of the war and in obtaining peace-to defeat or render valueless the measures recommendedto array one section in feeling against anotherinstead of all against a common enemy-I shall, by my vote and voice, favor and support the recommendation of the President, holding him responsible for a wise exercise of his discretion, and oppose and vote against any and every amendment calculated to embarrass its passage, or to render its operation nugatory. And this bill, as it came from the committee, being free of all extraneous questions, I shall not vote to insert them. And, for one, I shall look with distrust upon any and all amendments and "provisos" which, wherever they may emanate, are hailed with so much joy by those who oppose the bill-the administration and the prosecution of the war. The State I have the honor in part to represent, has considered the subject of this war, and spoken concerning it in her sovereign voice by certain joint resolutions which are now upon your table. She has spoken in a language of patriotic pride becoming the first State in the Union upon an occasion so prolific of results and replete with interest. We are again reminded that in a time of fearful peril she raised her own strong arm in aid of the confederacy, and we may read in her elevated and emphatic tone an earnest of her future action. Her resolutions are as follows: headed, who are yet unborn, shall occupy these seats, and these walls echo to their voices. I would not have added one single word upon the subject of slavery, but it is due to the occasion that my views upon it should be fully understood. So far as I am advised or believe, the great mass of the people of the north entertain but one opinion upon the subject, and that is the same which is entertained by many at the south. They regard the institution as a great moral and political evil, and would that it had no existence. They are not unaware of the difficulties which beset it, and do not intend to provoke sectional jealousy and hatred by ill-timed and misplaced discussions. They will not listen to the cry of the fanatic or favor the designs of the political schemer from the north or the south; nor will they ever disturb or trench upon the compromises of the constitution. They believe the institution to be local and domestic-to be established or abolished by the States themselves, and alone subject to their control. But being thus the institution of a local sovereignty, and a franchise peculiar to itself, they deny that such sovereignty or its people can justly claim the right to regard it as transitory, and to erect it in the territories of the United States without the_au thority of Congress and they believe that Congress may prohibit its introduction into the territories while they remain such. And further, that its prohibition in the territories will, by Resolved, (if the Assembly concur,) That as war now giving them a free population, as they became exists between the United States and Mexico, it is the States, tend to form a more perfect Union, es- imperative duty of every citizen of this country to sustain its government in all proper measures for the protablish justice, insure domestic tranquility, pro-secution of the war, in such a manner as our national vide for the common defence, promote the gene. honor and interests demand, until it shall be terminated by an honorable peace ral welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." They have not resisted the admission of slave States because they were so inhabited, and holding the numerical power in both houses of Congress, the slave States have increased nearly three-fold.territory is hereafter acquired by the United States, or But believing that it is for the "general welfare," for the benefit of all the States, and not for any part of them, that free territory should remain €0, and that it is the legitimate subject of legislation, they desire, without intending to disturb Resolved, (if the Assembly concur,) That the Senat existing rights, at all proper times, to discuss, ors in Congress from this State be instructed, and that in that spirit becoming brethren of a common the Representatives in Congress from this State be rehousehold, the influences its extension is calcu-quested, to use their best efforts to carry into effect lated to exert upon the human race, and the des- the views expressed in the foregoing resolutions. tinies of the country. And, they doubt not, By these resolutions we are instructed to use that if upon the whole it shall appear that the our best efforts to carry out the views expressed heaven-born principles for which this Union was therein, and not merely the sentiments expressed formed will be best promoted by such prohibi- in any one but in all. But the best mode tion, that those who believe their pecuniary in- of attaining the end, seems to have been left terests or political relations will be thereby pre- for the exercise of our own discretion. judiced, will yield in a becoming spirit interests The resolution touching the acquisition of so comparatively trivial to promote the gene- of territory has been understood by some to inral welfare." Šlavery is slowly and silently struct us to vote in this bill for this amendment, rolling its dark wave towards a tropical sun, somewhat familiarly known as the "WILMOT and God grant that, in His own good time, its proviso." I have read and considered it in consubjects may there find happy institutions as nexion with those which precede it with much well as a congenial clime. But this question is care, and neither so read or so understand it. In too momentous and exciting to mingle with our this I regret to add that I am compelled to differ foreign policy at any time, and much more at from my honorable colleague, [Mr. Dix,] but I this time, when our army is in the midst of an do so with that kindness and respect which beenemy's country, and that enemy murderous, comes our respective positions and which has lawless, and irresponsible-when our policy is long characterized our personal and official inlamentably divided, and when we have abund- tercourse. The construction which I have given ant elements of discord without pressing this one to these resolutions leaves each and every one into our service. Believing that this, and every of them operative and consistent one with anquestion of a kindred character, is calculated to other. It is this: First support the govern embarrass the administration in the prosecutionment in its reasonable measures until peace shall вы Resolved, (if the Assembly concur,) That no peace with Mexico can be regarded as honorable to the United States which shall not secure from that republic full indemnity for the aggressions which it has committed upon the rights of this country and of its citizens. Resolved, (if the Assembly concur,) That if any annexed thereto, the act by which such territory is acquired or annexed, whatever such act may be, should sion whereby slavery or involuntary servitude, except contain an unalterable fundameutal article or provias a punishment for crime, shall be forever excluded from the territory acquired or annnexed. provi be obtained, and in that treaty of peace procure | to faciliate negotiations for a peace before the indemnity for aggression. If territory is ac- negotiation has even commenced. The resolution quired or annexed by the negotiation or in any of instruction looks to any other acquisition, as other mode, in the act by which it is acquired well as that contemplated by this negotiation.-and subjected to our jurisdiction, insert a pro- The "WILMOT proviso" gained a local habivision prohibiting slavery therein. I will not tation and a name" at the late session, and was do that learned and intelligent body which fram- before the other House when the resolutions ed and passed these resolutions, the injustice to were adopted; and, if it had been intended to believe that they regarded an appropriation for instruct us to insert that, either in an army bill, the purpose of negotiating a peace, even though or a bill to aid negotiation, the instruction territory might subsequently be acquired by the would have been specifie, and language would negotiation, an act by which territory is ac- doubtless have been employed both plain and quired"--that they either expected or desired unequivocal. We are instructed to exact inthat an "unalterable fundamental article or demnity, too; but no one can suppose the legisprovision " would be appended to anlature intended we should insist that a appropriation bill, or that they intended to mingle our domestic and our foreign policy by engrafting upon a bill to raise money for negotiation, a clause for the domestic regulation of territory, yet belonging to a foreign and hostile power. The territory supposed to be that contemplated by all, is California, which is now free; and if it is obtained by us, it will be free until it is incorporated by us, and cannot become slave territory without the legisla-struction of these resolutions, I should have retion of Congress; and in and by such legislation, a fundamental article prohibiting slavery can properly be inserted. Such provision might, to be sure, be stipulated in a treaty of cession, but as it would scarcely become the sovereignty of the United States, or of any single State, to permit a foreign power to interfere in our domestic affairs; no one, it is presumed, would de. sire to have it thus inserted, and make Mexico a party, and enable her to control it in future, This resolution, then, instructs us that when any territory shall be brougnt within our jurisdiction by the act of Congress-whatever that act may be to insert in such an act a funda. mental clause prohibiting slavery, (and so I am ready to vote, instructed or uninstructed,) but not to insert it in an appropriation bill, designed so" for such exaction should be inserted in a bill designed to facilitate negotiation. Believing that the course above indicated, will best consult the proprieties of the occasion, and the more strictly conform to my legislative instructions-in the prosecution of the war-in exacting indemnity-and in the domestic regulation of acquired territory-I shall act accordingly. But, if I could have doubted what was the fair conmembered that they emanated from that great State which, in all that concerns the interests and honor of its country, is animated by the spirit of the lamented Tompkins:-From the representatives of a people who will present no impediments to a vigorous and thorough prosecution of the war, who will justify their senators in the exercise of a just discretion, in sustaining the government "in all proper measures," and who will demand that the black and bitter waters of domestic agitation be not, under any pretence, unnecessarily mingled with matters which deeply concern our external condition, and may produce results which will, in an evil moment, dim the lustre which has been shed upon our name. OF MR. DUNCAN, OF OHIO, ON THE BILL MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR HARBORS, AND IN REPLY TO MR. BOND, OF OHIO, DELIVERED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SATURDAY JULY 7, 1838. WASHINGTON: PRINTED AT THE GLOBE OFFICE. SPEECH. In the House of Representatives, July 7, 1838-On the of the Opposition in worthless and extravagant ex penditures, that bankruptcy of the Government is one of the means by which this Administration is to be brought into disrepute with the people, and finally overthrown. Whenever there is an attempt Mr. CHAIRMAN: I am happy to have this oppor- made at reform, it is denounced as demagogueicak. unity to make some remarks in relation to the Whenever there is an attempt made at economy financial policy adopted, and so far pursued, by and prudence in public expenditures, the whole this and the late Administration. The bill now pack of Oppositionists who may have the most reunder consideration has been amended in the Se-mote local interest, raise the howl that this attempt nate, by striking out the appropriation of twenty at economy is made for party purposes-to affect thousand dollars for the improvement of the Cum-a certain State-to affect certain individuals and berland river within the limits of Kentucky and to effect certain purposes. Yes, sir, although ecoTennessee. nomy dwells on the lips of a certain party, exThe gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. WILLIAMS] travagance has its home in their hearts. For the says that this amendment was made in a certain truth of this assertion, I refer you to the examinaquarter (meaning the Senate) for a certain purpose, tion of the journals of the last six or eight years; (I suppose to punish the people of Kentucky for where on all appropriations made that savor of exnot being more Democratic,) and to affect a cer- travagance, there will be found a large majority of tain individual, [Mr. CLAY.] This may all be, if the names of those opposed to this and the last we are prepared to suppose that grave Senators Administration in favor of such measures, and the could so far forget their high stations as to make names of a large majority of the members friendly such paltry considerations an object of action in to those Administrations will be found to be rethe discharge of their high functions and sacred corded against them. duties. But I think we may find another reason Sir, I hold up the journals which contain the evifor this judicious and laudable amendment—a rea-dences of what I say. I only ask investigation. son that has its foundation in patriotism and econo-Among the vast number of unwarrantable appromy. The howl of extravagant profligacy and priations, which I have not time to notice specially, bankruptcy has never been out of our ears since I ask your attention to one, only distinguished from the commencement of the session until this time, the rest by the size of the sum. It is the appropriaand it will continue with the session. Yes, sir, that howl has cost the people more money than would redeem the Treasury notes now in circulation, which constitutes our present national debt. I say it was a regard for economy, and a desire to confine the appropriations within the probable estimates for the year, that induced the Senate to make the amendment in question. Sir, what base and sickening inconsistency do we witness here every day: a charge constantly kept up that the Government is bankrupt, and the best prospects of the country ruined, by a profligate Administration; when it is a well known fact, and the journals show it, that every measure of extravagance and profligacy is brought forward, sustained, and carried through to a law, by those who are opposed to the Administration, and who are constantly denouncing it for its profligacy. It seems, from the profligate and reckless course tion made in the session of 1835 and 1836, for liquidating the debt due from the District of Colum bia to Holland, and for carrying out certain improvements for which that loan was made. This entire appropriation amounted, I think, to one and a half millions. But let us inquire for what purposes this money was applied. It was applied first to the construction of a canal through the suburbs of your city, (Washington,) which needs a canal about as much as a cart wants a third wheel. The south side of the south wing of this capitol faces the whole line of that canal. It is in view of every one who looks out of one of the south. windows. I have been looking out for seven. months, and I have yet to see the first boat disturb. the stillness of is water. One is at a loss to know which to be most astonished at, the wickedness that conceived such unpa:donable folly, or the sterility of the soil through which the cana |