"The Senator entirely mistakes our position. We have not the least objection, and would oppose no obstacle to the Senator's migrating to Kansas and taking his old 'Mammy' along with im. We only insist that he shall not be empowered to sell her after taking her there."
Mr. Chase moved to amend the bill by adding the words:
"Under which the people of the Territories, through their appropriate representatives, may, if they see fit, prohibit the existence of slavery therein."
This amendment failed, but it served to test the good faith of those who supported the squatter sovereignty feature of the bill.
After a long struggle the bill passed, and was approved by the
President in May, 1854.
(79) Area of original thirteen States, 354,504 square miles.
(80) "Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States," etc.—Art. IV., Sec. 3, Con. U. S.
(81) Three Decades of Fed. Leg. (Cox), p. 49.
(82) Rise and Fall Con. Government (Davis), vol. i., p. 28.
(83) Schucker's Life of Chase, p. 140.