Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-06-09
SATURDAY, JCNE 3, lS4S.
II - SENATE

Mr.. Underwooi's resolution, offered several
days since, providing Tor the collection and pub
LEGATION ul statistics in relation 10 The prices Of
produce, labor, manufactures, agriculture, Sc,
in the several States, was taken up. After de
bate by Messrs. Benton in opposition, and Mr..
Underwood in favor Of the resolution, is further
Consideration was postponed.
Mr. Breese reported back from the committee
on Public Lands House bill, without amendment
explanatory OF The act approprarng The proceeds
OF the public lands, and granting presumption
rights, and the bill was passed.
The consideration OF The Oregon Territorial
Bill was then resumed The question being on
the motion OF Mr.. Berrien 10 strike out The l2ib
section o, the bill This section, upon which So
much discussion has arisen, is in The words iol-
towing:
"imd be u tu,tter enacted, That the inhabi-
tanls Of the said Territory shalt be entitled TO all
The rights, privileges and immunies heretofore
granted and secured 10 the Territory Of Iowa
and lis Inhabitants; and the existing laws now in
force in the Territory oil Oregon, under The au
Ihorily OF The provisional government established
by The people thereof, shall continue 10 be valid
and operative therein, so far as The same may
not be incompatible with the provisions Of this
acl subject, nevertheless, 10 b. altered, modified,
or repealed, By The Governor and legislative as.
sembly Of The said territory OF Oregon; ard the
laws OF The United States are hereby extended
over and declared 10 be in force il said territory,
81 far as The same, or any provision thereof, may
BE- applicable"
The amendmen, yesterday offered by General
Houston, il adopted, will come IN aiIer inc Wofis
"pruvision of this act."
Mr.. Foo,e, this morning, proposed further to
amend The section, by inserting after the words
"Iowa and 10 The Inhabitants" in The hfst SEN
,euce, the words 80 far as ibe same may be COM
patible with The Constitution Of the U. Sla'es.
Mr.. Westcolt insisted that the amendments
would not change The character Of The section,
and MIR. Foole replied.
Mr.. Underwood then addressed the Senate al
length cniehy in reply 10 Mr.. Niles remarks OF
Yesterday. All that The South desired, il ~ un.
derstood their views. was that the people Of me
territories should have the RIGHT to adupl such
laws as they deem proper. Let not The North al.
tempt 10 prescribe any particular system OF laws
| no, saw 10 them you shall not have slavery, but
leave them to decide for themselves. In this very
bill all legislative powers are granted 10 The PEG
nile OF Oregon. Then all that is proper further 10
be done is simply 10 extend the Constitution oil
the United States over them and leave the SUI
nreme Cour, 10 decide what laws are and wha
are no, constitutional. He was in favor Of strk
ing from the bill every thing relating 10 slavery
Mr.. Baldwin though, there was nothing in this
bill in his opinion, which called upon any oena
Tor 10 stand form as the peculiar representative
one section OF the Union or another. II wa
simply proposed by this Section 10 give validity
10 the laws passed by The provisional Legislature
of Oregon II The twelfth section were stricken
out, he did no! think thallse fifteenth section, la
Yesterday attended BY the Senator from Texas
Mr.. Rusk would give TO he laws of the Prov
.onal government the validity required, 10 maxi
hem recognizable by the judicial tribunals OF IN
country.
MIR. Rusk reiterated, that without this section
main in force until repealed, and further that III
fifteenth section, recognizes the validity oiall thes
laws. Therefore the twelfth section was unne
cesssrv while lis adoption would be re.enac'
, mem Of the principle oflhe Wilmot Proviso.
Mr.. Baldwin further con,ended that vesss
,sav;no South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, @
any other slave State, with slaves on board, ca
ried with it, not ths laws of the particular s!a'
tom which she sailed, bot lbe laws OF Ias Unite