In 1787, we shut out slavery from the Northwest Territory for ever, by the celebrated proviso of Mr. Jefferson. In 1788, the Constitution was formed, with its compromises and guarantees. In 1808, the importation of slaves was forbidden. But, In 1803, we annexed Louisiana, and slavery along with it. In 1819, we annexed Florida, with more slavery. In 1820, we legally established slavery in the territory west of the Mississippi, south of 36 deg. 30 min. In 1845, we annexed Texas, with three hundred and twenty-five thousand five hundred and twenty square miles, as a slave State. In 1848, we acquired, by conquest and by treaty, the vast territory of California and New Mexico, containing five hundred and twenty-six thousand and seventy-eight square miles. Of this, two hundred and four thousand three hundred and eighty-three square miles are south of the slave line--south of 36 deg. 30 min. Here is territory enough to make more than thirty slave States of the size of Massachusetts. At the present day, it is proposed to have some further action on the matter of slavery. Connected with this subject, four great questions come up to be decided:-- 1. Shall four new slave States at any time be made out of Texas? This is not a question which is to be decided at present, yet it is one of great present importance, and furnishes an excellent test of the moral character and political conduct of politicians at this moment. The other questions are of immediate and pressing concern. Here they are:-- 2. Shall Slavery be prohibited in California? 3. Shall Slavery be prohibited in New Mexico? 4. What laws shall be passed relative to fugitive slaves? Mr. Webster, in this speech, defines his position in regard to each of these four questions. 1. In regard to the new States to be made hereafter out of Texas, he gives us his opinion, in language well studied, and even with an excess of caution. Let us look at it, and the resolution which annexed Texas. That declares that "new States ... not exceeding four in number, in addition to said State of Texas ... may hereafter, by the consent of said State, be formed out of the territory thereof, which shall be entitled to admission under the provisions of the Federal Constitution. And such States ... shall be admitted with or without slavery, as the people of each State asking admission may desire."