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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.