American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1827-01-05

that the Judge should ordcr MIN 70 DC uiseuat6eo'
and his fees to be taxed on the county; thus display
ing commendable vigilance ior the slsve'hoider'
and the cause OF humanity, SO far as the existing
state OF society would permit; and although
come from slave holding district. can sec no in
convenience in referring this inquiry to commit
tee who am sure, will feel the like respect for the
interest Of the master. and the protection OF the
freed negro | have without previous invesiga-
,ion, presented this history of Maryland Legisla-
ion, which has adapted itself to the presen, condi
ton OF it's society; but feel confident IN It's gen
eral accuracy
Mr.. Woods, of Ohio, said that, il he had rightly
understood the resolution offered by the gentleman
from New York, the object Of that gentleman was
10 bring the subject referred to before the Commit
tee on the District Of Columbia. This course hao
been opposed on Two grounds The hrst objection
urged against it was, tina, the law in question, II
such Law did exist. was Unconstitutional, and OF
course invalid. 1t was certainly true that such q
law wa, in reality both unconstitutional and invalid !;
but still il statute on the book containing such
provisions j, ought TO be expunged; It had all the
forms OF law, and though against the Constitution
might misiead many, and be considered as oil some
effect The possibility of this was good reason
at least for inquiry. The second objeeuen is thai
the Committee on the District will have il they
have not already, he criminal laws OF the District
before them for revision, and that, therefore, the
resolution is unnecessary. But he WAS not so sure
that this Law could be considered as strictly within
the criminal code, since It proposed to punish me-
crime whs,evsr. The course proposed ey the ies
oIu,ion was usual and proper. When men.
ber wished to turn the attention OF any Of the cem
mlttees Of the House to any subject which he dec"
ed important, the ordinary course vas Tor him 10 OF
Ter resolution proposing that such committee IN
quire into that subject This was the mode every
dov rsb and ,yh no rft TAX q hS
the present case After the commi,tee shall have
made the examination stated by the resolution
lthev will report what are the facts--if such law
does exist, they will say so and IL not they will
say So We Fl d that different opinions exist about
the matter among the members OF this Honse
then let committee investigate, and tell US wha
The truth is.
The resolution might, and probably would hav,
passed without word Of remark or opposition, bu
the mover chose accompany It with some re-
marks which he deemed pertinent TO the subject
this he had perfect right TO do, ard it wa. moi
Gems rable; but the House had been told that the
remark were Of an nhsmmatory character. Fol
himself he could not think So II the gentleman
rom New York approached magazine with
lighted candle, it certainly became hun to look to
bis steps and to tread with caution but fother gen
rlemen, those who were nearest TO the magazine
and who stood round it, to guard IT. should them
explosion should happen: He could uolhlnp
improper in he resolution, or in the remarks which
had accompanied it, and he hoped il would pass
Mr. fright said that if he correctly understood
the resolution which had been offered by he gentle
man from New York, he was in lavor of that re o.
luton, and opposed 10 the amendment offered by
the gentleman from Kentucky, (Mr. WicktGs)
Mr.. Wlcklffs here interposed, and said, that he
might, possibly, save the gentleman from Ohio
some trouble. by Informing him, tina, he was vii
ling now withdraw the amendment
Mr.. fright then resumed, and expressed hi.
hope that the resolution would be adopted by the
House. All it proposed was, to inquire whether a
law did or did not exist, within the District Of Co
prehend (oo, slave. SuD free man and, If such
a law actually does exist. whether il ought not 10
be amended. Would any gentleman say this was
not subject OF deep INTEREST," OF interest not only
to the District, but TO the whole Union He believed
there was not gentleman on that floor, who would
deny this and If so, why should not the House
proceed in the inquiry They had been told that
the inquiry was Of an Irritating character, and cal
culated to excite angry discussion But why should
this be so! What was there in this subject TO pro
duoe SO much excitement If some gentlemen
chose to lash Themselves into excitement with re-
gard 10 il, wa, hat reason why the House should
not proceed in so reasonable and proper inquiry
Has not the House perfect right to inquire into
the subject, and to legisa,e upon il II became
them 10 inquire, and TO act The excitement about
which gentlemen talked, was no reason why inquiry
was 10 be s,r.sled. 1t was the duty Of ihe House
to proc eed in its duty with comness-and not to
be prevented from performing it. by the rxci'cd
feelings Of any. The observations Of the gentle
man from New York had been characterised as in.
linmmstoty; for his own part, he felt no such ei
| fect from them he could not perceive hat there
was in them to inllame any body; hey were such
as naturally grew out of the subject of the resolu
tion. He hoped the Committee would be directed
TO make the inquiry, and, il The evil complained OF
did exist he hoped they would point it out, togehe
! pii ito - .ty