The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1843-12-30

iourned, to do SO until Tuesday next.
The Senate held short Executive session,
and adjourned until Tuesday next
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Notice was given of a bill to continue the
Cumberland Road.
NEW YORK HERALD.
Mr.. BIDLACK complained Of misrepresenta-
tons OF his remarks in the above-lamed paper.
Mr.. c.. ]. INGERSOLL called upon ,Messrs.
Hale and Giddipgs for some explanations Of their
remarks yesterday, whichwere satisfactorily made.
SLAVERY.
The unfinished business of yesterday, was the
memorial of negro confined in Jail in this city,
presented by Mr.. Giddings
Mr.. SAUNDERS, of N. c., went into an ex-
animation of the law of the District on this SUBJ
iect and contended that if the individual confined
in prison was really free man, he could easily
prove this fact but Mr. s. suspected that the re-
verse was true, and this was the reason why
Congress was asked to interfere in his behalf.
Mr.. GIDDINGS said that seventeen years since
John Randolph presented similar memorial here,
and so did Mr.. Minor, Of Pennsylvania he, Mr..
G. had Only followed in the footsteps of these dis
tinguished men. The law under which this per-
son was confined was as old as the cession of the
District, and, for this reason alone, it ought to be
scrutinized. BY this law, man might be wan
tonly thrown into Jail, and afterwards sold to pay
the costs of his Imprisonment.
Mr. SAUNDERS said, not if he could prove
his freedom.
Mr. GIDDINGS said this was avoiding the
question; he would be sold unless he could pay the
Jail fees.
Mr. CAMPBELL, of s. c., spoke briefly, and
1o1 tbnt he ont mo from
Dellet, was correct in his view of this case, which
was, that it was purely judicial one, and be-
longed to the courts of the District.
81 Mr. DAVIS, of N. Y, made very queer sort
of speech He laid down the position that
there were more abolitionists at the South than
at the North, and he warned Southern men that
the North would not allow them to abolish slave
ry all at once--they must do it gradually and
slowly!
Mr. HARRISON, Of Ga, and Mr.. Boards
LEY. of N. Y, next addressed the House
Mr. A. H. STEPHENS, of Ga, regretted to
see so much zeal displayed by various members
on this trivial question he was sure, however
the interests of the South might be dragged into
this debate, they were far beyond the influence
of any action which the House might take upon
the petition under discussion. Let the petition
20 to the Committee on the Judiciary, and let them
inquire into the law and report, if it contain any
hardship and oppression, how it ought to be
amended. Ii the law was as the gentleman from
N. c. (Mr. Saunders) had represented it, then i
ought to be amended that gentleman was mis-
taken in supposing that the common law every.
where held on TO persons adjudged free until
they could scharge the costs OF their imprlson-
ment--such was not the case in Georgia, there,
the moment a man was pronounced tree, he was
Internationally discharged.
Mr.. KING, of Mass, next addressed the
House, and quoted Judge Cranchs opinions in
three cases.
Mr.. COBB of Ga, and Mr.. STETSON, Of
N. T., next spoke.
Mr.. A. v. BROWN moved the previous ques-
tion but afterwards withdrew it; and,
Mr. ADAMS addressed the House. Turning
to the Journal of the last Congress, Mr.. A. read
the proceeding on an occasion when Gov. White
came into the House in great excitement, and
communica ed his indignation to the other men,
bers, because one of his constituents was I'M
prisoned here upon mesne process. Under the
influence OF this excitement, in less than half an
hour bill was hurried through here, repeating
the law under which this white man was held
in Jail but now, when colored man has been
in Jail here for weeks, and perhaps months, and
is about to be sold for Jail fees, great wonder is
expressed that there should be any feeling ex-
hibited about it,
was followed by
Mr. MCCONNELL, who said the South was
able to take care of itself, and when the time
came that she would be obliged to do this, he
hoped to be general of brigade and employed
in taking Abolition scalps.
Under the operation of the previous question
this debate was brought 10 an end and the who {
subject was referred to the Committee on The
Judiciary.