The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-15
merit to restore the property or max. compensation

mort to restore the property, make compensation
for II?
MIR. PALynEr said that General Jesup not the
proper Judge whether the sending OF the
negro away was for the public good.
MIR CABELL did not pretend to say whether the go
verpmento or General Jesup hsd the proper autnorny
but when the MT illegally into the pos
session of property, it is its duty to sytha1 u was
against law.
should look for remedy in the courts Their remedy
10 against General Jesup be sent on the negro II
Coprrsss m ssy that be had acted Illegally and had
been made to pay thousand doilsrs that he meant
we'll but that the court was Of the opinion that he did
wrong and ask Congress to indemnify him for the loss
Congress would, no doubt make indemnity. General
Jesup and not the government responsible for the
Mr. MoRsE commended that property in slaves was
recognized by the constitution end referred to the fact
that the naughty government Of Great Britain had de-
vered up the slaves who had been carried into Mas
ssu, under stress Of weather Mr. Van Buren,, the
great leader Of the free soil party expostulsted with
Lord Pamerston on the subject.
Mr.. CoLLAMER obtained the floor and was about to
speak, when new turn was given to the proceedings
MAN GUILTY OF CONTEMPT FOR HOLDING HIS TONGUE
MT. FAXES rose to privilege question or question
Of privilege, and remarked that before the select
mittee appointed the l1h of August last, witness
had refused to answer questions
ION the 9th Of August last, Mr. Clngman In debate,
made certain charges against Mr.. Medill the Commits
sionsr of Indian Affairs In relation to his official con-
duct and the IL tn of that month at tho instance
of DR. Fries select committee appointed to inves
teate he matter with power to send for persons and
Several gentlemen inquired what Mr.. Fries had said
The SPEAKER repeated, that witness had refused to
answer questions.
MIR FRIEs said he had q resolution, which he wished
to Offer that the Sergeant alarms might condne the
winners
The SrEAxER remarked that the name of the person
must be inserted in the resolution.
MIR FRIEs-lt is David Taylor. We can't hear the
name" "Speak louder" There was much confusion
The STEAMER an no unced that the resolution would
to read to the House.
The CLERK read it-That the Seargeant at: Arms
ToyIo haa hall nah
per questions before the committee as they shall ask
him.
the facts on which the House were to act. 1t was
matter Of small concern to order citizen Of the
United States to be Imprisoned He wanted to know
something Of what had occurred before he gave his
He did not like the phrsseology Of the resou ton.
A question may have been asked which the committee
thought proper, but which was improper. What are
the facts on which the application Is based
MIR. TooMDs remarked that as to putting man in
jail he would not do ii in violation of the
He must DO brought before the House. then let him
show If he can why he should not be confined for
tempt of the honor of this House. The party has .
Mr. DuEa would state the facts of the case and the
House could then take what action they might think
committee in the of Med to take the testimony
of witnesses this man refusing to questions
they informed all the committee of the fact. The
question appeared to be relevant and the question
argued ct some length but the witness said that
he would not only not answer that question, but any
Mr. WoopwARp said that it struck him that the oom-
mitee were take proceeding necessary
without the Intervention Of the House. The committee
il court to this particular matter They author
lied to send for and papers and the committee
thought proper they could apply remedy without the
privileges in this ball he advocate of spe
cia privileges out Of the hall The witLoss has no
MIR. INGE proposed resolution to give the committee
the power required and to let them act according to
their own discretion.
Mr.. TALLMApoE would never vote for resolution like
that. They were called upon to deprive an individual
of his liberty, because, according to the gentleman
from South Carolinis the committee is a court. In
any court Of Justice when motion is made to commit
an individual it must be shown that the man must be
duly subp0na
MT WOODWARD said that this was not q case where a
witness had been upb@nasd refused to attend but
in q court where he refused to answer.
The SPEAKER requested gentlemen to preserve order.
Mr. FRIES remarked that the witness had been regu.
larry eubpGnaed by the committee.
The SPEAKER again called to order. There was q
loud buzzipg Of voices
MIR. TALLMApcE said that the resolution made no al
fusion to the to be exercised 1t merely
that man was and then refused to answer
1.-THE man summoned and subpo ned let 1t appear
in the resolution If he refused to it for the
House to exercise the power. Then, the next step
would be for him to come here and show why he
did not answer.
Mr. J. r. INoERsoLL was not prepared to put the
man into custody. There may be many oircum-
stances to relieve the individual from the predicament
in which he Is placed 1t would be more satisfac Glory
the House could act andingy He suggested that
the matter lie over for the preeent.
Mr. CLNGM.S should like to have time to look into
the case He desired that it be passed over until to-
morrow, CT the next day. He knew that David
Walker was some time since, very active to testify
MIR. BRADY stated q fact which occurred In his pre-
yesterday He was before the committee three hours
during the session Of the House. In the evening he
met the committee, who met last evening in Dr.
Fries room, and continued the ex amnation for two
hours. When question put by Colonel Medill,
will answer NO more questions" He would say as a
member Committee that he did not desire to be
basty and If the House not prepared to act Row
he was willing to postpone tho consideration Of the
subject.
MIR. J. R. IscERsoLL moved a postponement until
Mir. Corn, of Georgia, did not believe that the COM
mttee had power to exercise the high privilege Of the
House, to imprison . witness who refuses to answer
The statements which had been made not sufficient
to justify imprisonment and punishment, but refusal
peremptorily to snswer question, would justify such
course He proposed an amendment to the resolution
1t having bee represented that David Taylor, sum-
moned as witness, has refused to interro-
gatory resolved that the said Taylor be arrested the
Sergeant ct arms, to answer tor contempt OF this
House After the person Is brought here, it can be
whether the requires the further action Of the
House.
The SPEAKER again endeavored to suppress the con.
fusion.
MIR. CArELL called attention to the action of for.
mer session, in the case Of Reuben M. Whitney, and
asked that 1t be read by the Clerk.
The CLERK read it, to the eiTect-As Reuben NJ.
mittee therefore eoved that the Speaker issue his
warrant directing the Sergesntat to take into
CUSTODY person OF Reuben M. whitney, TO answer
for contempt and that he be allowed counsel If he de-
eire 1t.
MIR Conn said that this resolution contemplated pre-
cistly what his did
MIR. TneMrNoN, of Mississippi, pointed out differ
ence in the two cases The witness Taylor had been
examined in part, and now says that he will not
ewer any more questions.
MIR. Com did not see what else the committee could
do II the investigation rests the evidence before the
committee II there could be more summary process
than his he would submit.
Mr. THoMPsoN-ReubenM NJ. whitney subpo naed
merely in this the witness examined
MIR Com wished to offer the resolution which was
adopted in the case of Whitney with the necessary
alteration.
The STEAMER said that the first question was on the
motion to postpone the further consideration Of the
until tomorrow.
The vote was taken, and the question decided In the
negative-ayes so, noes 98.
The amendment Of Mr.. Cobb was read, when
Mr. POLLOCK said-The witness did not refuse to an
swer any particular question, but refused to
"apy more questions"
MIR. DUER-The majority Of the committee deter
mined 1t to be proper question. He refused to
aver any question.
NJ D.. II L. IT. 49,