Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-04-12
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS-EXCITE
MENT-VOTE OF CENSURE, AND RE-
SIGNATION OF A MEMBER.

We copy the following proceedings, from the
Washington correspondence of several of the New
York papers. A part of Mr.. Webster's letter on
the Creole case, to our Minister at England will
be found in another column. 1t will give those Of
our readers who not already acquainted with
the case, proper idea of the position taken by Mr.
Giddings, and also of the action of the House. Mr..
Giddngs is from the strongest Wing and abolition
district in the Union. -..f't. l..
tia ..,- g 81. ;...s WASHINGTON, March 81.
Mr. GfDDINGS, of Ohio, offered a series of re-
solutions the subject of the Creole, as follows:
Resolved, That prior to the adoption of the Fee
eera constitutions each of the several states compo-
sing this Union, exercised full and exclusive juris-
diction over the subject of slavery within its own
territory, and possessed full power to continue or
abolish it at pleasure.
Resolved, That by adopting the constitution no
part of the aforesaid powers were delegated to the
Federal Government, but were reserved by and
still pertain to each of the several states
Resolved, That by the Sth section of the Is: hr-
tice of the constitution, each OF the several states
surrendered to the federal government all Jurisdlc-
ton over the subjects of commerce and navigation
upon the high
Resolved, That slavery, being an abridgment of
the natural ghs of man, exist only by force OF
positive municipal law, and is necessarily confined
to the territorial jurisdiction of the power creating
II. .g
Resolved, That when a ship belonging to the CT
tizens of any of this Union, leaves the waters
and territory of such state, and enters upon the high
seas the persons board cease to be subject to the
slave laws of such state and henceforth are govern
ed in their relations each other by and are anne
nablc to, the laws of the United States.
Resolved, That when the brig Creole, on her
late passage for New Orleans, left the terrtorlaju
risdicton of Virginia, the slave laws OF such state
ceased to have jurisdiction the persons on board
said brig, and such persons became amenable only
to the laws of the United States.
Resolved, That the persons on board said brig,
in rcsumlng their natural rights OF personal liberty,
violated no law of the United States, incurred no
legal penalty and Justly liable to no punishment
Resolved, That all attempts to regain possession
of or to re-enslave said persons unauthorized by
the constitution laws of the United States, and
are incompatible with national honor.
Resolved, That all attempts to exert our national
influence in favor of the coastwIse slave trade, to
place this nation in the atti ude of maintaining
commerce in human beings, are subverslve OF the
rights and injurious to the feelings and the interests
of the free states, unauthorized by the consntu-
ton, and preudicial to national character.
Mr.. Ward, of n. Y, rose in great excitement.
Was it not possible, in some way other to check
this outrageous Here he was interrupted,
and he sat down, having moved the previous ques-
ton on the resolutions The excitement was very
great many members endcavored to obtain the floor.
At last, somebody moved to lay the resolutions
the table. But several Southern members were de-
sirous of voting at on them, and so resisted
the motion to lay on the table. This motion
thus decided; yeas 50, nays l24. So the resolu-
tons were not laid on the table.
After some further excitement and confusion, the
main question was ordered to be put, by vote of
l22, to g. .-..
Several members wished to be excused from vo
ting, but were refused, and the question recurring
on the passage of the resolutions, when MIR. Gid
dings withdrew his resolutions, intending to offer
them again hereafter.
Mr. Bolts, of Virginia, drew up the following pre-
amble and resolution, which were offered by Mr..
Weller of Ohio:
Whereas, the Hon. Joshua r. Giddings, the
member from the 18th Congressional district OF the
state of Ohio has this day presented to this House
a series of resolutions touching the most important
interest connected with large portion of the Union,
now subject of negotiation between the United
States and Great Britain, of the most delicate ma
turc the result of which may eventually involve
those nations and perhaps the whole civilized world
in war; and whereas, the duty OF every good citizen,
and particularly the duty OF every selected agent
and representative of the people should dlscounte-
nance all efforts to create excitement dssatlstac-
States at such time and under such circumstances,
which is the only effect to be accomplished by the
introduction of sentiments before the Legislative bo-
DIV of the country, hostile to the grounds assumed
by the high functionary having charge OF this Inn
porant and delicate trust; and whereas, muny
and murder are therein justified and approved IN
terms shocking all sense OF law, order and huma-
nifty; therefore,
Resolved, That this House hold the conduct of
the said member as altogether unwarranted and I'M
warranable, and deserving the severe condcmna-
ton of the people of this country, and OF this body
in particular.
The previous question was moved on the resolu-
ton.
Mr. Giddings asked the chair whether, even if
the previous question was ordered, he would not
have the right to speak in his own defence.
The Chair decided that such would be his privl-
lege.
From this decision an appeal was called for, and
pending the appeal an adjournment was had
MARCH %.
The first question before the house was the APP
peal from the decision of the chair when the deci-
sion of the chair was reversed, yeas, 1lS, nays a.
The question was then the adoption of the pre-
amble and resolution, and after some delay, they
,ccre adopted the former by yeas 49, nays So: the
latter by yeas 125, nays 60.
AT this stage of the proceeding Mr.. Giddings left
his seat picked up his hat, and shaking hands with
his friends, left the house.
He has resigned to appeal to his constituents.
A correspondent ofthe Milwaukee Courier writes
from Washington, follows:
''If the promises of members of Congress are to
be depended upon, the prospect of obtaining
thing in the way of appropriations or our harbors
may be said to be pretty lair. But all who have OBJ
served the proceedings of Congress, and have look