greatly diminish in value, and thus seriously impair the fortunes of their owners. The South never can consent to be confined to prescribed limits. She wants and must have sjmce, if consistent with honor and propriety."
The Govei-nor of South Carolina objected to the re- striction as tending to diminish the pohtical influence of the South, in the Federal Government, and insisted on strenuous resistance. The Legislature of Virginia, setting at defiance the power of Congress, " Resolved unani- mously, that under no circumstances will this body recognize, as binding, any enactment of the Federal Gov- ernment which has for its object the prohibition of slavery, in any territory, to be acquired either by conquest or treaty." The Legislature of Georgia resolved, " That any territory acquired by the arms of the United States, or by treaty wdth a foreign power, becomes the common prop;prty of the several States composing this confede- racy ; and wliilst it so continues, it is the right of each citizen of each and every State, to reside w4th his pro- perty of every description, within such territory."
The Legislature of Alabama "Resolved, That under no circumstances will this body recognize as binding, any enactm.ent of the Federal Government which has for its object the prohibition of slavery in any territory, to be acquired either by conquest or treaty, south of the line of the Missouri compromised A pubhc meeting in Richmond, Virginia, declared not only the right of slaveholders to carry their slaves into all territories hereafter to be acquired south of 36° 30', " but also that we will, by all peaceable means, and this failing, by arms, if necessary, sustain such of our fellow- citizens as may elect to settle within such ter- ritory hereafter acquired, in the maintenance of their rights thus to settle, and take with them their slaves."