Speech of the Hon. Henry Clay of Kentucky on Taking up his Compromise Resolutions on the Subject of Slavery

<p>This is the full text of the speech given by Henry Clay to the U.S. Senate in 1850 outlining his proposed compromise on the issue of slavery. At a time of increasing division between North and South Clay a Senator from Kentucky sought to find a middle ground that would preserve the Union. </p> <p>His resolutions addressed key points of contention including the admission of California as a free state the organization of the territories of New Mexico and Utah the settlement of the Texas boundary and the abolition of the slave trade in the District of Columbia. Clay's speech is a powerful example of his skill as an orator and his commitment to finding common ground on one of the most divisive issues in American history. This document provides invaluable insight into the political debates and compromises that shaped the nation in the mid-19th century.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>