Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-08-05

would be ee territory, and the State to be formed from
would also be free State He made this motion for the pur
pose Of testing the question whether protested Northern De-
mocras were willing to stand upon the platform upon
which the Democratic party stood while Mr. Van Buren, was
President and to which bad since adhered His amend
retained that clause which adopted and sanctioned the
laws now in force in Oregon which had been enacted by the
provisional there and gave the right to the
Territorial Legislature alter modify, repeal them was
contained in the Iowa BILL His amendment intended to
place this section precisely the principles the 18th
section IN the Iowa BILL carried the great principle OF
right Of for self government; and he did
how his Northern friends who had free territory
constantly on their lips should hesitate to unite with him on
grounds which had received the approval Of Mr. Van
Buren, himself.
Mr. SMITH, of Ind inquired whether slavery pro-
hbited in the Territory Of Iowa by the Missouri compromise
Mr.. BlRDsALL replied, no more than in Wisconsin or
in Oregon.
Mr. SMITH asked if Oregon part of the Louisiana
purchase
Mr.. BIRDsALL replied there was no question but our
best title TO Oregon acquired by the Louisiana purchase
The amendment of Mr.. BIRpsALL was lost.
Mr. SAWYER moved strike all that part of the
ton which extends the rights, privileges and advantages and
the conditions restrictions and prohibitions Of the ordinance
of 1887 to the Territory of Oregon.
Mr. EVANS, Of Maryland, offered proviso to the sec
tom which not agreed to. Its precise object not UNI
derstood. He also offered verbal amendment which was
agreed to.
Mr.. PALFREY moved an amendment to The provision
which extends the laws Of the United States SO far they
applicable the territory, except the 81 and 18th
tons Of the act approved the Sd day Of February 793
vidng for the recapure Of fgives from labor and service
He begged the committee to give moments consideration TO
this amendment The laws provide that when has
controversy with his neghbor of the value Of twenty dollars
he shall have trial by jury of bis peers but his liberty
which is OF infinitely greater value always passed
upon The law which he wished except said nothing of
white black but if did, it would not alter the principle
He did not look to slaves merely The law referred to per-
held to labor and service. 1t applied to ndenured APP
prences well African slaves and they willing
n N that in
community like that do not know another. stran
ger may amongst them, white black whether aslave
aree white man, or an apprentice is not known but these
laws enable person from distant part of the
try and claim him. The character Of the person making the
claim may not be known to those who do know each
other and he entreaed the committee consider they
would put such persons in such position He had not much
expectation that his amendment would pass and yet he could
why should have the support every man.
whether from the North South He had asked for the
repeal of the law but he asked that might operate
that distant Territory where there may be danger Of its
ing cruel wrongs The amendment was rejected.
Mr.. billiard submitted proviso to he added to the
section providing that nothing therein contained shall be
construed prevent citizen of any of the States going
there and taking with him his property Of every description
On this amendment he spoke during his five minutes and
pressed the opinion that the persons in Oregon ought not to
have power the property of the citizens of the States 1t
would be monsrous persons who do not single acre
of land there should have the right decide the property
Of those who might desire go there 1t only necessary
to raise question OF that kind to make its absu apparent
He hoped his amendment would prevail 1t noaensive
in its terms but it was intended to reach its object
Mr.. CHASE moved to amend the amendment of the gen.
tIeman from Alabama by adding the following
Prouidd That nothing herein contained shall be consd
cred assumption of the the OF the Con-
gress of the United States interfere with the establishment
of slavery In said Territory authorizing the inhabitants
thereof having the right to vote by the provisions Of this
establish prohibit slavery previous application for
the admission OF said Territory into the Union sovereign
State"
The amendment was not agreed to.
Mr.. WOODWARD submitted pro torma motion that he
might make observations opposition the right to
legsate the subject of slavery in the Territories
Mr.. TUCK moved to amend the amendment by striking
out the words with their slaves and other property and
holding the therein"
Mr.. TucKs amendment rejected.
Mr.. VAN DYKE moved TO insert the words " with the
exception Of slaves In support of his amendment he spoke
through his allotted tme and insisted that Oregon should
main free territory He asked Southern gentlemen why they
would putting themselves in wrong position
this subject He said the Oregon Territory belonged to this
Union when the Missouri compromise adopted, and its
freedom from slavery they claimed right and also under
the Missouri compromise.
The amendment was agreed to-65 to So.
Mr.. s. said In the five ysars have been here, Mr..
Chairman have made speech the subec, of sa
very have given many votes and engaged in much legis
iaton upon the subject from which position advocate
for free institutions and free soil may be clearly inferred and
known but have yet denvey presented my views
TO the House. will do that Not fully, of course in
these five minutes you allow me- but plainly far as can
CO. have not been able 10 get the hoor Tor more extended
argument which desired TO make, but will state briefly the
ground stand upon Il is the ground believe, Of all the
free out-speaking men Of the North or free States.
The amendment offered by the gentleman from Alabama
(Mr HILLrARD) affords fair occasion for this II Is a d.
rect attempt establish slavery in the free Territory Of
Oregon. call the attention OF the committee that While
he only proposed every citizen of Of the States
the night carry his property to Oregon, had objection.
Whatever his design, his motIn then harmless The
citizen Of State might take his slaves there property,
and the only effect would have been that they would thereby
become Free No such property is known in Oregon, and
trust there may be, any laws there TO IT,
But when his friend, the gentleman from South Carolina,
(Mr. WooDwlRD) 10 his aid and suggested 10 the
gentleman from Alabama to modify his amendment to
provide for holding this property when taken there he made
II serious matter. II fen became Just what have
said-a movement establish slavery in that Territory.
Now, SIR, against the extension Of slavery into any
territory free. would exclude Il by positive enactment
from all territories owned acquired by the United States
every where. Let tell you briefly why.
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. THoNPsoS) the other
day said that he had very little faith in the sympathy Of North
with the slaves He said he believed that only
ahectaton, and that really and truly only question Of
political power between the free and the slave States Sir
accept that ISSUE Whatever may be my other objections
slavery, admit that presents itself for consideration
and legislation here il does become mainly question Of po
litcsi power
hope have my fair share Of charity OF benevoence Of
universal philanthropy. trust that am ready any
man to mpahize with those who oppressed injured,
deprived of their natural rights in any way, be they Of what
race or color they may Gentlemen from another section Of
I'LL 80.