The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-02-21
CONGRESS-.
CONGRESS- FIRST SESSION.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1850.
SENATE.

SENATE.
The petition presented on Tuesday by Mr.
Hale in relation to the abolition of slavery in the
District of Columbia was referred, without de-
bate, to the Committee onthe Territories
The Revenue bill, as amended by the House.
providing that the Secretary Of the Treasury
be allowed s., 225,O0o to defray the expenses OF
collecting the revenues from the customs for the
last half of the present fiscal year, ending June
80, 1902 and further providing that "the Sec
rotary shall be authorized to dispose of the bond
ed warehouses now leased by Government, on the
best terms practicable, before the lst Of January
next was presented by Mr.. Dickinson, from the
Committee on Finance.
He said that the total amount as appropriated
including the expense of carriage, storage, &c.
would be 81 ,377, 1913 20; that this was some two
or three hundred thousand dollars less than the
Secretary of the Treasury had asked for; but
that O majority of the Committee on Finance
were of opinion that this appropriation was more
than was necessary for the collection of customs
and that the committee intend hereafter TO ex
anime our revenue system, expenses. &c, and
more fully fix specific appropriations; but as the
present fiscal year was so near TO close, that II
was perhaps best that the bill should pass.
The bilLwith its amendments passed.
The Constitution of the State Of California
was received, with an accompanying message from
the President Of the United States; which were
ordered to be printed
Mr.. Benton moved that the message be referred
to Select Committee, and that Mr.. Clay be ap
pointed Chairman.
Mr.. Foote objected, and desired that the whole
subject might lie over, as he was intending soon
to offer resolution that the consideration of this
subject of Slavery and all accompanying papers
petitions, &c, should be referred to Select Com
rnittee of fifteen Senators, chosen by ballot
A message was received from the President OF
the United States in relation to resolution OF
the Senate, asking for copies Of such correspond
ence as may have passed between our late Secre-
tary of State and our Charge d'Afaires at Guate-
mala, including any treaties he may have con-
cluded with either of the States Of Central Amer
lea. The message declined furnishing them at
present.
There as large audience Of ladies assembled
at the doors and ante-rooms. under the impress
sion that Mr. Calhoun was td8ddress the Senate.
MIR. Foote moved that the ladies be admitted
to the floor.
Mr.. Pearce said that he should be under the
necessity Of enforcing the rule OF the Senate.
That body was not a court Of love and beauty
The eloquence Of the Senate was sometimes COM
handing; but it was utterly powerless when
heard amidst the blaze of beauty with which the
Senator from Mississippi delighted to surround
u.s. He desired to save the Senate from the artil-
lery of Cupid, with which they had been besieged
of late He had himself fallen victim, and he
should have to insist upon that protection which
the rules of the Senate afforded.
Mr. Clay's resolutions being the special order
Of the day, Mr.. Davis Of Mississippi addressed
the Senate, opposing all the leading features in
the bill.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Reports from the different Committees having
been made, a message from the President of the
United States was received setting forth that the
information called for by the House, in relation
to the extraordinary proceedings of the English
Government in the forcible seizure of Tigre
Island, &c, and whether any treaties had been
entered into, &c, would be granted as soon rs
compatible with the public interests.
The Constitution of California was ALSO re-
ceived, and, after some debate referred to the
Committee of the Whole on the state of the
Union f@se
On the motion to reconsider, MIR S%saton Of
Tennessee occupied ABOUT an hour in q discur-
sive Speech alluding to oil subjects Of general in
terest and taking extreme grounds upon the Sla-
very question. He opposed the admission Of
California with her present Constitution in
sisted that the population were, large portion at
least, foreigners, and had no power to make q
Constitution. That by admitting California now
the South would surrender up her dearest inter.
ests into the hands of her enemies. That the
free States would then have q majority in the
Senate. He should therefore oppose her admis
sion.
The resolution from the Senate providing tina,
a special clerk be appointed to aid the Judges Of
the Supreme Court of the United States in copy.
ing opinions, &c, was opposed by Mr.. Carter Of
al N
on the Court.