The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-19
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, E.H
MONDAY, June IA, 1841.
Mr.. LEWIS WILLIAMS asked leave to introduce
resolution relative 10 the hour meeting ofthe House
Objected to.
Mr.. TORRANCE asked leave to make motion
to reconsider the vote of Saturday. which was to re-
consider the vote by which the report of the Select
Committee on the rules, was adopted. This was de-
cided out CT order. "A
The business before the House being the motion to
reconsider the by which the rules Of last House
adopted except the 2lst rule, and Mr.. Wise be-
ing entitled to the floor
Mr.. WISE resumed his remarks from Friday. He
promised the House that he did rise to nfict on it
more matter than was necessary to full investigation
of this subject.
He had laid down the general proposition That
classes of relations fslavery One, the do
nestle relations which the Constitution Of the nited
States found existing and which the Constitution
cognized The second: The Federal relation which
the Constitution did not find existing but which it
created.
The domestic relation, embraced slavery in the
States in the District of Columbia, and in the Terri
tories.
The Federal relation embraced the inter State re-
latons and also the relations between the States and
Territories and District and Terrtores-the right in
fransitu.
With the first relation, all protested to admit,
that Government has nothing to do With the second
class-the Federal class all alike admit the General
Government hasssomething to DO All those relations
which the Constitution of the United States did not
create, ale domestic. And only those are Federal,
which the Constitution did create. Slavery in the
Dis riot of Columbia was not created by the Consti.
tuition, and consequently with this, Government had
nothing to do.
He then proceeded to the examination of the Adolf
ton Societies. with reference to the Federal and do
mestic relations. The Abotoniss first seized sa-
very in the District Of Columbia, embraced within
the Federal relation. Secondly: They seized on the
slave trade, within the Federal relaton-neither of
them within this relation. Thirdly, by rudely med
ding with the admitted Federal relations they hopedto
destroy all slavery within the States
What had they done in the non slaveholding States
the country that had ofed tainted portion of the
South with nuliifcation2 What had they done 3
They had directly attacked that part of the Copstu
ton of the U. States which provides for the return Of
fugitive slaves, OVERLAPPING the laws of the Union in
granting the slave the right of trial by jury; and there
might be abolition sheriff, abolition jury, and
black witnesses. How would the case then be deci-
ded2 Was not this practical notification .
Again. in the case of fugitive slaves. lie referred
on board vessel for Boston, and when found, was
| cured, and returned to Newborn. The mate of the
vessel was arreesed, and held to bail in the Of
5000, on the charge Of kidnapping, for returning
according 70 lax Sg, .s slave
before the grand jury of Boston, who refused to find
| a bill.
Mr.. WISE was very glad to hear this. He had a
great respect for the people of Boston But what
would abolitionists have done in this case2
The abotonists attacked them the South) through
point of the Constitution which provided That sav e,
fleeing from slavery should be returned to his MASTER
but they were brought voluntarily by their masters
within the non slavehoding States then they were as
sumed by abolitionists to be ipso taeto free The
South were attacked by the right of representation
on this floor. He then examined several standing
committees of the House, to whom subjects Of this
character referrabe, showing ma ority in most
of them of Northern members
The object of the abolitionists was not now abo
lish slavery in the District of Columbia-bu by agi-
tatng this subject to correct public sentiment in the
slave States.
He referred to the opinions of the gentleman from
Massachusetts, (Mr. Adams,) and in opposition. The
danger to Southern slavery now, was not immediate
abolition in the District of Columbia-but the imme
date object of aboltoniss and of the gentleman from
Massachusetts,, was to agitae this question, and thus
correct public sentiment; and now the question was
what ought Congress TO take to prevent its ag
| tation2 That was involved in the question on the
| adoption of the 2lst rule
He examined, in detail the Journal Of the House of
of 1885, 81 and 49, showing the history of the ex-
element the subject of slavery and the discussion
that tel minated in the adoption Of the 2lst rule The
subject Of abolition petitions had been fully discussed
and examined. The question now was, whether they
would reconsider the vote, by which the rules We're
adopted except the Dist, and restore that, whether
they would throw open the doors to everlasting dis
| cusson, which could possibly effect no good.
He gave way for explanation to Messrs. Weller,
Cushing Giddings and Underwood, and concluded
having occupied the time of the House FIVE hours and
a half.
Mr.. Bolts next gained the floor for which seve-
raj rose at the same moment.
He had no idea of discussing this question. He
had too much regard to duty to his constituents and
his country; and the question had been discussed
at full length by those whose opinions were like his,
he should not be found fault with for demanding the
previous question.
Mr.. RAYNER rose and asked Mr.. B., as a matter
of personal favor withdraw the call for the previous
question, to enable him to make few remarks pledg-
ing himself then to renew the call.
Mr.. Bolts said he was not ihsensible to what
due to courtesy and cvllity to his friends-nor
also what due to his constituents and the coun-
try. He could not indulge this discussion. He de-
handed the previous question: and could not withdraw
it for any member or members in this House
The vote on seconding the question was about be-
ing taken, when
Mr.. STANLY moved a call of the House
This was taken by yeas and nays at the call OF
LEWIS WILLIAMS, and carred-Yeas lO4, nays
49,
Thus, call of the House was ordered and the
Clerk proceeded to the call after which the list OF alb
| sentees and there appeared 204 members present.
On motion of MI. STANLY, further proceedings
| in the call were dispensed with.
The question on according the call for the previous
question taken by teers at the call of Mr. CAVE
JOHNSON, and carried: Affirmative 100, negative
| 95
Mr.. McKEON called the yeas and nays on the pre-
vous question, which ordered and the question
demanded by the House: Yeas ia, nays93
The question being the main question, was taken
| by yeas and nays at the call of Mr. WELLER, and
| carried Yeas LOG, nays l04
Thus the House agreed to rescind the vote on the
resolution by which the rules Of the last House. except
| the 2lst were adopted
Mr.. RAYNER moved a substitute, providing that
the rules of the last House be adopted and that
the House shall not consider any subjects, except
those especially referred to in the Presidents Message
and that all petitions and memorials other subjects
shall be laid the table, without reference or con'i-
| deraton.