The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-25
INTELLIGENCE BIZ the MAILS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. y, 1913.

WASHINGTON, Dec. Y, 1913.
~" Stare Trade-N,vo Pens-Gensyai TayLor-
Hs Hcadguarters, &c.
An effort was made IN the House to-day TO pass
over private bills, that Mr.. Stewart, of Michigan.
might give his reasons for voting yesterday for mo
resolution ot Mr.. Colt, instructlng the Committee
Tor the District Of Columbia to report bill, as soon
as practicable, prohibiting the slave trade in tho
District of Columba but, by a vote of 96 to 63
the private calendar was taken up in Commute Of
the Whole. On the subject OF prohibition, there
is much talk in the city to-day, particularly among
the darkies. Not few of the slaves are highly
delighted with the idea OF freedom, and OF the
early prospect of dscarding the labor of their task
masters. They, from instinct, If from nothing
else, seem to know that prohibition, IN effect, will
work abolition.
Ever since the District of Columbia was ceded
to the government tor national purposes, II has
been an extensive slave market Within imme-
diate sight OF the CAPITOL the Smithsonian lnst-
tuition and the national monument-Or rather tho
foundation OF the proposed slructure--there are
two "pens," in which the proprletOrs imprlson
the negroes whom they purchase to sell again tor
the Southern market; and there are out, In all
directions, ltinerant buyers, ready at any time to
strike bargain for human flesh. In addition to
this, If negro Is found running at large, under
suspicious circumstances, he IS arrested, put In
jail, and 1t no owner claims hun, he Is sold to pay
the expenses OF his keeping These, among other
things, have induced members of Congress to move
in the subject of the prohibition of the slave trade
In this district.
The laws of Maryland, since the abolitlonlsts
have injudcIously Intertered with slavery in thai
State, have been made particularly severe to tho
slaves and to afford them larger liberty, and
cure higher wages, the owners quarter them upon
our citizens. The old, infrm, and decrepld, are
sent here as to Botany Bay; and those OF them
who not strong enough, or are too lazy to work,
derive their subsistence by theft, and by gather
ing the scraps from white peoples kitchens. We
again urge, in view of these facts, that Congress
abolish the free negroes. who are greater scourge
than the small pox or the cholera Leave the
slaves to themselves, and they would improve In
civilization, and the people, in good and proper
time, would nd themselves of negro bondage,
without uncalled-for foreign interference.
Gen. Taylor will probably ma Ike Gadsby's Hotel
his headquarters. There is only one objection to
Ills: The side steps are high and steep, and over
anxious ofiice-seekers may fall either up or down.
and break their legs If the old gentleman IL
hard pressed, there are facilities for following the
example of Gen. Harrison (set under rush fer
place.. He can retreat at the back door.
Among the petitions presented to-day, under the
rule, was one by Mr.. Tallmadge--that OF George
Wilkes of the city OF New York, for the con-
srucion of national railroad, commencing at a
point on the Missouri and extending to the Pacific
ocean.