This page, taken out of a longer book, Senate, 34th Congress, 3rd Session, Mis. Doc. No. 17, is titled “Resolutions of the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, in relation to Slavery, and the admission of Kansas into the Union.”
“January 28, 1857—Ordered to lie on the table and be printed
Joint Resolution and instructions to our senators and representatives in Congress in relation to slavery, and the admission of Kansas into the Union. Whereas, under the Constitution of the United States, freedom is national and slavery is sectional; and believing that the peace, welfare and honor of the country imperiously require that our national domain shall be preserved free, for free homes for free-men; and believing it to have been the policy of our fathers, dictated by reason and exalted patriotism, to inhibit the extension of slavery, and make freedom the law of our national progress: Therefore– Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That we are unqualifiedly opposed to the further extension of slavery within the jurisdiction or by the sanction of the general government, and insist that Congress shall exert all constitutional power to preserve our national territory free. Resolved, That our senators in Congress be instructed, and our representatives requested, to exert their influence, and votye for the admission of Kansas into the Union as a free State, and to oppose its admission with a constitution establishing or tolerating slavery. Samuel McFarland, Speaker of the House of Representatives. W.W. Hamilton, President of the Senate. Approved January 8, 1857
Office of Se cretary of State, Iowa City, January 15, 1857.
I certify the foregoing to be a true copy from the original roll on file in my office. Elijah Sells, Secretary of State.