New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-01-08
slavery 10 Congress-The Pacbeco Csse.
Correspo ndsnce Of The Tribune


WAsmScr TON, Saturday, Jan s
The debate On the claim OF one Antonio pscheco
Of Florida Tor rather of his heirs, since Pscheco
himself has died during the tendency Of his claim
was to-day closed by Mr.. GIDDIsos Of Ono in a
speech Of remarkable force, and which, in spite Of
Mr.. G.'s unpublished delivery, at times 70 the
region Of eloquence.-The claim is based on a
state of facts substantially as follows
Early in the progress Of the Florida War upon
the Seminoles, Nsjor Dsde hired Of Pscheco ct
s25 per month his slave Lewis 10 guide through
the country OF the hostile ssvages the expedition
which Major ID. commanded. Lewis was negro
OF remarkable abilities, spoke four languages
Auently, and it would seem was a secret conied-
crate and spy Of the Indians at the time. When
about halfway TO his destination, the expedition
was suddenly attacked by the Indians and almost
entirely destroyed hardly man escaping. The
negro was no more heard Of until near the close Of
the War, when he came in among a band OF Semi.
noes who surrendered, finding longer resistance
impossible. He was now claimed by his old mas
ter but, whether in accordance with the terms
OF ospitulation or otherwise does not appear Gen.
Jesup resisted the claim, and decided that Lewis
must 70 West with the discounted ssvages,-
and so he did Whereupon Pscheco claims pay
ment for him by the Government.
Mr. Giddings's opposition was based on the gen
eral grounds that the Federal Constitution does not
recognize human beings as propery-that no
slave was ever paid for by this Government Save
in a single case through inadvertencel that sue
oessive Congresses, on the reports Of Committees
composed In part of Shareholders, have rejected
like claims-and that 10 pass this would be setting
up a most mischievous and dangerous precedent.
He spoke with great iervor aud plainness, and his
speech excited much sensation. ! apprehend
however that, by placing this case on the broad
ground of No Property in Man instead OF the spe
oal facts intrinscally involved in it, his speech
helped the bill. When he had concluded Mr.
billiard of Ala. obtained the floor and, after
few general remarks, moved the Previous Cues
ton, which was seconded, the Main Question or
dered, the Yeas and Nays called, and the House
brought to adirect vote the final passage Of the
bill
The call proceeded in silence and 1t soon became
apparent that the vote would be close. Every
Member present from the Slave States voted Ay,
with number from the Free States among whom
remarked Mr.. Rose of n. y. and MFR. Oh. Butler
Of Pa. When the list had been called through and
some time spent IN figuring up, the Assistant
Clerk paused and hgeted. and there was evidently
bother alton OF some sort. A Member rose who
had not voted and ssked to have his name called.
He voted Ay whereupon another made the same
demand and voted No-so that was broad as it
was long. The Clerk handed the tally-list TO the
Speaker, who announced the vote Yeas 90. Nays
-, presenting a case in which the Speaker is ex-
pected to vote. He commenced some remarks pre-
preliminary to voting, maniiesting considerable
reluctance and trepidstion, bat he was Just begin
ing to intimate that he should vote No and defeat
the bill by tie when the Clerk again called his
attention, and announced that the vote stood Yeas
81, Nays -, SO that the bill was passed and no
occasion for the Speaker vote Whereupon en-.
sued q motion for reconsideration by Mr.. BuRT OF
s c. and to lay that motion the table and an.
other for a call OF the House but the latter was
voted down and the former ON reflection with
drawn. Mr. CooKE Of Tenn renewed the motion
to reconsider, but thought again and withdrew It,
and Mr.. PAlrRfY moved call OF the House, which
the Speaker ruled out of order-nothng having
been done since the last move tor call was re.
jsctcd.
Now comes the best part OF the story II seems,
careful scrutiny. that the vote on the passage
Of the Pseheco biz actually stood Yeas 50,
Nays So t'e, so that the Speakers vote in the
negative would have defeated the bill This will
Of course come up on q motion to correct the jour.
nal on Monday, the Speaker ruling It out of order
to-day.
The bill providing for Board OF Commission
en to investigate and settle Private Claims was
farther debated today. and is to be taken out OF
Committee at Il on Monday. think II will pass,
bot that is not certain