The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-23

| for crime, be excluded from such uerritores S~'
This resolution Is IN sentiment. If not in words iden-
teal with those which have been passed by 6feen out of
the thirty States OF this confederacy All the non slave
| holding States but one, and Of the slayeholdinp
extension of slavery. For myself. fully concur With
the popriety OF this declaration believe that Congress
has the power prohibit slavery in these territories that
it is duty to exercise the power, and that should
be exercised now. 10 favor OF acting upon all
questions when the proper time for action arrives: an
opposed to any course which shall cast upon others the
responsibility which properly belongs to ourselves.
Now, sir, this resolution looks to the exclusion OF sa-
very from these territories during their territorial condition
only II does not look beyond that condition for the
purpose of controlling influencing in any the
people OF these Territories when they ask for admission
into the Union States 1t contempates invasion oil
State sovereignty And in this view that one OF the
reference with slavery in the Territories, pronounces
these resolutions concatory in their character don't
know, sir as would call them either conciliatory the
reverse. They take firmly the ground upon which New
York has always stoodhat slavery shall, by net of
hers, be further extended She believes this to be tho
ground OF principle, OF justice, and of right and do not
hesitate to say that she will never abandon it; never
Now, sir, will read the second resolution:
esoosd O the Assembly concur) Ths, the territory "
IN between the Nasees and Rio Grande and tina, portion
properly of the United States and that
s Ss. ss
same as aeh common psSpery ana protect rom mo
extension of the laws of Texas or The institution Of
domestic slavery.
In respect to this resolution, have only to say that it
expresses the opinions OF large majority OF the members
of the legislature of the State Of New York believe sir
that the democratic members of The legislature generally
voted against this resolution When this subject comes
up, shall listen with attention 10 what the senator from
Texas Mr. RUsK has to say in respect to the boundary
claimed by thai State But sir the expression of the
opinions of the Legislature OF the State of New York, this
resolution will receive my respectful consideration.
The last resolution with the exception of the resolu
ton OF instruction intended to carry it out is in these
words 80
up.y.y fr,ho A.v.,h,,, concur Tho, IN. .x,...r.~
of prisons for the confinement aud arts for the sale of
slaves at the seat Of the national viewed by
this legislature with deep regret aud notification and
that such prisons and mars ought forthwith to DO
abolished"
of the New York Legislature in relation to the traffic in
slaves which is said exist here-a subject which has
engaged the attention OF the people OF the United States
attention of the people OF this District There nothing
in this resolution which conemplaes any interference
with rights of property in this District has no pur-
pose of abolition; but it denOunces the traffic which ID
carried here-a traffic which may be suppressed with
out any interference with the tenure OF slaves by the in
habtans OF the District and which would understand,
have been suppressed long ago this District had re-
NAMED part of Maryland, by which it was coded to the
United States. So understand it.,
Mr. President, this is matter which concerns the peo-
pie of the whole Union. AS the seat OF the national
government, we all have an interest in it, Nothing
which relates to the honor and prosperity OF this Dls
trIc is alien to ours Inc people Of N t YORK OF OF
ed to express their opinions upon any matter OF local con-
which belongs to this District, as the people of
Louisiana or any other State 1t is in this view that the
of New York have passed the resolution
which | have read They believe the traffic in slaves,
under the very shadow of this Capitol, to be wrong
They believe it ought to be discontinued; and they have
In expressing this opinion Mr. President. they have
done It in respectful language They have not used
itans of the District themselves understand, that In
lsOa (46 years ago. this traffic presented by the
Grand Jury of the City of Alexandria as grievance which
uyht 10 hn abolished John Randolph of ROAnOka I
believe in 1916, introduced resolution to inquire
whether such traffic existed pronounced i to be lille
gal and nhuman, and to inquire also, II did exist what
measures necessary to suppress it.
understand, too, that the inhabitants OF this city have
presen ed the traffic in slaves as grievance to the court
and that the court replied that there authority
here to interfere with it without act of Congress.
Mr. President, this is not ALL have petition here,
memorial of the inhabitants OF the District Of Columbia
PRAYING for the gradual abolition OF slavery This memo.
rial was presented in 1885, and will real for the pur-
pose OF showing that the Legislature OF the State Of New
York its resolutions pronounced to be insulting to
the southern portion OF this confedeacy have not gone
so far as the inhabitants of the District themselves in
their expressions concerning the traffic in slaves here
To the honorable the Sen e AID House Of Representatives
ofhe United States Of Amtr'cI ." Cong'e" assembled:
We the undersigned citizens of tho counties Of WASH
ingon and Alexandria, in the District of Columbia, bog
call the attention of your honorable body to
evil of serious magnitude which greatly nPars the pros:
pey and OF this District AMI casts the reproach
inconsistency upon the free institutions established
While the laws of the Unsd States denounco tho for
cign trade piracy, and punish with death those
found engaged its perpetraton there exists In
this District, of the national government do
nestle rae scarcely less dsgraceul III its character,
and demoralizing in its Influence For this IL
not like the former, carried against burbarous nation
victims reared among the people OF this county,
ducaed the precepts Of the religion and imbued
with similar domestic attachments.
These people are without their consent, torn from their
homes; husband and wife frequently separated and
sold INTO distant parts; children taken from their
regard the ties of nature and the most en-
de airing bonds OF affection are broken forever
Nor traffic confined to those who are legally slaves
for life Some who entitled to free dom, and many who
limited time serve, are sold into unconditional
slavery and owing the effectiveness of our laws, they
Generally carred the District before the
nv ste ps can be taken TOR their release.
We behold these continually taking place among
of this District have within themselves, no means OF egs-
ave redress aud therefore appeal to your honorable
body the only invested by the American coast'u-
Nor il il only from rapaclty OF slave rados that tho
coored this District are doomed to suffer- Even tho
laws which govern us, sanction ana drsct 10 certain
Injustice by anything present known among the govern
ments of Chsendom. An instance of -she operation Of
these laws, which occurred during the last summer,
will briefly relate.
coloed man, who stated that he entitled free-
dom, taken up runaway slave, and lodged in tho
Iail of Washington city. He was advertised. but
appearing claim him. he according to law, put
public auction for the payment OF his Jail fees, and sold
slave for el He was purchased by slave trader,
who required give security for Ills remaining
the District and he after shipped at Alexandra
TOR OF the southern States An attempt was made BY
benevolent individuals have the sale postponed
until his claim freedom could be investigated but their
sold into perpetual bondage at the capital OF the ecs gov
earth, without even preence OF trial. OF an
allegation ofcrime. . -.
We blush country while relate this disgrace
full transaction and would fam conceal Il rom tho
world did not very enormiy inspire ns with the nope
that will the and the