With his wonted aggressiveness Douglas had a batch of bills ready by March 25th, covering the controverted question of California and the Territories.  The origin of these bills is a matter of no little interest.  A group of Southern Whigs in the House, led by Toombs and Stephens of Georgia, had taken a determined stand against the admission of California, until assurances were given that concessions would be made to the South in the organization of the new Territories.[352]

With both Toombs and Stephens, Douglas was on friendly terms, despite their political differences.  Perhaps it was at his suggestion that McClernand of Illinois approached these gentlemen with an olive branch.  At all events, a conference was arranged at the Speaker’s house, at which Douglas was represented by his friends McClernand, Richardson, and Linn Boyd of Kentucky.  Boyd was chairman of the House Committee on Territories; and Richardson a member of the committee.  McClernand announced that he had consulted with Douglas and that they were in entire agreement on the points at issue.  Douglas had thought it better not to be present in person.  The Southerners stated their position frankly and fully.  They would consent to the admission of California only upon condition that, in organizing the territorial governments, the power should be given to the people to legislate in regard to slavery, and to frame constitutions with or without slavery.  Congress was to bind itself to admit them as States, without any restrictions upon the subject of slavery.  The wording of the territorial bills, which would compass these ends, was carefully agreed upon and put in writing.  On the basis of this agreement Douglas and McClernand drafted bills for both the Senate and the House Committees.[353]

But the suggestion had already been made and was growing in favor, that a select committee should be intrusted with these and other delicate questions, in order to secure a basis of compromise in the spirit of Clay’s resolutions.  Believing that such a course would indefinitely delay, and even put in jeopardy, the measure that lay nearest to his heart,—­the admission of California,—­Douglas resisted the appointment of such a committee.  If it seemed best to join the California bill with others now pending, he preferred that the Senate, rather than a committee, should decide the conditions.  But when he was outvoted, Douglas adopted the sensible course of refusing to obstruct the work of the Committee of Thirteen by any instructions.  He was inclined to believe the whole project a farce:  well, if it was, the sooner it was over, the better; he was not disposed to wrangle and turn the farce into a tragedy.[354]