Newspapers / The North-Carolinian. / June 1, 1850, edition 1 / Page 1
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1 r irnr ir n Mr. ar ir itiirinr.. H " "CHARACTER IS AS IMPORTANT TO STATES AS IT IS TO INDIVIDUALS : AND THE GLORY OF THE STATE IS THE COMMON PROPERTY OF ITS CITIZENS." . i f fa France, per vear.SQ 00. Jtfot paid in advance, 2 50 Net paid until six -, snonths have expir e.d, 300 jjot paid till the year has expired, " .350 No subscription received for a less time than a vear, unless the price be paid n jjjV TJWfLm XX BA Jf T! advance. i; " I FAYETTEVILtE, H. C, JUNE 1, 1850 RECTIFIED RYE WHISKEY. S3SJ oS: ciUiamsf Davie county We ,,11 thU liquor as we receive it. pure imd unmixed. Hotel and Bar keepers may depend on getting the pure article our j. g, T. WAD-DILL. March 30. 1850. 579-tf FOR SALE, At the lowest Market Prices, 40 Hhds. New Crop Molasses, 1200 sacks Salt, 5000 bushels Alum Sa.lt, 9000 lbs. Cotton Yarn,. Osnaburgs and brown Sheetings. With a general stock of articles in the Groeery line. JNO. T. WILLIAMS. Fayetteville, Feb. 20. 1S50. SPRING GOODS. I S 5 U . lias just received a hsrge general assortment of Among which are, Superior embroidered and printed Lawns, Ginghams and C ilicoe, Brocade and figured Silks, Plain and striped ditto, Swiss and Jaconet Muslins, Plain and striped Muslin?, Thread and Bobinet Lace and Edgings, Lace Caps, some very superior, Superiine black and other Cloths, Ditto Cassi meres, Merino ditto, French Cashmere Vestines, Irish Linens, bwns4 and Diipers, Silk and Cotton Handkerchiefs, Linen Cambric ditto, .I)rab-de-ra, French and English, Linen Drilling, Asker Bolting No. 1 to 10, With many other articles, all of which bein:: purchased for Cash by the Package, will be offer ed bv wholesale orietail at very low prices. March 30, IS-"0. i ADvaxiTXszno't Onesquareoftwenty-eEe lines or less, for one inser tion, GO cents ; every sub sequent insertion, 30 cents srrnt it. rtnni n infnrssr. jeral months, when it will be cnarpea lor iwo months, 4 for three, ct $10 for twelvemonths. Liberal deduction VOL. 11 IJO. OUO.jbythe year or six moL th. 100 casks for iale by May 18, 1850. B. ROSE Sc SON. A. J3l- McKETHAN Still conti.mcs- to carry on the CARRIAGE BUSINESS in ail its brandies, :it tlie OLD STAND. He re turns thanks for the libend patronage he has heretofore received, and hopes, by a strict atten tion to business and a desire to give entire satis faction, to merit a continuance of the same. lie has oh hand a very fine assortment of Carriages, Barouches, Buggies, Hockaways, finished, and a very lirge assortment of work partly finished, which, for elegance of shape and linisn, will compare wiru any oiner woriv 1' and sell 1 firs- All win k warranted f"i- twelve iriontl and repaired free of charge, should it fail by bad I'ltl'L'Ikl Olijll 1 M V If! tfi I la! IVUKIIICIJ I 1 J l 111 ll 1 Ll .. - . t i 1 jIjI Kepairing t.ntfifully executeu at sin on verv reasonable terms. niary 11 , 1S."0. STEAMER PAWN, Will pi iy regularly betw een Wilmington and Fayetteyille, leaving Wilmington at 6 o'clock every Monday morning, touching at Elizabeth town, and other landings en route. Returning, will leave Fayetteville at G o'clock every Wednes day morning for Wilmington, stopping at any of the landings for passengers or freight. DAVID SCOTT, Master. For freight or passage, apply on board. May 11. 5S6-tf MRS. E. WALTON Is now receiving a new supply of Spring and Summer 1ILLI1TSBTS Of tlie latest style, And bes leave to inform her friends and the public generally, that she still continues her business other new stand (the white building) on Green street, where she keeps a large and splendid assortment of Straw, Hungarian &. chip era iLsrir is , of various kinds, too numerous to mention; Misses' Albions and French Lace; childrens' Jenny Linds and Pearls; a new supply of Ribbons, Flowers, Silks, and Laces; French embroidered muslin Capes and Collars; lace Capes ard mourn ing Collars; Kid and Silk Gloves ; Muslin Edg ing and Insertion ; black and white lace Veils; dress trimmings of various kinds. ft3 Bonnets of all kinds cleaned and altered te suit the present style. Gentlemens' Hats cleaned and pressed. Orders from the country promptly attended to. Fayetteville, April 13, 1S50. 3m N. Y. BRANCH STORE. Fashionable Keady-made Clothing AND DRY GOODS, AT NEW YORK PRICES. IMPORTANT TO ECONOMISTS. rny 1T PA from New York city, rc- ' VAjl 'j ftpectfully call the attention of the citizens of Fayetteville and vicinity to their entire ly new and fashionable assortment of superior ready-made r'lothinjr. shirts, collars, bosoms, cravats, under-shirts, drawers. &c &c. along with a small but well selected as sortment of fancy and staple Dry Goods, boots, shoes, hats and Cnjis. The rendy-made Clothing will be found equal to the best I'loth'iH made in the best sliopa in the Union, and at a great reduction from the cheapest. As this is a branch from one of the largest wholesale Clothing Stores in the Union, the undersigned is privileged to nell a single gar ment at the wholesale price one trial will convince you of the fact. Come. see. and be assured that you can save 25 per ocut. in -buying our Clothing. Southeast corner .Market Square, in the store recently occupied by Samson & Worms. May 11. 1S50. lm. NORTH CAROLINIAN. Win. II. Bynti Editor and Proprietor FAYETTEVILLE, N. C. JUIME 1, 1850. n. w ill compare viiij anv onier wwi iv. rsons wishing to buy, would do well to call sxumine the' work, as he is determined to low for cash, or notes on short time. All 1. 1 ('.... tn-olio .r,...,t),. To Colonels of Regiments. By the act of Legislature of 1848. it was made the duty of Colonels to give exempts under that act. a certificate of exemption. We have supplied several regiments with blank certificates, mid will keep a supply on hand at the Carolinian Office. 76 cent.- per quire. tjee. lort no- Jam Cheap as possible ! The Subscribers having associated themselves together, would respectfully inform their friends and the public generally, that they carry on the Sii?Itlle and Harncss-m-iking' IllfSLYKSS on Person street, at Owen Houston's old stand, where they would be ul.id to receive a share of public patronage. They keep constantly on hand Saddles, llarncs, Rridles. Martingales, Whips, &c made of go.J materials and by good workmen. Persons wishing anything ir. their line will please examine their articles before pur chasing elsewhere. Prices moderate. fjtj-REPAIRING neatly executed and at short notice. O. HOUSTON, W. OYEUVY. Aug. 11, liD. ly. DENTISTRY. S. S. GILCHRIST, Dental Surgeon, respectfully informs the citizen? of Fayetteville and vicin ity, that he has taken an oSee in the Fayetteville Hotel, where he is prepared to perform all operations in his pro fession, and would be pleased to wait ou ail who may favor him with a call. A il work warranted. October '-'7. 1S43. 557-tf .AT? JI SPJUjXG & SUMMER GOODS. TIIK Subscriber is now receiving his Spring Stock of loots. selected in I liilauelpliia ami ISew ork larkets consisting of a well selected assortment of Telegraphed for the Charleston Courier. IMPORTANT FROM CUBA. LANDING OF THE INVADERS. The steamer Ohio, arrived at New York from Havana, brings the intelligence that Gen Lopez, with five hundred men, landed at Cardenas on the ISth inst., and took the town and garrison of six hundred soldiers, who surrendered after loosing three men. Great excitement prevailed at Havana. Martial law prevailed in the city. Several thousand militia had been despatched to protect Matanzas. It is reported that troops have collected at Merman's Island. Several vessels had been despatched for that place. The Span ish steamer Pizarro retired with 103 prisoners, mostly French and German. Arms were distrib uted to the militia. Resident foreigners were compelled to enroll their names for service. The force under Gen Lopez is estimated at two thou sand. It is reported that the Railroads leading to Cardenas, and several other places, have been taken up by Gen. Lopez. The Merchants and Bankers at Havana were removing their deposits to places of safety. Protection had been refused by the Spanish Government to American vessels, and their passengers. The Ohio brings nothing later from California. She brought six hundred thousand dollars in specie. LATER. FAILURE OF THE EXPEDITION. Tuesday morning's mail brought intelli gence of the failure of the expedition, as will be seen by the following telegraphic despatch. Gen. Lopez has arrived at Sa vannah, and orders have been issued from Staple and Fancy 9 Taylor 8l Underwood Are now receiving their stock of SPRING & SUMMER Embracing a general assortment of DRY GOODS, Hats, Slioes, Bonnets & Stiaw Goods. Coopers and Smiths' Tools; Turpentine do.; Hardware, Coffee, Sugar, Iron, Nails, and Crock ery. March 16, 1550. 3m. GRAND R. A. CHAPTER Of Worth. Carolina.. THE Regular Annual Convention of the Grand Chap ter, will be held t WILMINGTON, on Monday the Sd day f June next. Punctuality in th attendance of members and In re turns i8 desirabte. , '- - ROfcT. O. RANKIN. Grand Sec'y. May 8. A. D. 1850; V. D. 2380. 585-4t Of the latest styles and patterns, of which the following will compose a part: Plain and i'd Berages; Silk Tissues; pl.iin and fig'd black Silks; Flowered .silks aud CJro. de Rinedos; Linen Lustres; embroided and plain Swiss Muslins; Grenadines; Knglish and Scotch Ginghams; plain and fig'd Tarltons; Mounting goods of almost every description; plain and lrinted Jaconets: printed Muslins and Lawns; French. Knglish aud American Prints. Gentlemen's wear: A'estinffs. Cassimeres. Cloths, fancy and plain Linens and Drills; 'ashuierets nnd rab-de-tes; a general assortment of Ready-made Clothing; Kid Gioves; white SieoFdlace & French worked Capes: standing Collars; Swiss& Jaconet Kdgings & Insertings; embroidered white and col'd Lace Muslin Curtains; a large stock of Straw Goods; artificial Flowers; hem-stiched and embroid ered linen cambric Handkerchiefs; Orarats. black 8c col'd silk embroidered; plain, embroidered St col'd bor'd Canton Crape Shawls. Tery fine goods: Ribbons; Sun Shades. Pai -awls and l.'mfcrellas; Panama. Moleskin and Leghorn Hats; dr;lb and black medium brim Beaver Hats; all kinds of Youths and Children's Hats; an extensive assortment of Shoes and Bonts. of the best make. Also. Hardware. Cut lery China and Glassware, uu assortment of Family Gro ceries: Saddles, Bridles. &c I would say to purchasers, to call and examine for them selves; they shall have the worth of their money. WM. S. LATTA. April 27. 1SG0. TOT PRINTERS PRINTERS and Publishers of Newspapers are inform ed that the Subscribers are extensively engaged in the niinul'iicturc of PRINTING INK of every color and quality', which they know to be eiual to any manufactur ed, aud which they will sell at the lowest prices for Cash ; as they are determined that their Ink shall recommend itself, they only solicit one trial of H. relying upon its merits for future patronage. Their Colored Inks are warranted superior to any manufactured. A circular con taining prices will be scut to those who desire it. Orders tor cash or city agents accepted. QCf" Publishers of newspapers inserting this advertise ment to the amount of .2. and sending us one paper at any" time containing it. by remitting $5. will receive a 30 lb. keg of extra News Ink. T. F. ADAMS & CO. Steam Printing Ink Works Philad. Agents for the sale of new ani second-hand Printing materials. May 11, 1S50. 5S5-6W OLD TOBACCO. 90 BOXES old Tobacco, a fine article, for sale by COOK & TAYLOR. May 11-1350. LANDS FOR SALE. THE undersigned invite the attention of per sons wishing to purchase to the following pieces of LAND : 100 acres adjoining Colin McRae, Esq., about one mile distant from Rockfish Factory. 150 acres near the Camden Road, and about equal distance from Rockfish and Bearer Creek Factories. Improvements sufficient for the ac . r - .mll Aamilv. The T.anri is said to be good for cultivation, and is well wa- terea ana neaiy nmu"- rr.. A small Farm about, six miles West f Faye tteville, adjoining the Beaver Creek lands of Daniel Baker, Esq. - . -r i Theabove Lands will be sold cheap, if early application be made. COOK & TROY. May 25 1850. 537-3vr Washington for his arrest. Telegraphed for the Washington Union. Charleston, May 25. The expedition has failed. Lpez has arrived at Savannah. The expedition left Contoy, in Yucatan, and landed at Cardenas. time in landins. which trave an opp send an express to the port of Coller's, ten miles distant. The expedition entered the town and attacked the jail, mistaking it for the bar racks. The eovernor's house was attacked, and although well defended, was finally burnt. The Spanish troops surrendered, and the town re mained in peaceable possession of the invaders, w ho being dissatisfied with the warm reception they met, and having lost time in getting the wounded and fuel on board the steamer Creole, which was to return for reinforcements, became disheartened, and insisted upon going to Key West. They were closely pursued by the Span ish war steamer Pizarro, but escaped. There were several of the invaders wounded. side of despotism. He prayed for the success of the republican party, and hoped they might succeed without bloodshed. Mr Webster replied to Mr Yulee. He said that while he should rote for the resolution, he must express his surprise at some f the decla rations of Senator Yulee. He said that the gov ernment of the U. States had repeatedly, by treaty stipulations, assured Spain that if she would not relinquish Cuba to any European pow er, they (the U. S.) would do all they could, lawfully, to maintain Cuba in the possession of the island; such was the jealousy of the United States in regard to the possession of that island by another power. In view of these facts, if the President has been informed of any design .gainst that island, it would be his imperitive duty to do what he has done. He said that if a vessel bearing the flag of the U. States, or known to be aU. S. vessel, be found on the coast of Caba, helping to carry on a mili tary expedition against that island, she was just as much within the jurisdiction of the U. States, as if she were in the Potomac. This he consid ered to be unquestionable law. The act of Con gress of ISIS, he said, imposed the duty upon the President of preserving the peace of the country, by suppressing every unauthorized expedition set on foot in the U. States aguinst any portion of a foreign country. He should like to know how the Senator washed to be un derstood when he said the President had no power to suppress an expedition of the Kind, even at home, without a civil process. Unques tionably it is the duty of.thePresident to bring the force of the country to rescue the laws when any flagrant or open violation, of them by an armed force, or mob, is contemplated or being enacted. Tbis supposed expedition to Cuba, was precise ly of the character of the violations contempla ted by the act of ISIS. Mr Clay thought the resolution was prema ture, and regretted to see that it was interfering with the graver matter before the Senate. He moved to lay it on the table which was agreed to. Mr Soule of La., then addressed the Senate in opposition to the bill to admit California, &,c. Mr Clay replied to him, and the Senate ad journed . In the House, two speeches on the slavery question were made and the House adjourned. Wednesday. May 22. In the Senate, a message was received from the President transmitting the correspondence between the army officers in California, and the They lost executive departments in relation to the forma ortunity to tion of the State government of California. The bill to amend the patent laws' was then taken up and several amendments discussed dur ing the morning hour; but no vote was taken. The compromise measure was then taken up and discussed until adjournment, without taking any question. The particular point under discussion to-day, and for every day since the committee reported, was an amendment offered by Mr Davis of Miss issippi, guaranteeing to the owners of slaves in the new territories the protection of the consti tution. In the House there was some discussion upon the report of the committee of elections touching the application of Hugh, N. Smith for a seat in the House as a delegate from New Mexico, question was taken upon the subject. No THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION. Tuesday, May 21. In the Senate, Mr Yulee's resolution in regard to the invasion of Cuba, was under consideration. Mr Walker of Wisconsin moved an amendment calling on the President to state also his authori ty for sending an armed force to the island of Cuba, to suppress insurrection, or revolution. Mr Yulee accepted the amendment, and then addressed the Senate giving his views in regard to the resolution. He argued that he consider ed it the duty of this government to maintain its neutrality in regard to the affairs of other na tions; but if t he President had ordered to the coast of Cuba, any armed force to interfere .with or repress any revolution or insurrection or warlike movement, he had thereby (in Mr Yulee's opinion) committed an act of usurpation. The President had no right, he said, to arrest any set of men who might be on the high seas with an intention to invade a foreign power; nor had he any right to cut off their provisions or reinforcements. To do so was in direct viola tion of the constitution of the country, which guaranties that no citizen hould be deprived of his life, liberty or property without due process ofljw. Even if an act violating the neutrality of the country were committed within th? U. States, no authority would dare arrest the oSen der without due process of law; and yet an American squadron is ordered to Cuba to seize and arrest persons &t the discretion of the com mander of the squadron. The commander of that squadron was ordered to cut off supplies and reinforcements, directly in the face of the the national law providing that two belligerent parties, whether of different nations or of the same nation, have the right to free commerce a8 attentive a looker-on as was quite con for exporting or importing reinforcements or j sistcnt with great devotion to a I abort supplies. In attempting to interfere with this OPINION OF THE HON. ROBERT STRANGE, On the subject of the compromise measures reported by the committee of 13. Judge Strange being in fVashington city. Sena tor Foote addressed him a letter, (such as he had addressed to other distinguished men in the country) soliciting his opin ion of the compromise measures. The following is his reply : Washington City, May 21, 1850. My dear sir : Your kind note of the 19th instant was most unexpectedly received, and places me in an attitude in which 1 would rather not appear. I never had the vanity to suppose that any one occupying your place in the public eye attached any value to my opinions. I have always been very free in expressing them upon most subjects, believing that they would pass as the opinions of an humble individual, with out materially affecting the action of any one. Even now, if I could possibly think theni entitled to the consideration that you are pleased to ascribe to them, 1 should shrink from the responsibility of making them public. Demanded of me, however, as they are, in the character of a personal friend, I cannot withhold them, such as they are, nor prescribe to you what use you shall make of them. It is proper, however, for me to observe, that it is long since I have had anything to do with public affairs, although I have been law, the President has undertaken to involve the country in the danger of a hostile collision, without authority. Mr Yulee here alluded to the orders given by the President last summer, in regard to the per sons on Round Island, of the coast of Mississippi. He said be was informed that the correspon dence and instructions which then issued from the executive department were of a most extra ordinary character, and he should embrace a call for them in his present resolution. He desired to express no opinion in regard to the merits of the movement ill Cuba, but he be lieved the sympathies of the pebpt of this re public were with the republican party in that island; but it appeared to liira, from all that had occurred, that the sympathies of the executive j branch of our government'rather leaned te the ous profession. I came to Washington at this time on professional business, little dreaming that any one would con descend formally to ask me what I thought on any public matter. In the present ex cited state of the public mind, little toler ation can be expected from those with whom you may chance to differ, and one who utters opinions upon the great subject to which your letter refers must look to encounter more of -criticism than ofap- ftrobation. Were 1 a candidate for pub ic favor, I should think it prudent to fore go a response to your flattering appeal ; but I hold at present no office, either State or federal, and do not desire any, unless accorded to me from a just approbation of sentiments that I really enterUin It is much to be restettcd that there should be occasion even to talk of compromises other than those that were made in the formation of that admirable constitution under which we live. Both reflection and experience teach us that no others are to be relied on. What ha become of the Missouri com promise, (as it is called,) and what has been its operation ? Has it furnUhed to the South. the slightest security that slave property may be holden in any territory of the United States south of 36 deg. 50 min.? though it has very effectually closed the door against its introduction north of that limit. Of what value has been the compromise of 1833 upon the tariff" question? Has it been regarded a anything more than so much blank paper? What guaranty have we that any future compromises will receive more considera tion ? I can conceive of none. The mak ing of compromises, then, seems to me to be a very idle business, unless it be such compromises as are made and executed at the same moment. The constitution must be left to work out its ovn results ; and though, like everything partaking of human inperfection, it must in its opera tion bear hard at times upon particular interests and sections of our wide-spread country, I doubt whether anything will ever be gained by complaints certainly nothing by mutual crimminations. When ever wrongs are inflicted on particular interests by unconstitutional legislation of Congress, it is then very proper for the injured party to entertain the question, whether it will submit to the wrong as the lesser evil, or whether the wrong is of so grave a character ai to make necessary an appeal to the extremest measures for its redress. But there are some wrongs, under every system of law, that admit of no redress but by the voluntary act of the aggressive party. In the language of the common law, it is damnum absque injuria. Enforced redress for wrongs such as these cannot be obtained ; for the law itself pro tects the aggressor, and he who seeks by force to redress them becomes himself an aggressor, and will be counted a disturber of the public peace. Within constitutional limits, therefore, we are all bound to sub mit to the will f the majority, whatever that will may be, and however distasteful to the minority. But when unconstitu tional measures are passed, however large the majorities passing them, they are not law, and may properly be complained of, and even resisted by those who suffer un der them. To apply these principles to the subject before us. The Wilmot Pro viso is an unconstitutional measure, demon strated to be so by a speech of great in tellectual power by a distinguished states man during the present session of Con gress While, then, this WriImot Proviso was likey to be put upon the country by brute force, ('for it would have been a law less act carried out by the mere strength of a majority,) the South might with great propriety have taken any measure ot re ference with that right is the Rubicon of dissolution. But it is equally certain that she can never obtain anything more than she is entitled to strictissimi juris. Argu ment can avail her nothing before the audience she must address. She may pro voke aggression upon what are now her ad mitted rights ; she cannot hope for any accessions, unless they may be acquired amid the conciliatory spirit of a political calm. Very important to her, then, is the speedy restoration of repose. Delay in admittingC.tlifornia may rebuke our north ern brethren for their advocacy of antislav ery opinions. But will that avail anything? Alas, so far as our interests are concerned, we may as well expect, by stern rebuke, to change the skin of the Ethiopian or the spot of the leopard. And to reason down those opinions would be as wild an attempt as that of Xerxes to bind in chains the rag ing Hellespont. Fanaticism .cannot be rebuked cannot be reaoned with. AU that you can ask of the fanatic or madman is, that he will keep his hands off' you. You cannot prevent him from thinking or speaking oat the wild fancies of his excited brain. But some one will say the territory proposed is to large fur a State. What m that to us ? The non-slaveholders of Cali fornia can send the fewer senators to Con gress. I have not examined critically the details of the s called compromise, and speak therefore only of its general princi ples. If there is any hope of wringing from the eagerness or necessities of those opposed to us a recognition of those claims of equality that they refuse to accord to a sense of justice and of generous confrater nity, by delay, I should be in favor of delay ; unless, indeed, we thereby en danger, by protracted agitation, rights that we now "enjoy without dispute. Upon this branch ot the question there is great difference of opinion, and, for my own part, I incline to the latter. Entertaining this opinion, had I a vote, I should give it in favor of all those measures, taken toge ther, which constitute the great system of compromise now under consideration ; not as a compromise, but as a system of mea sures expedient under existing circum stances. Quiet would be thereby restored to the public mind, anil the rights' of the South, in my humble judgment, rendered more secure than they can possibly be un der continued agitation. The admission of California is generally considered the roost interesting measure in the series ; and concerning that, I have neither time nor space for further remarks. Then as to the Territories. Ought not Congress to give them a government with out the unconstitutional clement of the Wilmot Proviso. Would that our north ern friends could be induced, in a spirit of enlightened justice ami liberality, to go a step further, and expressly declare that these Territories shall be no longer under any supposed Mexican prohibition against the introduction ot slavery, and thus leave dress, even to secession from the Union, or them equally open to the occupation of resistance by force. But the Wilmot every citizen in the Union. But, il there Proviso has been abandoned, and, may we j be no hope of that, 1 should do the best not hoDe, from the conviction of our nor thern brethren that it is unconstitutional, or at least that its constitutionality is doubtful, and that they will not again trouble the country with its advocacy? But other questions now press themseves upon our consideration; and the one allud ed to in your letter is fctouching the plan of compromise now under consideration in I could, and take the system without it. deeming it far better than to leave them under an unauthorized military govern ment, with that same Mexican bugbear staring us in the face. Next, as to the bill for the surrender of fugitive slaves found in the free States, which I look upon as part of the system. though I speak not of its detail. Ought the Senate,' and upon this you desire my not Congress to legislate upon a subject views. I. cannot but repeat my regret that ! wmcn is one oi tne elements oi me leuerai those politicians who are generally so liberal j compact ? Experience Has shown that the in construing the constitution, aud have i States themselves will adopt no adequate thereby derived much more than their legislation upon the subject, and there share of advantages from our federal com- is no means of forcing them to do so. The rights or the South, and the duty ot the North, equally demand that Congress should supply the deficiency. I do not pact, should on this occasion avail them selves ot accidentia! circumstances to de- nriv the south of what the spirit, if not the letter,of the constitution intended to secure I altogether like that portion of the system that they should refuse the adoption of j relating fo the Texas boundary, and I such measures as would throw the whole could only consent to vote for it in case. territory won from Mexico open to the occupation of all whose blood and treasure have contributed to its acquisition. Whe ther Mexican law in regard to slavery is now in force in that territory, is a ques tion that I will not presume to decide, or even to discuss. But I do think that, having been made a subject of doubt, Con gress should . have relieved the southern people from the effects of that doubt, by declaring it open as well to the slaveholder as the non-slaveholder, both upon the ground of justice and of sound policy. This it refused to do, but even threatened positive restrictions; and the consequences are that slaveholders have been afraid to carry their property into that territory. Hence California has been occupied ex clusively by - nonslaveholders. The spirit of the federal compact has been violated, though its letter be untouched, and Cali fornia now comes forward and asks ad mission into the Union as a non-idayeliold-ing State ; and one of the questions is, shall she be admitted? There is no question of constitutionality in this. It is one of , expediency alone. True, we have reason to complain; of federal inter ference in bringing forward California in her present .attitude , to claim .admission. But that is past. Can .that evil be reme died by refusing to admit ; if it can, will not the refusal bring , with it ; far greater evils? Is it not important to the South to remove this slave Question as soon as possible from the field .of debate ? It is perfectly certain that the South has no thought of eWfng up ber .right ' to b,61ii slaves, and that ' unconstitutional inter I found it inseparable from the other mea sures. Still, it is only a proposal to Texas, which she may either accept, pr modify, or reject, as she. thinks proper. She. 1 think, may be trusted with her own. It she rejects, it will not ailect the other measures ; and if she accepts it is by no means certain how it will affect the ques tion of increasing or diminishing slave territory. I would like one proviso in serted, if possible ; and that is, that what is called the disputed territory, although detached fioui lexas, should, until fur ther legislation, be considered under Tex as, and not Mexican law though ! would not even make that a sine qua non. 1 have thus hastily, and. with great diffi dence, given my views according to your request, i regret that you have thousht it worth while to ask them, bur, being ask ed, I could not shrink from their expres sion You would, no doubt, like to hav the views of every southern man on this great question, and especially of those who nave habitually mingled a just regard tor the Union with zeal for the interests of their own particular section of country. lieeming me one ot these, as I suppose. you have sought and are entitled to my poor opinions. nemer iney be right or wrong, uiey are sincerely , entertained. And, in conclusion, my prayer is, that He who has long kept our beloved countrv un der His paternal t care, may guide her in sa fety through her present ditficul ties. I have the honor to be your friend and obedient servant. 'i ' , . ROBERT STRANGE. Hon. Mr Foote, U. S. Senate.
June 1, 1850, edition 1
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