New-York daily tribune., 1844-01-22
VOE. EEE. NO. 9A5.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

|
]. BROWN of Pa. offered a resolution granting the
use Of the Hall for colonization meeting this
evening.
Mr. BLACK of Ga. objected furiously, saying
that they were as bad as Abortionists. After a
delay fer want of a quorum, the rules were sus-
pended-Yeas 129, Nays AZ. and the resolution
was received and adopted.
Mr.. PATERsoN's resolution calling on the Post
master General as to the number ordrop and free
letters, the mail matter transmitted through other
channels, Sc, again came up. Mr.. HoPKISs
Chairman Of the Post Office Committee cxhib-
ted the Postmaster Generals circular to the
Deputy Posmasters in October. and the docu-
ment of facts recorded in reply (Which was to be
laid before the Senate in answer 70 its ca) and
opposed the resolution as entirely unnecessary
| Mr.. Paterson then modified the resolution to call
for a synopsis of this document: and the report,
as giving rise to debate, was laid over.
The report of the Select Committee on the
rules Of the House again came up. Mr.. CoBE Of
Ga. concluded his speech in favor of the DIST
rule, and intended principally to influence North
ern Locos, who have heretofore gone with the
| South for the rule. If IN order TO relieve them
selves from the false issue that had been raised
about the right of petition, they now abandoned
the rule and adopted one receiving the petitions
and LAYING them on the table, they would be told
by the Aboltionsts that that was not sufficient,
and would be forced step by step to allow the
reading reference, report, discussion and acton
on these in the same manner as other petitions.
| One extreme or the other must be taken there
was no neutral ground. He urged them, unpre
pared as they were, to take the other extreme, to
reconsider their decision and resume and mann
tain their former position in support OF the rule
Mr. HUDSON, with his usual palnncss and CO.
oency OF reasoning, opposed the list rnc, con
tending in reply TO Mr.. RHETT and others that 1t
was a violation OF the constitutional right OF pc
tition The gentleman in a pamphlet TO the peo-
pie had complained that the freedom OF speech
had been annhilated by the hour rule, while he
maintained that the right Of petition (Which was
guaranteed BY the same clause and IN tho same
terms of the Constitution was fulfilled by brief
statement of the contents and then the refusal to
receive the petition The right Of petition IN
volved the reception reference, consideration, and
action, and was not satisfied (as held by Mr..
| DEARpsLEyl by mere reception and then laying
on the table.
| Mr.. BEARDsLEy found it necessary again to
explain his position. Hc held not that the mcrc
reception and laying on the table was all that was
required by the right Of petition: the petitions
should be considered; if the House had fully
made up their minds, they might laythem on the
| table; and it was as truly consideration of them
as if they occupied months in discussion.
Mr.. HUDSON claimed for these petitions the
same course of treatment as for others. lie
contcndcd for exclusive lcgisation''-for all
legislative powers--for the full and unqualified
power of Congress over Slavery in the District.
He referred to the acts Of almost all the State
Legislatures and to some of their Constitutions
certain of the latter d. e. that Of Mis.) contain
ing provision against the abolition of Slavery
by It's Legislatures thus acknowledging directly
Slavery to be legitimate subject for legislation;
to the amendment to the Constitution proposed
by Va few years ago, to restrain Congress
from abolishng Slavery here, except by the con-
sent of Md. and Va; to the debates in the Va
Convention which adopted the Constitution, it
being opposed on this very ground by Patrick
Henry and others, and urged on the same ground
bv Madison there and ia the Fedcrast; to the
abolition Of the Slave Trade by Congress in
lSOS; to the concordant opinions OF all Amerl-
can Statesmen, sc. SC, to show that Slavery
was IA legitimate subject of legislation and this
BEING proved, it followed tha; Congress had pow
cr 10 abolish it or not as they chose in the Dis
trct and IN the territories. lie pretended not
that they had any thing to do with 1t IN the
States. lie referred to the deeds of ceSslon, IN
which, Notwithstanding the ott-ropeated contrary
declaration. there were no tcnutations on the sub
ect of Slavery; and replied to the question
whether Va and Md. wonli have made the ccs-
sion. had they supposed Slavery would have been
abolished, saving that they made the ccsslon with
their eyes open, that with limitations IN the
deeds, the District could not have been consti-
tutionalv received; that they were moving
towards its abolition III their own boundaries,
and probably anticipated 1t here, &c. nc. Be
fore he concluded. the morning hour expired, and
the subject went over.
Several communications were LAID before the
| House among which was one from the President
IN answer 10 a recent cali for correspondence, NC.
with reference to the \ North Western boundary
line. stating that from time to time Ut has been
laid before them, except for the last lew months.
| which on account OF the expected arrival OF 'tn
ambassador on shat subject. he deems lheXpedl-
ent 10 communicate nov; also, from the iopo-
| graphical Bureau, a report o the survey OF Inc
| Hudson above and below Albany
Mr. ts,lMER asked leave to introduce his hlll
to provide for the public printing and 10 separate
the patronage OF the Government from the pub
lie press. Objected by Mr. REn1NG,
The subject of the Western waters was further
discussed IN Committee OF the Whole on the
Union,-a resolution TO terminate the debate on
Saturday at O'clock, having been adopted
By. Mr.. STEWART of Pa, launching out some
what into the subject of the Tariff, Politics, sc
until adjournment.
In SENATE, the report from the Post Master
| General (alludcd to above was received.
After presentation of petitions and some pr-
vate business the subject of Mr.. McDuFFlE's
Tariff bill with Mr.. EvANs's Chairman oil inc
Finance Committed report thereon adverse to
the constitutonalitv of its originating IN the Sc