State Documents on Federal Relations/130

by Herman V. Ames

130. Resolves of Connecticut.

May Session, 1850.

Resolved, That Congress has full constitutional power to prohibit slavery in the territories of the United States, by legislative enactment, and that it is the duty of Congress to pass, without unnecessary delay, such strict and positive laws as will effectually shut out slavery from every portion of their territories.

Resolved, That Congress has like full constitutional power to remove slavery, and the slave trade, from the District of Columbia, and that this power should be at once exercised for the immediate prohibition of the slave trade therein, and for the abolition of slavery, upon such terms of compensation to the slave-holders as may be just and reasonable.

Resolved, That in the name of the people of Connecticut, we do hereby solemnly reaffirm an unalterable attachment to the Federal Union, and our inflexible determination to adhere to our national constitution, and abide by all its compromises, to the letter and spirit of the same ; while with equal unalterable and inflexible purpose, deterred by no threats of disunion, we shall forever oppose any and every measure of compromise, by which any portion of the territory now belonging to, or which may hereafter be acquired by the United States, shall be given up to, or left unprotected against the encroachments of slavery.

Resolved, That the integrity and permanence of American power on the Pacific Ocean, the increase of our commerce and wealth, the extension of our institutions, and the cause of human freedom on this continent, require the immediate admission of California into this Union, with her present Constitution, and the boundaries therein defined, without any reference to any other question or measure whatever.

Resolved, That inasmuch as the legislation necessary to give effect to the clause of the Constitution of the United States, relating to the delivering up of fugitive slaves, is within the exclusive jurisdiction of Congress, we hold it to be the duty of that body to pass such laws only in regard thereto as will secure to all persons whose surrender may be claimed, as having escaped from labor or service in another State, the right of having the validity of such claim determined by a jury in the State where such claim shall be made.

[Resolutions of transmission.]

[Res. and Private Acts of Conn. May sess., 1850, 141-143.]