Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-03-01
Germ CoNGR Ess.. SECOND srssIc

printing 100000 for the removal of the Flordo
Indians was passed.
In the House, nothing OF general interest, soce
another speech by Mr.. Wise, "defning his pcs-
ton" Mr.. Jenifer of Md gave his friend (Wsel
friendly rap or two by way of advice. Messrs
Stanley, Vauderpocl, Graves and Pope took part
in the debate, which arose upon the civil and d.
plomatic appropriation bill.
Tuesday, Feb l6. In the Senate, Mr.. Tappan
supported the amendment including corporations
in the bankrupt bill, and argued that Congress
possesses ample power over the state Institutions
Messrs. Nicholson of Tenn. and Linn spoke
against the bill.
House Mr. Fillmore of NJ Y. moved to sus-
pend the rules for the purpose Of Introducing II
resolution, nstructjug the committee ON Military
Affairs to report bill for tho erection Of rorifica-
tons on the Northern, Northwestern and North
eastern ironters-agreed to, almost unanimously
and the resolution was adopted The discussion
of the civil aud diplomatic bill WINS continued by
MIR Mason of Ohio $4,000 was inserted for re-
pairs of the bridge between Washington and AT
exandria
HednesdaB Feb. II. In the Senate, the Vice
President presented n memorial from citizens of
the state OF N. York, which created some feeling.
The petition states that there are $50 American
citizens in Van Diemnrs land in state of servi
tude, treated as felons, punished convicts, sub.
Jected to the lash and compelled 10 labor mt unusu-
al hours. The memorial comes from the friends
of the sufferers in New York, who pray for the
interference of the government the forcible in
reference lit should be deemed necessary. Tho
citizens sent 10 Van Dicman's land were Amer-
cans CnDturpu in Cuun,iu nOL spt lnr m
punishment 10, their crimes.
Mr. Norvell said that any demand upon Eng
land, except pacific one, would fail of its inteud-
ed purpose. He wished the memorial might he
referred to the President of the United States, and
thought that some negotiation might be hroughs
about 10y which the sullerings of the Americans in
Van Demans land might be allevated.
Mr. Preston spoke also in reference to the me-
mortal. The subject he considered as one of the
first Importance. lie hoped the proposition would
not he entertained in any manner and the more 80
us Great Britain had been guilty of an interference
in our affairs. MIR. p. referred to the interference
Of the Government Of Great Britain in the lam.
lstad case, and said if the prayer now before the
Senate were to be connenanced then those who
had lnteriered with us might find an apology for
their interference.
Mr.. Preston commented upon The delicate ques-
tons between This government a. England. They
were uecomlng more aud more delicate and diff
cult, and new questions were every day springing
up. Great Britain had some reason to complain
of our people because of the state of things upon
the Northern and Northeastern Frontier for some
portions of the period since 1897.
Mr.. Preston concluded with expressing the o.
pnon that The petition should moi be countenan-
ce!. He therefore moved that it be laid on the
table. The motion was put and carried almost
without opposition.
The interference" to which Mr. Preston al
uded is this: On the 20th january last, the Brit
sh Minister, (Mr. Fox) wrote to the Secretary OF
State Mr. Forsyth) that he was instructed to rep
resent to him, afler stating the facts of the Amisad
case,) that by the treaty OF 1917 between Great
Britain and Spain, the latter agreed to prohibit
the slave trade within her territories and that in
1920 Spain did make legal enactments to this eff
fecr,-tberefore, the blacks on board the Amistad
were imported into Cuba, in violation of the laws
Of Spain, and are consequently freemon that by
the 10th article of the treaty of Ghenl, Great Br
tain and the United States mutually pledged them
selves TO prevent the slave trade: and finally that
the Amistad blacks now in the rower of the
IT, States, and if delivered 10 the Spanish authori-
ties, will probably be enslaved. The British min.
lister concludes by expressing n hope that thi.
government will take measures to secure the lib
eriy of the blacks. To this Mr. Forsyth replied, on
the LIST instant, that tie Spanish minister had made
formal demand of these negroes that the case
was now before the Judicial tribunals of the
country, and The Executive has neither the power
nor the disposition to interfere. Also, that the
Spanish minister did not admit the facts to exist
as claimed by Great Britain in this case, and that
the Amer lean government would with grant re-
luctance erect itself into tribunal TO investigate
this question between two friendly soveregns
Finally, il the negroes were delivered to the Span
ish minister, that he wouh! send them TO Cuba lol
trial by the Spanish authorizes; and {" it is there
that questions arising under the Spanish laws, and
the treaties of Spain with Great Britain, may be
appropriately discussed and decided and where
n full opportunity will be presented to the gov
ernment of her Majesty, the Queen of Great Brit
ain, TO appeal to the treaty spuations applicable
to this subject" As TO the last It of Mr.. For
syth's reply, we wish to put question: if JOIN
c. Calhoun were claimed as Spanish slave
would Mr. Forsyth deliver him TO the Spansl
minister, TO be sent to Cuha or Spain for trial o
the case, on the ground that there was the spo
to have the case appropriately discussed and de
cided"? We guess he wouldn't
Thursday, FEB. 49, Mr. Benton occupied tim,
in the Senate, with three hours speech on thu
bankrupt bill. He congratulated himselfwith tn,
assertion that all the banks in the country wer,
doomed to destruction. Mr.. Hubbard called up
resolution to go into the election of printer fo
The ne,o Senate. Mr. Huntington OF Conn. oppos
ed this resolution, aud warned the locoocos thu
If they now attempted to palm off upon the new
Senate printer unacceptable them, the election
would he utterly dsregarded.
The House spent the day on the civil and di
plomatc appropriation bill. Mr.. Stanley ofN C
took occasion TO show up his Southern locoioc,
neighbors in the House. Rhett and Shepard, unt
also replied to Mr.. Wise OH The subject of ,he Ia
riff Mr. Stanley advised the Southern member
to spend year Mt the North for The purpose o
having their prejudices removed.
" Id L..