5800 Jonesboro Road
Morrow, GA 30260
678.364.3700
www.GeorgiaArchives.org
David W. Carmicheal, Director
 
  Who Are We?
  What Do We Have?
  How May We Help You?
  Where Are We?
  Want to Be Involved?

 

 


In 1850 the United States was in the midst of a sectional crisis. The primary issue was the growth of the nation and whether slavery would be allowed to expand beyond the Southern borders and into the western territories. Congress began debating a compromise designed to quell a rising secessionist movement throughout the South. The compromise proposed admitting California as a free state; organizing the territories of New Mexico and Utah without the mention of slavery, allowing the territories to determine the status of the institution; prohibiting the slave trade in the District of Columbia; passing a more stringent fugitive slave law; and settling the Texas boundary claims.

Although the compromise involved concessions by both the North and the South, it met with strong Southern opposition and a move toward secession ensued. The Governor of Georgia asked the General Assembly for authorization to call a state convention to determine the form of redress required should Congress enforce the acts against the institution of slavery. A State Convention then met in December 1850 in which the delegates chosen were overwhelmingly unionist.

The convention produced the official response of the State of Georgia to the Compromise of 1850, what became known as the “Georgia Platform.” The platform consisted of resolutions outlining Georgia’s conditional acceptance of the compromise. While the State of Georgia did not entirely support the measures proposed by Congress, it was willing to make concessions to preserve the Union. However, the delegates warned that further acts against the institution of slavery, including the unwillingness of the Northern states to comply with the Fugitive Slave Bill, would force Georgia to consider resistance. The endorsement of the Compromise of 1850 by the State of Georgia was soon followed by the other Southern states and the immediate national crisis was resolved.

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5
Image 6
Image 7
Image 8
Image 9
Image 10
Image 11
Image 12
Image 13
Image 14
Image 15
Image 16
Image 17
Image 18
Image 19
Image 20
Image 21
Image 22
Image 23
Image 24
Image 25
Image 26
Image 27
Image 28
Image 29
Image 30
Image 31
Image 32
Image 33
Image 34
Image 35
Image 36
Image 37
Image 38
Image 39
Image 40
Image 41
Image 42
Image 43
Image 44
Image 45
Image 46
Image 47