Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-16
Correspondence Of the Baltimore american.
In SENATE.
THYrsHuu. ,MnunyX IL, 1888.

Correspondence ~ M DHtttHOTe .7E1CFG
IN SENATE.
TharsdaV, January ii, 1888.
Reports, Resolutions and Petitions occupied the Sc
nate during the morning hour.
The fifth Slavery Resolution of Mr.. Calhoun, as sub
stiluted by The second resolution Of Mr.. Clay, came up
for considerations, and excited a long debate. Several
amendments were brought forward and discussed and
several votes taken during the day. | send you below
the pi,h Of the debate.
MIR. Calhoun rose in opposition 10 The Resolution of
Mr.. CIay-opposing it on the ground that it was not
strong enuugh, when it said that 1t acaS incrpc6tent 10
abolish siacery in Florida, and upon the ground that ii
referred 10 Slavery no where except in Florida. MIR.
Calhoun was seemingly more excited upon this subject
than ever before. The phrase "inexpedient,' of which
he complained, was accompanied by reasons, full and
strong, why it was inex pedient, and Mr.. Clay has speci.
fed Florida because there are slaves in no other Terri.
tory. Mr.. Calhoun, during his remarks, referred 10 the
old Missouri Compromise, and said that if he had been
a member Of Congress at the time it was adopted he
might have voted for it. But sooner than vote for such
q compromise now, he would cut off his arm. He look
ed upon that Compromise as Tie beginning of the trou.
bes 10 the South, add as one of the causes Of the pre-.
sent agitation upon this subject. He commended the
part John Randolph had taken in that Compromise, and
said he believed if the Southern members had sustained
him. aud been as unwilling 10 make concessions, all
would hive now been well.
MIR. Clay answered in a brief, eloquent, and able
speech. He answered one Of his objections by saying
that he had not mentioned any territory but Florida, be.
cause no other territory held slaves, and because he
wished the fact known, for it seemed not 10 be known,
that no other territory but Florida held slaves. The pc.
titioners, lie said always prayed for the abolition of Sla.
very in the terriinJirs, when there was but ono territory
where slaves were held. The second objection, he
thought, WAS Croundlrss. II is said it was inexpedient
and gave his reasons for coming to this conclusion.
Mr.. Clay continued his remarks by referring to what
Mr.. Calhoun had said touching the compromise, and 10
his illusions to Mr., Randolph. Mr.. Clay said that he
most sincerely lamentrd the death OF the distinguished
Virginian; but since alluslon had been made to him in
connection with the compromise act OF Missouri, he iet
bound 10 say that The part Mr.. Randol phi took in that
controversy came nearer dssoving the Union and shak.
ing it TO lis centre than any thing that had been done
since that day to the present moment. He well rpmrm
bered that exciting and leariul controversy. II was q
fearful moment, and one that threatened the dissolution
Of all that was dear 10 The friends Of The Union.
Upon one occasion, said Mr.. Clay, while was Speak.
or of the House, during q night session, the cxhalalions
from one of The lamps had caused one Of the members TO
faint. He was taken 10 the rear of the Hall. | called
some one TO take my place and left the chair 10 learn
the character and extent Of illness OF the member who
had tainted. In returning 10 the chair | was met by Mr..
Randolph, whom had not before seen to speak TO for
several weeks. 81 WISH said MIR. Randolph TO me
"you would leave Congress and go to Kentucky. | will
follow you there or any where else | well understood
what he meant. far many Of The Southern members had
seriously discussed at that moment the propriety Of leav.
ing Congress and the city, and returning 10 their hunies
! told Mr.. Randolph had no time to converse with him
then, but requested him to call on Inc at the Speakers
room the next morning. In accordance with his usual
punctuality he came, and we spent an hour in conversa-
tion-he pressing his point and mine: he arguing in
favor Of making no compromise upon any consideration,
and defending The act of compromise 30 long as we
made no compromise Of principle. We argued The ques.
tion an hour, and separated alter shaking hands and pro.
missing to be good friends. We never met again during
the session.
You can hardly ina CINE will, what simplicity, Mr..
Clay related this interview. The Senate Chamber,
urain crowded to OVERLOOKING, listened with infinite de.
light aud attention. MIR. Clay then drew a comparison
between The uncompromising spirit of Mr.. Randolph,
and that now exhibited by MIR. Calhoun. MIR. Il. had
eod,puerad Tho IInion nv his un.Isldlnp and uucnu-
promising spirit; and Mr.. Calhoun, he argued, in the e1-
ercise Of the same feeling had done, or was doing, the
same thing.
Mr.. Calhoun, replied, md said he should not vote for
MIR. Claws resolution, and he would not vote ngains! il.
10 show he was not rs unrelcntng as Mr.. Randolph,
who called The Representatives Of the North doHgA
faces, and which calling, MIR. Z. commended, had done
more harm than years cuuiG undo. a desultory dchale
followed, during which Mr.. Calhoun cornplimented
highly the Northern members who had sustained him
through goud and through evil report.
MIR. hubbard, of n. Il. at this stage OF the discussion,
moved a modification of Mr.. Clay's second resolution,
which was n~doplehby MIR. Clay. 1t contained the same
principle and the same reasons.
The discussion was continued at great length, but
brought forth nothing new. Mr.. Walker Of Mics, said
he hoped, if MIR. Calhoun voted against the resolution
OF air. Clay, he would vote alone. For his own pnrt he
WINS satisfied with enough, and he thanked Northern
members for the kindness they exhibited in going as lar
as they had gone.
MIR. Preston followed on in The discussion, and said he
wished TO write for himself every lime he rose in the
Senate Chamber, that he had no confidence in the reso.
lutons before the Senate. He thought they could do
no good. He hoped differently, but his hopes were
faint--The South would take care Of herself, if the
North would keep disunion out Of this Hall.
Mr.. Niles followed on, and replied 10 Mr.. Calhoun.
flc regretted that he was not satisfied with enough. He
had gone as far as was necessary, and would 20 no fur.
Their il il was necessary. He was ready to sustain The
South, but not ready to interfere with The North.
The question cnme up on the second resolution of MIR.
Clay as modified by MIR. Hubbard.
MIR. Buchanan said as the debate was now about 10
close he begged 10 say a few words in closing. 1t had
been stated that the resolutions we're intended as a plat.
form, for Northern Senators 10 stand upon. For my own
part, said Mr.. g., | disclaiIn any such platform. The
North does not yield in subscribing to these resolutions.
She merely expressed an opinion of her own an opini.
on which she verify believed before aud repeated now.
MIR. Calhoun took Mr.. Buchanan's remarks in high
dudgeon and replied velemently.
The debate, however, was brought TO a close between
four aud five o'clock; and The resolution was adopted,
ayes "a, nays .. Another resolution, Mr.. Calhoun last,
remains 10 be acted on.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THE ERGEANT.AT-ARMs AND THE BANK OF THE
METROPOLIS.
The Speaker laid before the House a letter addressed
TO him by Frederick Dorsey, Sergeant.at-Arms Of The
House Of representatives,, stating that, in receiving from
the Bank Of The Metropolis, in marked bags, mot having
time TO ascertain whether the contents correspondent with
their maIks.) on the 18th day Of October last, specie and
other moneys to pay checks in favor of members of this
House, amounting in the whole 10 S27 ,l55, he discover.
ed, on coming to pay it over 10 the members respective
ly, that there was a deficiency Of $4,000 in the amount
received; that he informed the officers Of the bank there.
Of as soon as lie was certain Of the fact, and requested
them to ascertain, by counting their special deposite for
this, whether they had not under.paid him by The amount
missing; that he was assured il should be done, but that,
Notwithstanding frequent applications, he had as yet re.
ceived no satisfactory reply; that he apprehends the bank
does not intend to do him justice, and he therefore places
the matter before the House, requesting it 10 take order
thereon. ron discovering the deficiency, Mr.. Dorsey
says further, he raised the money out of his private re-
sources, and paid off the members 10 the full amount, as
though no deficiency had occurred
Messrs. Johnson, Thomas, Jenifer and Pierce, Of Ma