bill
and a promise to execute the compact with
Texas—things already unquestionably ourown,
And,
4th. Because the Committee’s plan gives en
trance to the abolition wedge in the Dis
trict of Columbia, and will otherwise simulate
Northern agitation, wfhile its name of compro
mise will lull Southern vigilance.
4th. R‘S Ived, That both the above plans, as
al-o that of permitting the territories to exclude
Sout' ern propert-. results from the pressure
of abolition agitation, and if the Suu.h suc
cumbyt o either, or otherwise permits that fana
ticism to warp the National policy of !egi>-
ation, from that time her institutions are doom
ed ,and she will no longer have strength left
to oppose the ulterior measures that he be
hind and urge on those 'o wh.ch she had alrea
dy yielded.
sth. Rnsolued, That these results of North
ern organization against our rights can only
be met by Southern organization in lheir de
fence.
Judge Wilkinson, of Miss-, offered the fol
lowing resolutions, which, he said, were ap
proved by a majority of the delegation from
h>s State.
Ist. Resolved, That as the Union of the
States was formed in order lo ‘establishjus
lice, ensure do me sue tranquility, end secure
.he blessings of liberty lo the people and to lheir
posterity,” and that as lhe General Govern
ment (of which the Union is tne result and con
sequence) i* the instrument which was design,
ed by the Stales, in the exercise of its well de-
VOL.LXIV—NEW SERIES VOL. XIV— NO. 25.
fined and proper pow er.*, to effect (I £B9 pur
poses; if the government, swayed iron its
proper sphere by the passions or the interests
of those who may ndminister it, shall further
aid and abet injustice, promote or encourage
domestic disturbance, or shall deliberately and
systematically disturb the feelings of equal lib
erty, by an encouragement of faction, or of
fanaticism, or by any other means ; then
rhe purposes for which (he Union was formed
being thus baffled and defeated, each and every
parly to it will in any such case, have the un
doubted right io withdraw peaceably from it,
without opposition, complaint, or question
from any quarter; and even without any
partial expression of a reason for such with
drawal.
2. Resolved. That this Convention, anima
ted with love of the Union, and profoundly im
pressed with a reverence ol its historical asso
ciations, and with gratitude for its undoubted
burn fit, refrains from advising the slaveholding
8 ates here representaled, that a case has aris
en, or that a condition of affairs exists showing
the necessity or the policy of such withdrawal
now, and that it fervently hopes that such a case
may never happen, and that the Union may be
perpetual—a hope second in intensity only to
one that every Siate in the Union, may be
more mindful in future than some of them
have been in the past, of the great principles
of political j usi ice, and of the perfect equality
of alt the States.
Mr. Henderson, of Texas, offered the follow
ing resolutions:
IVhereas, a claim is asserted in the Congress
of the United States to a part of the territory
of the State of Texas, under the pretence that
the territory so claimed, to territory which was
first conquered by the arms ofihe U S. in the
late war with Mexico, and subsequently ceded
by Mexico to lhe U. S. by the treaty of peace:
and whereas, it is the sense of this convention
(hat the right of Texas to said territory is clear
ly rec-kH./.;:d by the joint 'resolution, of
Congress of the United Stales under which
Texas was received into the Union : and
whereas, said dispute has been raised by the
enemies of the slave States ofihe South, with
the sole object of wresting from lhe State of
Texas said territory, and erecting upon the
same a non slaveholding State ; —Therefore it
is;
1. Resolved, That the rightful boundary of
the State of Texas, on the west, to the bounda
ry claimed by her ever since she declared her
independence of Mexico, and as set forth in
the act of her first Congress passed in 1836.
viz: Beginning at lhe month of lhe Rio
Grande where it empties into the Gulf of Mex
ico. and running up said river to its source,
and thence due north to the line which then
divided lhe United States from Mexico.
2. Resolved. That it is the interest as well
a* the duly of lhe slave-holding Slates of the
Union to stand firmly by their sisier state,Tex
as, in said contest, and that the members of
this convention pledge themselves and the
people whom thev represent, that the said
territory Khali not be taken from Texas without
her consent, freely given.
Mr Goode of Virginia offered the following
resolutions :
Resolved, That the true boundaries of ihe
State ofTexas are defined in the treaty of May
14ih, 1836, signed by the President of Texas
and lhe members of ihe cabinet of the govern
ment ihereof, on the one part, and by the au
thorised representative of lhe government of
Mexico, on the other part, and setting forth the
lines ofdemarkation in lhe fol owing words,
lo wit: “Fhe line shall commence al lhe estu
ary or mouth of the Rio Grande, on the wes
tern bank thereof, and shall pursue the same
bank up lhe said river to the point where the
river assumes the name of Rio Bravo del
Norte, from which paint it shall proceed on
the said western bank to the headwaters or
source of said river, it being understood tint
the terms Rio Grande and Rio Bravo del Nori
apply lo and designate one and the same
stream. From she source of the said river, the
principal head branch being taken to ascer
tain that source, a due north line shall be run
until it shall intersect the boundary line estab
lished and describt d in the treaty negotiated
by and beiween lhe government of Spain and
the government ofihe United States; and from
that point of intersection lhe line shall be the
same that was made and established in and by
the several treaties above inenrioned to con
tinue to the mouth of an outlet of the Sabine
river, and from thence to lhe Gulf of Mex
ico
Resolved, That the State of Texas asserted
sovereign authority over all terri.ory compre
hended wi hin the boundaries set forth in the
foregoing resolution before the date of lhe
propagation of her independence by the Gov
ernment ofihe United States and before lhe
date of her annexation to the United S'ates.
Resolved, That by the term of the joint res
olution for annexing Texas to tne United
States, it was expressly provided that the G »v
--ernment of the United States should have
power to adjust all questions of boundary
which might arise with other governments;
that no such boundary has been adjusted with
ry the boundaries of Texa*. That MexrctFßy
tne treaty of Gaudalupe Hidaljo, expressly re
linquished all claim to all territory compre
hended within the boundaries heretofore des
cribed ; whereby the claim of Texas became
settled and her jurisdiction and authority be
came complete.
Resolved, therefore. That the Tex
as shou’d not be hindered or disturbed by any
authority whatever, in lhe exercise of all such
sovereign and supreme power over all terri
lory within her limitsail may be lawfully exer
cised by any other sovereign Slate of the Con
federacy over territory within its ascertained
limit.
Resolved, That Congress has no constitu
tional right to assume the payment of the
debts of a particular State contracted during
her connet lion with (he Stages of this Union.
Resolved, That on the annexation of Texas
to the States of this Union, the»e attached to
the government of the United Slates, the right
to lay and collect taxes, duties, imports and
excises, in all her ports and throughout all her
dominions ; lhat her debt contracted before
lhat event was negotiated on the credit of
.hose resources, and it is believed that accor
ding to lhe doctrine of subsii ution, a lien on
these resources thus secured to the United
Stales, might attach in favor of the creditors of
Texas—wherefore in the spirit of justice and
on the principle of equality, it is recommended
that the liability of the U States should be sub
stituted for the liability ofihe state ofTexas
and her debt contracted before the date of her
annexation to lhe States of ibis Union pad
from duties collected or to be collected in lhe
ports ofTexas.
Mr Tucker, of Va., offered the following
resolutions ;
1. Resolved, That it is the duty of the
whole south to oppose the attempts of the
northern fanatics whether forcible or fraudu
lent, to get possession ol any part of the terri
lory rightfully belonging to Texas, for the
purpose of excluding therefrom lhe people of
the South, and especially the Texan them
selves.
2- Resolved, That, while the position of
Texas in the breaca through which this assault
upon lhe constitutional rights of the south en
titles her to the measure of cordial and reso
lute support from every slaveholding state;
these states have a like right lo expect that
she will not be so false lo herself and traitor to
them, as to accept any sum of money
as a consideration for admitting an ene
my within her gates, and establishing there a
stronghold of abolition and a harbor for fu
gitive slaves.
Mr Fouche of Ga., offered the following
resolutions :
That the United States are a confederacy
of separate, equal and independent sovereign
lie-.
Tnat each St«te has its own separate consti
tution, and frame of government, and has re
served to itself all the powers of sovereignty
except such as it has expressly delegated »o the
Fcdera! Government far specific purposes.
That the Constitution of the United States
is a compact of each state with all the other
States, crea-mg reciprocal rights, and duties
among the States as parlies to lhat compact
’That the Federal Government derives its
powersand its existence from the Stales as
their common agent to execute lhe powers
delegated in the compact of union, and no oth
ers, for the accomplwh nenl of the specific ob
jects enumerated in the instrument and uo
others.
Tnat lhe Federal Government to the full
extent of its powers is bound to protect all the
rights of property of all the citizens of the
several States without di-criminafing in any
degree in favor of or against any species of
property or any State or section of the confcd
•r»«cy.
Tnat property in slaves existed anterior to
the Union, forms an important element in the
constitution of lhe Federal Government, and
therefore that any attempt to destroy, weaken
or circumscribelhe institution ol slavery, i* not
only a plain, palpable ami dangerous usurpa
tion of power not delegated, for purposes nev
er contemplated by the parlies :o ihe couslitu
•ion but is a direct attack upon 'he reserved
rights of the Spates which created it, and up
on i’s own organization.
That among lhe rights of property, are lhe
right to remove and sell it. and to remove and
settle with it, upon any territory or district be
longing to lhe United States in common as a
confederacy, whether acquired by cession, con
quest or purchase.
Tnat ihe r<ght to alter or abolish governments
belongs to the people of the Several States,
and that any government which shall neglect or
refuse to protect, or shall become incapable of
protecting the property ol its citizens; and
more especiai’y a government which shall be
come an instrument of attack upon die pio
perrv it taxes, ought io be altered or abolished.
That the Constitution itself contains com
promises upon the subject ot slavery, which
several of the Northern Sta’es have not only
failed lo execute, but lhe execution of which
they have endeavored to prevent by Legisla
tive enactments
1 hat this refusal to perform a plain consti
utional duty, and legislative opposiiion to
performance by those who svrorn to sup
port the Constitution, demonstraie ihe int
cienev of compromises, and especially o
legislative compromises, lo save the rig J
lt ‘Ths“'infidelity lo the compromise* of the
constitution produced the Missouri Con.pro-
U11 »e, and infidehiy to both the coiisututtou and
I the -Missouri Compromise ha, created a aup
| posed necessity for another Compronuae.
I tiai compromises oi tue mill . tF ny wnh die
majority. are in reality, concessions made by
the weaker to the stronger party for the sake
of temporary repose.
That periodical concessions, under the name
of a compromise, to exorbitant and unjust de
mands, is a sure way to the final overthrow of
southern institutions, and ought therefore to be
resolutely and effectively resisted.
That this Convention, regarding the com
promises heretofore made as still binding, and
having no confidence in the observance of any
other, should they he disregarded, earnestly
recommends to the Senators and Re pre sen ta
’ives of the Southern States in Congress, to
insist upon a division of the territory acquired
from Mexico between the slaveho ding and
non-slaveholding States by an rtttenrinn of the
Vli-souri compromise line of 36° and 31/ thro*
aid territory to the Pacific ocean, and to re
sist by every constitutional and parliamentary
means in their power, every attempt to over*
throw that compromise or make aporopria
lions from the public treasury, unless the rights
of the South are secured up tn that hue
That in the event of their failure to secure a
settlement upon that line, this Convention will
assemble again a>. , in the State of , to
consider of and recommend other and more
effective measure* of defence and safety.
That the delivery of fugitive slaves, is a plain
constitutional duty of the non-slaveholding
States, the performance of which ought not to
be purchased by any relinquishment of South
ern rights in the territories, and therefore, that
hi* Convention does not regard any provision
by Congress for the recovery of fugitive slaves
as constituting any part of a plan of compro
mise.
That in the event Congress shall pass an
act interfering with the rights of property in
slaves in any district or territory, or of the con
tinued resistance of the Northern Staten to the
recovery of fugitive slaves. or of the continued
disturbance of the domestic tranquility of the
Sou herd Slates by anii-siavery agiutiba tn
Congress, this Convention recommends that
the Legislatures of the Southern States adopt
the most effective measures of non-intercourse
oy way of defence.
The resolutions were all read and referred
to committee on resolutions.
Mr. Gordon, of Virginia, said the committee
to whom the resolutions which had been sub
mitted to the Convention were referred, would,
in a short time, have a report to make. He
therefore suggested that the Convention take a
recess.
On motion, the Convention took a recess till
3 o’clock. P. M.
Afternoon Session.—The Convention re
assembled at 3 o’clock.
Gen. Gordon, of Virginia, said that although
the committee which had the several proposi
tions submitted to the Convention before them,
had agreed upon certain import mt points, and
were ready to report upon them, yet owing to
the impossibility of getting the papers put to
gether in an intelligible shape, they could not
make their report until to morrow. They
would be ready, he said, to report, at as early
an hour to-murrow as the Convention might
choose to adjourn to.
The convention then, on motion of Mr.
Erwin, adjourned till 10 o’clock, to-morrow
morning.
Sixth day, Saturday, June B.—The Con
vention met pursuant to adjournment and was
opened with Prayer by Elder J B. Fergurson.
Mr Gordon, of Virginia, reported from the
Committee on resolutions a series of resolu
tionsand an address. He said he congratula
ted the Convention upon the spirit of concilia
tion which prevailed in the committee, who
had agreed with entire unanimity to recom
mend the adoption of the resolution reported.
In regard to the address he said there was a
slight discrepancy of sentiment.
Mr. Campbell, of Ala., then read the resolu
t ons.
[VVe are unable to get a copy of the Reso
lutions or Reports for this day’s paper ] Af*
ter some debate on motion of Mr. Erwin, the
further consideration of the resolutions was
postponed till Monday, and the resolutions or
dered to be printed.
Mr Campbell then read the address accom
panying the resolutions, and when he finished
it was ordered to be primed.
Mr, Nicholson, on behalf of himself, and
Messrs. Brown of Tennessee, Forman, of
Florida. Rome of Arkansas, and Murphey of
Alabama, read u counter report, which was
ordered to be printed
Mr. Dupont, of Florida, read a resolution
which he said he intended to offer as an
amendment to the resolutions reported, when
they should come up for action. It is as fol
lows :
Resolved, That should the Congress of the
United Stales enact any law violative of the
Constitutional rights oi the slavebolding States
set tonh in the foregoing resolutions, and
should they furthermore refuse to adjust the
controversy growing out of the slavery ques
tion upon just and equitable principles and
upon terms satisfactory to a majority of the
slaveholding Stales, it is the sense of his Con-
StaTas 'fflllir'FMi 1 "■
pective Legislature, concert and adopt meas
ures for the organization of a general conven
tion to be constituted of delegates from the
said States and to be invested with full power
and authority to prescribe the mode and meas
ure of redress ; provided, that said contempla
ted convention shall be convened only in the
event that nine of the said Javeholdnig States
shall concur in the call for the same,
Mr. Botkin, of Ala., offered the following
resolution :
Resolved. That it is the sense of this Con
vention, that Congress has no power under
the Constitution to abolish slavery in the dis*
trim of Columbia, or to prohibit the slave
trade between the Slates *, and that the pas
sage by Congress of any law for such purpo
ses, would notonty be violative of the consti
tution, but indicative of a design on the part of
that body to press further its dangerous and uu
authorized interference with the institution of
slavery, thereby affording just cause of alarm
to the South, and demanding tbe strongest
counteracting members.
Mr. Tucker of Va., offered the following
resolution, w hich was lead and referred
Inasmuch ss no pledge on the part of Con
gress, that that body will not assume powers
not granted by the Constitution, can add to
the existing cons itniional obligation ; and in
asmuch as a like pledge not to exercise pow
ers granted by the Constitution will bind no
body, it follows (hat no satisfactory security
can be given by Congress to the injured and
insulted South against (he continuance, repe
tition and aggravation of wrong, and insults
by combinations of Northern lunatics and fac
titious aspirants and intriguers in every part of
the Union.
Hoping never heless, that some means may
be found by which such an adjustment of exis
ting difficulties may be effaced as shall at
once preserve the Union establish.equality and
justice, and restore peace, harmony and secu
ri y ; this convention sincerely desiring to
avert the necessity of resorting “ to the last
extremity ” and believing that the following
plan of adjustment, or some modification of it,
mav be made to accomplish these objects, rec
ommends the same to the attention of their
constituents and all others whom it may con
cern :
1. Let each of the slaveholding States, by
an act of the Legislature in the nature of deed
of release, relinquish to the non slaveholding
States her title to the lands of lhe United
States Nortn of 36 deg 30 min., and not with
in the limits of any State, renouncing alike the
right of propertv and the right of empire.
2. Let each of the non-slaveholding States
make relinquishment to the slaveholding
States of all sou h of 36° 30'.
3. Let the right of empire remain dormant
as it now is, only to be awakeued in new
States established as such by metes and bounds
by lhe assent of the States proposing lhe right
of empire, expressed through their State Leg
islatures.
4. Ld the admission of such new States in
to the Union be, as now, by lhe act of Con
gress.
5 Let this disposal of the land to purchasers,
be left, as now, to Congress, and let the pro
ceeds be paid into tha treasury of the U.
States.
6. Let no gratuitous grants of public lands
on either side of 36° 30' be made by Congress,
without the assent of a majority of tbe Sena
tors and Representative from those States to
which such lands shall belong.
7. Let all sales of public Ismda he made with
a reservation of one fifth of ell the gold and
silver to be taken therefrom# and let proper
regulations be made to sect”* the payment of
the amount.
8. Let this fifth be paid the lhe treasury
of the United States, to b* equally divided
among all the different according to
their respective electoral vob* in the election
of President.
9 Let the dividend of tach State stand
pledged in lhe bands of the treasurer of the U.
State* fur the satisfaction of all demands against
any State, which shall be adjudged by the
proper tribunal in favor of any other State or
citizen thereof.
10 Let inounals be constituted, before
which lhe owner of any fugitive slave may file
his libel, charging that such slave had escaped
into a non slaveholding Sia’es.
II Let notice of such proceeding be served
on the Governor of such States.
12. On proof of such notice let proceedings
be i.ad to determine whether such slave did so
escape into such non slaveholdiug State, wheth
er such slave had been restored to the owner;
and io ascertain the value of such slave.
13. It it be found that such slave did so es-
cape into such Slate, and has not been return
ed to the owner, then let judgment be rendered
that ibe claimant ought to recover tbe value so
asses-ed with costs. .
14. Let this judgment he duly certified un
der the seal of lhe court to the treasurer of lhe
United States, and be to him an authority »or
paying lhe amount of such judgment to the
party entitled thereto; and let such payment
knd as a credi* against lhe Slate into w Inch raid
r*lave escaped, in satisfaction oi her distributa
ble share of the proceeds of lhe mines of gold
and silver.
15. Let the title of Texas to all the territory
embraced within the limit, established by lhe
treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo, bjacknowledg
ed, and ratified and confirmed.
16. Let the bori-slaveholding Stales luibl
their Constitutional obligation by pa-sing ef
fectual law. toprev.nt lhe entrance, and pro
, ide for the restoration of slave, escaping into
them.