"_And, resolved_, That it would be highly inexpedient to abolish slavery
within any district of country set apart for the Indian tribes, where it
now exists, or in Florida, the only Territory of the United States in
which it now exists, because of the serious alarm and just apprehensions
which would be thereby excited in the States sustaining that domestic
institution; because the people of that Territory have not asked it to
be done, and, when admitted into the Union, will be exclusively entitled
to decide that question for themselves; because it would be in violation
of the stipulations of the treaty between the United States and Spain of
the 22d of February, 1819; and, also, because it would be in violation
of a solemn compromise, made at a memorable and critical period in the
history of this country, by which, while slavery was prohibited north,
it was admitted south, of the line of thirty-six degrees and thirty
minutes north latitude."
But this resolution was not finally adopted. Upon the motion of Mr.
Buchanan to amend said amendment, by striking out the second clause
thereof, commencing with the word "resolved," it was determined in the
affirmative, and finally the resolution which here follows was
substituted in place of the second clause:
"That the interference by the citizens of any of the States, with a view
to the abolition of slavery in this District, is endangering the rights
and security of the people of the District; and that any act or measure
of Congress designed to abolish slavery in this district, would be a
violation of the faith implied in the cessions by the States of Virginia
and Maryland; a just cause of alarm to the people of the slaveholding
States, and have a direct and inevitable tendency to disturb and
endanger the Union.
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