Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-29
BENTON AND FOOTE.

Mr. FooTE | move that the Territorial bills report
ed to yesterday by the Senator from Illinois be now
taken up for the purpose OF being made the special
order for Friday next, which | understand is not
cupied by any other special order. Seeing the impor
lance OF the measure and the obvious probability of
amendments being offered to it. hope the Senate will
permit the motion to be adopted.
Mr.. BENTON. Mr.. President wish to give notice to
the Senate that the friends OF California to
go into this question. California, sir is entitled to
sideraion She is not to be postponed in this
She was reported first by the committee, and I, as
friend to the admission OF that State, from this
time forth contend that she shall be brought before
the Senate aud acted upon. object to taking up the
territorial bills before the admission of the State acted
upon. The State entitled to precedence every
pect in which the case be looked at. She State.
She has acted independently upon the of the Pacific
She is not able to borrow dollar to keep her alive
from day to day account OF her anomalous condi-
zion Six hundred thousand dollars have been taken from
the people of that country by this Government without
even giving them protection Six hundred thousand
dollars have been taken from them by law which
subjects them to be transported to Oregon or Louisiana
for the trial OF alleged offences These people sui
terng, have been suffering, and will continue to suffer
And from this time forward it is question to be settled
by the voice of the Senate whether not she shall be
any longer postponed As friend to the State of Cali
tornia now come into the action, and from this time
forth will struggletor the admission ofthe State.
Mr.. FooTE. am glad that the honorable Senator
srom Missouri has come into the war We meet again
at Phiipp | have known all along the spirit which
actuated that honorable Senaorn relation the subject
under consideration and rejoice that he has finally
know something OF his designs and motives and the
country shall know them well as do; and that will
be much better than all now do. The Senator peed not
think of frightening any body by clustering and dog
matte demeanor. We have rights here we'll as the
Senator from Missouri and we mean to maintain them
cat all hazards and to the last extremity He
ces himself as the friend of California. All indeed, the
friend OF California This w-bon friendship seems
20 be most enthusiastic and violent Yes sir, is true
the honorable Senator has declared that the condi
ton OF California most torlorn most deporabe-such
as to ente that and interesting people warm
estsympahies 1t that the people OF California
have suffered for want OF governmental protection and
the necessary to their safety and prosperity 1t
is perfectly true sir; but whose fault sit! Not ours
who have tried time and again to secure government
to our fellow citizens on the Pacific shore III in part
sir, as all know and as our journals well attest, the
fault of the Senator himself and those who have acted
with him here Did not he VOTE sir against the amend
ment Of the honorable Senator from Wisconsin, Mr..
Walker,) which would have given civil organization
and full and perfect security to the people OF California
Did he not against the treaty acquiring that
beautiful region am not surprised sir, that the hon
orable Senator has now become most Jealous and
answering advocate of the claims of California adj
mission State but know, also, that some have
supposed to be at least possible that his hating and
reluctant zeal has been stimulated at the present session.
by certain personal and domestic considerations, quite
natural and amable in themselves, but not entitled to
operate here in conraventon of the high public
which have been stated by various Senators at different
times IN our hearing.
The honorable Senator now says "I am the friend OF
California" 81 announce-l, sir-I announce that
the Napoleon OF the Senate announce that have
into the with shield and buckler" Well,
sir, say again that rejoice that he has into the
war; and after while we will all see what sort Of
he will make OF it, If am to understand the no.
norabe Senator as intending to DO me the honor OF
singing out as his antagonist, then say frankly that
there Is no man in all chrstendom that would rather
meet upon the arena OF contest than himself Indeed,
am delighted sir that he has at last taken up the glove
which, as an humble champion OF the constitutional
rights Of the South, have long ago thrown down to
fG tho DnnfaI lrf( aIF
sir, the special friend, What sir Has California any
enemy here! That seems to be implied by the language
OF the honorable Senator, II he SO intended to be un
dersood, believe that he is IN gross error California
in my judgment, has enemy here. She has several
indsceet friends, including the Senator from Missouri
but no enemy that know Of. Surely | am not her |
enerny nor have ever shown myself TO he on anv
occasion.
THE above remarks OF Mr.. FooTE contain all he
said which conveyed any mputation upon Mr. Ben |
tons motives He proceeded to explain and Justify his
course in striving to have the Territory question settled
before the admission of California California, he said
was in no danger he did not doubt her admission by
large majority Of votes If his motion prevailed, and
the compromise bill could first be passed, California
would gain entrance Immediately afterwards and har-
nony would be restored to the country. This was the
substance of his views have not room for these in
detail
Mr. BENTON Mr. President, mean by the friends
OF California those VINO are IN favor OF admitting the
State without demanding her to the territorial condition.
and without dissovng the Union account of her adj
misson That is the line of distinction make sir
Now, sir, l am understood
Mr.. President believe this is the American Senate
! believe, by the laws of this Senate, the personalities
and attacks upon motives forbidden. also believe
1hat they forbidden by the rules OF decorum. This
much believe and now sir will tell you what |
know; know that the attacks made upon my motives /
to-day and heretofore in this chamber are false and
co wardy.
Mr. fooTE Mr.. President, the honorable Senator
ssfency On his occasion and doubt NOT the p9biie