Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-12

ed 10 inquire into the expedency OF restoring an those
now living to the pension list under the ACT OF arcn
lS 1915 who were stricken from SAID st IN pursuance
of the act Of Nav 1885, and ircase any OF said persons
have obtained annutes under the act OF ane z, 1884,
tla, said Committee be instructed 10 inquire INTO he ex
peditncy OF providing by law for Tue payment 10 snch
persons of the pensions to which tney %ouu nave oceh
entitled ctey had been stricken from said pension
liz, nrr deducnp the amount which they have recelv-
sod bv virtue of the act OF June Z, 1867
Ro,red Tha, said committee be instructed 10 inquire
into Tie exrelcncy OF providing by ln". IN case any
nersons ws were stricken from the pension list in pur-
snauc. of the act cf May 1920, have since that per I'd
died or the payment to their heirs OF all arrearages to
which they would ayc been entitled had aid persons
not been stricken from said list.
AIR. Black offered the following resolution; which
agreed to:
Rcsoircd That the Secretary of the Treasury inform
the Senate whether the act OF Congress granting rights
of prc.cmption settlers inhabling and cupaing the
pubc lands ut certain periods has been SO construed as
to extend TO such Of the public lands had been offered
for SALE and subject to entry at private sae and If
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY.
The Senate proceeded to consider the petition of the
Society of Friends in Philadelphia, the subject Of the
abolition Of slavery in the District of Columbia
The question being the motion THAT the petition
be not received
MIR Calhoun addressed the Senate in reply to what
had fallen from other Senator'S the subject
Mr. Clay made few remarks in explanation, called
for by some part of the remarks of the Senator from
South Carolina.
The question was thcn taken on the motion of Mr.
Calhoun g Shall the petition be received: and decided
as follows
Ycas-Messrs. Benton, Brown, Buchanan, Clay, Clay
ton, Crit,cnden, Davis, Ewing of H., Ewing of Ohio
Gold<borough, Grundy, Hendricks Hil Hubbard, Kent
King of Ala, King Of Geo, Knight, Linn, Mexican
Morris, Naudan, Niles, Prcn,iss, Robbins, Robinson
Rugges, Shcpcy, Southland, Swift, Tamadge Upton
ToinIinson, Wall Webster, Wright-3G.
Nays-Mcssrs Black, Calhoun, Cuthbert, Leigh
Moore, Nicholas, Preston, Porter, Walker Whitc-l0.
The question being next on the motion OF Mr. Buch.
anan, to reject the prayer of the petition,
MIR. Clay made some remarks on the motion, and con.
cluded By moving to amend it by adding to it
For the Senate, without affirming or denying the
constitutional power of Congress grant the prayer
The petition. believes supposing the power urcon-
tested which it is not that the exercise OF it would be
incxpcdent:
Isl. Because the People Of the District of Columbia
have themselves pconed for the abolition Of slave
~ within the District.
I'd. Because the States OF Virginia and MARYLAND
would be nuronsly affected by such measure, whilst
the institution Of slavery continues TO subsst within
their respective Jurisdictions and neither of these States
would probably have coded to the United States the ter
rtury forming the District if it had anticipated the
adoption of any such measure without Clearly and
pEcssly guarding against 1t. And,
3d. Because the injury which would be inflicted by
exciting alarm and apprehension in the States toerang
slavery, and by disturbing the harmony between Them
aud the other members of the Eonicderacy, would far
exceed any practical benefit which could possibly flow
from the abolition of slavery within the District.
Mr. Porter wished more time to reflect, and moved to
lay the motion the table, but withdrew it at the in.
stance of Mr. Buchanan
Mr. Buchanan then addressed the Senate in dei.ncc
Of his motion, as it originally stood.
Mr. Preston said there may be other reasons Inc had
some which stronger than those assigned and he
should vote against these, which contained negative
pregnant looking TO state of things when Congress
could act the subject.
Mr. Porter said Of his reasons for wishing to lay
on The table the amendment, was that he might
inc them and ascertain if such would be
lisacory to him, 10 Commit his vote, could be
signed. lie renewed his motion, and again withdrew
il; when
Mr. Clay stated that he had objection TO let the
amendment lie for further examination
After few words from MIR. CutiIbcrt,
On motion Of Mr.. Morris, the Senate adjourned.
WASHINGTON, March lU-Thc Launch of the new
Frgate COLUMBIA from the stocks at the Navy Yard in
this city, took place yesterday under the most favorable
circumstances 1t bright, cool, Spring day; the
vessel went Oft in fine sylc and every Thing concurrcd
to make the spectacle interesting and gratifying many
thousands If persons. among whom, beside the Ladies
tie President Of tile United States. the Vice Pre-
sidcnt, Heads Of Departments, the Members generally
Of both Houses Of Congrcss.-fat Int.