Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-17
of snyery wonld remain no lonrcr In nu seal r,on

bat return 10 my constituents 20 with hen and for
theni as The emergency might demand But the Senate
has taken no jurisdiction the question of slavery
the question upon which alone the Senate has decided
10 the question of the right of petition WHEN the Sena
tor ICON South Carolina calmly rlibcraes upon the vote
10y which this petition was received lie for mo
meot believe that II was vote upon the question OF
slavery? Upon the only question decided by The SENATE
(n optostioi to my VOTE the South was equally dvid-
ed very many Senators voting for The reception of In.
petition VINO had avowed their con icton that Con
gfess had N" constitutional power this subject
ana who were as mluc opposed 10 The assumption
OF nny jurisdiction by the Senate over this Gucsnn
as The Senator from South Carolina hiilsrir-'rh..
Sonth was not only equally divided in the vote vi
ven mpnn the reception OF the petition but thu vote
was NEITHER sectional n'r patty vote. Tho Senate
mas decided only Tive constitutional question the riylt
"i petition, aud are, Tor the FIRST time called
upon To give the first upon main question of the
abolition OF slavery in this District. Upon this question
me senate hare given no veto; they have made de-
cson; for well might be conendcd that tlc senate
by receiving unanimously, petition Incorporate
Bank OF the Untcd States had their caHstitu
tonal power t establish such institution The ules
non now presented i3r our discrimination is shall
."e prayer OF these petitioners for The abolition of
slavery IN this District? And shall Join the Senator
from South Carolina in leaving my scat and refusing
10 vote upon THIS vital question Shall | remain a
silent spectator IN the lobby, when this mumentors
question IS decided, and here after the vote is
taken, when the battle for The South is lost or won p
should retreat from that conflict, my constituents
might charge me with recreancy to their interests nd
what rs worse, my conscience would accuse me of
gross derelicton of duty. We are now about to vote
upon The question of the abolition of slavery this Dis
trct None but Omnisccnce throw its fnrccastiup
vision into iuinrity ADD predict watt: absolute certainty
now This question viii be decided here Suppose il IS
decided against and that this decision is obtained by
Tue want at my opposing vole' What answer could /
give 10 my constituents Tor deserving my most al such
period and thus yielding to adversaries this victory
over he CONSTITUTION and the Union? Sir, could give
no answer TO such question shall therefore remain
IN my seat aud record my vote for the rejection of lie
prayer OF the petitioners
The final question then taken on MIR Bucbannn's
motion to reject the prayer of the memorial and it was
decided IN The aiiirmatve-yeas 81 nays g. follows:
lfHS M
Clay, Crtenden, Cuhbert Ewing of Illinois Ewing of
ono, GoIdsborough, Grundy Hill, Hubbard, King of
Mos N H"g, Of Gieogp, leigh Linn, Mexican
roDinson;. Kugges, Shcpley Talimodge, Upton Tom
l'n s?.. wsa,ksr, Wan, White, and wrightZs4:
Swift, and Webster-6.
Mr.. Webster said, he had several petitions on the sub
Jcet OF aboshng slavery in the District of Columbia
this question. He said he should take an carly on
portunity Of laying them before the Senate and lie would
probably at the time express the views he enter
tanned IN relation 10 the subject.
After the consideration of Executive business,
The Senate adjourned.
Saturday, .narch ~
Messrs Turner, and Johnson of Louisiana, presented
certain papers and resolutions, which were referred
MIR. Turner asked aud obtained The consent of Tho
ltouse to submit some additional testimony in support of
the application of Benjamin McCulInh, soldier OF the
!ate war fora pension; which was referred
The House resumed the consideration of the motion
made by MIR SPangle 10 reconsider the vote rejecting
IN
The case OF the North Carolina contested election 10
pear by counsel, in support of his claim
Mr.. Hard resumed and concluded his remarks
Mr. Mann of New York, made some remarks
Mr' reyton briefly replied to the gentleman from New
York, (Mr. Mann.)
MIR. Williams Of North Carolina called for the yeas
and nays on The question, and they were ordered
The question being taken the motion to reconsider
1T was decided in the negative-yeas 81 nays 81
The question then being the motion of the gentle.
man from New York Mr. HARDY to allow the petitioner
to appear at the bar of the House, also have leave to
address the House in his own behalf it taken and
The motion was agreed to.
Mr. Whitesey called for the Orders of The Day
Mr. Marry moved that The Rules be suspended, for
the purpose OF considering the report of the Committee
on Elections, and the motions depending thereon
MIR Hamer asked for the yeas and nays on this mo.
ton, and they ordered.
The question being taken il was decided in the affirm,
ativc-yeas 43, nays "a.
The question recurring the motion to re commit
the report with instructions allow further lime To the
parties TO take dcpostions in the case,
Mr. Mann Of New York, moved TO postpone the con.
sderatioh of the subject till "Wednesday week and make
1T The special order for that day.
MIR Many spoke at some length in iavor of the allow
ance of further time the sitting member 20 obtain les.
umony in support OF his claim
Mr. Boyd replied, contcnding that the sitting member
had been allowed sufficient time.
MIR: Mason of Ohio, followed in reply TO the gentle.
from Kentucky, and
Mr. Boyd rcjoincd.
Mr. Pearce Of Rhode Island, coutendcd that il was
necessary to go into the investigation of the merits of
The report before the House decided whether further
ought to be granted.
MIR Graham followed, in reply 10 The gentleman from
Kentucky, (Nlr Boyd)
MIR. Newand after few remarks nlnlated an nten-
ton TO address The House the question now pending
at convenient opportunity.
On motion of Mr.. Mercer
The House then adjourned
-NOGddy Starch u.
IN SENATE.
MIR. Leigh presented the credentials Of William G.
Riycs elected a Senator from Virginia in the roam
Of John Tyler resigned.
Mr. Rives was then qualified, and took his seat
The CHAR laid before the ,i,.
Department OF the Treasury, in reply to resolution
calling for the construction of the presumption law:
which ordered to be printed
Petitions were presented by Mr.. Porter Mr. White
MT k'ng, Of Aiabama MIR Morris, Mr.. Webster, MIR.
Rugglcs, aud Mr. Wan
MIR. Preston, from the Committee on The Iibrarv
made report on The subject Of the purchase of the il
brary OF Count Bontouiln; which was ordered TO be
printed.
Mr. King, Of Alabama, offered the following Joint re-
solution; which read a first time
RcsOt5ed by the Senate and House of RcDycscufgiircs
Of Me Cniied States Of AneTica ia Congress assembled
That the President of the Senate and Speaker of the
Congress by Adjournment of their respective Houses
ON the - day OF May next
On motion of MIR Buchanan the Senate proceeded TO
ballot Tor select committee the subject Of the Con.
chosen TO Gl The committee Mr. Buchanan Mr. Wright
MI Kent, Mr.. Benton, Mr.. Crucnden.
LAND BILL
Rir Ewing, OF Ohio moved that the Senate proceed
to consider tie bill 10 appropriate for limited time te
proceeds Of the public lands, NC.
mr gnehsna va. expressed hope that the motion would
long delayed.
Mr. Ewing suggcscd TINT il had been considered beat
20 postpone the Executive business until the Senate
Should be full Some Senators were now ndisposed
and 10 fey days II would be likely to he full
Mr.. Wall stated that he should be obaed Ia ou fla,
CITY to MORROW fldlgDcUSablp bu