Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-17
The Statua in Tie .S.na,a

Will doubtless be convenient to readers to have
before them concise statement of the attitude of the
compromise question in the Senate.
In the first place then, the friends OF a compromise
have united in support of Mr.. FooTEs resolution fol
committee OF thirteen, which originally read as fol-
lows:
That the resolutions [offered by Mr. BELL be re-
elleo 10 seiect committee OF thirteen, with instructions
70 exert themselves for the purpose of maturing scheme
Oh compromise Tor the adjustment of all pending ques
IONS growing out OF the institution of slavery with the
rlght TO report by bill or otherwise
On Thursday, Mr.. FooTE modified his resolution, SO
as to make it simple resolution that the resolutions Of
the Senator from Tennessee MIR BELL and of the Se-
nator from Kentucky Mr. CLAY be referred to COM
mittee of thirteen.
Mr.. BALDWIN, of Connecticut, had moved the follow
ing amendment:
But nothing in thsresolution shall be construed to
authorize the said committee to take into consideration
any thing that relates to the admission of the State of
California into the Union"
Avote was taken on this amendment, and it was re-
ected las Likewise motion of Mr. DOUGLAS to lay
Mr. FooTEs resolution the table, by yeas g. nays
the Northern Senators voting nay being Messrs.
BRIGHT, CAss, DICKINSON, WEBSTER and WH1TcoMB
MIR. BENTON offered motion prob lifting the COM
mittee from taking into consideration 1s the abolition
OF slavery in the States; 3D. the suppression of the
slave trade between the States Sd, the abolition Of
slavery in the forts, dock ards &c., and 4th the abo-
tion of slavery in the District and also from con-
sderng any question concerning slavery not specially
referredto it.
Forthis amendment Mr.. Clay offered the following
substitute. which, after reflection, was accepted
by MIR. BENTON as he said, in spirit of compromises:
"Prouided, That nothing in this reference shall be
construed TO assert or imply the existence OF any power
whatever ID congress tor the abolition of slavery with
In the States nor the suppression OF the slave trade be-
tween the States, that Congress ought to abolish
slavery within the FORTS arsenas dock Yards and navy
yards of the United States nor that Congress ought to
abolish slavery within the District Of Columbia
Mr. CLAY explained the object Of his substitute as fol-
lows:
we vote against these Mr. Bentons) instructions
winch tor one am prepared to do-for am not easily
alarmed at any erroneous mpicatont we vote against
them, 1t will be an implication that we supposed there
was some power, tor instance, over the abolition of
slavery IN the States, when there is not a member in
this body, hope, who thus Thinks and the result NAV
De 70 continue the agitation and produce excitement in
regard TO individual Senator's and perhaps to the body
10 AVOID any such Implication, Ipropose to modify the
several instructions OF the Senator from Missouri by
making them read Jas above.l
This substitute, as an amendment to Mr. FoorE's re
solution, was pending when the Senate adjourned on
Thursday. On Friday, Mr.. CLAY made his suggestion
that the committee OF thirteen be appointed, with the
understanding that might be celebrating whilst the
Senate should proceed with the business before it, Mr.
BENTON accepted this suggestion but we do not under
stand whether the two Senators thereby intended TO
waive the modified amendment offered on Thursday to
Mr. FooTEs resolution.
Then there are the nine amendments of Mr. BENTON.
ofwhlch ne gave notice on Friday, and which, if he Of
fer hem must be acted upon before direct vote is had
on the resolution itself.