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Report of the Select Committee of Thirteen.
Washington May 8.
Mr. Clay, from the Select Committee of Thir
teen, to w horn were referred various Resolutions
relating to California, to other portions of the
territory recently acquired by the United States
from the Republic of Mexico, and to other sub
jects connected with the institution of slavery,
submitted the following.
REPORT:
The Committee entered on the discharge of
their duties with a deep sense of their great im
portance,and with earnestand anxioussolicitude
to arrive at such conclusions as might be satisfac
tory to the Senate and to the country. Most of
the matters referred have been not only subjected
to extensive and serious public discusion through
out the country, but to debate in the Senate it
self, singular for its elaborateness and its dura
tion; so that a full exposition of all those mo
tives and views which, on the several subjects
confided to the Committee, have determined
the conclusions at which they have arrived,
seems quite unnecessary. They will, therefore,
restrict themselves to a few general observations,
and to some reflections which grow out of those
subjects.
Out of our recent territorial acquisitions, and
in connection with the institution of slavery,
questions most grave have sprung, which, great
ly dividing and agitating the people of the Uni
ted Stales, have threatened to disturb the harmo
ny, if not to endanger the safety of the Union
The Committee believe it to be highly desira
ble and necessary speedily to adjust all those
questions, in a spirit of concord and in a man
ner to produce, if practicable, general satisfac
tion. They think it would be unwise to leave
any of them open and unsettled, to fester in the
public mind, and to prolong, if not aggravate the
existing agitation. It has been their object,
therefore, in this report, to make such proposals
and recommendations as would accomplish a
general adjustment of all those questions.
Among the subjects referred to the Committee,
which command theit first attention, are the re.
solutions offered to the Senate by the Senator
from Tennessee, Mr. Bell. By a provision in
the resolution of Congress annexing Texas to the
United States, it is decclared that “new States
ofconvenient size, not exceeding four in number,
in addition to said State of Texas, and having
sufficient population, may liereaf er, by the con
sent of said State, he formed out of the territo
ry thereof, which shall he entitled to admission
under the provisions of the Federal Constitu
tion ; and such States as may be formed out of
that portion of said territory lying south of 36 deg.
30 min., north latitude, commonly known as
the Missouri compromise line shall be admit
ted into the Union, with or without slavery,
as the people of each State asking admission
may desire.
The committee are unanimously of opinion,
that whenever one or more States, formed out
of the Territory of Texas, noi exceeding four,
having sufficient population, with the consent
of Texas, may apply to he admitted into the
Union, they are entitled to such admission, be
yond all doubt, upon the clear,unambiguous, and
absolute terms of the solemn compact contain
ed in the resolution of annexation adopted by
Congress and assented to by Texas. But whilst
the committee conceive that the right of admis
sion into the Union of any new Stales carved
out of the Territory of Texas, not exceeding
the number specified, and under the conditions
staled, cannot be justly controverted, the com
mittee do not think that the formation of any
such new States should now originate with Con
gress. The initiative, in conformity wath the
usage which has heretofore prevailed, should be
taken by a portion of the people of Texas, them
selves, desirous of constituting anew State,
with the consent of Texas And in the forma
tion of such new Slate, it will be for the people
composing it to decide for themselves whether
they will admit or will exclude slavery. And
however they may decide that purely municipal
question, Congress is bound to acquiesce, and to
fulfil in good faith the stipulations of the com
pact witli Texas. The committee are aware
that it lias been contended that the resolution of
Congress annexing Texas was unconstitutional
At a toriner epoch of our country’s history, they
were those (and Mr. Jefferson, under whose au
spices the treaty of Louisiana was concluded,
was among them) who believed that the States
formed out of Louisiana could not be received
into the Union without an amendment of the
Constitution. Blit the States of Louisiana, Mis
souri, Arkansas and lowa, have been all, never
theless, admitted And who would now think
of opposing the admission of Minnesota, Ore
gon, or other new Stales formed out of the an
cient province of Louisiana, upon the ground of
an alleged original defect of constitutional
power? In grave, national transactions, while
yet in their earlier or incipient stages, differen
ces may well exist; hut when once they have
been decided by a constitutional majority, and
are consummated,or are in process of consumma
tion, there cun be no other safe and prudent al
ternative than to respect the decision already
rendered, and to acquiesce in it. Entertaining
these views, a majority of the committee do not
think it necessary or proper to recommend, at
this time, or prospectively, any new State or
States to be formed out of the Territory of Tex
as. Should any such be hereafter formed, and
present itself for admission into the Union, whe
ther with or without tha establishment of slave
ry, it cannot be doubted that Congress will,
under a full sense of honor, of good faith, and
of all the high obligations arising out of the
compact with Texas, decide, just as it will de
cide under the influence of similar considera
tions in regard to new States formed of or out of
New Mexico and Utah, with or without the in
stitution of slavery, according to tiie constitu
tions and judgement of the people who com
pose them, as to what may be best to promote
their happiness.
In considering the question of the admission
of California as a State into the Union, a majority
of the committee conceive that any irregularity
by which that State was organised without the
previous authority of an act of Congress ought
to he overlooked, in consideration of the omis
sion by Congress to establish any Territorial
government lor the people of California, and the
consequent necessity which they were under to
create a government for themselves best adapted
to their own wants. There are various instan
ces, prior to the case of California, of the admis
sion of new States into the Union without any
previous organization by Congress. The sole
condition required by the Constitution of the
United States in respect to the admission of a
new State is, that its constitution shall be repub.
lican in form. California presents such a con
stitution ; and there is no doubt of her having
a greater population than that which, according
the practice of the government, has been
heretofore deemed sufficient to receive anew
State into the Union.
In regard to the proposed boundaries of Cali
fernia,the Committee would have been glad if
“'ere existed more full and accurate geographic
al knowledge of the Territory which those bouu
naries include. There is reason to believe that,
ar geas they are, they embrace no very dispro
portionate quantity of land adapted to cultiva
lon - And it is known that they contain exten
*!ve ranges of mountains, deserts of sand, and
' n J'ch unproductive soil. It might have been,
p r oaps, better to have assigned to California
l l i ° ra limited front on the Pacific, but even if
~ " :te hud been reserved on the shore of that o-
u portion of the boundary which it presents
~[•»* other State or State., It is not very cer
' " inat an accessible interior of sufficient cx.
lent could have been given to them to render
an approach to the ocean through their own lim
its of any very great importance.
A ma ority of the committee think that there
are many and urgent concurring considerations in
favor of admitiing California with the proposed
boundaries, and securing to her at this time the
benefits of a State government. If, hereafter,
upon an increase of her population, a more
thorough exploration of her territory, and an as
certainment of the relations which may arise
between the people occupying its various parts,
it should be found conducive to their conven
lence and happiness to form >i new State out of
California, we have every reason to believe
from past experience, that the queslion of its
admission will be fairly considered and justly
decided. 4 J
A majority of the committeee, therefore, re
commend to the Senate the passage of the’ bill
reported by the Committee on Territories for
the admission of California as a State into the
Union. To prevent misconception, the com
mittee also recommend that the amendment re
ported by the same committee to the bill be
adopted, so as to leave incontestible the right of
the United States to the public domain and other
public property in California.
Whilst a majoirity of the committee believe
it to he necessary and proper, under actual cir
cumstances, to admit California, they think it
quite as necessary and proper to establish govern
ments for the residue of the Territory derived
from Mexico, and to bring it within the pale of
the Federal authority. The remoteness of that
territory from the seat of the General Govern
ment; the dispersed state of its population ; the
variety of races—pure and mixed—of which it
consists; the ignorance of some of the races
of our laws, language, and habits; their expo
sure to inroads and wars of savage tribes; and
the solemn stipulations of the treaty by which
we acquired dominion over them, impose upon
the United States in the imperative obligation of
extending to them protection, and of providing
for them government and laws suited to their
condition. Congress will fail in the perform
ance of a high duty if it dues not give or at
tempt to give, to them the benefit of such pro
tection, government and laws. They are not
now, and for a long time to come may not he,
prepared for State government. The Territori
al form, for the present, is best suited to their
condition. A hill has been reported by the
Committee on Territories, dividing all the Ter
ritory acquired from Mexico not comprehended
within the limits of California into two Terri
tories, under the names of New Mexico and Utah,
and proposing for each a Territorial govern
ment.
The committee recommend to the Senate the
establishment of those Territorial governments;
and in order more certainly to secure that de
sirable object, they also recommend that the
bill tor their establishment be incorporated in
the bill for the admission of California, and
that, united together, they both be passed.
The combination of the two measures in the
same bill is objected toon various grounds. It
is said that they are incongruous, and have no
necessary connection witli each other. A ma
jority of the committee think otherwise- The
object of both measures is the establishment of
a government suited to the conditions, respec
tively, of the proposed new State and of the
new Territories. Prior to their transfer to the
United States, tiiey both formed a part of Mexi
co, where they stood in equal relations to the
government of that republic. They were both
ceded to the United States by the same treaty.—
And in the same article of that Treaty,the Uni
ted States solemnly engaged to protect and gov
ern both. Common in their origin, common in
their alienation tiom one foreign government to
another, common in their wants of good gov
ernment, and conterminous in some of their
boundaries, and alike in many- particulars of
physical condition, they have nearly everything
in common in the relations in which they stand
to the rest of this Union. There is, then, a gen
eral fitness and propriety in extending the pa
rental care of government to both in common.
If Califoania, by sudden and extraordinary aug
mentation of population, has advanced so rap
idly as to mature iier for Slate government, that
furnishes no reason why the loss fortunate Ter
ritories of New Mexico and Utah should he a
bandoned and left ungoveined by the United
Slates, or should be disconnected with Califor
nia, which, although she has organised for her
self a State government, must be legally and
constitutionally regarded as a Territory un
til she is actually admitted as a State into the
Union.
It is further objected, that by combining the
two measures in the same Li l l, members who
n.ay be willing to vote for one and unwilling to
vote for the other would he placed in an embar
rassing condition. They would he constrained,
it is urged, to take or to reject both. On the
other hand, there are other members who would
he willing to vote for both united, but would
feel themselves constrained to vote against the
California hill if it stood alone. Each party
finds in the hill which it favors something which
commends it to acceptance, and in the other
something which it disapproves. The true
ground, therefore, of the objection to the union
of the measures is not any want of affinity be
tween them but because of the favor or disfavor
with which they arerespecrively regarded. In
this conflict of opinion, it seems to a majority
of the committee that a spirit of mutual con
cession enjoins that the two measures should he
connected together; the effect of which will be,
that neither opinion will exclusively triumph,
and that both may find in such amicable arrange
ment enough of good to reconcile them to the
acceptance of the combined measure. Aud
such a course of legislation is not at all unusual
Few laws have ever passed in which there were
not parts to which exception was taken. It is inex
pedient, if not impracticable, to separate these
parts, and embody them in distinct bills, go as to
accommodate the diversity of opinion which
may exist. The Constitution of the United
States contaiaed in it a great variety of provi
sions , to some of which serious objection was
made in the convention which formed it hy
different members of that body; and when it
was submitted to the ratification of the States,
some of them objected to some parts, and others
to other parts of the same instrument. Had
these various parts and provisions been separ
ately acted on in the convention, or separately
sbumitted to the people of the United States, it
is by no means certain that the Constitution it
self would ever have been adopted or ratified.
Those who did not like particular provisioes
found compensation in other parts of it. And
in all cases of constitutions aud laws, when
eitheir is presented as a whole, the question to
be decided is. whether the good which it con
tains is not of greater amount, and docs not neu
tralize any thing exceptionable in it. And as
nothing human is perfect, for the sake of that
harmony so desiirable in such a confederacy as
this, we must he reconciled to secure as much
as we can of what we wish, and be consoled
hy the reflection that vvliat we do not exactly
like is a friendly concession, and agreeable to
those who, being united with us in a common
destiny, it is desirable should always live with
us in peace and concord.
A majority of the committee have, therefore,
been let! to the recommendation to the Senate
that the two measures be united. The bill tor
establishing the two Territories, it will be ob
served, omits the VVilmot Proviso, on one
hand, and, on the other, makes no provisiore-fdr
the introduction of slavery into any part of the
new Territories. That proviso has been the
fruitful source of distraction nnd agitation. If
it were adopted nnd applied to any Territory, it
| would cease to have any obligatory force as soon
as such territory were admitted as a State into
the Union There was never any occasion for
it, to accomplish the professed object with which
it was originally offered. This has been clearly
demonstrated by the current of events. Cali
fornia, of all the recent territorial acquisitions
from Mexico was that in which, if anywhere
within them, the introduction of slavery was
most likely to take place; and the constitution
of California, by the unanimous vote of her con
vention, has expressly interdicted it. There is
the highestdegree of probability that Utah and
New Mexeico will, when they'come to be ad
mitted as States, follow the example. The pro
viso is, as to all these regions in common, a
mere abstraction. \\ by should it he any longer
insisted on ? Totally destitute as it is, of any
practical import, it has, nevertheless, had the
pernicious effect to excite serious if not alarm
ing, consequences. It is high lime that the
wounds which it has inflicted should be healed
up and closed; and that to avoid, in all future
time, the agitations which must he produced by
the conflict of opinion on the slavery question,
existiug as this institution does in some of the
States, and prohibited as it is in others, the true
principle which ought to regulate the action of
Congress in forming territorial governments for
each newly acquired domain is to refrain all leg
islation on the subject in the territory acquired,
so long as it remains the territorial form of gov
ernment-leaving it to the people of such Ter
ritory, when they have attained to a condition
which entitles them to admission as a State, to
decide for themselves the question of the al
lowance or prohibition of domestic slavery.
T lie committee believe that they express the
anxious desire of an immense majority of the
people of thel nited States, when they declare
that it is high time that good feelings, harmony
and frateral sentiments should he again revived
aud that the Government should he able once
more to proceed in its great operations to pro
mote the happiness and prosperity of the coun
try undisturbed by this distracting cause.
As for Colifornia, far from feeling her sensi
bility affected by her being associated with other
kindred measures—-she ought to rejoice and be
highly gratified that, in entering into the Union,
she may have contributed to the tranquility and
happiness of the great family of States, of which
it is to he hoped, she may one day be a distin
guished member.
The committee beg leave next to report on the
subject of the Northern and Western boundary
of r L exas. On that question great diversity
of opinion has prevailed. According to one
view of it, the Western limit of Texas was the
Nueces; according to another, it extended to the
Rio Grande, and stretched from its mouth to its
source. A majority of the committee, having
come to the conclusion of reecommending an
amicable adjustment of the boundary with Tex
as, abstain from expressing any opinion as to
the true and legitimate Western and Northern
boundary of that State. The terms proposed for
such an adjustment are contained in a bill here
with reported, and they are, with inconisdera.
ble variation, the same as that reported by the
Committee on Territories.
According to these terms, it is proposed to
Texas that her boundary be recognised to the
Rio Grande, and up that river to the point com
monly calledElPaso,and runnir.g thence uo that
river twenty miles, measurod thereon by a di
rect line, and thence eastwardly to a point
where the hundredth degree of west longitude
crosses Red River; being the southwest angle
in the line designated between the United States
and Mexico, and the same angle in tlie line of
the territory set apart for the Indians by the
United States.
If this boundary be assented to by Texas, she
will be quieted to' that extent in her title. And
some may suppose that, in consideration of this
concession by the United States, she might,
without any other equivalent, relinquish any
claim she has beyond the proposed boundary;
that is, any claim to any pat t of New Mexico.—
But, under the infiuenceof a sentiment ofjuslice
and great liberality, the hill proposes to Texas,
for her relinquishment of any such claim, a large
pecuniary equivalent. Asa consideration for
it, and considering that a portion of the debt of
Texas was created on a pledge to Iter creditors
of the duties on foreign imports, transferred by
the resolution of annexation to the United States
and now received and receivable in their treasury
a majority of the committee recommend the
payment of the sum of millions of dollars
to Texas, to be applied in the first instance to
the extinction of that portion of her debt for the
reimbursement of which the duties on foreign
imports were pledged, as aforesaid ; and the res
idue in such manner as she may direct. The
stiid sum is to be paid by the United States in a
stock, to be created, bearing five per cent, inte
rest annually, payable half yearly at the Trea
sury of the United States, and the principal re
imbursable at the end of fourteen years.
According to an estimate which has been made
there are included in the territory to which it is
proposed that Texas shall relinquish her claim,
embracing that part of New Mexico lying east
of the Rio Grande, a little less than 124,933
square miles, and about 79,957,120 acress of land.
From the proceeds of the sale of this land, the
United States may ultimately he reimbursed a
portion, if not the whole of the amount of what
is thus proposed to he advanced to Texas.
It cannot be anticipated that Texas will de
cline to accede to these liberal propositions ; hut
if she should it is to he distinctly understood
that; the title of the United States to any Ter
ritory acquired from Mexico East of the Rio
Grande will remain unimpaired and in the same
condition as if the proposals of adjustment now
offered had never been made.
A majority of the committee recommend to
the Senate that the section containing these pro
posals lo Texas shall be incorporated into the
bill embracing the admission of California as a
State,& the establishment of Territorial govern
ments for Utah and New Mexico. The defini
tion and establishment of the boundary between
New Mexico and Texas has an intimate and
necessary connection with the establishment of
a Territorial government for New Mexice. To
form a territorial government for New Mexico,
without prescribing the limits of the Territory
would leave the work imperfect and incomplete,
and might expose New Mexico to serious con
troversy, if not dangerous collisions, with the
State of Texas. And most, if not all the con
siderations which unite in favor of combining
the bill for the admission ofCalifornia as a State
and the Territorial bills apply to the boundary
of Texas. By the union of the three measures,
every question of difficulty and division which
lias arisen out of the Territorial acquisitions from
Mexico will, it is hoped, he adjusted, or placed
in a train of satisfactory adjustment. The com
mittee, availing themselves ofthe arduous and
valuable labors ofthe Committee on Territories,
report a bill, herewith annexed, (marked A,)
embracing those three measures, the passage of
which uniting them together, they recommend
to the Senate.
The committee will now proceed to tiie con.
sideration of, and to report upon, the subject of
persons owing service or labor in one State es
caping into another. The text ofthe Constitu
tion is quite clear : “No person held to labor or
service in one State, under the laws thereof, es
caping into another, shallin consequenco ofany
law or regulation therein,be discharged from such
service or labor, but shall he dilivered up on the
claim of the party to whom such service or la
bor may be due.” Nothing can ho more explicit
than this language—nothing more manifest than
the right to demand, and the obligation to dcliv
crup to the claimant,any such fugitive. The Con-
Etituti'ju addresses itseff alike to the States com
posing the Union and to the General Govern
ment. If, indeed, there were any difference in
the duty to enforce this portion of the Constitu
tion between the States and tlie Federal Govern
ment, it is clear that it is the duty the former.
It is now well known and incontestable that
citizens in slaveholding Stales encounter the
greatest difficulty in obtaining the benefit of this
provision of the Constitution. The attempt to
recapture a fugitive is almost always a suh ect
of great irritation and excitement, and often leads
to most unpleasant, if not perilous collisions
An owner of a slave, it is quite notorious, cannot
pursue his property, for the purpose of its recov
ery, in some of the States, without imminent
personal hazard. This is a deploriable state of
things which ought to be remedied. The law
of 1793 has been found wholly ineffectual and,
requires more stringent enactments. There is,
especially a deficiency in the number of public
functionaries authorised to afford aid in the sei
zure and arrest of fugitives. Various States
have declined to afford aid and co-operation in
the surrender of fugitives from labor, as the com
mittee believe, from a misconception oftbeir du
ty arising under the constitution of the United
States. It is true that a decision of the Supreme
Court oftheUnited States has given countenance
to them in withholding their assistance. But
the committee cannot hut believe that the inten
tion of the Supreme Court has been misunder
stood. They cannot hut thing that court merely
meant that laws of the several States which crea
ted obstacles in the way of the recovery of fu
gitives were not authorized hy the Constitution,
and not that State laws affording facilities in the
recovery of fugitives were forbidden by that in
strument.
The non-slaveholding States, whatever sym
pathies any of their citizens may feel for persons
who escape from other States, cannot discharge
themselves from an obligation to enforce the
Constitution of the United States. All parts of
the instrument being dependent upon, and con
nected with each other, ought to be fairlv and
justly enforced. If some States may seek "to ex
onerate themselies from one portion of the Con
stitution, other States may endeavor to evade
the performance of other portion of it; and thus
the instrument, in some of its most important
provisions might become inoperative and inva
lid.
But, whatever may he the conduct ofindividu
al States, the duty of the General Government
is perfectly clear. That duty is, to amend the
existing law, and to provide an effectual remedy
for the recovery of fugitives from service or la
bor. In devising such a remedy, Confess
ought, whilst on one hand securing to the own
er the fair restoration of his property, effectually
to guard, on the other, against any abuses in the
application of that remedy.
In all cases of the arrest, within a State, of
persons charged with oflences ; in all cases of
the pursuit of fugitives from justice from one
State to another State ; in all cases of extradition
provided for by treaties between foreign powers
—the proceeding uniformly is summary. It
has never been thought necessary to apply, in
cases of that kind, the forms and ceremonies of
a final trial. And when that trial does take
place, it is in the State or country from which
the party has fled, and not in that in which he
has found refuge. By the express language of
the Constitution, whether the fugitive is held to
service or labor or not, is to he determined by
telawsofthe State from which he fled; and,
consequently,it is most proper that the tribu
nals ol llial Stale should expound and administer
its own laws. If there have been any instances
of abuse in the erroneous arrest of fugives from
service or labor, the committee have not obtain
ed knowledge of them. They belie ve that none
sucli have occurred, and that such are not likely
to occur.
But, in order to guard against the possibility
of their occurrence, the committee have pre
pared, and herewith report, (marked B,) a sec
tion, to he offered to tiie fugitive bill now pen
ding before the Senate. According to this sec
tion, the owner of a fugitive from service or la
bor is, wlieu practicable, to carry with him to
the State in which the person is found a record,
from a competent tribunal, adjudicating the facts
of elopement and slavery, with a general descrip
tion of the fugitive. This record, properly at
tested and certified under the official seal of the
court, being taken to the State where the per
son owing service or labor is found, is to he held
competent and sufficient evidence of the facts
which had been adjudicated, and will leave
nothing more to be done than to identify the
fugitive.
Numerous petitions have been presented,
praying for a trial by jury in the case of arrest
of fugitives from service or labor, in the non
slaveholding States. It lias already shown that
this would be entirely contrary to practice and
uniform usage in all similar cases. Under the
name of a popular aud cherished institution ; an
institution, however, never applied in cases of
preliminary proceeding, and only in cases of
final trial; there would be a complete mockery
of justice, so far as the owner of the fugitive is
concerned. If the trial hy jury be adtnitlecd it
would draw after it its usual con-equeuces, of
continuance various times,to bring evidence from
distant places,of second or new trials, in cases
where the jury is hung, or the verdict is set a
side ; and of revisals of the verdict and conduct
ofthe juries by competent tribunals. During the
progress of all these dilatory and expensive pro
ceedings, what security is there as lo the cus
tody and forthcoming of the fugitive upon their
termination? And if, finally, the claimant
should be successful, contrary to what happens
in ordinary litigation between free persons, he
would have to bear all the burdens and expense,
ofthe litigation, without indemnity,and would
learn, hy sad experience, that he had hy far bet
tea have abandoned his right in the first instance
than to establish it at such unretnunerated cost
and heavy sacrifice.
But whilst the committee conceive that a trial
hy jury in a State where a fugitive from service
or labor is recaptured would be a virtual denial
of justice to the claimant of such fugitive, and
would be tantamount to a positive refusal to ex
ecute the provisions of the Constitution, the same
objections do not apply to such a trial in the
State from which he fled. In the slaveholding
States, full justice is administered, with entire
fairness and impartiality, in cases of all actions
for freedom. The person claiming his freedom
is allowed losue in J'orma pauperis ; counsel is
assigned him ; time is allowed him to collect his
witnesses and to attend the sessions of the court;
and his claimant is placed under bound and se
curity', or is divested of the possession during
the progress of the trial, to insure the enjoy
ment of these privileges and if there bo any lean
ingon the part of courts aud juries, it is always
on the side of the claimant for freedom.
In deference to the feelings and prejudices
which prevail in the non-slaveholding States,
the committee propose such n trial in tiie State
from which the fugitive fled, in all cases where
he declares to the officer giving the certificate
for his return that he has a right to his freedom.
Accordingly, the committee have prepared, and
report herewith, (marked C,) two sections,
which they recommend should be incorporated
in the fugitive bill pending in the Senate Ac
cording lo these sections, the claimant is placed
under bond,and required to return the fugitive
to that county in the State from which lie fled,
and there to take him before a competent tribu
nal, and allow him to assert and establish his
freedon, if lie can, affording to him for that pur
pose nil needful facilities.
The committee indulge the hope that if the
fugitive bill, with the proposed amendments,
shall be passed by Congress, it will be effectual
to secure the recovery of all fugitives from ser
vice or labor, and that it will remove all caus
es ofcomplaint which have hitherto been ex
perienced on that irritating subject. But if in
its practical operation it shall be found insuffi
cient, and if no adequate remedy can be devised
for the restoration to their owners of fugitive
slaves, those owners will have a just title to in
demnity out of the Treasury of the United
States.
It remains to report upon the resolutions in
relation to slavery and the slave trade in the
District of Columbia. Without discussing the
power of Congress to abolish slavery within the
District, in regard to which a diversity of opin
ion exists, the committee are of opinion that it
ought not to be abolished. It could not he done
without indespensable conditions; which are not
likely to be agreed to. It could not be done
without exciting great apprehension and alarm
in the slave Slates. If the power were exercised
within the District they would apprehend that,
under some pretext or another, it might be here
after attempted to be exercised within the
slaveholding States. It is true that at present
all such power within those States is almost
unanimously disavowed and disclaimed in the
free States. But experience in public affairs has
too often shown that where there is a desire to
do a particulur thing the power to accomplish it,
sooner or later, will be found or assumed.
Nor does the number of slaves within the
District make the abolition of slavery an object
of any such consequence as appears to be at
tached to it in some parts of the Union. Since
the retrocession of Alexadria county to Virginia,
on tile South sido of the Potomac, the District
now consists only of Washington county, on
the North side of that river; and the returns of
the decenary enumeration of the people of the
United States show a rapidity of progressive de
crease in the number of slaves in Washington
county. According to the census of
number was 4,505; and in 1340 it was reduced
to 3,320 ; showing a reduction in ten year of near,
ly one-third. If it should continue in the same
ratio, the number, according to the census now
about to be taken, will “ho only a little upwards
of two thousand.
But a majority of the committee think differ
ently in regard to the slave trade within the
District. By that trade is meant the introduc
tion of slaves from adjacent States into the Dis
trict, for sale, or to he piaced in depot for the
purpose ol subsequent sale or transportation to
other and distant markets. That trade, a ma
jority of the committee are of opinion, ought to
bo abolished. Complaints have alnays existed
against it, no less on the part ofmembers ol Con
gress from the South than on the part of mem
bers from the North. It is a trade sometimes
exhibiting revolting spectacles, and one in which
the people of the District Itavo no interest, hut,
on the contrary, are believed to be desirous that
it should be discontinued. Most, if not all, of
the slaveholding States have, either in their
constitutions or by penal enactments, prohibi
ted a trade in slaves as merchandise within their
respective jurisdictions. Congress, standing in
regard to the people of this District on this sub
ject in relation similar to that of the State Legis
latures to the people of the States, may safely
follow the example of the States. The commit
tee have prepared, and herewith report, a bill
for the abolition of that trade, (marked D,) the
passage of which they recommend to the Sen
ate. This bill has been framed after the model
of what the law of Mary land was when the
General Government was removed to Washing
ton
The views and recommendations contained
in this report may be recapitulated in a few
words :
1 The admission of any new State of States
formed out of Texas to be postponed until they
shall hereafer present themselves to he receiv
ed into the Union, when it will be the dutv of
Congress fairly and faithfully to execute the
compact with Texas by admitting such new
State or States.
2. The admission forth with of California into
the Union, with the boundaries which she lias
proposed.
3. The establishment of territorial governments
without tlie Wilmot Proviso, for New Mex
ico and Utah, embraeingai! the territory recent
ly acquired by the United States from Mexico
not contained in the boundaries of California.
4. The combination of these two last men
tioned measures in the same bill.
5. Tiie establishment of the western and
northern boundary of Texas, and the exclusion
from her jurisdiction of ull New Mexco, with
the grant to Texas of a pecuniary equivalent.—
And the section for that purpose to be incorpo
rated in the bill admitting California and estab
lishing territorial governments for Utah and New
Mexico.
(i. More effectual enactments of law to secure
the prompt delivery of persons hound to service
or labor in one State, under the laws thereof,
who escape into another State.
And 7. Abstaining from abolishing slavery;
but, under a heavy penalty, prohibiting the slave
trade in the District of Columbia.
if such of these several measues as require legts.
lation should be carried out hy suitable acts of
Congress, all controversies to which our late
territorial acquisitions have given rise, and nil
existing questions connected with the institttion
of slavery, whether resulting from those acquisi
tion? or from its existence in the States and the
District of Columbia, will be amicably settled
and adjusted, in a manner, it is confidently be
lieved, to give general satisfaction to an over-]
whelming majority of the people ofthe U.States. ]
Congress will have fulfilled its whole duty in :
regard to the vast country which, having been I
ceded hy Mexico to the United States,has fallen
under their dominion. It will have extended
to it protection, provided for its several parts the
inestimable blessing of free and regular govern
ment adapted to their various wants, and placed
the whole under the banner and the flag of the
United States. Meeting courageously its clear
and entire duty, Congress will escape the un
merited reproach ofhaving from considerations
ofdoubtful policy,abandoned to an undeserved
fate territories of boundless extent, with a sparse,
incongruous, and alien, if not unfriendly popula
tion, speaking different languages, and accustom
ed to different laws, whilst that population is
making irresistible appeals to the new sovereign
ty to which they have been transferred for pro
tection,for government,for law, and for order.
The committee have endeavored to present
to the Senate a comprehensive plan of adjust
ment, which, while removing ali cause of exis
ting excitement and agitation, leaves none open
to divide the country and disturb the general
harmony. The nation has been greatly con
vulsed, not hy measures of general policy, but
hy questions of a sectional character, and, tiiere
iore more dangerous and more lobe deprecated.
It wants repose. It loves and cherishes the
Union. And it is most cheering and gratifying
to witnesssthe outbursts of the deep and abiding
attachment to it which have been exhibited in
all parts of it, amidst all the trials through
which we are passing. A people so patriotic
as those of the United Stales will rejoice in an
accommodation of all troubles and difficulties
by which the safety of that Union might have
been brought into the least danger. And under
the blessings of that providence who, amidst all
vicissitudes, has never failed to extend them
his protecting care, his smiles, and his blessings,
they will continue to advance in population,
power,and prosperity, and work out triumphant
ly, the glorious problem of mart’s capacity for
self-government.
The bills were llieu read a first time hy their
titles. The following Senators are opposed to
parts of the Report, Messrs. Berrien, Borland,
Clemens, Cooper, Downs, Mason and Yttloe.
A CARD.
At a meeting of the “Macom Volujitxkhs,’"
held at the Company's Room on the 11th inst.,
the following communication was received, and
ordered to be published in the city gazettes, viz’
“At a meeting of the “ Savannah Volunteer
Guards," held in Savannah on the Bth inst., the
following Resolutions were unanimously adopted
and the undersighed were appointed a Commit
tee to communicate the same to the Command
ing Officers of the respective Corps :
Resolved, That whilst upon their recent visil
to Macon, the hospitality extended by the
Soldiery, was noble, hind and generous—and tha
“ Guards ” would now give their Brothers of th#
“ Volunteers " and “ Rij fes" the assurance, that
they wiD always feel tiie liveliest friendship
towards men, who as soldiers are brave and
courteous, and as hosts are kind and hospitable;
and tiiey sincerely trust the day is near at hand
when they will have the pleasure of receiving
their Macon Brethren as Guests, and be allowed
the opportunity of reciprocating some of the
many acts of kindness they have received at
their hands.
Resolved, That the Savannah Volunteer Guardi
feel deeply grateful to the Honorable Mayor and
Aldermen, and to the Citizens generally of
Macon, for their kindness and hospitality ; and
that they wish both them and their fair City every
prosperity and happiness.
Ensign A. C. DAVENPORT,
Sergeant C. \V. W RRUEN,
Private P. VV. ALEXANDER,
“ JOHN M MILLEN,
“ e a. Rent
To Captain Z. T. Comber, Macon Volunteers.
may 18 19
—————
MACON MARKET, MAY 18.
COTTON—The late European accounts have
stiffened prices in our market, although there
is very little doing. Bales have been made at
from 11 to 11$ cents, during the last few days
and in one or two instances at 11 Jc. for choice
lots. We quote 11 al2 cents—principal sale*
II.) a 11| cents.
notic£.
\I.L those interested are herebv notified that
- Four Months from this date, I shall apply
to the Honorable Inferior Court of Bibb county,
when sitting as a Court of Ordinary, for leave
lo sell the Real Estate belonging to Mortimer
II G. Nixon and Calvin \V. Nixon, minors, situ
ate at Vineville, in said county.
JOHN l> WINN, Guardian,
may 11 18—4rn
Tlic HciiiiiiKlon Bridge.
HMIE monopoly for Counties and Rights for
.1- single Bridges, for sale, accompanied with
drawings and instructions complete.
When it is desired a competent Mechanic, in
structed hy the inventor, will be sent to direct
the construction ; in such cases the Bridge will
ho warranted for a term of years. The cost of
these Bridges will always be from one half to ten
times less than any other Bridge, including (he
cost of right. Address
J. BEATTIE, Jr., Agent,
Floyd House, until the first of June,
npril 27 Iff—tf
SPRING MEDICINE.
OYRUI* OF SARSAPARILLA. Persons
O desiring to escape the Fevers of the Summer
Months, would do well to make a free use of
this Syrup as n beverage, being a pleasant puri
fier of the blood. For sale low by the gallon or
bottle, by J. H. & W. S. ELLIS,
may 4 17
To Physicians.
r l l HE undersigned have prepared for the cOn
.l. venicnce of those who do not wish to have
recourse to Patent or Quack Medicines, the sos«
lowing, according to the “Formula of the United
States Dispensatory,” being the base of popular
Remedies, viz: Syrup of Sarsaparilla, Syrup of
Wild Cherry, Syrup of Seneca, Syrup of
Syrup of Stillingia, or Queen's Delight ; Extract
of Buchu, Saturated Cherry Pectoral, by the
gallon or quart, sold low by
J. 11. &. YV s ELLIS, D.oggisis,
Near the Corner of Cotton Avenue,
may 4 Cherry Street, Macon, Ga.
Wanted Immediately,
rp WO OR THREE JOURNEYMEN CABI
I NET-MAKERS. None except good work
men, and such as arc willing to make themsclvcd
useful, need apply.
WOOD & BRADLEY,
oct 20 47—ts
Wanted Immediately.
4 NEGRO WOMAN, to Cook and Wash
il for a Family in the city. For one compe
tent to do the same good wages promptly paid,
will be given. Apply at the “Tribune” Office,
april 27
<lnk'k Death !—or lied Bng Banc,
I S the name ofa pseparation recently invented
for the destruction and eradication of those
abominable pests, bed bugs. Although its effect
upon other animals is harmless, to bugs and in
sects its rank and penetrating tdor is as surely
fatal as is the noxious vapor shed out from Java 3
poisonous tree. Prepared and sold hy
april 27 E. L. STROHECKER.
Lemon Sugar.
SUPERIOR to Lemon Syrup,and nearly equal
to the fresh Lemon, for making Lemonade.
Directions: Add one large tabfespoonful of the
Sugar to a half pint of water. Stir it well, and
a beverage is produced, inferior only to that
made from the fresh Lemon. Physicians in the
country will find this preparation a valuable
substitute when the fresh Lemon cannot be pro
cured. Prepared and sold by
anril 27 £. L. oTROHe.CKER.
Q ANDERS’ Roach, Rat and Mouse EXTER-
O MlNATOß.—Families pestered with these
destructive little animals, can be rid of the art
noyauce by using a box of tire “Exterminator.”
Price 25 cents. For Fale by
april27 E. L. STROHEtKER
Freeh Congress Wafer.
HAVING made arrangements with the Pro
prietors of the celebrated Suratoga Springs,
I shall be prepared to furnish the Water during
the season, fresh and in good condition. A lot
just received and for sale bv
apri! 27 E. L. STROHECKER, Drdggist.
fiercer Potatoes.
1 i k BBLS. Mercer Potatoes, Very superior,
JL* ' in fine order, just received and for sale
very cheap by GEO. T. ROGERS.
Fresit Fish, Crabs, and Shrimps,
ITS VERY Night from Savannah, At
it march 30 W. FREEMAN’S.
ONE Thousand Pounds fine old American
Cheese, for sale very low at
march 30 VV. FREEMAN'S.
-trUSLIN SLEEVES AND CUFFS—A new
iY-t and beautiful article, just received by
apri I 6 LOGAN & ATKINSON
Canal and Baltimore Floor.
II ii BBLS. Extra Superfine FLOUR
I ' 7 25 bids. Extra Family Flotir, very
choice, just received and for sale, low bv
apri I 6 GEO. T ROGERS.
