Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-04-21
Congressional Proceedings.


rial, numerously signed, praying Congress TO
legisate in favor Of the doctrines Of the Wilmot
Proviso, which he moved be referred to the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations, which he advocat-
ed BY some remarks. He also presented a me-
mortal in favor of the United States prohibiting
the establishment of n Monarchy and Slavery
on this continent, which was referred 10 the
Committee on Foreign Relations
The Committee on Public Printing was in
structed to consider the expedcncy OF repeating
the joint resolutions requiring the public print
ing to be given out by contract to the lowest
bidder.
The bill providing for the settlement of Cali.
fornia claims was taken up, and Mr. Benton
spoke at great length in favor of its passage
He gave an interesting history of the events in
california, since the commencement of our eff
forts for its conquest
The bill was then laid aside for the day, Mr.
Dayton of N. J. having the floor to speak upon
1t when it is next taken up.
In obedience to call of the Senate, the
President communicated the number of troops
that had been sent to Mexico the number of
them killed and wounded, and the number who
had died from disease, &c.
After some time spent in Executive session,
the Senate adjourned
In the HOUSE, the resolutions from the
Senate congratulating The French on the sue
cess Of their revolution and the establishment of
Republic were taken up and finally passed,
ia to (Root of Ohio and Cranston of X. ~
Before their passage Mr. Ashmun addressed
the House, and gave his reasons for having of
fered an amendment to Mr. Cummins rcsolu-
tons, which, he said, was because they were
sprung upon the House. He considered that
the latter, from the Senate, were entitled to more
consideration He also discussed the slavery
question in connection with the resolutions, and
replied to the speech of Mr. Bayly of Va. on
former occasion, and continued to speak for
some time with much animation.
Mr. Bayly replied to Mr. Ashmun with great
deal of warmth, but said nothing new
TUESDAY, April IL.
In the SENATE, Mr. johnson of Md. pre-
sentcd petition praying for the establishment
of an Institution for instruction in mineralogy,
engraving, road making, agriculture, &c. 1t was
referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
The Committee on Foreign Relations reported
joint resolution in favor of Mrs Ann Chase,
who was at Tampico when the place was taken
by the American troops, The House bill con-
corning the Collection district of New Orleans
was passed
The bill for establishing branch Mint at New
York was made the special order for the second
Monday of May.
Mr. Bagby of Ala. presented the resolutions
of the Legislature of his State, on the power of
the General Government over new territories,
against the Wilmot Proviso,) and addressed
the Senate for some time in their favor They
were then passed over, and the bill for the adj
justment Of the California claims taken up.
Mr. Dayton of n. j. rose and proceeded to
address the Senate warmly in its favor. He di-
rected his remarks more fully in reply to Mr.
Webster's speech against the Treaty aud in de-
fence OF those who supported the Treaty. He
for his part had voted for it, and was well salts
fed in his own mind that no permanent peace
could be had without the acquisition of territory
MIR Mason has the floor on this question for to-
morrow.
In the HOUSE, Mr. Palfrey of Massachusetts,
moved the reconsideration of the vote of YES |
terday upon the French congratulatory resolu-
tons His motive was speech, of course, upon
tins revolution, and upon kindred topics at
home. lie avowed the doctrine that despo,isms
might exist in the form or name of free institu-
tons. He meant slavery, but meant BY his
speech to say something in reply to the member
from Virginia (Mr Bayly). Mr. Palfrey remind
ed that gentleman that, though Massachusetts
was by no means perfect common wealth, she
was not too old to learn, as he feared Virginia
was.
MIR Bayly wished to know whether Massachu- |
sets allowed colored men to sit in the Jury box,
MIR Palfrcy said he did not know, but there |
was nothing prohibiting it. The sclectmen of
Massachusetts, could put such names among those |
selected if they wished, But the time had been,
he believed, when colored man was elected to
the Legislature of Massachusetts
MIR Bayly. Did he take his seat?
Mr. Palfrey believed not. Perhaps the man
was modest, and did not like to take his seat in
a body where all were of different color. Would |
the gentleman like to have his seat in a legslat-
i've assembly composed entirely of black men ? |
Immense laughterl
MIR Palirey went on 10 show what Massachu- |
sets had done in this matter, and defended her
liberal measures towards the colored population |
OF the State. Many of these were worthy men,
and some of them were wealthy and intelligent
men. Among these he had the pleasure OF at |
fixing the seal of Massachusetts,, as Secretary of |
State, to one of the coored men claiming to be |
admitted to the bar. He assured the gentleman
from Virginia. if he should come before this
magistrate, that he would be treated with mark
ed courtesy and kindness lie had son at
tending high school that was open alike to free
blacks and whites; and if his son would treat any
one, not OF his own color, with less respect than
others, he should feel less affection for him than
he now entertained.
Mr. johnson of Tennessee wished to know if
he Mr. Palfrey1 would allow one of these black
black boys to be welded to his daughter.
Mr. Pafrey said he should introduce no one to |
his family who was not agreeable to them, and
the ueience OF a principle OF liberty did not
suppose that he should be required to change |
the social relations of his own family. The gen
tleman might ask much more important and DIFF
fcult questions than this.
Mr. Palfrey spoke further in defence of the
meliorating laws of Massachusetts,.
Mr. Bayly rose to reply. He did not mean to
say anything unkind to the gentleman, whom,
for his courtesy Of manner and great propriety
Of conduct, he esteemed, but whose sentiments
were most abhorrent. Mr. Bayly commented
with some severity upon the Massachusetts law,
which did not allow her State officers to provide
for the rescue of fugitive slaves. There was
quite running debate upon this topic, from
which it appeared that Pennsylvania had done
precisely the same thing as Massachusetts,
There was much comment upon the celebrated |
law Of '93, and the constitutional powers in re-
gard to fugitves from labor.
Mr. Bayly argued these questions just half
way, leaving out all matter material to the other
side. He forgot to say, what no one was pleas |
ed to state, that Chief Justice fancy had given |
it as his opinion that the State legislature had |
power to pass restraining law prohibiting her
officers from executing the law of 49, in regard
to fugitives from labor. Pennsylvania and Mas
sachusetts had done this and no more. Mr.
lts xuao lo.n G.. (. . .