Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-06-07
Richmond, VA, Tuesday, June q.
-. 4 SCENE IN THE .sEN9TE.
Abolitioa Reports in Nc,o York md Pennsylvania


casting cote Of Mr.. Van Buren, worth all The pamphlets
and Reports that can be wr,ten 10 open the eyes of the
south; This was trying question. All the Senators
from the States with four exceptions
were arrayed against him. All The popular topics of Fee
dom of the Press, Right of Discussion common pro-
perry in the Mail Of the U. States, &c. &c, thrown
into the opposite scale But The Justice of Mr. Van Blu
rem prevaedhs love for the Union predonlinated-
respect for that good ait which guarantees to each of
the slave-holdng States their Jurisdiction this deli
cate cct and which binds this sacred Union together
induced him to vote for bil which prevents The great
organ Of communication between the North and the
South from being converted into poisonous and often.
sve weapon against the South by the Fanatics of the
North Though this important vote consuts the
great interests both Of the North and The South
and though he ought to receive the thanks Of both tor
yet lie has encountered responsibility, which will bring
down upon his head the wrath Of .3boliOnism and the
clanou,s Of Facon BE it so! Were Martin Van
Buren,, would rather fall in such cause. than my
elevation 10 the arts Of the trimmer, and the ruin of my
country! Already we find the Washington Cor1espond
Of tho Philadelphia Inquirer advising the Editor
ply this vote against the Vice President" Mr. Van Blu
rem no doubt sensible of the uses, which would Lo
made of by such base and nsdious
he met the question became him. The bill caied for the
frmest and the soundest principle-and his vote
shows than any words or professions, how much oil
both he POSSESSES We understand that bis whole conduct
this occasion has kndled enthusiasm in the breasts
of several politicians who had been before mere passive
equvocal supporters. Even some who had been chi
verng in the wind, and playing the part OF 'neaphysi
Guns pledge themSe 10 drop that Character ana
act as
The bill is as follows
"a BILL
"Prohibng deputy postmasters from receiving or trans
hitting through the mail to any Stale, Territory,
District certain papers therein mentioned, the eircua
ton of which, by the laws of said State, Territory,
District, may be prohibited, and for other PURPOSES
"l BE ii enacted by the Senate and House Of Representa-
tires Of The United atcs If 7mcriea in Congress assem-.
Jed That it shall not be lawful for any deputy pestmas
ter, in any State, Territory. District, of The United
States knowingly to deliver to any person whatever,
any pamphlet, newspaper, hand.bl, other printed
paper pictorial representation touching the subject Of
slavery where by the laws of the said State Territory,
District their circulation is prohbited and any deputy
postmaster who shall be guilty thereof shall be forth
with removed from Office
Sec. 3 .7nd be further enacted, That nothing in
the of Congress to establish and regulate the Post
Office Department shall be construed to protect any de-
putty postmaster, mail.carrie other officer agent of
said Department, who shall knowingly circulate in any
State, Territory, District, aforesaid, any such
pamphlet newspaper handbill other printed paper
pictorial representation forbidden by the laws Of such
Stale, Territory, or District.
Sec 3. .4nd be il further enacted by the authority
aforesaid, That the deputy postmasters Of the Offices
where the pamphlets, newspapers, handh!S, or other
printed papers pictorial representations aforesaid may
arrive for delivery SHALL under the instructions of the
Postmaster General, from time to time give notice OF
the same, that they may be withdrawn by the person
who deposited them originally to be mailed, und the
shall be burnt otherwise destroyed"
The vote ordering the bill 10 be cngrosscd for its
third reading follows:
:Ycas-Alessrs. Black, Brown, Buchanan, Calhoun,
Cuthbert, Godsborough, Grundy, King of Alabama,
King of Georgia, Moore Nicholas Preston Kves, no
Nays-Nlessrs: Benton, Clay, Davis, Ewihg f,i i
ris, Niles, PIenss, Rugges, shepley' souhnrd Swift
Tomlinson, Wall, and Websler-le."
The Chairs casting vote decided it in the affirmative
But 10 the Letter from Washington!
ExrnAcr Of Letter from Washington, Jnne3
"There was glorious scene in the Senate yesterday.
The Bill 10 prohibit the circulation of Abolition Pam
plIcts through The mail deeply involving the
peace and security of the South under considera-
ton The portion of the Presidents Message, relating
to that subject REFERRED you will recoIlcct in the
carly part of the session, to Select COMMITTEE, OF
which Mr.. Calhoun was Chairman After the bill had
undergone some notifications in lis details, at the sug
reson Of Mr.. Grundy, Chairman OF the Committee on
Post Offices and Post Roads, notifications which recelV-
ed the assent Of Mr. Calhoun, the question was put on
its enprossment The Chair was Temporarily occupied
by MIR Hubbard it being usual for the Ficc-PresIdent,
after the first two or three hours of the daily session. 10
call some other gentleman TO the Chair 10 relieve him.
The vote was announced by Mr.. Eubbard-lo tor the
cnGrossnen-15 against it. The instant the vote was
announced and disclosed the existence Of tie, Mr. Cal
houn in loud voice and in tone between triumph and
Defiance demanded Where is the Vice President -
At the very same instant Mr. Van Buren, who had been
in conversation with some gentleman i'll part Of the
Chamber where he was not seen by Mr.. Calhoun, per-
ceiving there was tie in the vote promptly advanced
to the Chair, replaced Mr. Hubbard and with manner
in which promptitude and decision, sepossession and
DIGNITY were most admirably blended, announced, IN
tone firm and clear the result of the vote follows:
sFor the cngrossnent of the Bill il votes-agalnst
15-7ae ChGir cong in Tie affirmative, the Bills ordsr-
ed 10 be engrossed and read q third time
ait is impossible 10 describe the electrical effect pro-
duced by this scene Mr.. Calhoun was Disconnected
and taken by surprise. The whole Senate was impress
ed BY the pronplilude dignity and courage with which
the Vice President met the responsibility thrown upon
him in question of the greatest possible deicacy IN all
lis behring's There was moral sublimity, indeed, in
c scene which moved the sobeIest temprranents INTO
enthusiasm. member of the Senate, who belongs TO
no party connection and voted against the BILL was yet
So affected by the gallant bearing Of the Vice President
on the occasion, that, the Senate adjournlng immediate
Nv after the vote was taken lie followed Mr. Van Buren,
to his room shook him warmly by the hand, and said TO
Aaa Though differed froul you in the VOTE yet no.
eur your conduct and will ever do justice TO It. Mr.
Vim Buren's friends from the South felt that they owed
n peculiar debt of gratitude flor, by his vote alone
was carried essential to the peace and safety
of their iresdes and went forward under an irresistible
impulse of feeling 10 tender him their congratulations
on un act alike honorable 10 him and suspicious to the
harmony and best interests of the whole Unloh iesss
Buchanan, Robinson Talllnadge, and Wrght were tie
only members from non slave holding STATES, "o 'oeu
with him. -, ~,
IT, after this signal and proud evidence Of Mr. Van
Buren, principles this subject as we'll as OF Ills ele
waited rmness and decision OF character, when OCCASION
requires, any shall be found so lost to all sense Oh m
as 10 question the one the other, the anlt VIII oe ~
the hcari and moi the heud of that person Shouiu su
all one be found in the South, he must be content 10 nc
under the double of ngrattude and lnIus'ce-l
send you the Bill and vste upon it"
The the three Resolutions, IN the Fl. Oh H.
attached 10 Mr. pnckncys Report, further Signs OF
the Times-NIost of the Nays are Whgs-Mos, OF The
Ayes are Republicans and friends ofVa Buren,. ",r,
But let test the question i'll another manner. ne
Legislatures of New York and Pennsy have taken
I'D The Resolutions of the Southern States, particularly
OF Yirginia-What says the Committee OF the Hhts he'
gisla,ure Of Pennsylvania.