State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-01-05

JouIleu'
TUESDAY, December 22d.
HOUSE. The House resumed the con
sideration of Mr. Patton's motion to recon
slider the vote of Friday, referring to tn,
Committee Oh the District of Columbii
the petition for the abolition of slavery anC
the slave trade, in the District, presented by
MIR Briggs of Mass.
Mr. Granger of New York, took the floor
and briefly protested against the manner il
which these petitioners had been confound
cd with the abolitiOnists Of the North; sup.
ported the right to petition, as q consttu-
tional right; and vindicated those who sus-
tanned the petitions for the abolition of sla-
very in the District of Columbia, from the
epitliet applied to them by some gentleman
in the debate, of murdererS. He mentioned
among other things, fact which, lie said
seemed to DO forgotten by others of his
colleagues, that the popular branch Of the
Legislature of New York, IN 1899, by a
large majority, embracing men of both po-
litlcal parties, and men of as much inteli-
gence and worth, as could he found in any
similar body in the United States, passed u
resolution declaring it to be competent for
the Congress of the United States to legis-
late on the subject of Slavery i'll the Dis
trict ofColumba. He asked gentlemen if
the charge of murder could be made against
this body ofmcn? Ifno one else dared to
vindicate them from the charge, he would.
Who next were found among the dcnoun-
ced i? The ladies'. lie did not refer to the
propriety of their interference; and he adj
mitted that when they brought their power
to bear, they might be fearful disturbers of
mems repose. The Friends also, who hal
petitioned Congress on the subject, were
noticed by Mr. G. in complimentary terms.
Mr.. G.. admitted, however, if Congress had
the Constitutional right to legisate on this
subject within the district, of which he en-
tertained great doubt, it was altogether i'll
eXpedent under present circumstances, TO
exercise it. He wished the petition to 30
to committee, and u report to be made,
corresponding with the views of the south
ern gentlemen, and stated that they should
then have his vote fearlessly in its favor
But to restrain the right of petiton and the
right of discussion was what he did not
expect ITO hear proposed by those profess
sing to believe as he believed, that discus
sion was to be left free, when reason was
left free
MIR Ingersoll of Pennsylvania rose, with
faint hope of reconcling the House to the
adoption Of the course which would meet
the views of all quarters of the House.
The object of reconsideration, he said, was
to reject the petition, but believing that a
rejection would not reach the evil, nor at
tain the object Of gentlemen who supported
it, he would venture to suggest a resolution
for the purpose which he would offer when
it was in order lie was, he said, prepared
to offer and vote for the following Rcsolu-
ton.
Resolved, That the holding of slaves is
right clearly recognized by the consttu-
ton of the United States, whose policy does
not forbid it, as the legitimate subject of in
dividyal property and source of political in
fuence and power, and all attempts TO in
terfere with or modest them in its exercise
or enjoyment, are impolitic, unconsttution-
al, and unjust.
Mrlngersoll, inthe course of his remarks.
went into very full discussion of subjects
relating TO the general question of slavery,
bat having no connection with the question
before the House. The Chair reminded him
that he was not in order, and he FASTENED
TO bring his remarks to close.
Mr.. Mann, of New-York, followed
Thus far he had he said left the debate to
those who seemed most DESTROYS of conln-
uing it, and he had now risen only for the
purpose of replying to his colleague (Mr.
Granger.) That gentleman remarked that
it had been forgotten that the Legislature
of New York, in 1928, passed resolution
declaratory Of the power of Congress over
the subject of slavery in the District Of
Columbia. Having had the honor to he
member Of the Legislature at that time,
while his colleague was not (tor the reason |
that he was a candidate for the Office of
Governor,) he felt bound 10 notice his re-
marks. On referring to the Journal of that
body he found that there We're four mem .
beers on this floor who were also members |
al the same time, and who then and usually .
acted with him. Their votes and his vote,
on the occasion, accorded with the vote
which he should give on the question now
before the House, aud would be in opposi-
ton to the vote of his colleague. Tie res
olution was adopted, by what means, he
should not say, in one branch of the Legis-
lature. But it was a concurrent resolution,
and in going to the other house, went to the
place talked of yesterday, by the gentleman
from Massachusetts 10 the tomb of the
Capulets. With these explanations, his
colleague might have all the benefit he de-
rived from his argument. lie had hoped
that all party considerations would be kept
out Of this debate; but he could see the