STATE OF MAINE. IN SENATE, June 6, 1848. ORDERED, That three hundred and fifty copies of the foregoing bill, (reported from the committee on the militia,) be printed for the use of the legislature. DANIEL T. PIKE, Secretary. TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE. No. 5. STATE OF MAINE. SENATE. THE joint select committee, to whom was referred so much of the governor's message as relates to slavery in newly acquired territory, have had the same under consideration and ask leave to REPORT the following resolves, which are herewith submitted. June 8th, 1848. Wm. T. Johnson, Printer to the State. ADAMS TREAT, Chairman. STATE OF MAINE. RESOLVES relating to the extension of slavery in newly acquired territory. Resolved, That Maine duly appreciates the conces2 sions and compromises which led to the adoption and 3 establishment of the constitution of the United States: 4 and she will cheerfully and honestly abide by the letter 5 and spirit of them,-at the same time she will firmly 6 resist all demands for their enlargement or extension. Resolved, That the sentiment of this state is pro2 found, sincere, and almost universal, that the influence 3 of slavery upon productive energy is like the blight 4 of mildew; that it is debasing and degrading in its 5 influence upon free labor; that it is a moral and social 6 evil; that it does violence to the rights of man as a 7 rational, thinking, and accountable being;-influ 8 enced by these and other important considerations, 9 this state will firmly oppose the introduction of slavery 10 into any territory acquired as an indemnity for claims 11 upon Mexico. Resolved, That in the acquisition of any free terri2 tory, whether by treaty, purchase, conquest or other3 wise, we deem it the duty of the general government 4 to extend over the same the principles of the ordinance 5 of 1787. Resolved, That our senators in congress are hereby 2 instructed, and our representatives requested, to sup3 port and carry out the principles of the foregoing 4 resolutions. |