The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-03-02
G ON II Il $ s.
In SENATE, Wednesday, Feb 6.
The bill for the armed occupation of Florida dis


BY Mr. Prentlss: From number OF male citizens OF
Windham, in Vermont; and also the petition Of
Der of females of the town. praying for the aboi-
ton of slavery and the savetrade in the District of Co
umbia the prohibition of the savetrade among the states,
and that state be admitted into the Union whose
Constitution tolerates slavery
Motion to receive ordered to lay on the table.
Mr. Morris said he had severel petitions of the
ure which he had been receiving from time to time,
he had oreborne present them because he was I'M
willing take up the time Of the Senate at period ike
the present, when every moment was valuable lie de-
sired however to place himself in proper position before
his constituents and before the world The manner in
which these petitions treated, amounted, in fact to
rejection lie had drafted Sreamble and several resolu
tons explanatory of his views the subject which he
did not ask to have then considered but Ire wished them
printed and laid the table for the further consideration
of the Senators.
Mr.. NJ. then read in effect the following:
The right and privilege of petition is existing prnc-
pie, established by the laws of nature in all animate be-
ings which made capable to feel suffer, and is de-
signed to be exercised not for opposition and resistance
for relief only and this right when the people peaceaby
exercise it for relief or favor from the government is pla
ced in the Constitution of the United States, and above
the power of Legislative bodes who cannot controvert the
time when the the matter in and upon which
the people shall petition. But recent events in Congress
in their proceedings this important subject have
dered doubtful in many minds how far that body consd
the people usiable and ought to be heard in the
ercse of their rights and especially the subject
of slavery, the savetradc and the abolition of slavery
And undonbted truth that all subjects
which legislative bodies act petitions may be present.
ed; and it equally clear that every intelligent human
being who is subject to this action ought to enjoy the
right Of its fullest extent:
Resolved, therefore, That people of the United
States certain portions of them, claim have inal
enabe right of petition Congress to abolish slavery in the
District of Columbia to suppress the slave trade therein
and between the different states and territories between
them and the Republic of Texas, and against the admis
sion Of any state into the Union whose constitution
in frpn mani
they exercise this right any other subject it is
therefore expedent that all petitions the aforesaid sub
ecs any of Them presented to Congress by any por
ton of the people of the United Sate be referred to the
committee the judiciary, which committee instructed
to enquire and report 10 the Senate their opinion the
following points:
lst Whether the people of the United States have the
right to petition any of the subjects mentioned
I'd Whether Congress abolish slavery in the Dis
trict of Columbia
Sd. Whether Congress have the power 10 abolish slave
ry in the Territories
4h. Whether Congress have the power create intro
duce OF establish slavery any territory acquired by the
United States i'll which slavery did exist the time
was acquired.
9Th Whether Congress has the power right to
train abrdge Of the constitutional rights of the cit
zens because the exercise of such right may tend TO call
in question the justice and policy of slavery, to weat en-
abolish that system in any of the States
9th. Whether Congress cam directly or indirectly,
stuionay restrain abridge the freedom Of speech
of the PRESS the right of petition.
T. Whether Congress has power to provide for the pro-
lection of the persons and property of the citizens of
State from violence and injury being done such citizens
when in another state; but also protect the citizens Of
any state, who think proper, within their state, TO
speak, wrte print, and publish their opinions against the
moral political, religious institutions of another state
from trial and punishment in the state whose institutions
such speaking, writing printing, and publishing de-
signed TO effect
8. Whether Congress has the power to declare what
shall shall not be made property by any Of the
8. Whether Congress has the power to authorize the
sale of slaves property discharge judgment in favor
of the United States.
10. Whether removal of the seat of Government in
to state in which slavery does not exist would not be
pedient, consistent with sound policy, and promote the
quiet and safety of the country
Resolved further, That Congress has no power over
the persons of slaves property in state the sub
ect OF slavery therein recession of the District of CO.
lumbia to the states of Virginia and Maryland ought to be
made to prevent the exercise Of such power in the ten
miles square,
Resolved further, That it belongs exclusively to the
states of this Union to provide that person who may be
held to service labor state, under the laws there
Of and who shall escape into another sae shall be delv
cred such state to the party whom such service
may be due, aud that the states parties the compact
of Union, in good faith bound make such provision
Resolved further, That Congress has the power to
authorize permit person to take into hold prop
ery in any stae that which the constitution and laws Of
such state declare shall be held property therein
several states in the enjoyment Of all privileges and mmu
mites that citizens of the state entitled to, and to none
other.
Resolved, further, That it would be expediont and prop
for Congress ascertain the number of slaves in the
District of Columbia the extent of the avetrade carried
within and from the District; whether such slaves
purchased in the District brought within the from
the states for exportaon and how many have heen taken
from the District within the last years, for SALE and
to what market they were taen, whether within with
out the United States.
Mr. Hubbard totally opposed to the consideration of
any such resolutions touching the subject in any
in that body Resolutions Of ciatory character
had been introduced in the other branch by representa-
tive from his state New Hampshre,) yet individ-
ua had been abused than he had been though Mr. III
pursuaded that he had uttered the sentiment Of nine
enths of the people of the AS long he had hcen
in the Senate, he had made it a of policy as
well duty to let the matter alone: give it counte-
nance whatever in the Senate
Mr. Clay, of Alabama, rose to mate question Of order
the reception.
The Chair understood to say that the rule i'm
pcrave that the Senator had undoubtei right pre-
sent, and lay the table for considerations any resolution
and when it up, matter of course, the Senate
might act as it should deem fit.
Mr.. Clay, of Alabama, would as':-Suppose Senator
presented libelous matter, did the Chair contend that il
might not be rejected on the spot?
The Chair said the right undoubcd under the rule
If the. rule was wrong the Chair not to blame.
Mr.. Foster asked if he TO be understood tia. the
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