Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-02-14
CONGRESS.
THURSDAY, Feb. Z.
IN SEN1Tr


The Senate Chamber Vas ,hronged ,hi.
TO hear an expected speech from
Mr. Clay upon the subject Of abolition.
Mr.. Clay, alter a few reports were pre-
sented. presented q memorisl from two or
three hundred citizens OF this District up
Oh the subject of the abolition vi slavery
in the District OF Columbia
The petition prays that Congress will
pay no regard TO the abolition memorials.
sent 10 this District from the North. II
also acts forth certain reasons, showing
why the a5oli:ionis,s have no right 10 in
terirrc.
Mr.. Clay spoke Tor an hour upon the
subject al slavery, abolition. sc. sc.
Ills speech is one Of the best he ever
delivered and viii agfeeabl, a.,oni,h The
whole South ard the thinking portion OF
the couniTy.
|, produced so great an effect in the
senate Chamber. that Immediately after
Mr. Clay had concluded his rcmarss. and
few woids had been spoken by Mr.. Cal.
houn the Senate Adjourned. 1, was in.
possible To- do business, so grca, was the
excl'emen; aad clIec, produced.
Mr.. Calhoun complimenied Mr. Claw
speech. sold IL was n triumph 10 the
SOuth-would DO great good, sc. sc. -
II satisfied him altogether. and was the
true States Right doctrine.
The nofning business was unimpor,.
ant.
house or REPRESENTATIVES,.
Ater tie Journal had been read
MIR Johnson of Maryland. from the Se-
lcct committee. 10 hom had been refer
re- the various resolutions relating TO the
PUBLIC LANDS.
On leave, reported the following rcselu-
tons, viz:
Resoired. Tha, the Committee rcpor, to
the House. and ask leave 10 be discharged
iSon the further Consideration oi the sub
jec; matters referred 10 ,hcm, and iha, the
Jouinai OF the Committee be reported aud
printed.
Re- oirei (uTiier, That the Committee
deem II inrxpeoicut 10 take further steps
on the subject Of the public land, hi,
session.
Mr.. Robertson moved 10 recommit the
report 10 the same Committee, with in
sirueiions 10 strike out ali after the word
Resolved. aud repor. tie follow ing Joint
resolution, VIZ:
That hereafter The Secretary Of the
Treasury shall cause separate accounts TO
be kept OF all money paid into the Urea.
snry on account OF sales of the public
lands. 10 be disposed of in the manner
herein provided, unless BY law specially
directed, viz: lie shall on the first dsy
OF July succeeding the mex, census, aud
thereafter semi annually on the first day
of July and January IN every year, diviae
all the said money then IN the Treasury
among the several States of the Union in
the ratio o: their federal numbers. Pro.
riIed. nevertheless, that nothing herein
contained shall be construed To prohibi,
The appropriation of The proceeds OF the
public lands, or such portion thereof as
may be requisite To meet the necessary
expenses OF Government for any'year 10
which The receipts from customs and other
sources OF revenue shall be estimated 10
fall below - millions of dollars, and
when IT shall he deemed proper on that
account 10 apply the said proceeds to spc.
cai appropriation, to supply the deficicu-
cy aud meet these expenditures.
Preri(sd also, That IN the event Of a
war bet~eea the United States and any
foreign power, the said Semi annual diyi.
sions shall cease. and be suspended dur.
ing The continuance OF such war. Pro.
r'ded TOre-reT. That nothing herein con.
tanned shall be Construed 10 impair the
right aad obligation Of Congress. whenev.
or IT sholl satisfactorily appear that une
quail benefits from the use of the Dubl;c
lands or the proceeds thereof. have been
heretofore. or shall be beresiie conferred
ON particular States, TO extend so far az
practicable 20 each anu al the States I'M
their due aud just proportion. which NAV
require, or be willing 10 accept them. ST.
n'!ar benefits upon The same or equiva-
lent terms.
After some remarks from Mr.. Robert.
son IN support Of his motion. Mr.. Dunn
moved 20 amend by adding after the LIST
proviso FIRST paying 20 the States in which
such lands are situate I2I per cent. Of
the proceeds Of the public lanGs. sold
within such States respectively"
The hour having expired, the House
on motion Of Nr. Canbreleng, passed to
The order OF the day.
SATURDAY. Feb. 8.
~ SE.NlTE.
Mr.. Wall from the judiciary Commit.
tee, made two reports. the ono for m.
pointing a Board Of Claims and the other
"a answer 20 the petition oi America Yes.
Pucci praying the rights of citizenship.
The Committee say that Congress has no
power to grant The rights Of cl'izenship.
except by al alteration of the Constitu.
ii1n Of The United States ---this Govern
meni being aGovernment Of limited pow
er.
The Committee further ask 10 BE- dir.
charged from thu further consideration Of
'his subject The request was granted
and the subject Of the PETITION disposed Of
80 far o. regards the rights of eiiizenship
Mr.. Morris anii.dsvery resolution,
were laid upon the table =. TO 20.