Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-14
'a'yycntv-fourtHa Congrcss--lst scss.
Monday, January II, 1896.
Ii SENATE.


A Report from The Secretary of the Treasury, the
subject of the construction of the Potomac BTIdSe-A
Report from the Secretary of the Treasury, The sub
rct of the Banks Of the District of Colunba-A Report
from the Secretary Of War, enclosing accounts from the
Second Auditor, to talancesA kepoF! from the Sc.
cre,ary Of War; enclosing an account OF the contingent
fund for the year lc3o.
Petitions were presented by Mr.. Webster Mr. Tyler,
Mr. Hendricks Mr. Kent, MIR. Buchanan, MIR. Preston,
MIR. Tamadgr, and MIR. Gatdsborough.
Mr.. Buchanan said he now about to present the
memorial Of tho Can Quarterly Meeting OF the religious
Society OF Fricnds in Pennsylvania requesting Con
gross Ia abos slavery and the slave trade IN the lis
irict Of Columbia On this subject he had expressed
his opinions Senate Thursday last and he had
no disposition repeat them at present lie would say
however that, review oil these opinions. ne was
perfectly satisfied with them All he should now say
was that the memorial which lie was about to present
was perfectly respectful in its language Indeed it
could not possibly be otherwise, considering the respec-
table source from which it cmanaed.
Il would become his duty to make motion IN re-
gard to this memorial On Thursday last he hud sug
gestcd that in his Judgment the best course 10 pursue
was refer these memorials 10 select committee, or to
the Committee for the District of Columbia lie still
thought so but he found that insurmountable OBJ
slaclcs presented themselves TO such 4 reference.
In presenting this memorial, and in exerting himself
so far in him lay Tor it that respectful rcccp
ton by the Senate which it deserved he should do his
duty to the uenoralists After it should obtain this
ccpton he should have duty 10 perform to himself and
sons lie had Thursday last that Congress ought
not at this tme TO abolish slavery the District OF Co.
lumbia and that it our duty promptly to place this
exciting question He should therefore that
the memorial be read and that the prayer Of the memo
| riaS,s be rejected.
MI Preston said that the question already raised
by his colleague, and he trusted that the Senator from
Pennsylvania would not urge any action this petition
until disposition made OF the one presented on
! Thursday by tie gentleman from Ohio.
Mr. King OF Alabama, could sec difference between
discussing the question on this or on the former petition
The language Q, This memorial indeed, being
spcciiul there seemed TO br propIety to coniiae Tie
debate it, rather than TO extend it on the other the
words of which calculated to produce so much bit
| tcruess and excitement.
Mr. Webster hoped that the Senator from Pennsyva
MIA would take by which all the ordinary
business Of the morning would be obstruced and that
the consideration Of this memorial would be deferred
| until other petitions had been received.
! Mr. Calhoun thought tho debate which commenced
OIL Thursday ought to bc resumed and continued He
saw no why this memorial should take priority
over tic one presented from Ohio why should break
away from that petition to receive this, merely because
the language in which it coucled was respectful;
that u.s. as respectful could lie expected For, howe
yer temperate it might seem, the principle was
bodied in III and the innrnfoes conveyed were as lar
from being acceptable as the bareace2 nsolence OF the
other. lie hoped the debate would o on the first pc
tition: that the question would nc maully and That
at the same time we should notencroach upon tie hour
which ought to be devoted to othcr.Lu.'rss.
tf7Nfng Alabama said his oil. was TO avoid OK
cement. The object of the petitioners in both memo
rails was the same 1t intends the abolition Of slavery
and Of the traffic in slaves in the District OF Columbia
lie had no wish shrink from the question: on the con.
tru1y he DESTROYS Of giving direct vote Let the
noon OF the Senator from Pennsylvania prevail and GER
sinly the object OF the gentleman from South Carolina
would be attained Ii would say to all who hold tie
same sentiments with these petitioners, that further
action would BIZ had on any similar memorials, except
merely 10 lead ard to REJECT them lie had hoped mat
III.IISte n
cement But the ig Saton here upon this subject had
produced trniod agitation. Suppose you reject lie pc
;i,ion from Ohio because the language is dsresptcuul,
will that put end to this excitement: Any man must
be blind not that inpression and weltiounded
one would 20 abroad that it not received on that
account merely: and that Legislation was had on II inFe
ference only 10 the language in which 1t was couehed-
Tic pointed out by the Senator from fcnnsyNa-
MA puts all end TO all this 1t says distinctly will
reject what We will no cannot ought not TO receive
lie had disposition and Intention to take any part
in the debate. He should give silent vote
Mr. Clay said That he had risen take part in
the principal question. lie did think however. that
these petitioners ough. 10 have any monopoly of the
time and attention Of the Senate. He could consent
TO IT, lie had molten himself which he wished to pre-
sent, and to which he attached much Importance. He
should therefore, that this whole matter be lad on
the table, least until the necessary business OF the
morning be rot through with.
The question being taken, the memorial NC. was or
drred 10 lie the table.
SPECULATION IN INDIAN CLAIMS
Mr. Black said he had received, and would take this
present memorial tiom number OF the citi:
zcns Mississippi residing in the northern part OF that
STATE on important subject. 1t related to extensive
frauds said To be about 10 to- pracscd the Government
in .cIaion to the public ands involving the memo
raIs;s suppose, al least the quantity upwards OF two
millions Of Of The public lands. He was informed
that there much excitement the subject in that
State, and that other memorials would be forwarded
numcrously signed. 1t appears by the treaty OF Dane
ING Rabbit Creek that to each Choctaw head of 4
,;ly Of
Alabama hissIss Ppl, reservation was made ct SIX
hundred and forty acres OF land to include improve
mcnls, and each childa less quantity, adjoining the
i'm pfoyclncnt Of the parent the land to be patented
10 claimants after residence thereon of five years
1t was made necessary, under the lit article which
contains this provision, thai all intending 10 avail them
selves Of this advantage should record their names with
The Indian agent within six months after the making of
the treaty. This register kept by the agent at that
ting, Col Wad) but appears that, by mlsa Ike, some
names omitted, or, If recorded, the register has
been n,uated The menloralsts state that spec
uators seiaing upon The advantage which this ccun
stance afforded have gone to the Indians who have re-
moved beyond the Mississippi river and have procured
for triAing consideration, very Numerous claims to BE-
prctcrred sufficient TO all nearly ALL the good
land remaining He informed that some ct these
gentlemen, specializing these clsIns, no DOUBT from
patriotic motives" had sold out their chances for
immense sums. lie also informed, that seIzng
upon the advantage Of the fact that these lands had been
reserved from the late sales, they endeavorng to
exact large from the settlers to quit their pos
sessions, and secure ueir homes, under apprehension
that these claims will finally be made good Mr. B. SAID
ne had no doubt there few cases in which
individuals among the Chocaws had suffered detri-
men by their names appeSs;ng in the register kept
by the agent who haye CONFIRMED The acquisitions OF
Tue treaty. but he had doubt that those cases
very few, indeed, and t!oAe should meet when pre-
sented with tue favorable attention Of Congress-
What he desired at present was put all their guard
against these claims, and 10 prevent tie innocent
settlers from being taken in by them. They must
under the action of Congress- and while be was
ready TO do justice TO the meorious claims he would
the time say, it his firm conviction that few
very few will I've found to be of that character He
wnd the settlers therefore acainst caselnas