Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1844-01-04
WASHINGTON NEWS.
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 1o43.
SENATE.

MT. Crltenden presented Inc resolutions oil
the Kentucky Legislature relative to the cul-
lure and manufacture of hemp for the uss OF the
United States
Mr.. Benton presented the memorial of rs
steamboat Captains, praying that canal may
be constructed on me Indiana side of the Ohio,
below Louisville
A communication from the War Department,
was received on The subjec, OF the leasing Of
the lead mines.
Mr. Bagby submitted resolution that the
Committee on pensions be instructed TO inquire
INTO The inexpsdIency of providing by law for
the payment OF tho pension agents; adopted.
Mr.. Allen presented several memorials for
the occupation of the Oregon Territory
Mr. hichison gave notice OF Bill 10 extend
the operation of lhe Prescription Law.
The Senate held brief Executive session,
aud adjourned over until Tuesday next.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Nolice given Of an intention to bring in
a Bill 10 continue The Cumberland Road
Mr. Bidlack desired TO call the attention Of
the House 10 notice in the New York Herald.
Words had been put into his mouth which he
had never uttered, and language had hsen al
tribuled 10 him which he had never spoken.
Mr.. G. J. lngersoll called upon Mr.. Hale, OF
n. H., and Mr. Giddings, Of Ohio, for explsna
lions. They were satisfactory 10 the member
demanding Them.
The Petition Of VIM Jones confined in pri-
son in the District Jail. and liable 10 be sold TO
pay The costs Of imprisonment, came up as the
unfinished business
Mr.. Saunders, of N. c., took grouad agsns,
the Petitioner.
Mr.. Giddtngs said Iha, seventeen wears since
John Randolph had moved similar petition,
and Mr.. Minor, of PENN had long ago done
The same thing. He had but followed he move
menl of the distinguished gentlemen 10 moving
a select Committee 10 aci upon the Petition he
had presented.
MIR. Campbell, of S c., said il was The bust
ness of the person of color 10 prove his freedom.
Mr.. Davis, of n. Y, spoke generally upon
The subject of Slavery. lie said he was 10
Abeiiionist.
Mr.. Saunders, of n c., with some excite
menI, rose in his seat and said, : it is not So
it Is not se." The gentleman himself is an
Aboitionis,
Mr.. Saunders was called TO order BY the
Speaker and members.
Mr.. Davis resumed, and said there was no
general sentiment in favor of Abolition in The
North; he said he believed ,ha, Slavery would
be abolished in the District and in the Terrific
ries in time. He believed the law referred TO
in the debate should be repealed, and tina, pub
lie sentiment demanded ii. MIR. Davis was
called 10 order for saying this, and soon took
his seat.
Mr.. HARRISON, of Geo, in,ina,ed that if gen.
llemen supposed ina, the South we've quiet
upon this subject, they were mistaken.
MIR. Stephens, IA new member from Georgia,
and very eloquenl one,) continued The discus
sion. He was for the reference of the memo.
rial 10 the Committee on the Judiciary with in
struclions 10 report what The law now in force
is, and whether amendments ought not TO be
made 10 the law.
Mr.. Adams said he could not help comparing
this incident with one hal occurred here In the
9th Congress. Mr.. White, OF La, then intro
duced bill regulating arrest on me.ne process
in this CITY. The bill was read first and sec
ond time, and The rules Of the House were sus-
pended 10 acI upon H. An efior, was made TO
defeat the bill, but IL was rejected and The bill
passed 35 10 35. The I1llI was passed in half
an hour after it had been introduced The oc-
cason of this precipitation gentlemen would re-
member Under The laws of this District Il
citizen OF Louisiana was in jail here, aud the
House were infamed by the laci. The citizen
imprisoned was freeman. He was a white
man, ii is true, and ihs! was the only difference
in The case.
Mr Adams said his mind had been painfully
called to the scene in lhe House al thai lime.
A freeman had now sent bis petition here sta
ting that he had been imprisoned forrso months,
and that he was now advertised TO be sold for
Jail fees. This man was citizen of Virginia,
and yer there was TO be 30 interest in his rights
or his freedom. Members were lold ihs, they
had no power 10 act upon this subject, HAT II
was judicial question, that II could 40, be con-
sidered. No such argument was heard during
The 9th Congress. A white clizen Of Louis
lana was imprisoned then A col0red cluzen
of Va, imprisoned now.
Mr.. Adams ardently hoped that after this ex-
hibition of the action Of former Congress and
House that this House would receive this peti-
lion, refer to Seieci Committee and repea! a