The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-16
THlRTlETH CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.
House Of Representative.


PAYMENT A sLAvy-cAS'r NJ MADE.
The House resolved itself into a committee Of the
whole on the state of the Union (Ar. Sims OF South
Carolina in the chair) and proceeded to the consider
alton of private business.
The bill for the relief Of the egals of
Benjamin Hodges. deceased, wns read. when
Mr. Tuck, Of New Hampshire, remarked, that it in
volved important results. IL u new principle to
pay for slaves as property. Though numerous ut
tempts have been made the principle has never been
recognised 1t his opinion that the bill ed
the sanction Of the committee who reported it, only
because they failed to examine the subject with due
attention. There was no foundation for allowance
Of this claim The report states that the applicant
lost slave at the close of the last and that the
forces Of Great Britain carried him away How does
that constitute claim against the government Are
TO defend the institution and make provision for
persons who have suffered by it 1t is said that the
treaty with Great Britain made provision for such al
legged losses but this Mr.. Tuck denied and quoted
from and commented the first article Of it, to prove
his position. We have right to take the money OF
the nation to pay for slaves. The claim has been
pending for many years and has always received the
condemnation of Congress 1t has never received the
Importance of n report until now. unless a report
against it. If the people have jurisdiction in aiding
aud abetting slavery, shey will take jurisdiction In
abating and restraining 1t.
The CHAIRNas-Th.s being private bill, the lati-
tude Of debate is somewhat restricted Tho remarks
rars, be pertinent to this particular claim.
Mr. TUcK-I say that the claim should not be al
lowed. because IL recognizes slaves property and
assert that slaves not property under the constu
tom and this is the decision of the Supreme Court Of
the United States.
Mr. Burr Of South Cardinal desire to ask the gel
teman from New Hampshire whether he that
this committee shall understand him "a saying that
the Supreme Of the United States in tho case
which he has referred has decided that slaves
property
slaves under the constitution, not property; that
slavery is local. municipal institution; and that per-
sons are held slaves only in virtue OF local and
nicipal regulations.
Nh BuRT-I desire to put the gentleman upon his
guard. understood him endeavoring to make the
committee believe that the Suarcme Court of the Uni
ed has deciu sln arr nj I
ask whether he meansshe committee 50 TO understand
him,
MIR GirslSes Of Ohio--I wish 20 say a word II
can 80. the floor will aiAsain that slaves not
property by the decisoa OF the Supreme Court, and
from other testipoay will meet the gentleman from
South Caror,~ with all fraukness the subject.
sir. Pysr-lt is Indifferent to me what the gentle
map may mai ntain, or what he may oppose desire
as matter of fact whom member rises IN nus pacs
aud purports to read the decisions OF the SupreG
Court that the committee may learn whether ne STA.
one thirs or another as - matter Of fact-not what
Mr. TucK~I ask The gentleman to appeal to the booh
inform the gentleman that have made the quotations
word Coz word. and comma Tor comma II tnere De any
controversy refer the gentleman 20 the decision it
self bear witness that the slavery question has not,
at this session been introduced by the fanatics"
they are called, except Ia scdefence. The most eo
ouent speeches hay been made this floor and choice
reading referred to by orators TO common the insti
tuition Of slavery to tho favorable notice Of the people
Of the United States IL Is fresh to members of this
committee that, on the resolutions relative to the
French revolution and the question with regard to
the privileges Of this House. out OF upwards Of twony
speeches seventeen were made in yindcation OF the
irsation Of slavery, aud In casting opprobrium and
dlsgxcefu epthets those who do not vndicatc the
institution | hope the claim will be withdrawn II
not trwst, call for the yeas and nays IL VIII
NEE. with an emphatic rejection, repeat that this
government mas nothing To 10 with slavery; we Of
the free Stats ask to be- exempt rom the SIN AID
shame of the institution would ask the gentleman
from Virginia (Mr Rsyty) 10 look 1T MS district AS an
Illustration Of the blessings Of slavery.
The CuAiRMAS-The gentleman must be aware that
he IL not ndhering to the subject
Mr. D,y1y--I hone as the gentleman has made r.
ference 10 my district he win be perm ted to 90
Mr Tvcx~l will then, only call attention to IA