Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-16


eommends Congress violation Of the constitutional rights
Of the Southern States Of the confedeacy in the form OF the
Wmot poviso to which the Nicholson letter was opposed
Does the Senator from New Hampshire know that the
Nicholson letter declared that Congress had no right to egis
late the subject of slavery in the territories of the Union
asserted that such legislation beyond the jurisdiction Of
the Federal Government and could not but result in the DIS
,ouon of the confederacy Surely the Senator from New
Hampshire perceive that he has done serious injustice
both the distinguished author Of the Nicholson letter and
his supporters.
Mr.. President look upon this movement of de-
cdedy serious character II has originated with two OF the
Oldest and most distinguished members OF the Senate gen.
cmen OF great weight OF character and extended influence
II involves subject of the highest importance TO the republic
and one which has excited the most intense interest through
limits have deemed becoming therefore, to meet
with all proper gravity, and in language at the same time
earnest and explicit to declare the views which entertain
concerning the document under consideration and 10
hint have done, the circumstances under which it
probably originated glad that the yeas and nays have
been called for and shall not hesitate in recording vote
against the printing of paper which before at
time so unreasonable, and in manner suspicious.
Mr.. BERRIEN inquire whether the yeas and nays
had been ordered on the original motion.
The VICE PRESIDENT. They have not been ordered.
Mr. BERRIEN. Has the amendment been withdrawn I
Mr.. RUSk. The gentleman from New Hampshire, I'M
derstand, wishes to withdraw his amendment
Mr.. HALE. As find, consultation with the Senator
from Texas that my motion TO amend might lead to discus
sion involving preudgment Of the question of the boundary
of Texas WILL with the consent Of the Senate, withdraw it.
There will apprenend be ample opportunity for the discus
sion of this question when it shall up regularly.
The VICE PRESIDENT. The question is printing
the memorial. The yeas and nays have been called for.
The yeas and nays were then ordered.
Mr. CALHOUN. | shall certainly oppose this motion.
entirely with the views taken by the Senator from
Mississippi and the Senator from Florida, that this whole
affair an imposition. We have evidence going show
that the paper any thing but the petition of those persons
whose attached TO it. 1t is hardly probable that
in any convention, part of the members would sign their
moria whilst others would not Under this belief do not
think should be taken the petition Of the people of New
Mexico and therefore give my vote to print the
paper.
The question the motion print now taken by yeas
and nays follows
YEAS-Messrs. Allen Atchison, Atherton Badger, Bald
Clayten Corwin DAYTON, Dickinson, Dix, Dodge Douglas,
Felch Fitzgerald, Hale Hamn, Johnson, Of Maryland,
Johnson, of Louisiana Metcae Miller, Niles Pearce, Spru
ance, Sturgeon, Underwood Upham, and Walker-SS.
NAYS-Messrs Berrien, Borland, Calhoun, Davis, Of
Mississippi Downs Fitzpatrick, Foote, Houston, Hunter,
King, Rusk, Turney, Westeot and Yuee-l4
So the order print agreed and then the memorial
was referred to the Committee on Territories.
CALIFORNIA.
Mr. DOUGLAS sent the Chair the following, which he
intends propose at the proper time amendment to the
bill admitting California into the Union State which
was ordered to be printed:
Sec s. ind be further enacted, That the district judges,
attorneys and marsas herein provided be appointed
election districts, for the election Of seventy five dele
gates convention form constitution for the said State
OF California and apporon the number OF delegates to said
districts according the number Of each according
TO the best information they be able to obtain to pre-
scribe the time and place of holding the elections and to de-
sgnae the persons who shall conduct the and also
prescribe the time and place for the assembling OF said
yention.
Sec g. Ind be il further enacted That ali citizens of the
United States resident within the limits of said Territory,
including all Mexican citizens who have become citizens OF
the United States under the eighth article Of the treaty refer
red to in the first section OF this act shall be entitled to vote
said election of delegates TO the constitutional convention
ouide That person shall said election except
white male inhabitants who shall have attained the age OF
years.
Mr. BUTLER suggested that the Committee on Terrific
es the proper committee which this subject should
be referred The Senator from Illinois proposed to bring in
California State, and hence according 10 usage OF the
body, should go the Committee the Judiciary He
influenced by personal considerations in making this
suggestion, inasmuch he member Of both commit
tees, bnt BY of proprety
Mr.. DOUGLAS briefly replied that in other of like
character such bills had been referred to the Committee
Territories and hence he had given this the same direction,
but he was lot tenacious on the subject.
CLAIM OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.
Mr. KING in pursuance Of notice heretofore given, asked
and obtained leave introduce bill for the payment of in
on money advanced the Government by the State Of
Alabama during the Creek hostiies in the years 1886
and 1897 which read twice. considered Commit
tee of the Whole and reported back without amendment
sage of the bill, and after few words from Mr. CAMERON
and Mr. PEARCE, the bill ordered TO third reading
and was read a third time and passed.
MEMORIAL.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Maryland, asked leave to withdraw
from the files Of the Senate the memorial Of John s. Skim
ner, and that il be referred to a special committee.
Mr. BREESE objected to raising special committee while
there standing committee which this memorial could
CO. He suggested that the appropriate committee to which
it should be referred tie Committee Agriculture.
Mr.. JOHNSON requested the Secretary give him the
date OF its reference at the last session.
The SxcnLTARr replied that il referred the lh Of
April.
Mr.. JOHNSON continued II was referred on the 18th
Of April to the committee which the Senator from Illinois de-
sired now be sent, and report made during the
whole session. II that committee would say that they should
be able report upon it, he had not the slightest objection to
send it hack to them
Mr. STURGEON briefly explained, and expressed his
in the suggestion that it should go to special COM
mttee.
Mr.. DAYTON spoke in opposition to the proposition to
refer special committee, and maintained hasn should go
to the appropriate comnieehe Committee Agriculture.
Mr.. YULEE demanded the yeas and nays, which were
ordered and, being taken, appeared as follows;
YEAS-Messrs. Badger, Baldwin, Berrien, Cameron
Clarke Cayon Corwn, Davis, Of Massachusetts, Houston,
Johnson Maryland Johnson of Louisiana Miller Pearce
Rusk Spruance, Sturgeon, Turney, Upbam, Walker, and
Westcott 81.
NAYS-Mesws. Allen Atchson Athertoa. Borland Brad
bury Butler Calhoun, Davis OF Mississippi Dayton, Dickin-
son. Dix Dodge, Downs, Felch F6ote, hamlin, Hunter
King Miles, Underwood, and fulee-2l.
So the motion for select committee agreed to, and