dent to the last days of a session of Congress, we have not time, did we deem it necessary, to enter upon a detailed statement of the reasons which force upon our minds the conviction that this project is by no means abandoned: that a large portion of the country, interested in the continuance of Domestic Slavery and the Slave-trade in these United States, have solemnly and unalterably determined that it shall be speedily carried into execution; and that, by this admission of new Slave Territory and Slave States, the undue ascendency of the Slave-holding power in the Government shall be secured and riveted beyond all redemption!!

That it was with these views and intentions that set

tlements were effected in the province, by citizens of the United States, difficulties fomented with the Mexican Government, a revolt brought about, and an Independent Government declared, cannot now admit of a doubt; and that, hitherto, all attempts of Mexico to reduce her revolted province to obedience have proved unsuccessful, is to be attributed to the unlawful aid and assistance of designing and interested individuals in the United States, and the direct and indirect coöperation of our own Government, with similar views, is not the less certain and demonstrable.

The open and repeated enlistment of troops in several
States of this Union, in aid of the Texan Revolution; the
intrusion of an American Army, by order of the
dent, far into the territory of the Mexican Government,
at a moment critical for the fate of the insurgents, under
pretense of preventing Mexican soldiers from fomenting
Indian disturbances, but in reality in aid of, and acting
in singular concert and coincidence with, the army of the
Revolutionists; the entire neglect of our Government to
adopt any efficient measures to prevent the most un-
warrantable aggressions of bodies of our own citizens,
enlisted, organized and officered within our own borders,
and marched in arms and battle array upon the terri-
tory, and against the inhabitants of a friendly govern-
ment, in aid of freebooters and insurgents, and the pre-
mature recognition of the Independence of Texas, by a
snap vote, at the heel of a session of Congress, and that,
too, at the very session when President Jackson had, by
special Message, insisted that "the measure would
be contrary to the policy invariably observed by the
United States in all similar cases;" would be marked
with great injustice to Mexico, and peculiarly liable to
the darkest suspicions, inasmuch as the Texans were
almost all emigrants from the United States, AND

SOUGHT THE RECOGNITION OF THEIR INDEPENDENCE WITH THE
AVOWED PURPOSE OF OBTAINING THEIR ANNEXATION TO THE

UNITED STATES. These occurrences are too well known
and too fresh in the memory of all, to need more
than a passing notice. These have become matters
of history. For further evidence upon all these and
other important points, we refer to the memorable
speech of John Quincy Adams, delivered in the House of
Representatives during the morning hour in June and
July, 1838, and to his address to his constituents,
livered at Braintree, 17th September, 1842.

The open avowal of the Texans themselves-the frequent and anxious negotiations of our own Government -the resolutions of various States of the Union-the numerous declarations of members of Congress-the tone of the Southern press-as well as the direct application of the Texan Government, make it impossible for any man to doubt, that ANNEXATION, and the formation of several new Slaveholding States, were originally the policy and design of the Slaveholding States and the Executive of the Nation.

"We sincerely hope there is enough good sense and genuine love of country among our fellow-countrymen of the Northern States, to secure us final justice on this subject; yet we cannot consider it safe or expedient for the people of the South to ensuch men as Webster, and others who countenance such dantirely disregard the efforts of the fanatics, and the opinions of Presi-gerous doctrines.

the affections of her people are so closely entwined and so com pletely enfibred, and whose value is more highly appreciated, than that which we are now considering.

*

*

*

*

The same reference will show, very conclusively, that the particular objects of this new acquisition of Slave Territory were THE PERPETUATION OF SLAVERY AND THE CONTINUED ASCENDENCY OF THE SLAVE POWEER.

The following extracts from a Report on that subject, adopted by the Legislature of Mississippi, from a mass of similar evidence which might be adduced, will show with what views the annexation was then urged:

"But we hasten to suggest the importance of the annexation of Texas to this Republic upon grounds somewhat local in their complexion, but of an import infinitely grave and interesting to the people who inhabit the Southern portion of this Confederacy, where it is known that a species of domestic Slavery is tolerated and protected by law, whose existence is prohibited by the legal regulations of other States of this Confederacy; which system of Slavery is held by all, who are familiarly acquainted with its practical effects, to be of highly beneficial influence to the country within whose limits it is per

mitted to exist.

*

last session of Congress, when a Senator from Mississippi pro-
"It may not be improper here to remark that, during the
posed the acknowledgment of Texan independence, it was
found, with a few exceptions, the members of that body were
ready to take ground upon it, as upon the subject of Slavery
itself.
lieving that these feelings influenced the New England Sena-
"With all these facts before us, we do not hesitate in be-
tors, but one voting in favor of the measure; and, indeed, Mr.
Webster had been bold enough, in a public speech recently
delivered in New-York, to many thousand citizens, to declare
that the reason that influenced his opposition was his abhor-
its recognition, become a slaveholding State. He also spoke
rence of Slavery in the South, and that it might, in the event of
of the efforts making in favor of Abolition; and that, being pre-
dicated upon and aided by the powerful influence of religious
feeling, it would become irresistible and overwhelming.

"This language, coming from so distinguished an individual entertaining so high a respect for public sentiment in New as Mr. Webster, so familiar with the feelings of the North and England, speaks so plainly the voice of the North as not to be misunderstood.

"The Committee feel authorized to say that this system is cherished by our constituents as the very palladium of their prosperity and happiness, and whatever ignorant fanatics may elsewhere conjecture, the Committee are fully assured, upon the most diligent observation and reflection on the subject, that the South does not possess within her limits a blessing with which

Believing this to be a false and dangerous security; that the project has never been abandoned a moment, by its originators and abettors, but that it has been de ferred for a more favorable moment for its accomplish ment, we refer to a few evidences of more recent deVelopment upon which this opinion is founded.

The last Election of President of the Republic of Texas, is understood to have turned, mainly, upon the question of annexation or no annexation, and the candidate de-whelming majority. The sovereign States of Alabama, favorable to that measure was successful by an overTennessee, and Mississippi, have recently adopted Resolutions, some, if not all of them, unanimously, in favor of annexation, and forwarded them to Congress.

the District in which our present Chief Magistrate resided The Hon. Henry A. Wise, a member of Congress from when elected Vice-President, and who is understood to be more intimately acquainted with the views and designs of the present administration than any other member of Congress, most distinctly avowed his desire for, and expectation of annexation, at the last session of Congress. Among other things, he said, in a speech delivered January 26, 1842:

"The Northern States have no interests of their own which equire any special safeguard for their defense, save only their domestic manufactures; and God knows they have liberal scale; under which encouragement they have imalready received protection from Government on a most proved and flourished beyond example. The South has very peculiar interests to preserve; interests already violently assailed and boldly threatened.

"Your Committee are fully persuaded that this protection to her best interests will be afforded by the annexation of Texas; an equipoise of influence in the halls of Congress will be secured, which will furnish us a permanent guaranty of protection."

The speech of Mr. Adams, exposing the whole system of duplicity and perfidy toward Mexico, had marked the of opposition which began to come up from all parties in conduct of our Government; and the emphatic expressions the Free States, however, for a time, nearly silenced the clamors of the South for annexation, and the people of the North have been lulled into the belief that the project is nearly, if not wholly abandoned, and that, at least, there is now no serious danger of its consummation.

"True, if Iowa be added on the one side, Florida will be added on the other. But there the equation must stop. Let gone-gone forever. The balance of interests is gone-the safeone more Northern State be admitted, and the equilibrium is guard of American property-of the American Constitutionof the American Union, vanished into thin air. This must be the inevitable result, unless by a treaty with Mexico, THE SOUTH CAN ADD MORE WEIGHT TO HER END OF THE LEVER? Let the South stop at the Sabine, (the eastern boundary of Texas,) while the North may spread unchecked beyond the Rocky Mountains AND THE SOUTHERN SCALE MUST KICK THE BEAM."

Treaty, in another speech delivered in April, 1842, on a Finding difficulties, perhaps, in the way of a cession by motion made by Mr. Linn, of New-York, to strike out the salary of the Minister to Mexico, on the ground that the design of the EXECUTIVE, in making the appointment, was to accomplish the annexation of Texas, Mr. Wise said, "he earnestly hoped and trusted that the President be. We may well suppose the President to be in favor of was as desirous (of annexation) as he was represented to it, as every wise statesman must be who is not governed by fanaticism, or local sectional prejudices."

He said of Texas, that--

"While she was, as a State, weak and almost powerless in resisting invasion, she was herself irresistible as an invading and a conquering power. She had but a sparse population, and neither men nor money of her own, to raise and equip an army for her own defense; but let her once raise the flag of foreign conquest-let her once proclaim a crusade against the rich States to the south of her-and in a moment volunteers would flock to her standard in crowds, from all the States in the great valley of the Mississippi-men of enterprise and valor, before whom no Mexican troops could stand for an hour. They would leave their own towns, arm themselves, and travel on their own cost, and would come up in thousands, to plant the lone star of the Texan banner on the Mexican capitol. They would drive Santa Anna to the South, and in boundless wealth of captured towns, and rifled churches, and a lazy, vicious, and luxurious priesthood, would soon enable Texas, to pay her soldiery, and redeem her State debt, and push her victorious arms to the very shores of the Pacific. And would not all this extend the bounds of Slavery? Yes, the result would be, that, before another quarter of a century, the extension of Slavery would not stop short of the Western Ocean. We had but two alternatives before us; either to receive Texas into our fraternity of States, and thus make her our own, or to leave her to conquer Mexico, and become our most dangerous and formidable rival.

"To talk of restraining the people of the great Valley from emigrating to join her armies, was all in vain; and it was equally vain to calculate on their defeat by any Mexican forces, aided by England or not. They had gone once already; it was they that conquered Santa Anna at San Jacinto; and three-fourths of them, after winning that glorious field, had peaceably returned to their homes. But once set before them the conquest of the rich Mexican provinces, and you might as well attempt to stop the wind. This Government might send its troops to the frontier, to turn them back, and they would run over them like a herd of buffalo.

"Nothing could keep these booted loafers from rushing on, till they kicked the Spanish priests out of the temples they profaned."

In conclusion he said:

"I see, therefore, no political necessity for the annexation of Texas to the Union; no advantages to be derived from it, and objections to it of a strong, and, in my judgment, decisive character.

None can be so blind now, as not to know that the real design and object of the South is, to "ADD NEW WEIGHT TO HER END OF THE LEVER." It was upon that ground that Mr. Webster placed his opposition, in his speech on that subject in New-York, in March, 1837. In that speech, after stating that he saw insurmountable objections to the annexation of Texas, that the purchase of Louisiana and Florida furnished no precedent for it, that the cases were not parallel, and that no such policy or necessity as led to that, required the annexation of Texas, he said: "Gentlemen, we all see, that by whomsoever possessed,

Texas is likely to be a slaveholding country; and I frankly avow entire to do which shall extend the Slavery of the African race on this continent, or add other slaveholding States to the Union. When I say that I regard Slavery as in itself a great moral, social, and political evil, I only use language which has been adopted by distinguished men, themselves citizens of Slaveholding States. I shall do nothing, therefore, to favor or encourage its further

extension."

[NOTE.-The above address was drawn up by Hon. Seth M. Gates, of New-York, at the suggestion of John Quincy Adams, and sent to members of Congress at their residences, after the close of the session, for their signatures. Many more than the above approved heartily of its positions and objects, and would have signed it, but for its premature publication, through mistake. Mr. Winthrop, of Mass., was one of these, with Gov. Briggs, of course; Mr. Fillmore declined signing it.]

Mr. Wise proceeded to insist that a majority of the people of the United States were in favor of the annexation; at all events, he would risk it with the Democracy of the North.

"Sir," said Mr. Wise, it is not only the duty of the Government to demand the liquidation of our claims, and the liberation of our citizens, but to go further, and demand the non-taking ground against annexation, without the

The letters of Messrs. Clay and Van Buren,

invasion of Texas. Shall we sit still while the standard of in

surrection is raised on our borders, and let a horde of slaves, and Indians and Mexicans roll up to the boundary line of Arkan

sas and Louisiana? No. It is our duty at once to say to

Mexico, If you strike Texas, you strike us; and if England, standing by, should dare to intermeddle, and ask, 'Do you take part with Texas ?' his prompt answer should be, Yes, and against you.'

Such, he would let gentlemen know, was the spirit of the whole people of the great valley of the West." Several other members of Congress, in the same debate, expressed similar views and desires, and they are still more frequently expressed in conversation.

consent of Mexico, as an act of bad faith and aggression, which would necessarily result in war, which appeared in the spring of 1844, make slight allusions, if any, to the Slavery aspect of the case. In a later letter, Mr. Clay declared that he did not oppose annexation on account of Slavery, which he regarded as a temporary institution, which, therefore, ought not to stand in the way of a permanent acquisition. And, though Mr. Clay's last letter on the subject, prior to the election of 1844, reiterated and emphasized all his objections to annexation under the existing circumstances, he did not include the existence of Slavery.

The Hon. Thomas W. Gilmer, a member of Congress from Virginia, and formerly a Governor of that State, numbered as one of the " Guard," and of course understood to be in the counsels of the Cabinet, in a letter bearing date the 10th day of January last, originally designed as a private and confidential letter to a friend, gives it as his deliberate opinion, after much examination and reflection, that TEXAS WILL BE ANNEXED TO THE UNION; and he enters into a specious argument, and presents a variety of reasons in favor of the measure. He says, among other things: terest and a frontier on the Gulf of Mexico, and along our interior to the Pacific, which will not permit us to close our eyes, or fold our arms, with indifference to the events which a few years may disclose in that quarter. We have already had one question of boundary with Texas; other questions must soon arise, under our revenue laws, and on other points of necessary intercourse, which it will be difficult to adjust. The institutions of Texas, and her relations with other governments, are yet in that condition which inclines her people (who are our own countrymen,) to unite their destinies with ours. THIS MUST BE DONE SOON, OR NOT AT ALL. There are numerous tribes of Indians along both frontiers, which can easily become the cause or the instrument of border wars."

Louisiana and have an

The defeat of Mr. Van Buren, at the Baltimore Nominating Convention-Mr. Polk being selected in his stead, by a body which had been supposed pledged to renominate the ex-President-excited considerable feeling, especially among the Democrats of New-York. A number of their leaders united in a letter, termed the "Secret Circular," advising their brethren, while they supported Polk and Dallas, to be careful to vote for candidates for Congress who would set their faces as a flint against annexation, which was signed by

GEORGE P. BARKER,
WILLIAM C. BRYANT,
J. W. EDMONDS,

DAVID DUDLEY FIELD,
THEODORE SEDGWICK,
THOMAS W. TUCKER,
ISAAC TOWNSEND.

Silas Wright, then a Senator of the United States, and who, as such, had opposed the Tyler Treaty of Annexation, was now rua for Governor, as the only man who could carry the State of New-York for Polk and Dallas. In a democratic speech at Skaneateles, N. Y., Mr. Wright had recently declared that he could never consent to Annexation on any terms which would give Slavery an advantage over Freedom. This sentiment was reiterated and amplified in a great Convention of the Demo

cracy, which met at Herkimer, in the autumn of in the consummation of this grand scheme, which Engthis year. land hopes to accomplish through Texas, if she can defeat the Annexation, but that her interests, and those of all the Continental powers of Europe are directly and deeply opposed to it.

ILLINOIS.—Orlando B. Ficklin, Joseph P. Hoge, Robert | aforesaid was agreed to-Yeas, 118; Nays,

Smith-3.
Total Democrats from Free States, 17.

101.

December 12th-Mr. C. J. Ingersoll, of Pennsylvania, from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, reported a Joint Resolution for annexing Texas to the Union, which was committed and discussed in Committee of the Whole from time to time, through the next month.

January 7th.-Mr. J. P. Hale presented resolves of the Legislature of New-Hampshire, thoroughly in favor of Annexation, and silent on the subject of Slavery, except as follows:

Resolved, That we agree with Mr. Clay, that the reannexation of Texas will add more Free than Slave States to the Union; and that it would be unwise to refuse a permanent acquisition, which will exist as long as the globe remains, on account of a temporary institution.

January 13th.-Mr. Cave Johnson, of Tennessee, moved that all further debate on this subject be closed at 2 P.M. on Thursday next. Carried-Yeas, 136; Nays, 57; (nearly all the Nays from Slave States.)

January 25th.-The debate, after an extension of time, was at length brought to a close,

and the Joint Resolution taken out of Commit

tee, and reported to the House in the following form; (that portion relating to Slavery, having been added in Committee, on motion of Mr. Milton Brown, (Whig) of Tennessee:

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled, That Congress doth consent that the Territory properly included within, and rightfully belonging to, the Republic of Texas, may be erected into a new State, to be called the State of Texas, with a republican form of Government, to be adopted by the people of said Republic, by deputies in Convention assembled, with the consent of the existing Government, in o.der that the same may be admitted as one of the States of this Union.

2. And be it further resolved, That the foregoing consent of Congress is given upon the following conditions, and with the following guaranties, to wit:

Brown, of Tennessee; James Dellet, of Alabama;
Yeas-114 Democrats, and Messrs. Milton
and Duncan L. Clinch, and Alexander H.
Stephens, of Georgia, (4) Southern Whigs.

Mr. Cave Johnson, of Tennessee, moved the previous question, which the House seconded-Yeas, 113; Nays, 106—and then the amendment

with all from Slave States, but the four just
Nays-all the Whigs present from Free States
named; with the following Democrats from
Free States:

MAINE.-Robert P. Dunlap, Hannibal Hamlin-2.
VERMONT.-Paul Dillingham, jr.-1.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.-John P. Hale-1.
CONNECTICUT.-George S. Catlin-1.
Jeremiah E. Carey, Amasa Dana, Richard D. Davis,
NEW-YORK-Joseph H. Anderson, Charles S. Benton,
Byram Green, Preston King, Smith M. Purdy, George
Rathbun, Orville Robinson, David L. Seymour, Lemuel

Stetson-12.

OHIO.-Jacob Brinckerhoff, William C. McCauslen,
Joseph Morris, Henry St. John-4.
MICHIGAN. James B. Hunt, Robert McClelland-2.
Total Democrats from Free States,...
Total Whigs from Free and Slave States,....78.
The House then ordered the whole proposi-
tion to a third reading forthwith--Yeas, 120;
Nays, 97--and passed it, Yeas, 120; Nays, 98.

Yeas all the Democrats from Slave States,
and all the Democrats from Free States, except
as above; with Messrs. Duncan L. Clinch, Mil-
ton Brown, James Dellet, Willoughby Newton,
of Virginia, (who therefrom turned Democrat),
and Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia, (now
Democrat), from Slave States.

Nays-all the Whigs from Free States; all those from Slave States except as above; with 23 Democrats from Free States.

So the resolve passed the House, and was sent to the Senate for concurrence.

.23.

In Senate, several attempts to originate action in favor of Annexation were made at this session, but nothing came of them.

February 24th.-The joint resolution aforesaid from the House was taken up for cousideration by 30 Yeas to 11 Nays (all Northern Whigs). On the 27th, Mr. Walker, of Wisconsin, moved to add an alternative proposition, contemplating negotiation as the means of effecting the meditated end.

Mr. Foster, (Whig) of Tennessee, proposed That the State of Texas, and such other States as may be formed out of that portion of the present Territory of Texas, lying south of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes north latitude, commonly known as the Missouri Compromise line, shall be admitted into the Union with or without Slavery, as the people of each State, so hereafter asking admission, may desire.

First. Said State to be formed, subject to the adjustment by this Government of all questions of boundary that may arise with other governments; and the Constitution thereof, with the proper evidence of its adoption by the people of said Republic of Texas, shall be trans

mitted to the President of the United States, to be laid before Congress for its final action, on or before the 1st day of January, 1846.

Second. Said State, when admitted into the Union, after ceding to the United States all public edifices, fortifications, barracks, ports and harbors, navy and navyyards, docks, magazines, arms, armaments, and all other property and means pertaining to the public defense, belonging to the said Republic of Texas, shall retain all the public funds, debts, taxes, and dues of every kind which may belong to, or be due or owing said Republic; and shall also retain all the vacant and unappropriated lands lying within its limits, to be applied to the payment of debts and liabilities of said Republic of Texas; and the residue of said lands, after discharging said debts and liabilities, to be disposed of as said State may direct:

On which the question was taken. Yeas, (all
Whigs but 3) 18; Nays, 34.

but in no event are said debts and liabilities to become
a charge upon the United States.

Various amendments were proposed and voted
Third. New States of convenient size, not exceeding
down. Among them, Mr. Foster, of Tenn.,
four in number, in addition to said State of Texas, and moved an express stipulation that Slavery should
having sufficient population,may hereafter, by the consent be tolerated in all States formed out of the
of said State, be formed out of the Territory thereof,

Territory of Texas, south of the Missouri line
of 36° 30′. Rejected-Yeas, 16 (Southern
Whigs, and Sevier, of Arkansas); Nays, 33.

which shall be entitled to admission under the provisions
of the Federal Constitution. And such States as may be
formed out of that portion of said Territory, lying south
of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes north latitude, com-
monly known as the Missouri Compromise line, shall be
Mr. Miller, of N. J., moved that the existence of Sla-
admitted into the Union, with, or without Slavery, as the very be forever prohibited in the northern and northwest-
people of each State asking admission may desire; andern part of said Territory, west of the 100th degree of
in such State or States as shall be formed out of said latitude west from Greenwich, so as to divide, as equally
Territory, north of said Missouri Compromise line, as may be, the whole of the annexed country between
Slavery or involuntary servitude (except for crime) shall Slaveholding and Non-Slaveholding States.
be prohibited.

Yeas, 11; all Northern Whigs, except Mr.
Crittenden, Ky. Nays, 33.

The vote in the Senate on the joint resolution for Annexation stood, Yeas, 26, all Demo

E

crats but 3; Nays, 25, (all Whigs). In the House, Yeas 134, all Democrats but 1: Nays, 77, (all Whigs).

THE WILMOT PROVISO.

Texas having been annexed during the summer of 1845, in pursuance of the joint resolution of the two Houses of Congress, a portion of the United States Army, under Gen. Taylor, was, early in the spring of 1846, moved down to the east bank of the Rio Grande del Norte, claimed by Texas as her western boundary, but not so regarded by Mexico. A hostile collision ensued, resulting in war between the United States and Mexico.

It was early thereafter deemed advisable that a considerable sum should be placed by Congress at the President's disposal to negotiate an advantageous Treaty of Peace and Limits with the Mexican Government. A message to this effect was submitted by President Polk to Congress, August 8th, 1846, and a bill in accordance with its suggestions laid before the House, which proceded to consider the subject in Committee of the Whole. The bill appropriating $30,000 for immediate use in negotiations with Mexico, and placing $2,000,000 more at the disposal of the President, to be employed in making peace, Mr. David Wilmot, of Pa., after consultation with other Northern Democrats, offered the following Proviso, in addition to the first section of the bill:

¦

Provided, That as an express and fundamental condition to the acquisition of any territory from the Republic of Mexico by the United States, by virtue of any treaty which may be negotiated between them, and to the use by the Executive of the moneys herein appropriated, neither Slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said Territory, except for crime, whereof the party shall be first duly convicted.

The XXXth Congress assembled Dec. 6, 1847. Feb. 28th 1848, Mr. Putnam of New-York moved the following:

Whereas, In the settlement of the difficulties pending between this country and Mexico, territory may be acquired in which Slavery does not now exis..

And whereas, Congress, in the organization of a terri

torial government, at an early period of our political history, established a principle worthy of imitation in all future time, forbidding the existence of Slavery in free territory; Therefore,

Resolved, That in any Territory, that may be acquired from Mexico, over which shall be established territorial governments, Slavery, or involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall be forever prohibited; and that in any act or resolution establishing such governments, a fundamental provision ought to

be inserted to that effect.

Mr. R. Brodhead, of Penn., moved that this resolution lie on the table. Carried: Yeas, 105; Nays, 93.

Yeas-all the members from Slave States, but John W. Houston. (Whig), of Delaware, with the following from Free States (all Democrats but Levin) :

MAINE.-Asa W. H. Clapp, Franklin Clark, Jas. S. Wiley, Hezekiah Williams-4.

NEW-YORK.- Ausburn Birdsall, David S. Jackson, Frederick W. Lord, William B. Maclay-4.

PENNSYLVANIA.-Richard Brodhead, Charles Brown, Lewis C. Levin, Job Man-4.

OHIO.-William Kennon, jr., John K. Miller, Thomas Richey, William Sawyer-4.

INDIANA.-Charles W. Cathcart, Thomas J. Henley,

John Pettit, John L. Robinson, William W. Wick-5.
ILLINOIS.-Orlando B. Ficklin, John A. McClernand,
William A. Richardson, Robert Smith, Thomas J.
Turner—5.

July 18th.-In Senate, Mr. Clayton, of Del., from the Select Committee to which was referred, on the 12th inst., the bill providing a territorial government for Oregon, reported a bill to establish Territorial governments for Oregon, New Mexico, and California, which was read. This proviso was carried in Committee, by the (It proposed to submit all questions as to the strong vote of eighty-three to sixty-four-only rightful existence or extent of Slavery in the three Members (Democrats) from the Free-Territories to the decision of the Supreme Court States, it was said, opposing it. (No record is of the United States.) made of individual votes in Committee of the July, 24th.-Second reading. Mr. Baldwin, Whole.) The bill was then reported to the of Conn., moved to strike out so much of said House, and Mr. Rathbun, of N. Y., moved the bill as relates to California and New Mexico. previous question on its engrossment. both parties); Nays, 37. Rejected Yeas, 17 (Northern Free Soil

of

Mr. Tibbatts, of Ky., moved that it do lie on the table. Defeated-Yeas, 79; (Stephen A. Douglas, John A. McClernand, John Pettit, and Robert C. Schenck, voting with the South to lay on the table ;) Nays 93; (Henry Grider and William P. Thomasson, of Ky. (Whigs) voting with the North against it.

The bill was discussed through several succeeding days. On the 26th, Mr. Clarke, of R. I., moved to add to the 6th section:

The bill was then engrossed for its third reading by Yeas 85, Nays, 80; and thus passed without further division. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table-Yeas, 71; Nays, 83. So the bill was passed and sent to the Senate, where Mr. Dixon H. Lewis, of Alabama, moved that the Proviso above cited be stricken out; on which debate arose, and Mr. John Davis of Mass., was speaking when, at noon of August 10th, the time fixed for adjournment having arrived, both Houses adjourned without day.

Nays-all the Whigs and a large majority of the Democrats from Free States, with John W. Houston aforesaid.

This vote terminated all direct action in favor of the Wilmot Proviso for that Session.

of the provisional government of said Territory permitProvided, however, That no law, regulation, or act ting Slavery or involuntary servitude therein shall be valid, until the same shall be approved by Congress."

Rejected Yeas, 19 [Col. Benton, and 18 Northern Freesoilers of both parties]; Nays, 33. Mr. Reverdy Johnson, of Md., moved to amend the bill by inserting:

Except only, that in all cases of title to slaves, the said writs of error or appeals shall be allowed and decided by the said Supreme Court without regard to the and except, also, that a writ of error or appeal shall value of the matter, property, or title in controversy; also be allowed to the Supreme Court of the United States from the decision of the said Supreme Court created by this act, or of any judge thereof, or of the district Courts created by this act, or of any judge upon any writ of habeas corpus involving the question of per

sonal freedom.

Carried; Yeas, 31 (all sorts); Nays, 19 (all Southern, but Bright, Dickinson, and Hannegan). Mr. Baldwin, of Connecticut, moved an addi tional section, as follows: