The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-22
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEBATE In THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
MoNDAY DscEAmeR II 1919

OF Hayti, and the memorial having Ion account oil
its praying also for the abolition OF slavery within
the District of Columbia been laid upon the table
under the order recently made
Mr.. WISE rose 10 ask that the question Of reoep-
tioa be put in regard to this petition.
The CHAIR stated that 1t was too late, the me-
mortal having already been received and laid on the
table
Mr.. WISE said he had risen as soon as he heard
the contents OF the memorial.
After good deal Of colloquial explanation and
remonstrance with the Chair,
Mr.. WISE moved TO reconsider the order OF the
House by which SO much Of the memorial re-
erred to the establishment of International relations
with Hayti had been referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs.
The reading of the memorial having been called
for II was read accordingly.
Mr.. HOWARD Chairman OF the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, suggested TO Mr.. Wise that he
had better acquesce in the reference Of this part OF
the memorial 10 the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Il was not a new case. Several similar memorials
had been sent there last session, which had never
been reported on This would take similar course;
1t would never be heard Of again.
Mr.. WISE. regard II as neither more nor less
than wholesale amalgamation. The petition asks
that white Republic should amalgamate with a
black.
Mr.. GRENNELL said the paper proposed no
amalgamation, either wholesale OF retail II was
respectful petition from citizens of Massachusetts,
whose voice the country was bound to hear
The CHAIR said, as the memorial produced de-
bate, il would lie over, under rule OF the House
Mr.. REED of Massachusetts, presented another
memorial of similar tenor, and moved that so much
OF II as related TO relations with the Republic OF
Hayi be referred to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs. IT.
Mr.. WISE objected to the reception of the me-
mortal.
Mr.. ADAMS demanded the yeas and nays, which
Mr.. ADAMS inquired whether the question of
reception was debateable.
The CHAIR said it was.
Mr.. ADAMS. Then wish to assign some rea-
sons why the paper should be received. ! am not
prepared, at this time, 10 discuss that question in the
manner could desire, not having anticipated that
the question would be raised but -
Mr.. CRAIG here rose to order, and inquired
whether the reception of the memorial was CIV
ing rise TO debate 1t ought not under the rule, 10 lie
over?
The CHAIR said not. The reception of a me
mortal was one thing, its disposition when received
was another After il was received, II 1t occasioned
debate, il must lie over; but the question OF recep-
tion was detachable, and might now be debated.
MIR. ADAMS proceeded. ! will then assign my
reasons why The memorial ought to be received
And the first is because the matter prayed for is
proper subject of petition, and there is no substantial
reason against receiving the petition. Notwithstand-
ing all that has ranspired in this House for the last
four years in relation to petitions on slavery and KIN,
dred subjects there is still general principle well
established and which hope will survive, and i is
this that petitions are always TO be received unless
there are strong and cogent reasons against IT, Inc
right Of petition is which, until late period IN
our history has been held most sacred BY the people
of the United States. So sacred was il considered,
that, when the Constitution was formed and adopted,
without containing any special provision LOT the pre-
servation and protection OF that right, TINS righ Oh
petition Of the first that was secured IN The
amendments 10 that instrument, which were after
wards adopted by The States 1t would have been
sacred right If it had not been expressed either in the
amendments or in the original instrument; It would
still have existed in the people of the United States
1t is right which belongs to all nations whether
free or ensaved The most despotic governments
on earth do not deny it TO their subjects. The Sui
tan Of Turkey himself dare not refuse il to the hum
blest slave in his empire But the Constitution OF
the United States being formed on the principles OF
liberty, and having omitted (probaby for that very
reason, TO make any special provision on the sub
ect, amendment was, as have said called Tor by
the people of all the States, and, among one Of the
first items, is this There it stands. And when
Congress was for the first time organized under the
Constitution and adopted rules for its government
OF petitions 1t required that the very first act after
the organization OF the House should be the recep-
uon Of the petitions of the people And say II
objection is made to the receiving of any particular
petition, the reasons must be strong and cogent
against it. And | say, further, to my friend from
Virginia, that if he has no other reason against the
reception of this memorial than that 1t proposes
amalgamation, hope the House will say that that
is no reason at ALL even if the fact were So Why,
STANDARDIZATION Is there not enough Of ANAL
gamation in his own State 2 Let him go and look at
the color of part Of the people Of Virginia, and,
indeed, of all the Southern States and then come
here, if he can, and object to amalgamation Sir,
there are two kinds Of amalgamation There is one
kind which is sanctioned by the law, by which the
black and the white may be united in holy matrimo
n.y. Gas is well understood, believe, in both Houses
at this time) And there is another, which is not
sanctioned by the law. And it would be an inquiry
worthy Of the phosophic spirit Of this House, what
portion of that amalgamation which is common
in Virginia and the Southern States is licensed by
law, and what portion is unlicensed.
Here the CHAIR called Mr. ADAMS to ORDER as de-
parting from the subject of debate.
Mr.. ADAMS; The gentleman said this amounted
10 amalgamation. am answering that objection
and say that, if it did amount 10 amalgama,ion,
that is no reason why we should refuse to receive
the petition.
But what does the gentleman mean by saying that
to establish national intercourse between two ci-
vized nations, such as the Republic of the United
States and the Republic of Hayti, amounts TO ANAL
gamationa How much intercourse is there even
here, in this country with the black sovereign and
independent Governments of Africa? How many
slaves are every year imported directly or indirect
ly1 Whenever these are brought away, there is
a commercial intercourse with the sovereign States
of Africa, where slavery Is established by law and
the sale Of slaves is lawful act, and where you
have no right to go to inquire whether the act is le
gal or not 1t is indeed, true, that you have con-
stituted TO purchase of slaves piracy, though you
have denied that Congress has a right 10 prohibit
the very traffic between this District Of Colum-
bia and other parts OF the Union.
The CHAIR again called Mr.. Adams to order.
The question was on receiving memorial, and
these remarks were very wide from that subject.
Mr.. ADAMS Well sir; all the argument which
the gentleman from Virginia brought against the
reception Of this memorial was, that commercial in
ercourse with Hayli would amount to amalgama-
ton. I am answering that objection and l say,
first that if il did that is good reason against re-
ceiying The petition and say, second, that /, does
not While you have an actual commercial inter-
course with the States OF Africa, where slaves may
be openly bought and sold have you no power to es-
tablish national commercial relations with The Re
.,Lli4 &C Iaanii rrhare hey ma moi he Does the