As the admission of California was certain, the proposition to bring about the prohibition of the slave-trade in the District was the only concession to the North.
Everything else was in the interest of the South; but then that was always the manner in which compromises with slavery were made.

They could be effected in no other way.
This outline Mr.Clay submitted to Mr.Webster January 21, 1850, and Mr.
Webster gave it his full approval, subject, of course, to further and more careful consideration.

February 5 Mr.Clay introduced his plan in the Senate, and supported it in an eloquent speech.

On the 13th the President submitted the Constitution of California, and Mr.Foote moved to refer it, together with all matters relating to slavery, to a select committee.

It now became noised about that Mr.Webster intended to address the Senate on the pending measures, and on the 7th of March he delivered the memorable speech which has always been known by its date.
It may be premised that in a literary and rhetorical point of view the speech of the 7th of March was a fine one.